Good video today Steve. The country me and you grew up in is not the same country I live in today. It's like living in the twilight zone. It's insane....
I have to agree. I live in CA and it was a great place to live when Iwas growing up. Now it sucks. Try 3200 for a two bedroom apartment here. One piece of advice is if you are renting a place... let your local girlfriend/wife check it out and take pictures. She'll get a better deal than you will.
It's worse than you think. Half of US women reach the age of 30 without having children. Demographic implosion due to low birth rate. And the last of the baby boomers (me) is retiring.
For me as most expats I love my country but can't stand what the government is doing. I love living in the Philippines for two reasons, it's stress free and peaceful. I know that until I die I will be spending two months a year visiting family and friends in the United States and living ten months a year in the Philippines. Good video Steve.
Hi Steve, I do not want to get into politics and I am not a US citizen, but what you describe happens all over the west. People with money move out and people without money - move in.
It's escalated because the democratic party wants to turn the US into a socialist economy where we have limited freedom, poor, own nothing and depend on them. People won't wan that and naturally are going to start leaving to other countries.
The issue is government policy causes this. The massive government spending and printing money causes inflation that makes it impossible for normal Americans to ever get ahead so they have to retire in South America. Then the government offers nice benefits to illegals so the south Americans move to America 😂 sounds crazy but its really true!
I honestly WISH as many people were leaving as being reported! People talk so much crap about America but won’t leave! Talk so much crap about CA but they won’t freaking leave! The traffic and parking and crowds are still the same….and it isn’t because of homeless people! No matter where u run, the WORLD will always suck until the greed and selfishness is in control!
My wife had our house built in Leyte a couple of years ago. I'm 63. By age 65, I should be there permanently. Love my country, can't stand the way it is being destroyed from within. I'm a SAR (Son of the American Revolution) as well as a Mayflower descendant. We are currently purchasing more land in Leyte for agricultural business.
I live in San Diego, California. I visit Tijuana Mexico and a lot of taxi drivers tell me that a lot of Americans are moving to Tijuana because theirs a lot of new and nice condominium along the border. I talked with Americans living in Tijuana they said it’s great you get San Diego weather at a quarter of San Diego rent prices. I also talked with a Uber driver and he said his son rents a three bedroom house with a garage in a nice neighborhood for $700.00 a month. I think that’s the way to go because of the weather.
Hahaha the country has been going downhill for decades. It does not matter who is in office This was all scripted and the way things were going to happen.
Many moved from California to Mexico. It’s a big topic of conversation for us retirees in SoCal. I plan to give the Philippines a shot. It will be my 43rd country and 21st year living overseas.
@@joebloe4374 I would say, that's what their cheap and generous VISA program does. How many would have chosen some place like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand over Philippines, but the VISA isn't as cheap or long. Not to mention teaching English more in the Philippines.
Unless you're making 350k in America, America is a ball of stress and a big ass mess! And I would hate to imagine the stress a person is under trying to balance a high paying job and living life in the U.S. We missed the good old days, 'the 80's' but many of those people are aging out or have crossed over. Been here in Cebu a year and already my health has improved leaps and bounds 👍🏾
If you guys want to retire in the Philippines ,as mudh as possible stay in the country side, first less noise,water,air pollution etc.,cheap necessities, fresh fruits and vegetables,cheap house accomodation.You can enjoy your leisure time with nature,beaches,one thing you must bear in mind is to be careful in dealing to anyone with regards to money matter.Try to invest also to some business that you can manage 4o support your expenses so your savings wont drain fast.
@@insectionbraxy2965 not totally true, I can't even stay in my house in san Juan Batangas. Our neighbors dogs bark constantly, Roosters never sleep, people across the road have karaoke till 3am on the weekends getting drunk, they burn their garbage the smoke kills me even after I got them garbage collection, ignorant freaking people. the y drive like maniacs, I guess they are in a hurry to go to Heaven or hell. we built 3 beach cottages to supplement our income.
@@paulclinton6414 not really. That's barely anything. Also that's combined men and women. 750000 is actually quite a tiny number. Apparently only 20 percent of Americans even have passports
Steve, we both know it takes a special type of person to leave a first world country for a third world country. Many may come but many will leave just as fast. Its not the island paradise that a lot have in their minds. From what I have witnessed former military do the best. Able to adjust and adapt better then civilians
I agree 👍 💯 %. This is why I tell my friends and family I'm never going to sell my house in the USA. Because even tho America isn't the same and very expensive it's still Home. My Retirement plan in 2years 6mo in SE and 6mo in USA my buddies been doing it going 5years their in they're mid 50's and 60's and in great health they said something about the tropical climate and lower stress level in the Philippines .
It’s not racist and it’s used by even the most educated circles. Trust me it’s not a racist term so please…… ugh🤷🏼♂️We left the states to get away from this WOKE garbage. 🤷🏼♂️✌🏻✌🏻
Your not mentioning how many move back to the USA, I am an American expat, I'm going back to the USA in June been here 3 years, I still love America, I have no bills, single i have saved allot of money, so don't be biased.
We've never had this many people at retirement age before. Combined with the financial problems created by the government, population dynamics, and people are trying to make it work out for themselves instead of the government.
