Love it Evan!! How fitting that it’s literally our “move anniversary” today too 😊 thank you for featuring us on your channel. We appreciate you so much, it’s our turn to share you on our channel now 😉
Of course, it was a pleasure having you on the channel Brian and Cristina! No kidding? What are the chances of that 😂I would love to be on the channel when you guys have the chance!
Thank you for confirming that BGC is very Westernized, Ive explained this to many people and and have gotten backlash for saying that BGC is not really a true representation of the Phillipines.
They are a Global Family! A family that have a very wide Global perspective having both the Cultural advantages of both the Western and Asian nuances!!❤❤❤❤
Suburbia actually exists here in the form of gated subdivisions. In Manila, some of the closest suburbs are in Alabang, Paranaque, Marikina and Bulacan. All in all, you made some good observations about living here.
To those Americans or any foreigners planning to more here in our country this is a tremendous info shared by this American couple about their perspective from a year of living here, so take note of it to avoid regrets in the long run.
Thank you for deciding to settle in the Philippines after leaving good jobs etc in the States. Thank you for your honest opinion of living in the Philippines. BGC is an ideal place to start with before building your house near to BGC, within Metro Manila or outside Manila. I can only assume that Brian is dual citizen.
@TheSavvyExpat my husband, a Scots man, would love to live in the Philippines when he retires next year. This video will make him more determined to settle in the Philippines.
Another excellent video. Working from home has really changed the global economy, including The Philippines. Being early retired such as the military helps a lot. Healthcare and education of children is always a concern. Food is always a big concern, at least for my family. Great video. Thank you for sharing...
OMG my EVAN……….I REALLY Enjoyed & LOVED this episode interview with this BEAUTIFUL couple from Cali who moved to the Philippines!!! I learned ALOT after hearing from them & we’re EXCITED to start our NEW Journey in the Philippines too!!! Evan, continue blogging & sharing your passion bcuz you’re so KNOWLEDGEABLE & Very INSPIRING!! I’m your #1 SavvyExpat FAN!!😉🥰
Great job again, Evan. Congratulations to Brian and his family for taking the plunge and making the move. As you guys have said, BGC is not typical Philippines. But it's still a transition coming from the west. Great questions. Take care.
Great video! lived in California my whole life of 38years, been here in the PI twice in the last 7 months, and still experience so many different situations both good/bad. The mosquitoes thing is is biggest issue for me as well too. I am Light skinned Filipino American, so I’ve always wondered why/if they like my skin more? 😅
Actually you can move in posh places in Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Ortigas. There are slum areas but it's not like the whole city is slums. Once you moved around NCR you will understand what I am trying to say. NCR has all the essentials...
Awesome interview ❤, I hope your family will find comfort, contentment and happiness here in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Stay safe and God bless your family always ❤🍀🙏🤗🙌🫶💖
I just realized if you are to fully immerse yourself GET A CAR and drive around! Same thing when I moved to the west, I felt like i was living in a bubble. But when i bought my first car, it felt empowering! It felt freedom!
I have plans to move to the Philippines and we are in the process now. In the year 2021 I sent my wife and my two kids there, so far everything has gone well even thou the first two years was rough for my wife. My kids do have any problem during transition over their educational system.
I have just been there three days ago I notice that I can adjust and live there in the Philippines. We went to Boracay and island hopping. And then checked in at Okada. Went also to La Union and Baguio but come back to Quizon City the next day because typhoon Ingay started to hit the location. We stay there for three weeks. I enjoy a lot the prices of the food in SM and pure food. I had my diamond facial, my one-hour massage, and a bargain dental service. Overall I'm happy but why do I still want to come back to San Diego? Maybe because here in San Diego I have more freedom I can go to run errands by myself without asking family members to go with me. In the Philippines, we always call GRAP for an affordable ride. For twelve dollars back and forth with a driver is awesome. The house that we stay in was brand new in the subdivision bought by my niece. Very nice house three bedrooms and two baths. I think I rather live in a house and lot than Condo. Most condo has limited space and more hidden fees, and of course, you pay for their amenities. I might go back to the Philippines next year for Asian tour God willing.💖
Wonderful thanks for sharing your experience. I have been wanting to move to Philippines for a long time. But have been hesitant to do it bc Im a single parent and need more planning.
About internet connection that lives in BGC, the most affordable and accessable right now is prepaid internet like unli 5G by Smart and any other internet provider.
Funny because during my stay at my mother’s house in the province (CUARTERO, Capiz, in Panay), I have not run into any mosquitos. No one uses a mosquito net. There are a number of fruit bats that inhabit parts of the area, so they might be responsible for the eradication of mosquitoes.
A suburbs is different from subdivision. Suburbs is a city part of a metro or county. Like City of Paranaque is a suburbs of metro Manila or City of Glendale is a suburbs of Los Angeles. The term “subdivision” in the Philippines pertains more to a “gated community of homes” which can be in the middle of a city or the province or rural area.
Nuvali and surrounding area is the closest you can consider as suburbia as the term is understood in the US. It’s outside Metro Manila (1 to 2 hour drive) but has schools, supermarkets, shopping malls and hospitals.
I was in PH in Feb, I was shocked at the stores where the sales people follow you around. In USA, you cannot even find a sales person when you need one.
Great information. In Cebu last year people kept cutting me or the entire line and I could not understand why no one said anything. I was born and grew up in Boston Massachusetts and have seen arguments and even fights break out over people cutting in line. I assumed people just want to avoid confrontation in The PH so just let it go. It really bothered me but did not want to speak out for was a visitor on vacation. On a crime note: Mass shooting of 150 people with over 20 dead on The 4th of July weekend in The US. Among the major cities rocked by mass shooters were Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Fort Worth, Texas. I am guessing no Mass shooting in BGC last weekend.
