This jumps the shark for me. I don’t think this is a responsible choice as an advertiser and as such I think it is time for me to go. I appreciate everything you’ve shared thus far. All the best to you.
Masterworks is a bubble in the works and will eventually pop, leaving your viewers who invest in it the worse off. The fact that everywhere a UA-cam viewer turns they can "skip the waitlist" by using a link below, means there is effectively no waitlist at all. This is disingenuous advertising and in itself should be a red flag for any investor.
I just became a Permanent Resident here in Belize after 6 yrs being on Tourist Visa. I love it here. I own property and live in Santa Elena, Cayo District, 2 hrs hiway drive to the Carribean coast. Very inexpensive, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, not so many bugs here. I am retired and happy currently building a concrete/stucco house with a rental unit on the bottom floor, lot is steeply sloped. Hilly here, many rivers, Mayan pyramids, things to see and do. Many Canadians and American expats here in Belize.
What, if any, concerns do you have about healthcare, Scott? Personally, I would not build a life in a country with such poor access to quality healthcare. But, I accept that you and others have different considerations and possibly options. Vida buena!
I found Belize to be waaaay too hot, with lots of poverty. A huge divide between the expats and the locals. We were also unfortunate to be there while the beaches were unusable due to seaweed...piled up 6 ft out.... But I must admit that I am not a beach person....
I love Belize so very much but it is still a very young country and has tons of growing up to do. Healthcare isn't at the level most retirees would find completely comfortable having to rely upon. This is not to say that there isn't any, yes, of course, there are good doctors there. I've even been helped myself. The country has fewer natural born Belizeans living in the country than there are living outside of the country. I love the islands but the scurge of sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean for the past few years has occasionally made island enjoyment and/or shore living not as pleasant as one used to be able to expect. I do encourage you to visit and enjoy all aspects of Belize and get to as many areas as possible. You can't help but become enchanted.
Y'all need to add and visit the Philippines. They speak English as soon as kids can say a word. You will also find that everything in the stores/malls in written in English instead of their local language. It's a paradise over there and they have cities that's high in elevation as well.
They COMPLETELY ignore the most desirable and obvious low cost English speaking country with a variety of choices for about everybody in the Philippines for some unknown reason !?! (( Forget Portugal or Malta or Ireland !!! ))
My mum lives in Portugal, I've spent out five years there over the last 25 to 30 years and it's lovley but don't be fooled you need to learn some Portuguese.. just to reiterate I absolutely love Portugal...
Most English-speaking ex-pats hang around each other and claim English is widely spoken in Portugal which isn't true. Recently I visited Lisbon and it's difficult to communicate with people in only English even in tourist areas.
Actually, Barbados & some of the other island countries in the southern Caribbean don’t get hit quite as hard or as often w/hurricanes from the Atlantic as the northern Caribbean does so don’t think that should discourage people too much, but “each to their own.”😊
Though I am perfectly fine living in a Spanish-speaking country (Colombia), wanted to compliment you on a well-researched and presented video, and appreciate that you don't sugar-coat the various downsides of any of these particular options.
You guys missed one of the best English-speaking countries in the world. Don't rely on US New and World Report for your info. The Philippines is the most English-speaking country in Asia. By far... and more than your citation in Malaysia. In the Philippines, almost EVERYONE speaks English, usually to a decent level. Because they're educated from Grade One in English. That's why corporate call centers have located massively in the Philippines. In 1988, in remote South Cotabato (Mindanao), I was invited to share a beer with a couple of guys in a humble roadside eatery. I realized I was speaking English to peasant farmers... these men hitched their plows to carabaos. Where else can you speak to peasants in English? No where. My Filipina wife speaks college-level English, better than most North Americans. If your video is about "Great Places to Live Abroad (where English is widely spoken)"... you missed one of the best places on the planet... the Philippines.
Tbilisi, Georgia is pretty good for English speakers. Not everyone speaks it, but the language is so small and so insanely complicated that no one really expects foreigners to learn it. Americans, Europeans and pretty much anyone in your audience can come here visa free - and I don't mean a free visa; I mean they will just unceremoniously stamp your passport and let you in. You can stay for an entire year, and then you can renew it for another year by just popping across a border for a couple minutes and coming back. I've been here for two years already and I've even found an English language standup comedy open mic night. Might be worth checking out.
Hi there. I’ve been watching your channel for a couple of years now. I’ve been an expat since 2005, but was thinking of relocating to Ecuador for a while. Don’t think it’ll happen, but you’re still a blast to watch. I’m currently living in Singapore, which is a fabulous city/state at the tip of peninsular Malaysia. If the Malay peninsula was an airplane, Malaysia would be coach and business class, and Singapore would be the 1st class cabin. I spent 7 years in Malaysia as well, and will say this. English is widely spoken, not just in Georgetown on Penang Island, but all over the country. Because there are four main ethnic groups, which are Chinese, Malay, Indians, and “whites” functioning in society with sub-units of many of those (esp Chinese which have Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Fu Chow, and other speakers) as well as indigenous folks like the various Dayak tribes like Inam, and Bidayuh, English becomes the common language of business, commence and government. The only time you would run into some potential problem is at fruit/veggie and fish markets in fairly “ethnic” neighborhoods. It’s the same all over Malaysia. You also have to train your ear to catch the “patois” of peoples English adaptations, to put it mildly. While learning a bit of Malay isn’t a bad thing as names and streets etc can be in that language, it’s not an issue. Having spent so much time there and now here in Singapore, I could rattle on, but I won’t. Let’s just say that Malaysia (and Singapore) have a ton to offer way over and above Penang only!
I agree with your thoughts regarding Ecuador. I have spent the last six months living in Cuenca and the city noise is something which I cannot get use to. I have explored the small enclave of Challuabamba and when I return in December 2023 that is where I will end up. Thanks for a good video of comparison’s.
KEEP IN MIND - Belize is "hurricane prone", it lies in a portion of Central America which OFTEN is hit by these storms. Also, the total population is only about 400,000. This means that many essential services (hospitals, dentists, etc.) are limited to the largest cities. Finally, the income requirements are quite high, compared to some Spanish-speaking countries.