Obiden did run for change in 2008,, and the population is absolutely changing And it's a good idea to get yourself out of where your no longer comfortable The biggest problem with the Philippines is that non citizens cannot legally own property / realestate
Inflation is higher in US than reported. In two years of watching your videos Inflation is worse. Retired Navy im 54 years old I still want to work into my sixties but want to experience the Philippines again. ❤ ty for the videos
I can’t afford to retire in the U.S., on just Social Security! But I can support myself, my Wife and Step-Daughter on my retirement income! I never realized the deterioration of our native Country until I returned for my liquidation, in preparation to permanent residency in the Philippines! 😢
I came over here just after covid opened up and i was still working in Guam waiting to retire Sep2022 for a month, then i came back Jan 2023 and logged trips to get my stuff from Guam to here with my baggage as i logged 7 trips back and forth till i first filed for my SRRV in Sep2023. And been here since except the two days trip to Guam to process business. In 2023 i was only absent from here Mar/Apr/Jun mostly because of the super typhoon in Guam i was stuck in.❤
All of us here live on a $1,600 budget a mo. My rent in Guam was $850 mo that is just rent. I do not need a car here. So payment, registration, maintenance, and Insurance. Well you can figure that❤
It is going to grow. I expect the government, US, to get involved and make it harder to move overseas. I am sure women have already complained to government officials, in the US, about single men leaving to find women overseas. Sooner or later the government, US, is going to figure out these, mostly men, are also taking their wealth and spending overseas as well. I can see issues coming.
We live in the province and paying 15k for our small place which is too much. I have been looking at condos on facebook down in metro Manila and anything decent seems to start around 25k php. I looked at houses on facebook in Valencia near Dumaguate and they can run around the same prce or higher. Still way cheaperthan my one bedroom apartment in USA for $1,700 usd a month!
With the computer age, many people can telecommute from all over the planet. Many people lost their retirement nest egg back in 2008 and had a hard time coming back from that, and then, of course, the skyrocketing divorce rate put a big dent in retirement plans . Others are disabled or were disabled early in life and couldn't make those quarters required to get a higher pension rate. Whatever the case may be, a person on the average pension of around 1800 a month can have a better life depending upon their disability. Now, the less you have to work with will be a defining factor in your ability to have that better life because there is a give and take that happens . Medical is very affordable for basic care, but remember, there is no Medicare YET in the philippines, but I'm hopeful it may find its way there. Never forget that you are not in the United States, and the things that you see the Filipinos doing are not some of the things you should be doing and can lead to trouble for you. You don't have diplomatic immunity and are subject to removal at the will of the philippines government, so keep that in mind. Learn to mind your own personal business and stay out of other people's affairs, especially your girlfriends family. Staying emotionally distant can save you from having someone living in your pocket and with utang being a law now you could end up paying for that redhorse and tobacco that will create Medical bills that you may have to pay. The bottom line is to do your research and learn as many of the laws and culture as you can.
I will be retiring to the Philippines with my wife. She technically Filipino but has lived with me in the states for 15 years now and has an American attitude so I consider me retiring with my American wife.
Australia is clamping down on the problem of people leaving and living a better life overseas. It's now forces you to be in Australia when you reach pensionable age (67) to claim the aged pension and then you must remain and live in Australia for two years before you can leave the country and claim your pension while overseas. They don't want you spending money overseas and they are hoping by keeping you until you are 69 you will either die or give up on dreaming of a better quality of life in retirement.
@@enzos711 New Zealand is even worse. A 70 year old Kiwi friend of mine said he must live in NZ 6 months per year to be able to continue claiming his pension.
Living in the (rural) provinces where infrastructure is less developed is comparable to *being out in the field* for an extended period of time. Former military would probably be more adaptable to such conditions. In the end, it's the attitude we bring to the situation that makes it 👍 or 👎
In 2015, the U.S. State Department estimated in 2016 that more than 220,000 U.S. citizens lived in the Philippines and more than 650,000 visited per year. Thats 8 yrs ago.
I've been lookin to leave for 18 years and it did not matter who was in office. I saw the luster diminishing long ago so for me it was mainly to see and live a tranquil life away from what i was used to.
Early retirement with social security is 62. I can withdrawal 401k penalty free at 59. Cutting down living costs could drive that down even earlier if you can eat the penalty’s.
theres a HUGE difference between visiting here and living here, and a huge difference in renting where you can up and move, to building, where those neighbors are going to be in your life a LONG time. dont just see smiles and build thinking they will be all smiles like that for years to come !😉
Great video, very informative... Is a $ 1600 / month budget still reasonable in the PH ? Can you live a pretty good life on that ? Here in Seattle, the rents for Condos / Apartments is anywhere from $ 1200 per month all the way up to $ 36 K USD per month for a luxury suite... So rediculous ... Also wondering... You mentioned you spent $ 400 to $ 600 on food at the Grocery store... Is that enough to last a month for a single person ? I'm 5 years away from retirement, trying to decide between RV life in the USA and coming out to the Philippines
Compared to the number who decided to walk into the US, there are a great deal of incentives for the expat life. The overall benefits of expat life are quickly overshadowing any benefits of staying in the US these days.