Yup, simple etiquette like cutting in line isn't really observed here in the Philippines. It's just part of the culture and when it happens, I'm polite to tell them that I was in line first. They really don't give me a hard time. Honestly, so sad to hear about the mass shootings over there... Come out here bro! Have never even witnessed a stolen candy bar out here in BGC 😂
Do you happen to know if those people who cut in line are senior citizens? I’m from Cebu and I rarely encounter people cutting in line unless they’re seniors/PWDs. Seniors usually have a priority lane together with the PWDs, but if there’s no priority lane available, it’s culturally “accepted” for them to cut in line and be prioritized since they’re senior citizens/PWDs.
@@CharnelWhispers No none were seniors and they were cutting the regular line. I am 62 but would not go into the line that was for seniors or pregnant woman because I am not from the country. I was on vacation and in no hurry but it did happen a lot early mornings in fast food places so assume people were just tiring to get to work. Wait times are normally long for fast food so another few minutes was no big deal. Honestly if one is use to people cutting then one may not even notice it for seem normal to them.
@@CharnelWhispers Senior citizens are different, they have special lines or they get the most priority. Even if there is a line but a senior comes, they get to be served next. It's the law.
Sounds like similar stories of thousands of other families now moving back to the Philippines from the West. Earn a living, save and move back as most western countries are experiencing turmoil socially and politically. The US is a mess right now and why we left too. GL to this family.
Awesome video Evan, please ask Bryan and Cristina which online school of their children going too. We are moving in PI but still wondering the best online school for our kids. Thank you😊
oh absolutely! I was talking a friend from Oklahoma the other day and he said his living expenses here in BGC is cheaper than in a relatively affordable state like Okla.
Visiting the Philippines last May, i was shocked to see my sis-in-law cut a long line to the bathroom, they call CR, and entered one bathroom immediately telling everyone that she had to pee right away.
This is such a great video. My family and I have been thinking of a 5 year plan to move and live in the Philippines. I do have a question for the family from Cali. how did they go about education for their kids? I have a six year old and was wondering if they have their kids in school or international school or homeschooling and is it US based? Again great episode!
Thank you for the kind words Caressa. Really appreciate it. I got the chance to talk with Brian and Cristina about the schooling situation with their two boys. They took the homeschooling route as it's not only more cost effective but also doesn't hinder them when traveling.
There are international schools in the Philippines that teach verbally in English as main form of communication. Probably much more so in BGC area as a lot of expats in the area hence the demand for it. Not sure how to define US based as it seems US topics currently has different ideologies in different topics but one can say the Philippine school system is closely related to Western style system maybe not the same topics taught.
The guy does not look specifically Filipino; he looks and is a Californian. The perspectives of an expat are interesting. From experience, when I moved to Argentina I was allergic to bites by the insects as they were different from North America.
Yup, Brian grew up practically his entire life in the States so it was refreshing to hear his pov. I noticed the same, mosquitos here have a different effect than in the States.
The guy does not look“specifically” Filipino. From a foreigner’s perspective, care to share what does a Filipino specifically look like to you? I’m a Filipino and he does look like 100% Filipino to me lol
@@CharnelWhispers Filipinos look better than my ugly mug. The guy looks tanned and slightly Asian but we are all mixtures of races. He dresses like many Californians.
Filipinos do come in many "looks." This is due to many decades of Western colonization and intermarriages of different races. Like the United States, the Philippines is the melting pot of Asia. Majority still looks like the current President and the previous ones, male or female. Brian having been born and raised at an early to Filipino parents before moving to the States is no exception. I am more interested in knowing what a "Californian" looks like from your perspective. There are Caucasians, Latinos, Asians, African Americans, etc. living in California, no different from the other States in the Union. I have lived in California and having moved since, no one would mistake me for a typical ex-Californian.
@@83nomad5 I see Californians as a mix of races, usually tanned, and usually dressed stylishly, often with beach influences. As clothes often distinguish people, I see most Californians as usually urban in style although I am sure there are Hasidic and Amish Californians. I responded to the comment that the wife didn’t think he looked Filipino. There is no racism intended or inherent in my comments. My daughters are both Inuit from the Arctic but their features share both Caucasian and Asian/Mongolian features. The only important physical features for anyone are a warm smile and a caring heart.
Hi need some few advices. We are young couple living in the states with two boys. My wife and I grew up in the Philippines. We went vacation last month my wife and my kids love there so much. It's hard to decide but we really wanted to move there. But my wife's families are not agree with us. We really love the Philippines. We like USA but we don't like the way of life, we don't like the food, and everything are expensive. We want to move to simple province life. I feel bad for making decisions for us. Btw, great video!
I can't speak personally for Brian and Cristina, but I've grown to handle the humid heat here in the Philippines. I clearly remember the last time I experienced the dry heat in Vegas it was not only hotter, but almost unbearable.
I can’t stand the heat in Vegas in summer. I guess since I grew up and live in the Phils, I’m so used to the hot, humid weather. June and July are particularly bad bec this is the transition to wet season from dry season. But the humidity is good for your skin. It keeps our skin moist all the time. That’s probably the reason why Filipinos age slower than people who reside in temperate climates.
How do you guys expect to sustain your lifestyle? Regular filipinos go abroad to work because philippine income is not enough. Expats earning income in the Philippines need to pay US income tax as well. What kind of source income can prospective expat do to fund living in the Philippines?
What kind of occupations do y'all have to have transitioned (assuming you are all continuing to work in the same field) into living in the Philippines? I am a 40-year-old professional, but can't see myself, from a financial perspective, moving there until 15 years from now.
I'm glad your clarified living in BGC compared to the rest of the Philippines. If you're looking for a more old school Filipino environment I suggest not moving anywhere in Manila. Manila is horrible unless your spending US type money to live in an apartment close to all the business districts.
US is very different now , I also grew up in LA Cali, US in General is in tremendous decline don’t k ow if you’ve seen The West in General like Seattle and San francisco , It is destroyed , companies are leaving these cities , I used to love these 2 cities now it is a shit hole so as other big cities in US , I’m about to move to PI in a few months for good cuz there’s really nothing to be excited about here in US anymore , I lived here over 40 years never thought I’d consider leaving . I mean where in the world is crime glorified and law not enforced . It has become the wild west
It's such a shame. These used to be two beautiful cities but these policies not only enabling but glorifying crime caused it's demise. You're not the only one sick and tried of it...