When we first retired to Mexico we moved to Ajijic. We knew pretty quickly we would never learn Spanish staying in Ajijic, so we moved. America light? Absolutely! Not a positive for us but is for many. The mosquitoes can be bad. I know several people who caught Dengue fever. Pretty miserable.
What? I’ve lived in Thailand nearly 6 years. Conversational English language skills are pretty rare here except in very tourist heavy destinations. If you want to have a conversation in English you better find another expat.
You're right about understanding the English-speaking in Ireland. Oddly enough my high-school Spanish teacher was Irish and I could just barely understand her English! She could really roll those rrrrrrr's though.
Depends on what county/region, in my area people speak "regular" comprehensible English, possibly due to its historical colonization however once you go to places like Kerry it becomes really hard to understand what some people are saying, even other Irish people have a hard time. The diversity of accents in Ireland is vast, much like England.
Depends on what county/region, in my area people speak "regular" comprehensible English, possibly due to its historical colonization however once you go to places like Kerry it becomes really hard to understand what some people are saying, even other Irish people have a hard time. The diversity of accents in Ireland is vast, much like England.
I'm surprised that the Philippines is not on your list. Of the countries you've mentioned, I could only quality for a permanent Visa in Portugal and Ecuador. Given a choice from those listed here, I'd choose Ecuador. As it is, I'll be heading for the Philippines next year.
I loved Cusco. They have a nice Irish pub and really good sushi. I had sashimi from Lake Titicaca fresh water trout, the highest elevation fish in the world. I've just come to accept that if it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, I will love it. Sucre, Bolivia is fine, as well.
Boquette is in Western Panama. There is an airport in David Panama that is only 1 hour away. You can swim in the Pacific Ocean and the Carribean in the same day.
I think you guys left out the... Philippines is the 3rd Largest English speaking country in the world. More than 95% of its population speaks English, which is its official language.
I've been back and forth between the States and the Philippines for over 12 years now, my wife is a Filipina, have a house in Tacloban, etc. Almost all Filipinos will tell you that they speak English, but what most of them mean is that they speak "Taglish". What is Taglish? 30 words of Tagalog (or Cebuano or Waray-Waray, etc.) and then two words of English. Most Filipinos know only the most basic English words. So, do they speak English? Yeah, kind of. I mean, you can get along doing most things in most places with just English, as long as you keep it very, very basic. Really basic. I love the Philippines, don't get me wrong, but I feel that the premise of English fluency in the Philippines is always overstated.
I really liked Malta out of this list, you should go as a tourist. There are some nice places in Gozo, which is the only other island people really live on. There's a ferry between Malta proper and Gozo, which only takes 25 minutes, but has a liquor store and bar on board. As the Maltese like to say, "More catholic than the Vatican!" and there are some neat religious sites, along with the Grandmaster's Palace and the War Museum. I also managed to Hum the Hypogeum, which isn't easy given the security. I stayed mostly in Gozo near Victoria, and you can't miss the Citadel! Valletta is my favorite city in the world, you'll really like it if you enjoy cafes and hanging out in them. Plus they're cool with beer for breakfast. There are buses that go everywhere. Portugal is, like Malta, very catholic and people are quite honest in general. I stayed mostly in Povoa de Varzim, a beach town near Porto. People don't speak English all that much, but you can get by. They sincerely dislike it when you speak Spanish to them, but about 75% of written Portuguese is recognizable if you can read Spanish. I would add Gibraltar to the list, it's not a separate country but a British possession, and you can take the ferry to Spain from there. Also the Bay Islands of Honduras, which were settled by the British. Utila especially has lots of English speakers, but it's common to find English speakers in Roatan and Guanaja too. Thanks for another great video!
I am in Canada but my GodFather was from Malta originally. He retired back there about 25 years ago. I grew up seeing home movies and photos of Birzebbuga, Malta. He passed many years ago but I hope to go there someday. I have been all through the Caribbean and Roatan is in my top 3 places that I loved the most. I spent 10 days then 2 shorter times there. Lovely people, English speaking, great food, crystal clear beaches, reasonable price etc etc. Roatan is on my list of places to spend a winter in when I retire soon!
Loved this video! As I have probably posted before, we lived in Ajijic and loved it. I am also interested in Panama, though not necessarily Boquete. Thank you for all the work you put into your videos. Love your vibe together!
I have friends who live abroad who prefer living outside the US but were able to go there because they're related to or getting married to a local. Your videos are very educational and charming to watch. Thank you so much!
Your viewers might also want to check out Playa Flamenca, just an hour from the Alicante & train station on the coast in Spain. It is very cosmopolitan and English is widely spoken there as it is the common language for Expats from Russia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England, Scotland and Ireland. . .a really amazing place with very reasonable cost of living (pre-Pandemic at least) and some great real estate deals which are still on offer to this day, mostly due to a number of Brits having left post-Brexit. Check it out. . . you’ll love it.
Addendum: unfortunately Spain is now taxing global sources of income; so you better figure out what the implications might be for you before becoming a resident. It’s a really pitty, but it seems everyone wants a piece of your piggy bank these days, so Caveat Emptor.
Great video! Thanks for as usual an excellent analysis of places for us to move to. I really appreciate a go to place with like minded life travelers.👍🦋💕
A couple of things re Cuenca.... I love Cuenca ! Most people do not have an issue with the altitude in Cuenca. My wife, son, his fiancé and I all were fine. So, I don't think people should assume they will have issues. Matte to coca and other remedies help with it. Poor JP is one of the few - the proud - the altitude intolerant. Seriously, I dont think it is a majority experience, Wrt noise - if you are not in Centro the noise isn't bad. Where we stayed in El Vergel, it was very quiet. Having said that we did not have trouble with noise in two air bnbs we stayed at near centro either. One was right off San Francisco plaza on the top floor - facing towards the Tomibamba. The other was on the top floor of a building just outside Parque San Sebas. Maybe theses were just well insulated apartments? I do think I would think twice about spending the night on Calle Larga, LOL Especially over the weekend. To be fair, I have only spent a total of just over three weeks in Cuenca. But, having spent time in NYC growing up, I thought it was not as noisy.... Cuenca is da Bomb - the people, the amazing food, the beautiful walks, Cajas is fantastic, I could go on and on - but I will exercise a manly fortitude and restrain myself ;-).