I first visited the Philippines in 1982 for a vacation, fell in love with the place. Well, it took 39 years but in 2021 me and my family moved here for good, and am never looking back. Every morning I say: "Thank God we got out when we did."
All great advice Steve! Our plan is to stay in the Manila area so we can search out that place we want to settle in. Told the wife, we may move to 3 or 4 times before we find it. But we have areas already in mind. Mindoro is my first choice. We’ll see 👍✌🏻
I'm 20 years from retirement. Philippines may very well be oversaturated by then. As such I'm considering other countries/regions. One thing for sure is this... owning your house outright is no longer a retirement guarantee. Property values continue to far outstrip already excessive inflation. This means unaffordable tax and insurance. It's sad and unsettling.
I Wouldn't put it off too Long either..Stack up your Money and get a Remote job if Possible.But you hate to wait until 68-70 to get full retirement and end up dieing in 2-3 Years..
@jamesballard6564 Life is Short so we definitely need to activate a Plan of Action and follow through with it..But not put things off too long because while where making Plans the clock keep ticking and we unfortunately dont know our end of life date..Good Luck to you @Jamesballar6564
Cost and English language is used a lot! Road signs, restaurant menus, And at all of the bigger malls. Not so in other southeast Asian countries. I bought some Reesie‘s peanut butter mini cups the other day at S&R was 404php,$7. I checked my local flyers back in the US. They cost $7.64 for the same size bag.
Steve. With more and more people from the west coming in, do you believe the cost of living will go up? And if it does, will more people become improvised because of higher costs,or will there just be more pockets of wealth confined to big cities?
@enzos711 - It's very difficult to ignore the choices made by the current administration. I live on the border in San Diego. Don't get me started on the negative effects of illegal aliens. I see the crime every day. The Navy had to close one of the entrances to our parking lot because they kept breaking into our cars. There's now a full-time roving guard.
I'm now preparing to leave the US. Regarding my possessions, whatever I cant sell, I'm giving away to whoever will take it. If that doesn't work, I'm throwing it away.
Finding better place for life Or working overseas my passport took me to iraq and Afghanistan done with that this year my passport takes me back to my family in the phillipines my forever happy place
Respectfully, I would suggest that number is inflated due to the COVID lockdowns. I would have moved to the Philippines in 2020, but due to the travel restrictions, could not. Now, since all restrictions have been lifted, I've spent the last year getting my ducks in a row. I get on a plane in 5 days. So, with that said, you can see where the numbers may easily be inflated due to the backlog created by the COVID lockdowns.
Lots of people just disappointed frustrated need a change need peace of mind and happiness thats why I will be back this year to bexwith my fiance and son people are looking for a better place
Thanx Steven for your start on my SRRV in 2019 ! I bought a Condo in Reno, NV. & built a house in Subic Bay, Ph. My hope to be ex-wife in Nueva Ecija got my first house there & car... divorce from her has stopped due to Feb.2023 Hague Conversation agreement with Ph.?!...
I'm an expat I've been concerned about this for awhile. The politicians are not going to allow their taxpayers to leave so easily. At some point, they are going to restrict the number of passports they are issuing or they'll stop renewing them. Sure, they can bring in thousands of new immigrants from Mexico to replace them but they are not going to have the spending power that American citizens do.
I'm one that left in 2003 because of Biden s decisions. But I was married to a Filipina for 8 years. Not my 1st trip here. I'll be working on an srv soon. Need to learn a lot still. Going to file for a 6 mo ext soon but beware you need to have a child or wife to do that. I'm going to Manila to file another way. Keep u informed, I'm a vet like you.
The Wife and I just arrived here because of what is happening in USA. We have been planning for 3 years and knew what we have been seeing, And it’s not the same as it was before
I hope Philippines don’t turn expensive because more expats moving there. Unfortunately it’s happens in a lot of places. I saw 3 days ago in the canaries islands. They racing the rent and prices because expats. And the locals suffer that prices
Heard about it a lot but finally was able to experience it first hand. We spent a few days enjoying the fun in Manila and hailed a Grab ( Uber) ride to the bus station. We’re cruising down the Blvd. and a Manila cop pulls our driver over for going through a red light. I’m riding in the front passenger seat wearing a hat and my $2.00 Ray Bans. The windows are tinted and 3 Filipinos including my wife are in the back. We all clearly saw the light had just turned yellow not red. The driver and cop are going at it. Our driver is getting nowhere and I see him reach down and grab a 100 peso bill. He discreetly hands the cop the 100 pesos. My mouth is agape like a hooked fish. The cop lets us go without a ticket. As we’re leaving the driver turns to me and says shaking his head,” Only in the Philippines.” The cop sold his soul for $1.76. I imagine 10 cars a day and 7 days a week makes a nice bit of scratch over the course of a year. Probably happens the world over, but it was memorable being a few feet away from it.
Might want to check the Salt Content in all those Cans (yikes) .. I buy Low Sodium, Progresso Soups .. and Bush's Best, Chili Beans aren't too bad .. An extra Giant Jar of Peanut Butter is a good idea (literally the best source of Protein) .. Cyber Attacks on "the Grid" are a huge concern .. Attacks here in the US have been ramping up Bigtime .. If attacked, you might actually be "safer" in the PI in some ways than in the US which is the most Internet & Grid dependent (vulnerable) .. Better have lots of cash put away there though ..