Try to stick around until after the 2024 Presidential election. If a Republican wins, there will be huge changes on how the country is govern. Heck, the current White House occupant may not even finish his tenure in office. What is happening in the country is only temporary and self-inflicted by the current administration. Think about it, it was only a little over 2 years ago that the US was in a much better shape. Don't give up, there is still hope for this great nation.
Yeah I lived in San Francisco for 21 years and left in 2018 (probably just in time not to see it deteriorate fast). From youtube, they show downtown as virtually a ghost town with stores/shops closed in both sides of the street. Sad...
Have you found good friendships for your children as a homeschooling family? We homeschool as well and are considering BGC. We are previously from San Deigo, and now Tampa Bay. Looking for better quality of life and friendships.
Hello, as far as from what I've seen hanging out with Brian, Cristina, and the boys, the majority of their friends are expats also from Cali. There's a big expat community here with kids so, I don't think you'll have any trouble finding that.
When moving to PH, you guys should lower your expectations. Ph is like america 40 years ago. People are so americanized. It's like a big US state everything is in english and people do things like people do things in the US. Don't be surprise if there are security guards all over, its a deterrent to crimes. We Don't have mass shooting or shoplifting here.
I wish the best to your family. I will be in Philippines by Nov. if it’s possible to rent a condo for three weeks in BGC never been there. Do you have recommendations? I’m from California.
5:40 If you are used to unlimited data in the U.S., why can't you get unlimited data in the Philippines? Is that not an option? Just get unlimited data. Not sure why that is a challenge.
Great interview! I watched them pack up their home and move in to the BGC apt. TP is not for your hands. You take the squares into the toilet...don't forget.😂Cutting a queue is common all over Asia. I had a rant about how people keep walking right in my lane, mostly women. And this was in Malaysia! Is it a control thing? "Can I get him to move?" Then I came to the conclusion that they don't look ahead and see what is coming. Like driving to only the car directly in front of you... Every Filipino loves a camera...really!😂
Lol I’m so lucky I was living in a Latin country before moving to the Philippines. So cutting in lines , no big deal here in the Philippines. Where I was everybody would try to cut in line. Unfortunately so many would try and take advantage of you. 😂 and people ask you drive here in the Philippines? Yeah piece of cake compared to where I was driving!! I looooove theeee Philippines!!!!
California mindset examples would be…You mean like driving electric vehicles such as Teslas and enjoying wine tasting in the wine country of Napa? how about enjoying movies from Hollywood and dance-move with hip hop, which are all Californian. Your hypocrisy is baseless
I would love to move to the Philippines. But what is their source of income aside from UA-cam? I can live off my savings, sell my house and use the equity. I cant take out my 401K yet since Im not near retirement age. I also cannot file for Social Security yet too. But I'll need passive income.
The husband mentioned military background. Could be he is retired military thus he has a pension. And if he has VA disability rating that is another source of income & tax free. If rated 100% VA rating, it is about $3,400/month. Husband also mentioned working for a federal agency (DOE) remotely which is another source of income.
Since we are in digital electronic era you could still work at your home of convenience here in the Philippines and do a job like free-launching for different countries and earned dollars as passive income and then still live like a king in the Philippines because everything here is very cheap in terms of dollar currency.
Hi Evan this is a nice episode you have here, i am planning on moving with my wife and kids to the Philippines next year and right now my kids are home schooled with charter here in SoCal. Im just wondering what kind of home schooling are Brian and Cristinas kids on...Charter which my kids are on is State subsidized and is still under the dept of education in California, however they can't countinue under charter if we go out of the country. I was wondering if there is such where my kids can do home schooling under US dept of education umbrella even if they are out of the country. Thank you.
Just go to any ordinary private school (shouldn't be that expensive you with your dollars) and it still would be on par or better than US charter schools. A lot of my friend's kids when they came to the US were in the honor rolls in no time or they said school was very easy.
I would disagree about health care, every country has its own coverage. The US is one of the western country that one concern with health care. Very very expensive. To get a free medical one has to make a low ceiling of income and sometimes it does not work. In three years living there I would guess that you guys already got acclimated and have been culturally adapted first and foremost learning the language (tagalog) to make it lot easier to fully understand. My first question is did you guys do a diligent research? Would have solve some of your question. Still cheap compared to a so called western world. Long time expat could have been a big help. I lived in San Francisco area for 50 plus years, I was able to build a home at the Metro Manila area. Mortgage free, and was able to buy a 2 br condo by Okada area. We're using bidets in all our bedrooms and install tankless heaters. I visit the US every year and still shocked as how the cities are overwhelmed with homeless people that does nothing but defecate, piss, trash the whole area. The whole state is sad and pathetic. I am more relaxed when I go back to my developing Philippines. I still love America whatever faults and shortcomings the public officials are doing.
@@83nomad5 hahaha to be fair Tyler and Isaac may act like idiots but when they get serious they are articulate, smart & brutally honest.. not like most other foreign ph vloggers whose sole purpose is to get subs and views from Filipinos.
I somewhat find it insulting the use of the word "Westernized" Is everything a western idea, concept? Is the Philippines being ruled by westerners? An Area like BGC is not supposed to exist in the Philippines!? or just because Filipinos speak good English!? What about Singapore city, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shenzhen, Taipei, etc. were those city also westernized because they have western corporations/brands everywhere & some can also speak good English? but its rare or you don't hear someone say "westernized" in these cities! but developed parts of the Philippines is "westernized"!? that's ridiculous. We might as well say the US is Easternized because of the giant Japanese car brands😁
I get what you mean, however this is the best term for us to paint the picture that it’s very close to living in the nicest parts of the U.S but in the Philippines.