Unfortunately there are no statistics on people who have an issue with altitude. Generally, noise is an issue in every city of Ecuador, and probably every city in the world. Bad is relative to the individual and specific place you live in. I sure would not choose to live in a city where what I want is the quiet of the countryside.
Thank you for a balanced presentation. I plan to be snowbird this winter and live in Ajiji. Hopefully I will learn to pronounce it. Happy travels to all. 🙋
Most American elderly expts don't want to learn another language !!! --- Kuala Lumpur metro area is quite nice and English is widely spoken. --- Most of those countries are expensive and cost prohibitive ! > All this points to the Philippines as a rare gem for cheap living and English being enough. Over 7000 islands to consider. --- Isolated Spanish speaking locations USUALLY aren't very desirable for many !?!
Nope, our Spanish is ok…no place on this list interests us much….but interesting video. …and we love you guys so not going to make a comment about art as a part of a portfolio. 😉
We checked out Panama again and after the pandemic it has changed and really wasn't for us. We leave for Mexico in a week to spend 2 months and check out the country but health insurance is super expensive, more then the US. Are you still in Ecuador? We have thought about Ecuador, it seems there is no place "safe" anymore. Times have changed.
Thanks for putting my country in número uno place :) I was in Quito and Echeandia last week and I love it more every time I go there. Retiring in Ecuador is a great option. Like your videos. Wear mask when you fly! I got Covid while traveling :(
Thank you for such a well researched video. I agree that Cuenca should be number 1. I visited Cuenca in 2019 and fell in love with the City. It's so beautiful and the people are so nice. I'm thinking of moving from the US to Cuenca. I didn't have a problem with the altitude but I want to visit again and stay in Cuenca for a month or so to make sure I don't have a problem with the altitude. I always enjoy your videos! Thanks !!
Not at all impressed with the choices of places speaking English as most are either expensive or very expensive and unaffordable for me. The Philippines really is to my liking but the health care is very lacking in quality and is extremely expensive for older people. All this = ????? (SOL)
Vilcabamba looks appealing. What is your opinion of that little town? I like that it's a perfect 5,000 feet elevation. I appreciate your really fun to watch videos, keep them coming!
I've been thinking of having a Residency Permit in my back pocket, but does Ecuador require one to be there a certain number of days per year? And as far as you know, can foreigners own land? Though... if there is an increase in crime, being an expat, isolated, on some remote homestead/farm, my hunch is this may not be the place for us. Appreciate your time and advice.
Good video, I do not think any place in Portugal is good for anyone wanting to speak only English. I think you left out a very good one. Cook Islands, or sometimes referered to English Polynesia. Great little island nation, check it out for your next video about another 10 English speaking countries to move to.
Just because the Cook Islands is English speaking does not make it a good choice. There are very few potential ex-pats that would consider the Cook Islands a good choice to relocate - for numerous reasons. If you're there and you're happy, then I wish you well but you are the rare exception. Amelia and JP have rightfully outlined places that most people would even consider.
@@donminecuador6044 Sounds you have a negative experiance about Cook Islands. What does not make it a good choise? I have been there many times and researched what it takes to move there, how to get a visa, how it is to live there and there are many positives and a few negatives. Ecuador is also on my potential list but also Ecuador has it's plus a minuses. They are a bit different in who they may cater for. If you are retired person that is not too well off then Ecuador is the better choise. Although you can have a good life in Cook Islands with not so much money the investment to get a visa is higher in Cook Islands. Apart from that I am curious to read why Cook Islands is not a good choise.
Agreed, it would be the height of folly to think you could get along anywhere in Portugal on a permanent basis without some fluency in Portuguese. Just not realistic.
@@magnusb6311 I think you may have missed my point. I've never been to the Cook Islands and I have no negative experience about them. I simply was suggesting very few people would consider moving to the Cook Islands just because English is spoken there. There have to me many other valid reasons. The fact that so few people have the Cook Islands on their list is becaues there are few valid reasons to choose the islands over other places. That's neither negative or positive - it's just a fact. I don't have to go to the Cook Islands to know that they are out in the middle of the South Pacific, they are not self-sufficient, and they have limited resources and infrastructure. If you're not retired, how would you make a living. If you are retired, what is there to do and wouldn't that get old fast. The most inhabited island has a few thousand people and is only a few square miles. But, hey, you've been there and it might be just what you are looking for. Most people, not so much. Cheers!
Good morning Amelia and JP. How does one get a background check for the Visa? Do they need just a regular background check or a Criminal check? Thank you.
They need a criminal background check for both federal and state of residence. Then they have to be sent for apostille, translated to Spanish by a court approved and certified Spanish translator in Ecuador, and everything must be less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application. It's a complicated process, which is why we recommend working with a visa agent: liveabroadnow.com/referrals/ecuador-visa-agent-referral/
Medellin is a wonderful city. Most interesting city I have ever visited. Also, weather there is just about perfect. Medellin is a city where knowing at least some Spanish is essential. There are also very visible and somewhat extreme wealth disparities. It's probably a bit of a culture shock for folks who aren't prepared for it. But it is a wonderful city.
Big ups to everyone working effortlessly trying to earn a living while building wealth. I’m 40 and my husband 44 we are both retired with over $1 million in net worth and no debts. Currently living smart and frugal with our money. Saving and investing lifestyle in the made it possible for us this early even till now we earn monthly through passive income. We are currently in Greece enjoying our retirement
Not quite long I started investing. I'm very curious and need help on how to enhance and increase my returns. Any good investment tips would be appreciated
@@eadad4371 Alright so generally, investing requires higher knowledge. For this reason, It's important to have a solid support structure (financial consultant) to guide you through especially in asset picking. I operate with (REGINA LOUISE COLLARO) an investment advisor who partners with a licensed wealth management firm. For the record, the experience has been the best for my finance. She is quite popular for her services so you might have heard of her. She made me financially stable investing through her help, now I earn on a monthly basis through her passive income strategy...So I’ll advise you do get a good Investment advisor for yourself.
@@skoopqueen That’s great , your investment advisor must be really good,I have seen testimonies of people using the help of investment advisors in making them more financial stable. Do you mind sharing more info on this person?