What you save in rent, you are more than spending on food for the things you like. You were throwing around some heavy duty numbers on the food. S&R and Landers are the two most expensive places in the Philippines to buy food. You did a good job of qualifying it but the prospective expat should also know that if they buy local and eat at home, it can be done for around $10 per person per week. Your advice is good. It's consistent. I took a look and could not find an article stating the 750,000 number but I did see some other stuff that was sort of interesting. One of them was that Mexico is the top destination for American expats. I have watched a few videos of a guy living with his Filipina wife of nine years up in Iloco Norte and I was amazed at how well laid out and clean his little community near Batac was. There are lots of different ways to do it in the Philippines. Apparently Mexico too but I am put off by the drug wars that go on in Mexico. The weather situation is the most freaky thing going on and that's everywhere. Mother nature doesn't discriminate.
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" .. Most of us are Older, and have "a few yrs left" .. Live your life to the best of your "Joy & contentment" ability "Your only dancing on this earth for a short while" .. Life Goes on without us .. We Are Not Solving the Worlds Problems in our lifetime .. Just do the best you can (don't get sucked into the "Stupid" Intentionally Divisive (phony) Political BS..
Good video today Steve. The country me and you grew up in is not the same country I live in today. It's like living in the twilight zone. It's insane....
Sorry to hear that
I have to agree. I live in CA and it was a great place to live when Iwas growing up. Now it sucks. Try 3200 for a two bedroom apartment here. One piece of advice is if you are renting a place... let your local girlfriend/wife check it out and take pictures. She'll get a better deal than you will.
Yes!
You think the Philippines is the same country? Think again. Philippines has gone down as most of Asian has gone up!
@@candyman8055why do you talk about apartment if you grew up in California? Let me guess?
It's worse than you think. Half of US women reach the age of 30 without having children. Demographic implosion due to low birth rate. And the last of the baby boomers (me) is retiring.
For me as most expats I love my country but can't stand what the government is doing.
I love living in the Philippines for two reasons, it's stress free and peaceful.
I know that until I die I will be spending two months a year visiting family and friends in the United States and living ten months a year in the Philippines.
Good video Steve.
Canned and ultra-processed foods are definitely *_not_* good for one's health. Buy and cook whole foods instead - you'll feel much better.😊
Hi Steve, I do not want to get into politics and I am not a US citizen, but what you describe happens all over the west. People with money move out and people without money - move in.
It's escalated because the democratic party wants to turn the US into a socialist economy where we have limited freedom, poor, own nothing and depend on them. People won't wan that and naturally are going to start leaving to other countries.
The issue is government policy causes this. The massive government spending and printing money causes inflation that makes it impossible for normal Americans to ever get ahead so they have to retire in South America. Then the government offers nice benefits to illegals so the south Americans move to America 😂 sounds crazy but its really true!
Very correct we see it in Namibia also, so many south africans building houses here and come ton open businesses or for retirement
I take it you have no clue what is going on in Amerika
@@rayray2076 Since you write AmeriKa , I can assure you that I know the place better than you.
I honestly WISH as many people were leaving as being reported! People talk so much crap about America but won’t leave! Talk so much crap about CA but they won’t freaking leave! The traffic and parking and crowds are still the same….and it isn’t because of homeless people! No matter where u run, the WORLD will always suck until the greed and selfishness is in control!
My wife had our house built in Leyte a couple of years ago. I'm 63. By age 65, I should be there permanently. Love my country, can't stand the way it is being destroyed from within. I'm a SAR (Son of the American Revolution) as well as a Mayflower descendant. We are currently purchasing more land in Leyte for agricultural business.
I live in San Diego, California. I visit Tijuana Mexico and a lot of taxi drivers tell me that a lot of Americans are moving to Tijuana because theirs a lot of new and nice condominium along the border. I talked with Americans living in Tijuana they said it’s great you get San Diego weather at a quarter of San Diego rent prices. I also talked with a Uber driver and he said his son rents a three bedroom house with a garage in a nice neighborhood for $700.00 a month. I think that’s the way to go because of the weather.
Trying to get out of the United liberal dumpster fire.
Just awful
If not for my job I'd never go back
2 years to retire
Michael is smart, be like Michael!
Hahaha the country has been going downhill for decades. It does not matter who is in office This was all scripted and the way things were going to happen.
Building Back Better LOL
I am definitely one of those SRRV Permanent Resident visa processed Jan/24❤ I am just loving it!❤
Good choice!
Hi Steve, Thanks to you I’ve been in the Philippines, with my SRRV through Mary Rose since January 2023. I’m 74 . Take care, Kurt Conover
That is awesome!
We’re moving out too and will retire in Philippines.My American husband can’t wait.
we live in Arizona, it turned radical blue we are moving back to the PI for good. fed up with Biden and his govt gangsters.
Jeez...I beat everyone by 50 years haha!!!!
Not surprisingly people are relocating from the USA or other lands...
Have a super weekend...
🙏🙏🙏
👍😎👍
Many moved from California to Mexico. It’s a big topic of conversation for us retirees in SoCal. I plan to give the Philippines a shot. It will be my 43rd country and 21st year living overseas.