@@TheSavvyExpat Yeah you can say it "westernized" but only in the Philippines But you can't & not to these other Asian cities that I mentioned, do you? Aren't these cities as nice well-developed or even better than nicest parts of the U.S & so these cities are also 'westernized', lol! Doesn't that sound ridiculous & insulting! Should I go to the U.S & choose to live in the countryside & I keep saying it is 'easternized' because it is the "best term" for me to paint the picture that it’s very close to living in the province parts of the Philippines but in the U.S.😅 You guys really grew up w/ Ego/Conceited & delusional thinking the U,S is everything, the best & the greatest country on Earth🥴🥴
Try finding people from countries other than the USA to interview about living in Philippines. Such as Europeans etc. Chances are, not too many Europeans would jump at the opportunity to relocate there compared to Americans. People with means are fleeing that hell
Never ask for an extra bag at Robinsons even when they overfill the bags they give you. On more than one occasion I we told there are no circumstances where they would even sell me a bag
They should have grocery bags/eco-bags for sale specifically for groceries, all of them do. Or you have to bring your own grocery bag as they have no plastic bags, complementary or for sale.
@@TheSavvyExpat There was no cost as they wouldn't sell me one. I wasn't asking for a free bag even if I spent 10 - 15K pesos. I eventually figured out my best solution was to buy a few bags from National Book Store but when it came to the bagger putting my things in the bags even having my own bag came with issues.
I'm really wondering why people in the US thinks that our healthcare has a large difference in the US in terms of quality. lol, your doctors and nurses in the US are mostly Filipinos. And if you compare your private hospitals here in the US, it's just the same, but with a fraction of the price. Of course, it's a different story if you talk about our public hospitals here.
Seems like a very easy question that you can easily figure out yourself. He seems to be in his 40s so that meant he was very young when he left the Philippines, and knowing filipino parents, they probably actively made him fit in with america by not teaching him tagalog and filipino culture. You know it's true.
He sounds a bit cocky when answering it's obvious his Filipino...the tone in his voice doesn't sound like he's proud to be one.... regardless you lived in the US for 30 years don't forget where you came from!👍
@@TheSavvyExpat oh wow, thanks for the reply. My husband and I are planning to move to Philippines for couple years. We plan to rent our house here in Dallas area and plan to take sabbatical for couple years. 🙂 Love the idea on not having to do so many chores…
Savvy Guides - FULL Guide on BGC, Philippines
www.thesavvyexpat.com/
Do you have a video on selecting a housekeeper?
Just visited Philippines BGC. So far it's good.
Love it Evan!! How fitting that it’s literally our “move anniversary” today too 😊 thank you for featuring us on your channel. We appreciate you so much, it’s our turn to share you on our channel now 😉
Of course, it was a pleasure having you on the channel Brian and Cristina! No kidding? What are the chances of that 😂I would love to be on the channel when you guys have the chance!
Thank you for confirming that BGC is very Westernized, Ive explained this to many people and and have gotten backlash for saying that BGC is not really a true representation of the Phillipines.
It’s what you call ignorance from some Filipino people. If they never been outside the Philippines please don’t speak.
They are a Global Family!
A family that have a very wide Global perspective having both the Cultural advantages of both the Western and Asian nuances!!❤❤❤❤
Absolutely!
Suburbia actually exists here in the form of gated subdivisions. In Manila, some of the closest suburbs are in Alabang, Paranaque, Marikina and Bulacan. All in all, you made some good observations about living here.
The most luxurious would probably be Forbes Park in Makati.
@@ChasingEnigma Agreed, if you want to live in the lap of luxury (in close proximity to the city), that's the place to do it.
BRIAN AND CRISTINA, live your life well. Just be aware of your health care. Thanks for sharing.
To those Americans or any foreigners planning to more here in our country this is a tremendous info shared by this American couple about their perspective from a year of living here, so take note of it to avoid regrets in the long run.
Thank you for deciding to settle in the Philippines after leaving good jobs etc in the States. Thank you for your honest opinion of living in the Philippines. BGC is an ideal place to start with before building your house near to BGC, within Metro Manila or outside Manila. I can only assume that Brian is dual citizen.
Absolutely, Brian and Cristina is a wealth of experience in knowledge on this topic!
@TheSavvyExpat my husband, a Scots man, would love to live in the Philippines when he retires next year. This video will make him more determined to settle in the Philippines.
@@TheSavvyExpatMay I know the name of their you tube channel?
Another excellent video. Working from home has really changed the global economy, including The Philippines.
Being early retired such as the military helps a lot. Healthcare and education of children is always a concern.
Food is always a big concern, at least for my family.
Great video. Thank you for sharing...
OMG my EVAN……….I REALLY Enjoyed & LOVED this episode interview with this BEAUTIFUL couple from Cali who moved to the Philippines!!! I learned ALOT after hearing from them & we’re EXCITED to start our NEW Journey in the Philippines too!!!
Evan, continue blogging & sharing your passion bcuz you’re so KNOWLEDGEABLE & Very INSPIRING!! I’m your #1 SavvyExpat FAN!!😉🥰
Thanks Tita Mae! You're the best supporter!
Great job again, Evan. Congratulations to Brian and his family for taking the plunge and making the move. As you guys have said, BGC is not typical Philippines. But it's still a transition coming from the west. Great questions. Take care.
Great video! lived in California my whole life of 38years, been here in the PI twice in the last 7 months, and still experience so many different situations both good/bad. The mosquitoes thing is is biggest issue for me as well too. I am Light skinned Filipino American, so I’ve always wondered why/if they like my skin more? 😅
I would suggest getting Starlink! I’m getting WiFi speeds like in the US.
You're using starlink already? I gotta by myself one because Globe has been choppy lately.
@@TheSavvyExpat yes we’ll worth the investment especially if you enjoy modern internet speeds that you’ll be satisfied in the USA.
@@PinoyZo1hi, would you not mind if I'm asking how much is the monthly for starlink? Really appreciate your answer. Thx!
@@anormalpokemonfan The equipment from start is about 35k pesos & monthly is around 2,700 pesos which is about $50 a month.