A lot of places to consider, luckily I will be on a pretty low budget which helps narrow it down...lol. I have12 years before I can take early retirement and have access to a pension, SS, 401k, and Roth IRA... Do I toil away or live free but on a tight budget for the next 12 years? What are the best budget locations for an expat who only speaks english? Ecuador, the Philippines, Thailand, Belize, Mexico, these seem to have many english speakers and a low cost of living, at least in certain cities. Where could a middle aged single guy live their best life?
You missed the greatest English-speaking country in the world - Australia! The best beaches, islands, cities in the world too. Kangaroos and Koalas are an added bonus! Great video though :)
The title is "Surprising places where English is spoken". Is it surprising English is spoken in Aus? Maybe they should include the UK and Canada too. 😄
I think you can safely add the Philippines and Thailand to that list. It's rare in the Philippines to find locals who don't speak very good or enough English to get by and communicate with. I am in Thailand now and am surprised how many people speak decent or very good English. I know in the countryside that would change but here in the Bangkok area you will have no problems. And from what I am being told it will be basically the same in all the decent size cities and of course tourist areas here. Which I will soon find out first hand. Ciao...
Many people in the Philippines speak some level of English - the small upper economic class is generally quite fluent, and fluency tends to drop as you go down in income. All government communications is in English, street signs, etc. And the Philippines is cheap, you can live pretty well in a nice place for USD$ 1500 a month all in, and the visa process is so easy. The people are just great, just fantastic. Drawbacks? Terrible infrastructure, brownouts, bad water, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, floods, the heat, bugs, food is not that great. And it's a really poor country. Lot of things don't work, or work intermittently. Medical care is substandard in many parts of the country. But, it's very cheap, you can easily get along with just English, and the people are great, so very attractive to a lot of English-speaking expats.
Don't forget you also have 110 million people living on a group of islands that when combined equals the area of New Mexico. Hard pass! As for the english speakers, they should be working at the call centers in the Phillipines, the ones there now sure don't speak any english. 😅
It is "OR." You can qualify either by meeting monthly income requirements, OR by assets such as bank account. The amount required for each increases every January, so the amounts quoted in this video are now outdated.
This video is for 007 types🤣🤣🕺 Malta, Crete?? Hey, did you here the Creatian navy outfitted thier fleet with glass-bottomed ships? ..that's so they can have a good look at the old creatian Navy 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤
Based on the locations of the places in your top ten list it’s obvious you haven’t travelled that much, with the exception of Portugal and Panama your recommendations rank well below the most popular destinations for expat retirees globally and your #1 choice in Ecuador wouldn’t even make the top 100 list, there is absolutely nothing exceptional about Cuenca Ecuador that would make it a highly desirable place to live or retiree, lol.
Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: masterworks.art/ameliaandjp
The masterworks link didn't work for me.
This jumps the shark for me. I don’t think this is a responsible choice as an advertiser and as such I think it is time for me to go. I appreciate everything you’ve shared thus far. All the best to you.
Masterworks is a bubble in the works and will eventually pop, leaving your viewers who invest in it the worse off. The fact that everywhere a UA-cam viewer turns they can "skip the waitlist" by using a link below, means there is effectively no waitlist at all. This is disingenuous advertising and in itself should be a red flag for any investor.
JP, you remind me of actor Jeff Bridges...
I just became a Permanent Resident here in Belize after 6 yrs being on Tourist Visa. I love it here. I own property and live in Santa Elena, Cayo District, 2 hrs hiway drive to the Carribean coast. Very inexpensive, lots of fresh fruits and veggies, not so many bugs here. I am retired and happy currently building a concrete/stucco house with a rental unit on the bottom floor, lot is steeply sloped. Hilly here, many rivers, Mayan pyramids, things to see and do. Many Canadians and American expats here in Belize.
Thanks for sharing!
@@AmeliaAndJP you are so welcome! i love all your podcasts from Ecuador!
What, if any, concerns do you have about healthcare, Scott? Personally, I would not build a life in a country with such poor access to quality healthcare. But, I accept that you and others have different considerations and possibly options. Vida buena!
I found Belize to be waaaay too hot, with lots of poverty. A huge divide between the expats and the locals. We were also unfortunate to be there while the beaches were unusable due to seaweed...piled up 6 ft out.... But I must admit that I am not a beach person....
I love Belize so very much but it is still a very young country and has tons of growing up to do. Healthcare isn't at the level most retirees would find completely comfortable having to rely upon. This is not to say that there isn't any, yes, of course, there are good doctors there. I've even been helped myself.
The country has fewer natural born Belizeans living in the country than there are living outside of the country.
I love the islands but the scurge of sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean for the past few years has occasionally made island enjoyment and/or shore living not as pleasant as one used to be able to expect.
I do encourage you to visit and enjoy all aspects of Belize and get to as many areas as possible. You can't help but become enchanted.
Y'all need to add and visit the Philippines. They speak English as soon as kids can say a word. You will also find that everything in the stores/malls in written in English instead of their local language. It's a paradise over there and they have cities that's high in elevation as well.
They COMPLETELY ignore the most desirable and obvious low cost English speaking country with a variety of choices for about everybody in the Philippines for some unknown reason !?! (( Forget Portugal or Malta or Ireland !!! ))
English is vastly spoken in Philippines and the cost of living there is very affordable.
My mum lives in Portugal, I've spent out five years there over the last 25 to 30 years and it's lovley but don't be fooled you need to learn some Portuguese.. just to reiterate I absolutely love Portugal...
Most English-speaking ex-pats hang around each other and claim English is widely spoken in Portugal which isn't true. Recently I visited Lisbon and it's difficult to communicate with people in only English even in tourist areas.
Absolutely Correct!
I have been to Portugal on holiday,everyone I met spoke English,and it’s a great country
Actually, Barbados & some of the other island countries in the southern Caribbean don’t get hit quite as hard or as often w/hurricanes from the Atlantic as the northern Caribbean does so don’t think that should discourage people too much, but “each to their own.”😊
Though I am perfectly fine living in a Spanish-speaking country (Colombia), wanted to compliment you on a well-researched and presented video, and appreciate that you don't sugar-coat the various downsides of any of these particular options.