But the problem is we have had millions of illegals coming in.
Most are broke
These Americans leaving mostly have $
The problem is biden and him weaponizing the DOJ and FBI going after Trump supporters
That's only a small part of the problem, the bigger issues aren't being fixed which would lower those numbers.
@@angelocalima6338 devil's advocate
If immigration is so great
Why doesn't the philippines encourage immigrants to their country?
@@joebloe4374 I would say, that's what their cheap and generous VISA program does. How many would have chosen some place like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand over Philippines, but the VISA isn't as cheap or long. Not to mention teaching English more in the Philippines.
In Gensan City, an ATM ate my card at BDO, and the teller retrieved the card and gave it back to me… no waiting….. I consider myself blessed.
Unless you're making 350k in America, America is a ball of stress and a big ass mess! And I would hate to imagine the stress a person is under trying to balance a high paying job and living life in the U.S. We missed the good old days, 'the 80's' but many of those people are aging out or have crossed over. Been here in Cebu a year and already my health has improved leaps and bounds 👍🏾
it depends where you live
If you guys want to retire in the Philippines ,as mudh as possible stay in the country side, first less noise,water,air pollution etc.,cheap necessities, fresh fruits and vegetables,cheap house accomodation.You can enjoy your leisure time with nature,beaches,one thing you must bear in mind is to be careful in dealing to anyone with regards to money matter.Try to invest also to some business that you can manage 4o support your expenses so your savings wont drain fast.
@@insectionbraxy2965 not totally true, I can't even stay in my house in san Juan Batangas. Our neighbors dogs bark constantly, Roosters never sleep, people across the road have karaoke till 3am on the weekends getting drunk, they burn their garbage the smoke kills me even after I got them garbage collection, ignorant freaking people. the y drive like maniacs, I guess they are in a hurry to go to Heaven or hell. we built 3 beach cottages to supplement our income.
That's bs 350 K .. I don't even personally know anyone making that much ..
@@enzos711 I don't either
750000 seems like a lot but it isn't when your country has 330 million
Exactly, .2% of the population
@@tombkk1322exactly it's actually hardly anything. Imagine how many Filipinos have to work as OFWs alone because their country is broke af
775000 times 10 is 7.5 million, but will likely be 10 million as the rate will pick up. Most will be men with $ Yes, the loss will be felt.
@@paulclinton6414 not really. That's barely anything. Also that's combined men and women. 750000 is actually quite a tiny number. Apparently only 20 percent of Americans even have passports
Steve, we both know it takes a special type of person to leave a first world country for a third world country. Many may come but many will leave just as fast. Its not the island paradise that a lot have in their minds. From what I have witnessed former military do the best. Able to adjust and adapt better then civilians
The only thing I don't like is the food boring little choice bad quality expensive
Thailand much better
@@joebloe4374 food, traffic ( insane drivers) and garbage every where
I agree 👍 💯 %. This is why I tell my friends and family I'm never going to sell my house in the USA. Because even tho America isn't the same and very expensive it's still Home. My Retirement plan in 2years 6mo in SE and 6mo in USA my buddies been doing it going 5years their in they're mid 50's and 60's and in great health they said something about the tropical climate and lower stress level in the Philippines .
man the west is turning in third world .asia is slowly becoming first world .
It’s not racist and it’s used by even the most educated circles. Trust me it’s not a racist term so please…… ugh🤷🏼♂️We left the states to get away from this WOKE garbage. 🤷🏼♂️✌🏻✌🏻
Filipinos wont complain even foreigners come here in millions because it helps our economy
Wow! This is a big number. People going to where they feel Appreciated
Facts and what they can afford
And low cost of leaving. USA turn too expensive
@@daisyapontehavenmemoriestr8552 yes true! Lower cost living
@@BillyTimes-dw7vs so true !
Your not mentioning how many move back to the USA, I am an American expat, I'm going back to the USA in June been here 3 years, I still love America, I have no bills, single i have saved allot of money, so don't be biased.
We've never had this many people at retirement age before. Combined with the financial problems created by the government, population dynamics, and people are trying to make it work out for themselves instead of the government.
750,000 people moved out their all here with YOU TUBE CHANNELS..😅😅😅😅
750k might be on the low side? I still keep a USA address however I'm living here in the Philippines full time now.
Great video!!
Fantastic info
👍🎩👍
Great video Steve. I left in the middle of last year.
Great blog, Steve as usual.
Hi Steve,..a hello from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Great video with good advice.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Good video Steve, my Filipina wife and I have 5 months before the big move. As always, appreciate you and Rich's videos.
Obiden did run for change in 2008,, and the population is absolutely changing
And it's a good idea to get yourself out of where your no longer comfortable
The biggest problem with the Philippines is that non citizens cannot legally own property / realestate
It might be a good thing that foreigners cannot buy land in Ph. Else it would get over populated with ex pats.
Inflation is higher in US than reported. In two years of watching your videos Inflation is worse. Retired Navy im 54 years old I still want to work into my sixties but want to experience the Philippines again. ❤ ty for the videos
I can’t afford to retire in the U.S., on just Social Security! But I can support myself, my Wife and Step-Daughter on my retirement income!