I learned so much from Brian in this video. He definitely sounds like a foreigner. Great interview host.
Brian sure has so much knowledge about making the move having experienced it first hand. Glad you enjoyed the interview!
We are planning to move to the Philippines as well. With our family. So video will help us out spot. Thanks
Nice to see llvt on your vlog 💖🇵🇭
More to come!
Great upload, really interesting and a fascinating, lovely family - thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it
Another great vid Evan, great to get newcomers perspectives. Thanks for sharing!
Great Video! Good info 👍 And Best Wishes
Thank you! 👍
Thank you. I enjoyed the interview.
Thank you Bryann and Cristina....for sharing.....Wow...I learned alot....
Yay! So happy that you did a collab !! Awesome family
Love the collaboration ❤😊🎉
Actually you can move in posh places in Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Ortigas.
There are slum areas but it's not like the whole city is slums.
Once you moved around NCR you will understand what I am trying to say.
NCR has all the essentials...
Awesome interview ❤, I hope your family will find comfort, contentment and happiness here in the Philippines 🇵🇭. Stay safe and God bless your family always ❤🍀🙏🤗🙌🫶💖
There are nice areas in Subic, Zambales too. it's a few hours away from Manila
I just realized if you are to fully immerse yourself GET A CAR and drive around! Same thing when I moved to the west, I felt like i was living in a bubble. But when i bought my first car, it felt empowering! It felt freedom!
A lot of expats and balikbayans from California moving to BGC. They may need to expand that city into the other provinces.
There's a ton coming out here and I can totally see why!
Nice topic and nice spoke persons. LLVT is a good resource
Yes they are!
Awesome video…. Thank you for sharing
I have plans to move to the Philippines and we are in the process now. In the year 2021 I sent my wife and my two kids there, so far everything has gone well even thou the first two years was rough for my wife. My kids do have any problem during transition over their educational system.
We are coming .Good job .Boys
See you soon Esther! God bless you always.
Try to check Nuvali, that is a good neighborhood, maybe you can check a good property on that area!
Just subscribed. Happy stay in the Philippines. Less stress please. Simple living, but getting all the amenities like the western world.
I have just been there three days ago I notice that I can adjust and live there in the Philippines. We went to Boracay and island hopping. And then checked in at Okada. Went also to La Union and Baguio but come back to Quizon City the next day because typhoon Ingay started to hit the location. We stay there for three weeks. I enjoy a lot the prices of the food in SM and pure food. I had my diamond facial, my one-hour massage, and a bargain dental service. Overall I'm happy but why do I still want to come back to San Diego? Maybe because here in San Diego I have more freedom I can go to run errands by myself without asking family members to go with me. In the Philippines, we always call GRAP for an affordable ride. For twelve dollars back and forth with a driver is awesome. The house that we stay in was brand new in the subdivision bought by my niece. Very nice house three bedrooms and two baths. I think I rather live in a house and lot than Condo. Most condo has limited space and more hidden fees, and of course, you pay for their amenities. I might go back to the Philippines next year for Asian tour God willing.💖
Wonderful thanks for sharing your experience. I have been wanting to move to Philippines for a long time. But have been hesitant to do it bc Im a single parent and need more planning.
Inspirational, thank you.
About internet connection that lives in BGC, the most affordable and accessable right now is prepaid internet like unli 5G by Smart and any other internet provider.
Funny because during my stay at my mother’s house in the province (CUARTERO, Capiz, in Panay), I have not run into any mosquitos. No one uses a mosquito net. There are a number of fruit bats that inhabit parts of the area, so they might be responsible for the eradication of mosquitoes.
Suburb areas are equal to subdivisions here in PH. The price of land and houses within those subdivisions can vary depending on where you live.
A suburbs is different from subdivision. Suburbs is a city part of a metro or county. Like City of Paranaque is a suburbs of metro Manila or City of Glendale is a suburbs of Los Angeles. The term “subdivision” in the Philippines pertains more to a “gated community of homes” which can be in the middle of a city or the province or rural area.
You can't really find open suburbs here in the Philippines, just gated communities
Nuvali and surrounding area is the closest you can consider as suburbia as the term is understood in the US. It’s outside Metro Manila (1 to 2 hour drive) but has schools, supermarkets, shopping malls and hospitals.
@@tonyp2601 Nuvali is a nice place!!
Born and raised in the United States, have traveled extensively and lived in a few developing countries and I have never heard of Laundry Sundays?
Can you provide information on Healthcare? How you pay for doctor visits, hospitalizations and prescription medications.
Evan great ans helpful video that said audio is very scratchy make it difficult to hear not sure what you can do on this one or others
I was in PH in Feb, I was shocked at the stores where the sales people follow you around. In USA, you cannot even find a sales person when you need one.
Seem like a great family. Good luck to them.
Great information. In Cebu last year people kept cutting me or the entire line and I could not understand why no one said anything. I was born and grew up in Boston Massachusetts and have seen arguments and even fights break out over people cutting in line. I assumed people just want to avoid confrontation in The PH so just let it go. It really bothered me but did not want to speak out for was a visitor on vacation. On a crime note: Mass shooting of 150 people with over 20 dead on The 4th of July weekend in The US. Among the major cities rocked by mass shooters were Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Fort Worth, Texas. I am guessing no Mass shooting in BGC last weekend.
Yup, simple etiquette like cutting in line isn't really observed here in the Philippines. It's just part of the culture and when it happens, I'm polite to tell them that I was in line first. They really don't give me a hard time.
Honestly, so sad to hear about the mass shootings over there... Come out here bro! Have never even witnessed a stolen candy bar out here in BGC 😂
Do you happen to know if those people who cut in line are senior citizens? I’m from Cebu and I rarely encounter people cutting in line unless they’re seniors/PWDs. Seniors usually have a priority lane together with the PWDs, but if there’s no priority lane available, it’s culturally “accepted” for them to cut in line and be prioritized since they’re senior citizens/PWDs.