I would add Costa Rica and The Philippines . English is widely spoken in many Countries today .
Video Rebranded: “The High Price of Ex-Pat English” or “Belize It Or Not”.
Ok Amelia and JP.
I never unsubscribed even though I decided Ecuador wasn’t for me.
Videos like this one are exactly why.
So much info!!
Great! Thanks! 🥳
Missed the live, but stayed for the upload! Awesome content!!
Gracias!
You guys missed one of the best English-speaking countries in the world. Don't rely on US New and World Report for your info.
The Philippines is the most English-speaking country in Asia. By far... and more than your citation in Malaysia.
In the Philippines, almost EVERYONE speaks English, usually to a decent level. Because they're educated from Grade One in English. That's why corporate call centers have located massively in the Philippines.
In 1988, in remote South Cotabato (Mindanao), I was invited to share a beer with a couple of guys in a humble roadside eatery. I realized I was speaking English to peasant farmers... these men hitched their plows to carabaos. Where else can you speak to peasants in English? No where.
My Filipina wife speaks college-level English, better than most North Americans.
If your video is about "Great Places to Live Abroad (where English is widely spoken)"... you missed one of the best places on the planet... the Philippines.
AND > they do that - REPEATEDLY - w/o shame or explanation !!!
I think moving abroad is exciting and fun regardless of the stress. Especially if you love the place you are moving to. So choose wisely ❣️
Tbilisi, Georgia is pretty good for English speakers. Not everyone speaks it, but the language is so small and so insanely complicated that no one really expects foreigners to learn it. Americans, Europeans and pretty much anyone in your audience can come here visa free - and I don't mean a free visa; I mean they will just unceremoniously stamp your passport and let you in. You can stay for an entire year, and then you can renew it for another year by just popping across a border for a couple minutes and coming back. I've been here for two years already and I've even found an English language standup comedy open mic night. Might be worth checking out.
The risk of a hurricane hitting Barbados is very small, as they normally pass to the north.
Hi there. I’ve been watching your channel for a couple of years now. I’ve been an expat since 2005, but was thinking of relocating to Ecuador for a while. Don’t think it’ll happen, but you’re still a blast to watch. I’m currently living in Singapore, which is a fabulous city/state at the tip of peninsular Malaysia. If the Malay peninsula was an airplane, Malaysia would be coach and business class, and Singapore would be the 1st class cabin. I spent 7 years in Malaysia as well, and will say this. English is widely spoken, not just in Georgetown on Penang Island, but all over the country. Because there are four main ethnic groups, which are Chinese, Malay, Indians, and “whites” functioning in society with sub-units of many of those (esp Chinese which have Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Fu Chow, and other speakers) as well as indigenous folks like the various Dayak tribes like Inam, and Bidayuh, English becomes the common language of business, commence and government. The only time you would run into some potential problem is at fruit/veggie and fish markets in fairly “ethnic” neighborhoods. It’s the same all over Malaysia. You also have to train your ear to catch the “patois” of peoples English adaptations, to put it mildly. While learning a bit of Malay isn’t a bad thing as names and streets etc can be in that language, it’s not an issue. Having spent so much time there and now here in Singapore, I could rattle on, but I won’t. Let’s just say that Malaysia (and Singapore) have a ton to offer way over and above Penang only!
Thanks for sharing! 👍
Singapore is out of most price brackets.
Malaysia and Singapore would be at the top of my list if they were closer or if I didn't want to come back to NA at least 3 times a year to visit.
when I was a kid, I lived in Malta for about a year and a half, it was a magical place back in the nineties
I agree with your thoughts regarding Ecuador. I have spent the last six months living in Cuenca and the city noise is something which I cannot get use to. I have explored the small enclave of Challuabamba and when I return in December 2023 that is where I will end up. Thanks for a good video of comparison’s.
Cachuabamba is beautiful, you have chosen a good place.
Well done my favorite for low cost and climate Loja Ecuador apartments from $250/month.
Yes! Cuenca! Is it perfect....no...noplace is. But it is beautiful, affordable, everything is available. A blessing.
KEEP IN MIND - Belize is "hurricane prone", it lies in a portion of Central America which OFTEN is hit by these storms. Also, the total population is only about 400,000. This means that many essential services (hospitals, dentists, etc.) are limited to the largest cities. Finally, the income requirements are quite high, compared to some Spanish-speaking countries.
When we first retired to Mexico we moved to Ajijic. We knew pretty quickly we would never learn Spanish staying in Ajijic, so we moved. America light? Absolutely! Not a positive for us but is for many. The mosquitoes can be bad. I know several people who caught Dengue fever. Pretty miserable.
forgot thailand. lots of english speakers and excellent healthcare.
What? I’ve lived in Thailand nearly 6 years. Conversational English language skills are pretty rare here except in very tourist heavy destinations. If you want to have a conversation in English you better find another expat.
You're right about understanding the English-speaking in Ireland. Oddly enough my high-school Spanish teacher was Irish and I could just barely understand her English! She could really roll those rrrrrrr's though.
Depends on what county/region, in my area people speak "regular" comprehensible English, possibly due to its historical colonization however once you go to places like Kerry it becomes really hard to understand what some people are saying, even other Irish people have a hard time. The diversity of accents in Ireland is vast, much like England.
Depends on what county/region, in my area people speak "regular" comprehensible English, possibly due to its historical colonization however once you go to places like Kerry it becomes really hard to understand what some people are saying, even other Irish people have a hard time. The diversity of accents in Ireland is vast, much like England.
Liked information about Boquete, Panama and Southern Portugal!! Thanks!
I'm surprised that the Philippines is not on your list. Of the countries you've mentioned, I could only quality for a permanent Visa in Portugal and Ecuador. Given a choice from those listed here, I'd choose Ecuador. As it is, I'll be heading for the Philippines next year.
It’s not our list. Link in description.
Thanks for showing the map of where each country is located. I appreciated this informative video.
Thanks for this information!
11° could be Cusco. So much english spoken people over there, due to tourism.
I loved Cusco. They have a nice Irish pub and really good sushi. I had sashimi from Lake Titicaca fresh water trout, the highest elevation fish in the world. I've just come to accept that if it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, I will love it. Sucre, Bolivia is fine, as well.