I never realized the deterioration of our native Country until I returned for my liquidation, in preparation to permanent residency in the Philippines! 😢
Another great video steve😊
Thanks 👍
Hopefully this will encourage the US to stop taxing Americans who have left
I came over here just after covid opened up and i was still working in Guam waiting to retire Sep2022 for a month, then i came back Jan 2023 and logged trips to get my stuff from Guam to here with my baggage as i logged 7 trips back and forth till i first filed for my SRRV in Sep2023. And been here since except the two days trip to Guam to process business. In 2023 i was only absent from here Mar/Apr/Jun mostly because of the super typhoon in Guam i was stuck in.❤
I am saving $550 a month compared to my Apt i had in Guam. And my rent here is only $290
All of us here live on a $1,600 budget a mo. My rent in Guam was $850 mo that is just rent. I do not need a car here. So payment, registration, maintenance, and Insurance. Well you can figure that❤
The biggest immigration into Canada behind India is Philippines.Because of the Canadian bubble…a lot of Canadian dollars are being invested in USA.
Well said Sir.
It is going to grow. I expect the government, US, to get involved and make it harder to move overseas. I am sure women have already complained to government officials, in the US, about single men leaving to find women overseas. Sooner or later the government, US, is going to figure out these, mostly men, are also taking their wealth and spending overseas as well. I can see issues coming.
Costs in America driving many out.
Many more would move if they had the money to get away from states. Most don’t have enough to travel and start over . I’m going to travel soon
We live in the province and paying 15k for our small place which is too much. I have been looking at condos on facebook down in metro Manila and anything decent seems to start around 25k php. I looked at houses on facebook in Valencia near Dumaguate and they can run around the same prce or higher. Still way cheaperthan my one bedroom apartment in USA for $1,700 usd a month!
With the computer age, many people can telecommute from all over the planet. Many people lost their retirement nest egg back in 2008 and had a hard time coming back from that, and then, of course, the skyrocketing divorce rate put a big dent in retirement plans . Others are disabled or were disabled early in life and couldn't make those quarters required to get a higher pension rate. Whatever the case may be, a person on the average pension of around 1800 a month can have a better life depending upon their disability. Now, the less you have to work with will be a defining factor in your ability to have that better life because there is a give and take that happens . Medical is very affordable for basic care, but remember, there is no Medicare YET in the philippines, but I'm hopeful it may find its way there. Never forget that you are not in the United States, and the things that you see the Filipinos doing are not some of the things you should be doing and can lead to trouble for you. You don't have diplomatic immunity and are subject to removal at the will of the philippines government, so keep that in mind. Learn to mind your own personal business and stay out of other people's affairs, especially your girlfriends family. Staying emotionally distant can save you from having someone living in your pocket and with utang being a law now you could end up paying for that redhorse and tobacco that will create Medical bills that you may have to pay. The bottom line is to do your research and learn as many of the laws and culture as you can.
Well said man your absolutely correct
I will be retiring to the Philippines with my wife. She technically Filipino but has lived with me in the states for 15 years now and has an American attitude so I consider me retiring with my American wife.
you can hope soon to have a Filipina wife again (change attitude) 🙂
@@mabuhayproductionltd3627 I would have to pay a 50% processing fee on all my assets and that’s if I’m lucky 🤡
Good job,
Australia is clamping down on the problem of people leaving and living a better life overseas. It's now forces you to be in Australia when you reach pensionable age (67) to claim the aged pension and then you must remain and live in Australia for two years before you can leave the country and claim your pension while overseas. They don't want you spending money overseas and they are hoping by keeping you until you are 69 you will either die or give up on dreaming of a better quality of life in retirement.
That's BS ..
@@enzos711 New Zealand is even worse. A 70 year old Kiwi friend of mine said he must live in NZ 6 months per year to be able to continue claiming his pension.
@@richardhessian4725 That suxs
@@enzos711 Yeah. It's called being over regulated.
I pay $524 a month on my mortgage in Middle America for a 3 bedroom house.
Filipino food except for balut and ube is delicious.
Hey Steve, I don’t have any rose colored glasses, will green lenses suffice? 👓
I got green
Living in the (rural) provinces where infrastructure is less developed is comparable to *being out in the field* for an extended period of time. Former military would probably be more adaptable to such conditions. In the end, it's the attitude we bring to the situation that makes it 👍 or 👎
In 2015, the U.S. State Department estimated in 2016 that more than 220,000 U.S. citizens lived in the Philippines and more than 650,000 visited per year. Thats 8 yrs ago.
Thats not even .2 percent of PI population.
What many Americans pay in property tax
You can live in philippine on that
IF you buy own a place in philippines
I.e. house or condo
I've been lookin to leave for 18 years and it did not matter who was in office. I saw the luster diminishing long ago so for me it was mainly to see and live a tranquil life away from what i was used to.
I like your honesty.
I have enjoyed your videos for around 2 months. I would like to know in your opinion. What is the best bank or banks to use. Thanks
There really are no great banks here. But BDO is decent but still problematic.
Good videos.
Glad you like them!
Early retirement with social security is 62. I can withdrawal 401k penalty free at 59. Cutting down living costs could drive that down even earlier if you can eat the penalty’s.
