After 1.5 years in the Philippines... here's hard truth no one talks about

Thanks for watching!

Dating site for serious relationships:

Filipino Visa (for marrying a Filipina)
Experience reliable, fast, and premium visa assistance from Filipino Visa at:

Affordable travel insurance to the Philippines/world (SafetyWing Nomad Insurance)

Check out my Amazon storefront for a bunch of SE Asia travel essentials

Never an obligation but if you feel you are getting great value from my channel and have the means, consider buying me a coffee or you can support through paypal. It's very much appreciated and helps keep the channel going :)

* Above are affiliate links that provide some support to the channel if purchases are made, at no extra cost to you.

[azieltobias]

More and more people might face a tough time in retirement. Low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents make it hard to save. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire.

[PhilippinesFarmLife]

My wife and I retired to the Philippines in 2015 and have been very happy here. We are fortunate to have found a pleasant, clean and large peaceful FARM. Our closest neighbor is a 8+ minute walk away we don't have the barking Dogs, crowing roosters or garbage issues. I understand what you are talking about because I have seen the same things and you are spot on. BUT the #1 trick or secret to coming here is to Learn TAGALOG and or have a trustworthy wife/partner who speaks the language #2. Live in the countryside, it's safe, clean, quiet, affordable and you can grow most of your food which saves even more money. Everyday I go into my gardens and pick something fresh to eat everyday. If interested ASK ME anything.

[cyrolacorte]

I am 47, I live in Alabama and retiring here would be depressing. You remind me a lot of another Canadian youtuber that always complains about Wi-fi and things that to me are futile. The thing I love the most about Latin America and Asia is the warmth of the people and the feeling that the people are alive and open to human connections. I live in a very a nice condo here and I don't know not even one person on my floor, when people see you here I almost feel like some people go out of their way to avoid any human interaction- This is not a normal society, most people in the USA are lonely and socially disconnected.

[gettingoffthecouchnow]

Hey Chad I’m another fellow Canadian who did his first trip to (Asia)Thailand in 2023 for a month after my youngest daughter moved out with her bf. I had no more excuses not to travel. In 2024 I did a month in the Philippines, a week in Malaysia because I found a cheap flight, then 3 weeks back in Thailand. On this second trip I ended up meeting up with one coworker while in Cebu and two others when I did a week trip in Malaysia. The more I talk about the fun I have the more other people get interested and now I have a buddy who is going with me for his first trip to Asia in 2025. I have also chatted with my friends and coworkers who will also be in Asia around the same time and we will all be on a group chat and are going to plan for a group meet up probably in Vietnam. The one great thing I found out in the last two years is how cheap it is to fly around Asia . I highly recommend everyone to get off the couch and try a trip to Asia at least once.

[Ilove-zczm]

If you’re the type of person who can easily integrate into a community and avoid focusing on things to complain about, the Philippines is definitely worth a visit.

[jdtravels]

Lived and worked overseas for 20 years…four years in Korea and Japan. Not blind to overseas life. I’m keeping my Tacoma at my sister’s house. Every couple of years I’ll return and hit US National Parks and Canadian Parks.

[rbfarrell]

Without places like the Philippines or Thailand many American men would be living monk mode. Not sure about living there full time, but visiting is good to give your life balance and enjoy being out of the feminist B.S. for awhile.

[holgermessner]

Left 2005 Germany to work and live in Canada. I did meet so many immigrants in Canada who couldn't stand it and left after a couple of months or even 2 years. The biggest problem people do have in other countries? They are trying to change the country instead of just changing themselves. Planned a vacation of 5 months in Panama. Arrived November 2019. That's when I did fall down the hole. Pandemic, and I wasn't allowed to fly back. I got nuts. Well at least for 2 years. As I got again my return flight denied, I just had enough from Canada. Applied for residency in Panama. Got everything done in 2 months. Sold everything in Canada. Separated from my girlfriend in November 2019. The vacation to Panama was only to get my head clear. The pandemic took the decision from me. In November this year, I am 5 years in Panama. Beaches, palms, and cool beers. Who thought that I would retire like a millionaire 😂. 6-7 months snow and ice are history. Is everything fine? God no. But I rather go with the flow. Life is short. And if I hear again in a supermarket a "Gringo" yelling around why nobody speaks English, I smile and think: Another one who leaves because it isn't Canada or the USA!

[Synfulz]

I have been traveling to the Philippines for 21 years. I retired here 2.5 years ago. I wouldn't go back to the US. We live in a very nice community that is clean, quiet, and very convenient location. My food selection where I live is so good from shopping to restaurants. We have a large home that is cheap compared to the west. We are very happy here. But your videos show all views and are honest with no BS. They are appreciated.

[annasd]

Hi Chad.. we are from Canada we retire early, sold everything and moved to the Philippines. After we’ve been here for 6 months we visited Canada. We forgot how expensive it is to live in there. We went for breakfast 3 people cost us $65 that’s insane., We feel that Canada is so sterile, so quiet lol after being exposed to the Philippines karaoke, barking dogs plus roosters.It’s true it’s not perfect here, poverty, garbage, traffic, frustration on government agencies. But after 4 weeks in Canada we are so itchy to head back and so happy to be back in the Philippines. We are in Negros Oriental but planning to move to Iloilo city for better infrastructure. Our monthly budget is $4, 000 Cnd we can live comfortably here. We travel Vietnam for a month then going to Japan in October. My point is you have more options here in the Philippines. We are happier here and will continue to travel different countries especially around Asia. Cheers!