Boquette is in Western Panama. There is an airport in David Panama that is only 1 hour away. You can swim in the Pacific Ocean and the Carribean in the same day.
I think you guys left out the... Philippines is the 3rd Largest English speaking country in the world. More than 95% of its population speaks English, which is its official language.
It’s not our list.
I've been back and forth between the States and the Philippines for over 12 years now, my wife is a Filipina, have a house in Tacloban, etc. Almost all Filipinos will tell you that they speak English, but what most of them mean is that they speak "Taglish". What is Taglish? 30 words of Tagalog (or Cebuano or Waray-Waray, etc.) and then two words of English. Most Filipinos know only the most basic English words. So, do they speak English? Yeah, kind of. I mean, you can get along doing most things in most places with just English, as long as you keep it very, very basic. Really basic. I love the Philippines, don't get me wrong, but I feel that the premise of English fluency in the Philippines is always overstated.
@@AmeliaAndJP now that's a perfect example of entitlement.. 😂😂
@@AmeliaAndJPso remind me why we're here. Do you have any original material?
I really liked Malta out of this list, you should go as a tourist. There are some nice places in Gozo, which is the only other island people really live on. There's a ferry between Malta proper and Gozo, which only takes 25 minutes, but has a liquor store and bar on board. As the Maltese like to say, "More catholic than the Vatican!" and there are some neat religious sites, along with the Grandmaster's Palace and the War Museum. I also managed to Hum the Hypogeum, which isn't easy given the security. I stayed mostly in Gozo near Victoria, and you can't miss the Citadel! Valletta is my favorite city in the world, you'll really like it if you enjoy cafes and hanging out in them. Plus they're cool with beer for breakfast. There are buses that go everywhere.
Portugal is, like Malta, very catholic and people are quite honest in general. I stayed mostly in Povoa de Varzim, a beach town near Porto. People don't speak English all that much, but you can get by. They sincerely dislike it when you speak Spanish to them, but about 75% of written Portuguese is recognizable if you can read Spanish. I would add Gibraltar to the list, it's not a separate country but a British possession, and you can take the ferry to Spain from there. Also the Bay Islands of Honduras, which were settled by the British. Utila especially has lots of English speakers, but it's common to find English speakers in Roatan and Guanaja too.
Thanks for another great video!
I am in Canada but my GodFather was from Malta originally. He retired back there about 25 years ago. I grew up seeing home movies and photos of Birzebbuga, Malta. He passed many years ago but I hope to go there someday.
I have been all through the Caribbean and Roatan is in my top 3 places that I loved the most. I spent 10 days then 2 shorter times there. Lovely people, English speaking, great food, crystal clear beaches, reasonable price etc etc. Roatan is on my list of places to spend a winter in when I retire soon!
Thanks for sharing! I’ve been to Roatan twice. It’s paradise!
@@debraprescott6144 I love Roatan too but the bugs! I had to stop going as I became overly sensitive to them. Sad for me.
Loved this video! As I have probably posted before, we lived in Ajijic and loved it. I am also interested in Panama, though not necessarily Boquete. Thank you for all the work you put into your videos. Love your vibe together!
I have friends who live abroad who prefer living outside the US but were able to go there because they're related to or getting married to a local. Your videos are very educational and charming to watch. Thank you so much!
Good list!
My Favorite country: ...ECUADOR 😃
No mention of the Philippines?
Your viewers might also want to check out Playa Flamenca, just an hour from the Alicante & train station on the coast in Spain. It is very cosmopolitan and English is widely spoken there as it is the common language for Expats from Russia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England, Scotland and Ireland. . .a really amazing place with very reasonable cost of living (pre-Pandemic at least) and some great real estate deals which are still on offer to this day, mostly due to a number of Brits having left post-Brexit. Check it out. . . you’ll love it.
Thanks!
Addendum: unfortunately Spain is now taxing global sources of income; so you better figure out what the implications might be for you before becoming a resident. It’s a really pitty, but it seems everyone wants a piece of your piggy bank these days, so Caveat Emptor.
Sounds like a really Euro centric multicultural city and interesting, I might visit one day and check it out!
Sounds like a really Euro centric multicultural city and interesting, I might visit one day and check it out!
Great video! Thanks for as usual an excellent analysis of places for us to move to. I really appreciate a go to place with like minded life travelers.👍🦋💕
Expensive places in ajijic though… not cheap…
Well done. Thanks!
A couple of things re Cuenca.... I love Cuenca !
Most people do not have an issue with the altitude in Cuenca. My wife, son, his fiancé and I all were fine. So, I don't think people should assume they will have issues. Matte to coca and other remedies help with it. Poor JP is one of the few - the proud - the altitude intolerant. Seriously, I dont think it is a majority experience,
Wrt noise - if you are not in Centro the noise isn't bad. Where we stayed in El Vergel, it was very quiet. Having said that we did not have trouble with noise in two air bnbs we stayed at near centro either. One was right off San Francisco plaza on the top floor - facing towards the Tomibamba. The other was on the top floor of a building just outside Parque San Sebas. Maybe theses were just well insulated apartments? I do think I would think twice about spending the night on Calle Larga, LOL Especially over the weekend. To be fair, I have only spent a total of just over three weeks in Cuenca. But, having spent time in NYC growing up, I thought it was not as noisy....
Cuenca is da Bomb - the people, the amazing food, the beautiful walks, Cajas is fantastic, I could go on and on - but I will exercise a manly fortitude and restrain myself ;-).
Unfortunately there are no statistics on people who have an issue with altitude. Generally, noise is an issue in every city of Ecuador, and probably every city in the world. Bad is relative to the individual and specific place you live in. I sure would not choose to live in a city where what I want is the quiet of the countryside.
We have lived in Cuenca for almost 4 years and I have not acclimated to the elevation.
Very informative, and well-done video.
Thank you for a balanced presentation.
I plan to be snowbird this winter and live in Ajiji. Hopefully I will learn to pronounce it.
Happy travels to all. 🙋
You really love Ecuador 🙃🙂
Aren't you all in Cuenca? Just wondering because of JP's breathing issues being in a higher elevation. Thank you, this was informative.