But you pay taxes on a higher tax bracket on the 401k withdrawal. Better to keep it in IRA and spread out the withdrawals. Google this.
theres a HUGE difference between visiting here and living here, and a huge difference in renting where you can up and move, to building, where those neighbors are going to be in your life a LONG time. dont just see smiles and build thinking they will be all smiles like that for years to come !😉
Great video, very informative... Is a $ 1600 / month budget still reasonable in the PH ? Can you live a pretty good life on that ? Here in Seattle, the rents for Condos / Apartments is anywhere from $ 1200 per month all the way up to $ 36 K USD per month for a luxury suite... So rediculous ... Also wondering... You mentioned you spent $ 400 to $ 600 on food at the Grocery store... Is that enough to last a month for a single person ? I'm 5 years away from retirement, trying to decide between RV life in the USA and coming out to the Philippines
Compared to the number who decided to walk into the US, there are a great deal of incentives for the expat life. The overall benefits of expat life are quickly overshadowing any benefits of staying in the US these days.
I first visited the Philippines in 1982 for a vacation, fell in love with the place. Well, it took 39 years but in 2021 me and my family moved here for good, and am never looking back. Every morning I say: "Thank God we got out when we did."
Where can I find a used pair of rose colored glasses so I can see my reality differently?
Hello where is the $80.00 a .month apartment located and is it fully furnished as well as what town it is located thank you.
All great advice Steve! Our plan is to stay in the Manila area so we can search out that place we want to settle in. Told the wife, we may move to 3 or 4 times before we find it. But we have areas already in mind. Mindoro is my first choice. We’ll see 👍✌🏻
Stagflation😢USA
And violent criminals run the streets.
Such a GOOD channel!! You, tell it like it IS ~ Bravo!
Wow, thanks!
I'm 20 years from retirement. Philippines may very well be oversaturated by then. As such I'm considering other countries/regions. One thing for sure is this... owning your house outright is no longer a retirement guarantee. Property values continue to far outstrip already excessive inflation. This means unaffordable tax and insurance. It's sad and unsettling.
I Wouldn't put it off too Long either..Stack up your Money and get a Remote job if Possible.But you hate to wait until 68-70 to get full retirement and end up dieing in 2-3 Years..
@@Kory8611 I'm exploring countries where it's legal for a foreigner to own property. That maybe my retirement plan.
@jamesballard6564 Life is Short so we definitely need to activate a Plan of Action and follow through with it..But not put things off too long because while where making Plans the clock keep ticking and we unfortunately dont know our end of life date..Good Luck to you @Jamesballar6564
Cost and English language is used a lot! Road signs, restaurant menus, And at all of the bigger malls. Not so in other southeast Asian countries. I bought some Reesie‘s peanut butter mini cups the other day at S&R was 404php,$7. I checked my local flyers back in the US. They cost $7.64 for the same size bag.
Steve. With more and more people from the west coming in, do you believe the cost of living will go up? And if it does, will more people become improvised because of higher costs,or will there just be more pockets of wealth confined to big cities?
115 million in the Philippines. Expats are a drop in the bucket, except in. expat heavy areas.
I shop for food in military commissaries, Army and Navy. Prices have really gone up during the Biden Administration.
Hello, "It's All over the world since Covid" (Biden on the brain) ..
@enzos711 - It's very difficult to ignore the choices made by the current administration. I live on the border in San Diego. Don't get me started on the negative effects of illegal aliens. I see the crime every day. The Navy had to close one of the entrances to our parking lot because they kept breaking into our cars. There's now a full-time roving guard.
Prices in the commissary have been up for decades.
Sir Steve, do you have a link about americans moving out of the US. Thanks in advance.
I’ve talked about it many times but can’t remember which video
It's OK. Thanks, Sir Steve.
I'm now preparing to leave the US. Regarding my possessions, whatever I cant sell, I'm giving away to whoever will take it. If that doesn't work, I'm throwing it away.
And if you have a place back home paid for don't sale it, you can rent it and have a place to go back to if needed
In the first quarter of 2022 there were 186,000 NEW passports issued in the USA. Thats over 600,000 average that year. Where they went, I dont know.
Many many American men are leaving
I'm leaving to 😂😂
Finding better place for life
Or working overseas my passport took me to iraq and Afghanistan done with that this year my passport takes me back to my family in the phillipines my forever happy place
Passports are for traveling too, not just for emigrating.
It differs from bank to bank, My card was taken in at BDO atm I got the card back the next day no problem 😊
is it true they are changing the min age to 40 for srrv curtesy visa?
Respectfully, I would suggest that number is inflated due to the COVID lockdowns. I would have moved to the Philippines in 2020, but due to the travel restrictions, could not.
Now, since all restrictions have been lifted, I've spent the last year getting my ducks in a row. I get on a plane in 5 days.
So, with that said, you can see where the numbers may easily be inflated due to the backlog created by the COVID lockdowns.