@@CharnelWhispers No none were seniors and they were cutting the regular line. I am 62 but would not go into the line that was for seniors or pregnant woman because I am not from the country. I was on vacation and in no hurry but it did happen a lot early mornings in fast food places so assume people were just tiring to get to work. Wait times are normally long for fast food so another few minutes was no big deal. Honestly if one is use to people cutting then one may not even notice it for seem normal to them.
people are just timid to confront the cutter so they get away with it.
@@CharnelWhispers Senior citizens are different, they have special lines or they get the most priority. Even if there is a line but a senior comes, they get to be served next. It's the law.
Sounds like similar stories of thousands of other families now moving back to the Philippines from the West. Earn a living, save and move back as most western countries are experiencing turmoil socially and politically. The US is a mess right now and why we left too. GL to this family.
Awesome video Evan, please ask Bryan and Cristina which online school of their children going too. We are moving in PI but still wondering the best online school for our kids. Thank you😊
There's alot of western people chose to live on other countries since it was way to expensive living the US.. This is a Win win move for sure..
oh absolutely! I was talking a friend from Oklahoma the other day and he said his living expenses here in BGC is cheaper than in a relatively affordable state like Okla.
Visiting the Philippines last May, i was shocked to see my sis-in-law cut a long line to the bathroom, they call CR, and entered one bathroom immediately telling everyone that she had to pee right away.
This is such a great video. My family and I have been thinking of a 5 year plan to move and live in the Philippines. I do have a question for the family from Cali. how did they go about education for their kids? I have a six year old and was wondering if they have their kids in school or international school or homeschooling and is it US based? Again great episode!
Thank you for the kind words Caressa. Really appreciate it. I got the chance to talk with Brian and Cristina about the schooling situation with their two boys. They took the homeschooling route as it's not only more cost effective but also doesn't hinder them when traveling.
Thanks!
There are international schools in the Philippines that teach verbally in English as main form of communication. Probably much more so in BGC area as a lot of expats in the area hence the demand for it. Not sure how to define US based as it seems US topics currently has different ideologies in different topics but one can say the Philippine school system is closely related to Western style system maybe not the same topics taught.
The guy does not look specifically Filipino; he looks and is a Californian. The perspectives of an expat are interesting. From experience, when I moved to Argentina I was allergic to bites by the insects as they were different from North America.
Yup, Brian grew up practically his entire life in the States so it was refreshing to hear his pov. I noticed the same, mosquitos here have a different effect than in the States.
The guy does not look“specifically” Filipino. From a foreigner’s perspective, care to share what does a Filipino specifically look like to you? I’m a Filipino and he does look like 100% Filipino to me lol
@@CharnelWhispers Filipinos look better than my ugly mug. The guy looks tanned and slightly Asian but we are all mixtures of races. He dresses like many Californians.
Filipinos do come in many "looks." This is due to many decades of Western colonization and intermarriages of different races. Like the United States, the Philippines is the melting pot of Asia. Majority still looks like the current President and the previous ones, male or female. Brian having been born and raised at an early to Filipino parents before moving to the States is no exception. I am more interested in knowing what a "Californian" looks like from your perspective. There are Caucasians, Latinos, Asians, African Americans, etc. living in California, no different from the other States in the Union. I have lived in California and having moved since, no one would mistake me for a typical ex-Californian.
@@83nomad5 I see Californians as a mix of races, usually tanned, and usually dressed stylishly, often with beach influences. As clothes often distinguish people, I see most Californians as usually urban in style although I am sure there are Hasidic and Amish Californians. I responded to the comment that the wife didn’t think he looked Filipino. There is no racism intended or inherent in my comments. My daughters are both Inuit from the Arctic but their features share both Caucasian and Asian/Mongolian features. The only important physical features for anyone are a warm smile and a caring heart.
Hi need some few advices. We are young couple living in the states with two boys. My wife and I grew up in the Philippines. We went vacation last month my wife and my kids love there so much. It's hard to decide but we really wanted to move there. But my wife's families are not agree with us. We really love the Philippines. We like USA but we don't like the way of life, we don't like the food, and everything are expensive. We want to move to simple province life. I feel bad for making decisions for us.
Btw, great video!
Great...
Thanks for watching!
try to explore the music side of pinoys or arts in general if you find it interesting enougho
Great informative video...however, the background noise is almost unbearable..
Sorry about that
IYO which is less comfortable - BGC humidity in the middle of summer or Las Vegas dry heat in the middle of the summer?
I can't speak personally for Brian and Cristina, but I've grown to handle the humid heat here in the Philippines. I clearly remember the last time I experienced the dry heat in Vegas it was not only hotter, but almost unbearable.
I can’t stand the heat in Vegas in summer. I guess since I grew up and live in the Phils, I’m so used to the hot, humid weather. June and July are particularly bad bec this is the transition to wet season from dry season.
But the humidity is good for your skin. It keeps our skin moist all the time. That’s probably the reason why Filipinos age slower than people who reside in temperate climates.
How do you guys expect to sustain your lifestyle? Regular filipinos go abroad to work because philippine income is not enough. Expats earning income in the Philippines need to pay US income tax as well. What kind of source income can prospective expat do to fund living in the Philippines?
I would like to see what there place looks like on the 3k budget.
What kind of occupations do y'all have to have transitioned (assuming you are all continuing to work in the same field) into living in the Philippines? I am a 40-year-old professional, but can't see myself, from a financial perspective, moving there until 15 years from now.
I'm glad your clarified living in BGC compared to the rest of the Philippines. If you're looking for a more old school Filipino environment I suggest not moving anywhere in Manila. Manila is horrible unless your spending US type money to live in an apartment close to all the business districts.
US is very different now , I also grew up in LA Cali, US in General is in tremendous decline don’t k ow if you’ve seen The West in General like Seattle and San francisco , It is destroyed , companies are leaving these cities , I used to love these 2 cities now it is a shit hole so as other big cities in US , I’m about to move to PI in a few months for good cuz there’s really nothing to be excited about here in US anymore , I lived here over 40 years never thought I’d consider leaving . I mean where in the world is crime glorified and law not enforced . It has become the wild west
It's such a shame. These used to be two beautiful cities but these policies not only enabling but glorifying crime caused it's demise. You're not the only one sick and tried of it...