Most American elderly expts don't want to learn another language !!! --- Kuala Lumpur metro area is quite nice and English is widely spoken. --- Most of those countries are expensive and cost prohibitive ! > All this points to the Philippines as a rare gem for cheap living and English being enough. Over 7000 islands to consider. --- Isolated Spanish speaking locations USUALLY aren't very desirable for many !?!
Portugal? sure. I never found anyone who spoke English there, and while I was looking for a property, they refused to respond if I wrote in English.
Nope, our Spanish is ok…no place on this list interests us much….but interesting video.
…and we love you guys so not going to make a comment about art as a part of a portfolio. 😉
I think you just did...
Miss Jamaica
Hello amelia ...great vidio thank you for sharing .i hope stay connected
Per the Alargve in Portugal, you can get along without a car. But it is hard. So if you are going to see what the Algarve has to offer, rent a car.
I am missing beautiful Sri Lanka.
With your expertise on Cuenca, a comparison with San Salvador would be fantastic and very popular.
INcredible videio. Thanks
U guys really love Cuenca haha, as a Quiteño I love it too, however, the other cities look amazig
Alexander, there is a lot to love about Ecuador, would you not agree?
@@donminecuador6044 I agree, and thanks for coming here.
Great video, I'm coming to Ecuador next year in the fall. Probably to Cuenca, maybe to Salinas.
Great! Thanks!
Mark, if you have the time and the money, why not do it all. People who choose Ecuador are on an adventure - explore and enjoy! Stay well; stay safe!
Amelia and JP. Love your videos. Thanks. However, the Masterworks link doesn’t seem to work. Can you rectify, please? Thanks.
Looks like they fixed the link so it should work now.
We checked out Panama again and after the pandemic it has changed and really wasn't for us. We leave for Mexico in a week to spend 2 months and check out the country but health insurance is super expensive, more then the US. Are you still in Ecuador? We have thought about Ecuador, it seems there is no place "safe" anymore. Times have changed.
We're still in Ecuador and plan to stay. It's not perfect, but we love it here.
I'm hearing reports that San Salvador is the safest place .
Thanks for putting my country in número uno place :) I was in Quito and Echeandia last week and I love it more every time I go there. Retiring in Ecuador is a great option. Like your videos.
Wear mask when you fly! I got Covid while traveling :(
What about Muratious,,,,indian any place ,,,, 😊south Africa,,,,,Trinidad,,,,,,Gyanya,,,,😊,,,,,,,this eyes are all english speaking
Thank you for such a well researched video. I agree that Cuenca should be number 1. I visited Cuenca in 2019 and fell in love with the City. It's so beautiful and the people are so nice. I'm thinking of moving from the US to Cuenca. I didn't have a problem with the altitude but I want to visit again and stay in Cuenca for a month or so to make sure I don't have a problem with the altitude. I always enjoy your videos! Thanks !!
Not at all impressed with the choices of places speaking English as most are either expensive or very expensive and unaffordable for me. The Philippines really is to my liking but the health care is very lacking in quality and is extremely expensive for older people. All this = ????? (SOL)
What about Cape Town ,South Africa?
If you live there, please tell us why NOT Cape Town.
The cost of personal body guards and an armored vehicle would likely blow the budget 🤣
Most whites live in protected compounds in SA. Got to get used to that lifestyle.
Vilcabamba looks appealing. What is your opinion of that little town? I like that it's a perfect 5,000 feet elevation.
I appreciate your really fun to watch videos, keep them coming!
Here's our most recent video from Vilca: ua-cam.com/video/sVaEdVj_6-w/v-deo.html
I've been thinking of having a Residency Permit in my back pocket, but does Ecuador require one to be there a certain number of days per year? And as far as you know, can foreigners own land? Though... if there is an increase in crime, being an expat, isolated, on some remote homestead/farm, my hunch is this may not be the place for us. Appreciate your time and advice.
JP YOU ARE ONE LUCKY MAN PRECIOUS
Good video, I do not think any place in Portugal is good for anyone wanting to speak only English.
I think you left out a very good one. Cook Islands, or sometimes referered to English Polynesia.
Great little island nation, check it out for your next video about another 10 English speaking countries to move to.
Just because the Cook Islands is English speaking does not make it a good choice. There are very few potential ex-pats that would consider the Cook Islands a good choice to relocate - for numerous reasons. If you're there and you're happy, then I wish you well but you are the rare exception. Amelia and JP have rightfully outlined places that most people would even consider.
@@donminecuador6044 Sounds you have a negative experiance about Cook Islands. What does not make it a good choise?
I have been there many times and researched what it takes to move there, how to get a visa, how it is to live there and there are many positives and a few negatives. Ecuador is also on my potential list but also Ecuador has it's plus a minuses. They are a bit different in who they may cater for. If you are retired person that is not too well off then Ecuador is the better choise. Although you can have a good life in Cook Islands with not so much money the investment to get a visa is higher in Cook Islands. Apart from that I am curious to read why Cook Islands is not a good choise.
@K. K. One of the most popular south pacific expat countries is probably Vanuatu. I would check that out too.
Agreed, it would be the height of folly to think you could get along anywhere in Portugal on a permanent basis without some fluency in Portuguese. Just not realistic.
@@magnusb6311 I think you may have missed my point. I've never been to the Cook Islands and I have no negative experience about them. I simply was suggesting very few people would consider moving to the Cook Islands just because English is spoken there. There have to me many other valid reasons. The fact that so few people have the Cook Islands on their list is becaues there are few valid reasons to choose the islands over other places. That's neither negative or positive - it's just a fact. I don't have to go to the Cook Islands to know that they are out in the middle of the South Pacific, they are not self-sufficient, and they have limited resources and infrastructure. If you're not retired, how would you make a living. If you are retired, what is there to do and wouldn't that get old fast. The most inhabited island has a few thousand people and is only a few square miles. But, hey, you've been there and it might be just what you are looking for. Most people, not so much. Cheers!
So English is spoken widely in these countries but the income requirements are too high for many.
So?
Ireland would not work for me. If I were to relocate, the food has to be special. I like Thai.