[roman_r-qu]

hey! I am in Toronto. 7 years back and forth between Toronto and Philipines, started Utube channel there, then deleted, saw lots of expats and heard lots their stories...bottom line: never buy a house, start a business, or marry a Filipina, just rent a house, rent a bike/car, do have a girl friend! (no need to marry).
....now I am back in Toronto, love cleanliness, safety, salaries, seasons and predictability here. crazy expensive thou. I still love Philipines (ppl are actually alive there!) but from now on: 3 winter months only. like a normal snow bird

[jimvance]

After visiting Philippines for 12 years, last year I built a house and moved here full time because I could not afford to live in the US. I could survive but not live. Except I do not see my family as much but otherwise I have zero regrets. All you say is true, but I love it.

[BearInThePhillipines]

DONT SAY PULL THE TRIGGER if you live in Canada. They took all the triggers just like they did in Australia

[oscieestanislao]

Hey Chad,

Everything you said about the Philippines is spot on, especially the negative aspects of living here. I always tell anyone who's thinking of moving here that they need to at least try it out for 6 months. But even then, there's no guarantee it'll work out.

Remember, the Philippines is still a developing country, so there are both advantages and disadvantages to that. One of the negatives is the infrastructure and stuff like that. But for me, this is probably the best time to come and try to fit in, if you're really serious about it. You don't want to come here when everything is all developed and in order. It'll be way more expensive then.

And the people won't be as friendly as they are now, because they'll all be too busy trying to make more and more money.

I'm lucky that I lived and worked in the US for over 30 years. We decided to move back home 2 years ago, and at first, I had some doubts about whether it was the right decision. But after living here for a few months, I realized that we made the right choice, even with all the disadvantages and the lack of the same quality amenities that America offers.

And the best thing about it?

IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!

[TheBlackManInTheVillage]

To me those small negatives don't out way the large positives. In Los Angeles where I am from I have seen a lot more homeless people living on the street. You have homeless people in all countries.. Some streets are not well kept so I just drive around pot holes. In our village the internet sucks. But I now have Starlink that problem is fixed. Yes, in our village (province area) power might go off but we have a generator. But in the big cities the power is reliable. In our village the trash is burned. Yes, there are a lot of unkept dogs and cats because some people can barely feed themselves. But cost of living is very cheap which allows me and my Filipina wife to enjoy life with no financial worries. The Filipino people are very nice. And the Philippines has a lot of beautiful places you can visit. I love it here...

[faronray]

I'm retired in Cebu city and have a $3000 dollar budget which works out great here in the Philippines. I sat down yesterday and figured what budget I would need to go back to the USA to live this life style and compared the budgets between the two. $3000 in the Philippines with a great cushion. $8500 per month in the USA. Only drawbacks in the Philippines so far is feeling isolated from being able to solve problems when they come up. In America, you know how to solve any issue. Here in the Philippines I depend on my Filipina wife to handle who, what, when, negotiation, payment when it comes to repairs, buying things, markets, dealing with banks, loans. Yeah, I try but I always pay too much because I think American or I miss the details of what I'm getting. I also hate the junk they sell here. It breaks, leaks, malfunctions or doesn't work in less than a month. Another problem is Medical, going through the "gauntlet" with trusting, knowing what they are doing, prices, over paying, worried about being a doctors "cash cow".

[gkma_]

The bottom line is the cultural differences. They seem cute and funny at first. However, they can really start to wear on you if you can let them go. My wife {filipina} and I married 39 years ago, so she was in the states most of her life. We were both in our early 20's. She has a harder time accepting some things here than I do. But we complain about it to each other, then laugh about it later. You can find plenty of angry expats that sit around hating life here, but won't leave either. You have to be able to let it go. Be honest with yourself if you can't do that.

[jawwaadwilson]

The reason for being in the Philippines is cheaper housing cheaper recreation cheaper public transportation and better choice of woman that actually want you. Nothing else is really better but it’s a trade off and depends on the person.

[jonathanabad]

Chad, you’re an honest man and you always keep it real. Here’s my two cents. I’m from the PH and been living here in LA for over 30 years. The US gives you opportunities that no other can. However, so many problems. In SoCal there’s garbage everywhere too. People are undisciplined too. So you talk about our negatives but I’d say it’s the same in every country in the world. Some cities are cleaner than others. If the PH is rich and offers the same financial opportunities as the US, then people will be moving here in droves. I’m just saying every country has their strong points and weaknesses. We have so many positives and it’ll keep growing from here on out. Stay safe.

[Preco]

As a Filipino, I tried convincing my German husband to live in the Philippines after spending five years in Germany, where I never quite felt at home. We sold everything and moved, trying out various locations such as Cebu, Palawan, Siargao, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Clark. However, even in my hometown of Cebu City, we struggled to find a place where we truly felt settled. Safety, food quality, and decent housing were consistently lacking. Despite paying €700-€1500 for furnished accommodations, the quality never matched the price.

Eventually, I gave up trying to convince my husband. We moved to Thailand, and I have to admit, it’s been a much better experience. The healthcare, safety, and overall quality of life are significantly better here. With Thailand’s new DTV visa for digital nomads like us, we plan to stay longer. Unfortunately, my experience in the Philippines was disappointing. Even when paying a premium, the standard of living remains low, with locals accustomed to subpar services yet expecting foreigners to pay top dollar.