Try to stick around until after the 2024 Presidential election. If a Republican wins, there will be huge changes on how the country is govern. Heck, the current White House occupant may not even finish his tenure in office. What is happening in the country is only temporary and self-inflicted by the current administration. Think about it, it was only a little over 2 years ago that the US was in a much better shape. Don't give up, there is still hope for this great nation.
Thanks and no thanks to the Republican policies that keep on dismantling the democratic processes.
@@cebamy are you even kidding me? How can you not know that these are all democrat run cities and states?
Yeah I lived in San Francisco for 21 years and left in 2018 (probably just in time not to see it deteriorate fast). From youtube, they show downtown as virtually a ghost town with stores/shops closed in both sides of the street. Sad...
Have you found good friendships for your children as a homeschooling family? We homeschool as well and are considering BGC. We are previously from San Deigo, and now Tampa Bay. Looking for better quality of life and friendships.
Hello, as far as from what I've seen hanging out with Brian, Cristina, and the boys, the majority of their friends are expats also from Cali. There's a big expat community here with kids so, I don't think you'll have any trouble finding that.
When moving to PH, you guys should lower your expectations. Ph is like america 40 years ago. People are so americanized. It's like a big US state everything is in english and people do things like people do things in the US. Don't be surprise if there are security guards all over, its a deterrent to crimes. We Don't have mass shooting or shoplifting here.
Americanized? Quit joking.
@@khust2993totoo nmn dati ung mga matatanda noon lhat cla naga English
Just recently in LA-CA, group shoplifting in (Nordstrom) in broad daylight with shoppers were looking on them, never happened in the Phils.
Missed out the question.... "Do you still work?" 🤷🏽
To Brian and Cristina, does the estimated monthly 3K also include rent? Great video Evan!
Yup, that includes rent as well! Thanks for watching!
Why is that husband SO uptight? RELAX!
Bryan is a Filipino
There is future in the Philippines bro
Question I want to move there any advice into where we can be with realtors there and what’s the best to move to Philippines
I wish the best to your family. I will be in Philippines by Nov. if it’s possible to rent a condo for three weeks in BGC never been there. Do you have recommendations? I’m from California.
5:40 If you are used to unlimited data in the U.S., why can't you get unlimited data in the Philippines? Is that not an option? Just get unlimited data. Not sure why that is a challenge.
From my experience, buying load weekly is the only option
There is an unlimited data option but it’s not as popular because most city dwellers, at least where I’m from, are reliant on WiFi and Magic Data.
When you moved to the Philippines did you ship some household goods or just what you could carry in your suitcases ?
Sorry Christina / i call you LaVida name of your Blog / What a beautiful family you have / Dear God Always Bless You All ❤️🙏
Thank you so much!
For filipiinos, but for someone who has a steady dollar income, you could definitely live there.
The guy looks very much Filipino, in fact he resembles Jhong Hilario
Great interview! I watched them pack up their home and move in to the BGC apt.
TP is not for your hands. You take the squares into the toilet...don't forget.😂Cutting a queue is common all over Asia. I had a rant about how people keep walking right in my lane, mostly women. And this was in Malaysia! Is it a control thing? "Can I get him to move?" Then I came to the conclusion that they don't look ahead and see what is coming. Like driving to only the car directly in front of you...
Every Filipino loves a camera...really!😂
So true Darryl... Thanks for watching!
I don’t think like cutting here is as bad as that in China 😂
@@tonyp2601 how can there be cutting in China...when there is no queue in China. You might think you're in a queue, but you'd be the only one.🤣
the only american style suburbs i've seen in the PH are exclusive and gated where the general public is not allowed to go inside
Lol I’m so lucky I was living in a Latin country before moving to the Philippines. So cutting in lines , no big deal here in the Philippines. Where I was everybody would try to cut in line. Unfortunately so many would try and take advantage of you. 😂 and people ask you drive here in the Philippines? Yeah piece of cake compared to where I was driving!! I looooove theeee Philippines!!!!
Please do not bring the California mentality to the Philippines!
Thankfully they didn't!
California mindset examples would be…You mean like driving electric vehicles such as Teslas and enjoying wine tasting in the wine country of Napa? how about enjoying movies from Hollywood and dance-move with hip hop, which are all Californian. Your hypocrisy is baseless
@@RayMorales-k5v California is a degenerate place. Don't bring it to our country.
One thing you guys never mention is about your lively hood . Are you both retire or you will depend on your huge savings to live in the Philippines ?
The words 'state', 'nation' and 'country' are synonymous
The original Americans are native Indians or simply Indians they are the indigenous people.
I would love to move to the Philippines. But what is their source of income aside from UA-cam? I can live off my savings, sell my house and use the equity. I cant take out my 401K yet since Im not near retirement age. I also cannot file for Social Security yet too. But I'll need passive income.
The husband mentioned military background. Could be he is retired military thus he has a pension. And if he has VA disability rating that is another source of income & tax free. If rated 100% VA rating, it is about $3,400/month. Husband also mentioned working for a federal agency (DOE) remotely which is another source of income.
Since we are in digital electronic era you could still work at your home of convenience here in the Philippines and do a job like free-launching for different countries and earned dollars as passive income and then still live like a king in the Philippines because everything here is very cheap in terms of dollar currency.
@@LAXAMAND Exactly what I'm thinking too
@@renatzkigab2616 yup!
Thats one big factor to consder. How are you going to support yourself in BGC? BGC is very expensive
Hi Evan this is a nice episode you have here, i am planning on moving with my wife and kids to the Philippines next year and right now my kids are home schooled with charter here in SoCal. Im just wondering what kind of home schooling are Brian and Cristinas kids on...Charter which my kids are on is State subsidized and is still under the dept of education in California, however they can't countinue under charter if we go out of the country. I was wondering if there is such where my kids can do home schooling under US dept of education umbrella even if they are out of the country. Thank you.