Good morning Amelia and JP. How does one get a background check for the Visa? Do they need just a regular background check or a Criminal check? Thank you.
They need a criminal background check for both federal and state of residence. Then they have to be sent for apostille, translated to Spanish by a court approved and certified Spanish translator in Ecuador, and everything must be less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application. It's a complicated process, which is why we recommend working with a visa agent: liveabroadnow.com/referrals/ecuador-visa-agent-referral/
@@AmeliaAndJP Awesome thank you. So one can go to the local DPS and get one there correct? I'm from San Antonio, Texas.
malaysia / panama / what about carribean? /
Do they have clean bathrooms
Hi. How about such places as St. Martin, St. Lucia and related islands? Also, I know some relocate to Medelline, Colombia.
Medellin is a wonderful city. Most interesting city I have ever visited. Also, weather there is just about perfect. Medellin is a city where knowing at least some Spanish is essential. There are also very visible and somewhat extreme wealth disparities. It's probably a bit of a culture shock for folks who aren't prepared for it. But it is a wonderful city.
Big ups to everyone working effortlessly trying to earn a living while building wealth. I’m 40 and my husband 44 we are both retired with over $1 million in net worth and no debts. Currently living smart and frugal with our money. Saving and investing lifestyle in the made it possible for us this early even till now we earn monthly through passive income. We are currently in Greece enjoying our retirement
Not quite long I started investing. I'm very curious and need help on how to enhance and increase my returns. Any good investment tips would be appreciated
@@eadad4371 Alright so generally, investing requires higher knowledge. For this reason, It's important to have a solid support structure (financial consultant) to guide you through especially in asset picking. I operate with (REGINA LOUISE COLLARO) an investment advisor who partners with a licensed wealth management firm. For the record, the experience has been the best for my finance. She is quite popular for her services so you might have heard of her.
She made me financially stable investing through her help, now I earn on a monthly basis through her passive income strategy...So I’ll advise you do get a good Investment advisor for yourself.
@@skoopqueen That’s great , your investment advisor must be really good,I have seen testimonies of people using the help of investment advisors in making them more financial stable. Do you mind sharing more info on this person?
A lot of places to consider, luckily I will be on a pretty low budget which helps narrow it down...lol. I have12 years before I can take early retirement and have access to a pension, SS, 401k, and Roth IRA... Do I toil away or live free but on a tight budget for the next 12 years? What are the best budget locations for an expat who only speaks english? Ecuador, the Philippines, Thailand, Belize, Mexico, these seem to have many english speakers and a low cost of living, at least in certain cities. Where could a middle aged single guy live their best life?
Only in America
lol
If you get your earning from outside USA the usd$ change rate is VERY bad
You missed the greatest English-speaking country in the world - Australia! The best beaches, islands, cities in the world too. Kangaroos and Koalas are an added bonus! Great video though :)
The title is "Surprising places where English is spoken". Is it surprising English is spoken in Aus? Maybe they should include the UK and Canada too. 😄
I spent 2 weeks in S. Korea and now spending a month in La Paz Baja sur.. Felt more safe in S. Korea. Love both places. Enjoy your vedio
Will you be returning to Ecuador ?
We already did.
I think you can safely add the Philippines and Thailand to that list. It's rare in the Philippines to find locals who don't speak very good or enough English to get by and communicate with. I am in Thailand now and am surprised how many people speak decent or very good English. I know in the countryside that would change but here in the Bangkok area you will have no problems. And from what I am being told it will be basically the same in all the decent size cities and of course tourist areas here. Which I will soon find out first hand. Ciao...
Many people in the Philippines speak some level of English - the small upper economic class is generally quite fluent, and fluency tends to drop as you go down in income. All government communications is in English, street signs, etc. And the Philippines is cheap, you can live pretty well in a nice place for USD$ 1500 a month all in, and the visa process is so easy. The people are just great, just fantastic.
Drawbacks? Terrible infrastructure, brownouts, bad water, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, floods, the heat, bugs, food is not that great. And it's a really poor country. Lot of things don't work, or work intermittently. Medical care is substandard in many parts of the country.
But, it's very cheap, you can easily get along with just English, and the people are great, so very attractive to a lot of English-speaking expats.
Thanks for sharing! 👍
Don't forget you also have 110 million people living on a group of islands that when combined equals the area of New Mexico. Hard pass! As for the english speakers, they should be working at the call centers in the Phillipines, the ones there now sure don't speak any english. 😅
I'm surprised Canada is not list ?
Good morning
Wait... you said Mexico needs monthly income OR $40k in the bank?? I thought it was AND.......
It is "OR." You can qualify either by meeting monthly income requirements, OR by assets such as bank account. The amount required for each increases every January, so the amounts quoted in this video are now outdated.
What about Sweden?
GREECE
What if im trying to be a permanent resident with a job there would it be hard to find jobs?
It may be challenging to find a job in Ecuador, especially if you do not speak Spanish fluently.
Learning copywriting gigs starting point today is next to nothing rates for future purposes of remote working contracts for big companies in the USA?🎯
This video is for 007 types🤣🤣🕺
Malta, Crete?? Hey, did you here the Creatian navy outfitted thier fleet with glass-bottomed ships?
..that's so they can have a good look at the old creatian Navy 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤
It was Cyprus, not Crete. But funny joke 😁
@@AmeliaAndJP ..oops!😂🕺
No Cape Town on your list?
We used the list from US News & World Report linked in the description.
Ok
Is it just the urban areas that are so noisy, or is it a cultural thing?
You never mention the lawless nature of mexico. You could start a small business and find police are among the criminals.
How are you
English is no problem in the Philippines but you couldn't pay me to live in that country.
Portugal Panama and Ecuador are not English speaking countries please!
We changed the title 👍
My name is adiza alhassan
Didn't they have a sue-mommy there.? Or is that Cracka-atoa
Based on the locations of the places in your top ten list it’s obvious you haven’t travelled that much, with the exception of Portugal and Panama your recommendations rank well below the most popular destinations for expat retirees globally and your #1 choice in Ecuador wouldn’t even make the top 100 list, there is absolutely nothing exceptional about Cuenca Ecuador that would make it a highly desirable place to live or retiree, lol.
Where are those good places by the way? TIA.