Nearly every country had some sort of restriction
Has nothing to do with Covid
We (US Citizens) can’t afford to retire in the States. Amen Brother. Simple economics. Cheers 🍻
Your friend in Tagaytay, yours truly was in the Coast Guard
🇺🇸⚓️
Lots of people just disappointed frustrated need a change need peace of mind and happiness thats why I will be back this year to bexwith my fiance and son people are looking for a better place
Thanx Steven for your start on my SRRV in 2019 ! I bought a Condo in Reno, NV. & built a house in Subic Bay, Ph. My hope to be ex-wife in Nueva Ecija got my first house there & car... divorce from her has stopped due to Feb.2023 Hague Conversation agreement with Ph.?!...
I'm an expat I've been concerned about this for awhile. The politicians are not going to allow their taxpayers to leave so easily. At some point, they are going to restrict the number of passports they are issuing or they'll stop renewing them. Sure, they can bring in thousands of new immigrants from Mexico to replace them but they are not going to have the spending power that American citizens do.
I'm one that left in 2003 because of Biden s decisions. But I was married to a Filipina for 8 years. Not my 1st trip here. I'll be working on an srv soon. Need to learn a lot still. Going to file for a 6 mo ext soon but beware you need to have a child or wife to do that. I'm going to Manila to file another way. Keep u informed, I'm a vet like you.
From where did you get these statistics? Please post your sources.
It was in an article. One commenter says it’s 4 million…… lol. It’s 750,000
The Wife and I just arrived here because of what is happening in USA. We have been planning for 3 years and knew what we have been seeing, And it’s not the same as it was before
Proud Weymouth boy here 😊
Another CZcamsr (Nomad Capitalist) said it true snd said it well. "Go where your treated best".
That 7 or 8 net worth figure that Nomad Capitalist targets as his customers leaves me out!
@@prairiemark4084 - Agreed. However his statement of "Go where you are treated best" still holds no matter what your income level.
I hope Philippines don’t turn expensive because more expats moving there. Unfortunately it’s happens in a lot of places. I saw 3 days ago in the canaries islands. They racing the rent and prices because expats. And the locals suffer that prices
It's a small place close to Europe ..
And how many are moving in?
The Navy's feeling the manning right now. It's a little under.
Heard about it a lot but finally was able to experience it first hand. We spent a few days enjoying the fun in Manila and hailed a Grab ( Uber) ride to the bus station. We’re cruising down the Blvd. and a Manila cop pulls our driver over for going through a red light. I’m riding in the front passenger seat wearing a hat and my $2.00 Ray Bans. The windows are tinted and 3 Filipinos including my wife are in the back. We all clearly saw the light had just turned yellow not red. The driver and cop are going at it. Our driver is getting nowhere and I see him reach down and grab a 100 peso bill. He discreetly hands the cop the 100 pesos. My mouth is agape like a hooked fish. The cop lets us go without a ticket. As we’re leaving the driver turns to me and says shaking his head,” Only in the Philippines.”
The cop sold his soul for $1.76. I imagine 10 cars a day and 7 days a week makes a nice bit of scratch over the course of a year. Probably happens the world over, but it was memorable being a few feet away from it.
Smart Canadians are working on their escape plan
Good video Steve. Great advice.
Thanks 👍
Hey steve you're right what you have to worry about when you marry a filipino is her family😮
Poor Americans leaving
I am Moving abroad . Guatemala a Paradise hidden.
Might want to check the Salt Content in all those Cans (yikes) .. I buy Low Sodium, Progresso Soups .. and Bush's Best, Chili Beans aren't too bad .. An extra Giant Jar of Peanut Butter is a good idea (literally the best source of Protein) .. Cyber Attacks on "the Grid" are a huge concern .. Attacks here in the US have been ramping up Bigtime .. If attacked, you might actually be "safer" in the PI in some ways than in the US which is the most Internet & Grid dependent (vulnerable) .. Better have lots of cash put away there though ..
What you save in rent, you are more than spending on food for the things you like. You were throwing around some heavy duty numbers on the food. S&R and Landers are the two most expensive places in the Philippines to buy food. You did a good job of qualifying it but the prospective expat should also know that if they buy local and eat at home, it can be done for around $10 per person per week.
Your advice is good. It's consistent. I took a look and could not find an article stating the 750,000 number but I did see some other stuff that was sort of interesting. One of them was that Mexico is the top destination for American expats.
I have watched a few videos of a guy living with his Filipina wife of nine years up in Iloco Norte and I was amazed at how well laid out and clean his little community near Batac was.
There are lots of different ways to do it in the Philippines. Apparently Mexico too but I am put off by the drug wars that go on in Mexico.
The weather situation is the most freaky thing going on and that's everywhere. Mother nature doesn't discriminate.
What's the weather doing where you are?
@@ronzombie6541 it's really hot. Low 90's with a heat index in the upper 90's every day for months and no rain.
At this rhythm, the Phillipines will be a huge Jurassic Parc !
The more American sexpats that arrive it drives up local prices. The Phillipines will continue to get more expensive. By the way, don't get scammed.
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" .. Most of us are Older, and have "a few yrs left" .. Live your life to the best of your "Joy & contentment" ability "Your only dancing on this earth for a short while" .. Life Goes on without us .. We Are Not Solving the Worlds Problems in our lifetime .. Just do the best you can (don't get sucked into the "Stupid" Intentionally Divisive (phony) Political BS..