Just go to any ordinary private school (shouldn't be that expensive you with your dollars) and it still would be on par or better than US charter schools. A lot of my friend's kids when they came to the US were in the honor rolls in no time or they said school was very easy.
You guys moving to the Philippines is crowding the places. Tourists yes, but live there, not fair.
I would disagree about health care, every country has its own coverage. The US is one of the western country that one concern with health care. Very very expensive. To get a free medical one has to make a low ceiling of income and sometimes it does not work. In three years living there I would guess that you guys already got acclimated and have been culturally adapted first and foremost learning the language (tagalog) to make it lot easier to fully understand. My first question is did you guys do a diligent research? Would have solve some of your question. Still cheap compared to a so called western world. Long time expat could have been a big help. I lived in San Francisco area for 50 plus years, I was able to build a home at the Metro Manila area. Mortgage free, and was able to buy a 2 br condo by Okada area. We're using bidets in all our bedrooms and install tankless heaters. I visit the US every year and still shocked as how the cities are overwhelmed with homeless people that does nothing but defecate, piss, trash the whole area. The whole state is sad and pathetic. I am more relaxed when I go back to my developing Philippines. I still love America whatever faults and shortcomings the public officials are doing.
❤❤❤
Hi just a quick question, how did you guys deal with the taxes in the USA? Did you guys still file the income tax annually?
Thank you.
Do one with Tyler and Isaac
Evan acts and at times mature for his age. I doubt he would do interviews with kids.
@@83nomad5 hahaha to be fair Tyler and Isaac may act like idiots but when they get serious they are articulate, smart & brutally honest.. not like most other foreign ph vloggers whose sole purpose is to get subs and views from Filipinos.
he looks like lou diamond Philips cousin
I somewhat find it insulting the use of the word "Westernized"
Is everything a western idea, concept? Is the Philippines being ruled by westerners? An Area like BGC is not supposed to exist in the Philippines!? or just because Filipinos speak good English!? What about Singapore city, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shenzhen, Taipei, etc. were those city also westernized because they have western corporations/brands everywhere & some can also speak good English? but its rare or you don't hear someone say "westernized" in these cities! but developed parts of the Philippines is "westernized"!? that's ridiculous. We might as well say the US is Easternized because of the giant Japanese car brands😁
I get what you mean, however this is the best term for us to paint the picture that it’s very close to living in the nicest parts of the U.S but in the Philippines.
@@TheSavvyExpat Yeah you can say it "westernized" but only in the Philippines But you can't & not to these other Asian cities that I mentioned, do you? Aren't these cities as nice well-developed or even better than nicest parts of the U.S & so these cities are also 'westernized', lol! Doesn't that sound ridiculous & insulting! Should I go to the U.S & choose to live in the countryside & I keep saying it is 'easternized' because it is the "best term" for me to paint the picture that it’s very close to living in the province parts of the Philippines but in the U.S.😅 You guys really grew up w/ Ego/Conceited & delusional thinking the U,S is everything, the best & the greatest country on Earth🥴🥴
Try finding people from countries other than the USA to interview about living in Philippines. Such as Europeans etc. Chances are, not too many Europeans would jump at the opportunity to relocate there compared to Americans. People with means are fleeing that hell
no suburbs just sub divisions
how the visa works? if you american citizens.
Never ask for an extra bag at Robinsons even when they overfill the bags they give you. On more than one occasion I we told there are no circumstances where they would even sell me a bag
It’s like 3 pesos right?
They should have grocery bags/eco-bags for sale specifically for groceries, all of them do. Or you have to bring your own grocery bag as they have no plastic bags, complementary or for sale.
@@TheSavvyExpat There was no cost as they wouldn't sell me one. I wasn't asking for a free bag even if I spent 10 - 15K pesos. I eventually figured out my best solution was to buy a few bags from National Book Store but when it came to the bagger putting my things in the bags even having my own bag came with issues.
@@rap3208 I'm referencing a period several years ago. Maybe things have changed by now.
Christina and husband did the right m9ve i guess. The reas9n being is that, when you are older a bit, you twmd to lose the energy to be m9v8ng around.
I'm really wondering why people in the US thinks that our healthcare has a large difference in the US in terms of quality. lol, your doctors and nurses in the US are mostly Filipinos. And if you compare your private hospitals here in the US, it's just the same, but with a fraction of the price. Of course, it's a different story if you talk about our public hospitals here.
Nope, you’re wrong in that aspect. There are not a lot of Great Filipino doctors here in the US. Nurses, yes! Tons of them.
No it is not obvious that you are Filipino.
30 years only in CA??? how about others who stayed longer but still knows the culture of the Filipinos.
Seems like a very easy question that you can easily figure out yourself. He seems to be in his 40s so that meant he was very young when he left the Philippines, and knowing filipino parents, they probably actively made him fit in with america by not teaching him tagalog and filipino culture. You know it's true.
He sounds a bit cocky when answering it's obvious his Filipino...the tone in his voice doesn't sound like he's proud to be one.... regardless you lived in the US for 30 years don't forget where you came from!👍
He dont has to be proud. I understand where he comes from by responding like that.
Can anyone recommend a great plastic surgeon in that area
Check out Belo in One Bonifacio
Dr Chin
@@frankrizzo8918 thanks is dr chin located in BGC
@@sweproductions1 yes
@@nicholascherry5962 that’s great Sing his name right on or her name
Is it $3k with or without rent?
With rent! I live in the same building as them and rent here is relatively affordable.
@@TheSavvyExpat oh wow, thanks for the reply. My husband and I are planning to move to Philippines for couple years. We plan to rent our house here in Dallas area and plan to take sabbatical for couple years. 🙂 Love the idea on not having to do so many chores…
@@TheSavvyExpat Thank you! That's the answer we were all hoping for! 😃