The Cost of Living in Guam | Ep 158
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- čas přidán 26. 03. 2021
- This cost of living video is a snapshot in time, and further research is needed to obtain a correct assessment of the current cost of living conditions in Guam.
www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living...
guamrentalfinder.com/
WE’RE RANDY 🧍♂️ and TERI 🧍♀️... We retired early and moved abroad to our chosen paradise in the tropical Western Pacific. We share our time between Guam and the Philippines, and we share slices of life from the Tropic Shade. Beaches and rainbows and waterfalls (and food), oh my! 🌴
For more about us, check out this channel's "About" page.
Formerly "Retired in Samar," we are now "Living in the Pacific." 🥂
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Thank you so much for doing a video like this. My anxiety level was off the charts when I even thought about moving off the main land. I'm an unexpected medical retiree from the VA (hospital) and am trying to make my new normal work for me for the years to come. You've helped a lot.
Thanks for posting this! Back in the 1980s I lived in an apartment, in the Chamorro Gardens complex in Mongmong. Lots of great memories!! Would love to go back and visit Guam. I miss the weather.
I now live in the South/Central part of Maine. From what I see in your video, the cost of living in this part of Maine is similar to the cost of living (excluding gasoline) in Guam.
I actually live not far from the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. When that base was open, we had a fair amount of Filipino dining options. When the base was BRACed, a lot of those places closed. Sad....
Happy New Year to you and yours!
I have always dreamed of retiring and moving to Guam. This was not only informative, but helpful, too. Thank you so much for doing this video. I enjoyed the interview very much. Both of you seem very friendly.
Thank you, glad it was helpful! I need to do an update.
Guam is to expensive period but I love Guam so much 💙
Thank you for sharing your video.. looking forward for your next video.
Very interesting conversation and thanks for the stats you shared. I clicked on your video and was the 44,444th viewer haha!
Wow... you would think you would win something with that number. LOL Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video and proud to know people that know how to live and enjoy the pacific island style and Asian brothers whom we share this region with, except China and North Korea! You guys are champs and respected by the islanders! The true Pacific!
Thanks for watching... and I wouldn't want to live any other way.
I enjoyed watching your video highlighting what Guam has to offer and the cost of living on the island.
Thanks for watching.
@@TropicShade You bet!
Great video. We just moved to Guam for a while. This is up to date and relevant info. thanks
Glad it was helpful. Hafa Adai... Welcome to Guam!
Hafa adaii Chelu born and raise on Guam Villege of Asan-Maina! thank you for sharing this very educational information about Guam cost of living! I deeply appreciate this because not everyone is aware about this! Please continue spreading more educational videos
Si Yu'os Ma'åse' !
Thanks for watchin!
This one is very informative! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
HAFA ADAI, (Hello) As a resident born and raised in Guam, in 1961 to a Chamorro mother and American father we welcome all Americans to live and enjoy our beautiful island! Just leave your attitude, negative comments and sarcasm in plane once you arrive! We are good people and live to a different drum, more reserve then most people. Have an open mind and enjoy the island lifestyle, beaches, sun, food, BBQ’s, parties and fiesta’s! You do this you’ll enjoy the hospitality of the locals, be accepted and enjoy the island and life like the people in this video! Many a times a haoli wife comes out and complains about everything under the Sun! Give her a one way ticket back and enjoy the life and travel to Manila and other Asian countries and REALLY ENJOY LIFE visiting and returning to recharge the batteries and enjoy the American life Island style. If your coming out here to cause trouble, sell drugs or have bad intensions stay away!
We love our island and you will to…..This is truly WHERE AMERICA’S DAY BIGINS!
First arrived here in '74. My heart has been here ever since.
I love Guam . My father was in the air force and we were there from 1968 to 1972.
Mee too! 😉
I was there 72-74 at Andersen.
Im from Guam and a new subscriber! I love watching your videos. Pls make more videos with Ate, Your wife.
Thanks for watching. I'll ask her, but it will require some begging! 😂
Thank you. I really needed to see the real prices.
Glad it was helpful!
Another great video friend .Thanks for sharing , from Calbayog City .
Thanks for visiting
I lived on Guam for 3 years from 8 to 11 years old. My father is retired Air Force and a Vietnam Veteran. I learned to swim at the USO beach, not sure if it’s still called that or not. I miss the beautiful, clear, aqua water (not the coral on my feet though, haha) the food and the beautiful temperatures. Would love to go back and visit again at some point. I’ve heard it has changed a lot due to a typhoon taking out most of the island a few years after my family left. Thanks for the video, I will be watching for more. Best of luck to you and your wife. Hafa Adai 😊
I too remember USO beach in Piti, where I learned to snorkel. Guam has grown and the infrastructure is much more typhoon-proof as compared to yesteryear. Guam used to be GOOD... today it is GOOD'er! 😉
Can you do a 2022 version. We have this on our list to visit still this year.
Working on it! Stay tuned!
Awesome points. I was really loved when I suggested a commissary shopping spree was planned. Now fast forward to me now honestly I would rather live the winters on Guam or PH but I don't have that option now.
Sorry.
Sorry
I was stationed at NAS Agana in the '72-73 time frame. The milk commonly available was called 'recombined milk' (whatever that means), and it was slightly brown and not at all 'tasty'. We used to ask incoming Pan Am and TWA flights for their 'leftover' milk half-pints, which they would otherwise throw away. Streets and roads were paved with an aggregate of concrete and ground-up coral. When it rained (which it did, frequently) the little critters in the coral would rise to the surface, and when a car would slam on the brakes, it would leave a white mark instead of a black mark, like rubber. AND - it was SLICK like ice. There was a good restaurant in downtown Agana (now Hagatna) called the "Panciteria something'. Great place.
Boxed milk undergoes ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization and has a shelf life of 6-9 months. When I was here in the early '70s, our fresh milk was marketed by Foremost and came from Tinian. Today, there are restaurants everywhere.
Real informative,,,new subscriber here ,,,I’ll watch more of your contents,,,
Thanks!
Nice video.. thanks for the information
Most welcome
Thanks again. Take care.
Yes! Finally someone said it right 😊. I keep seeing “on Guam” and it irks me seeing that.
I does feel strange saying it that way 🤭 but mostly remember that you cannot be "in" a rock. 🤣
Thanks for sharing very informative video.
Welcome to the island Guam gentlemen. Should you have time, inquire the island of Rota for a visit. About 25 minutes flight just north from Guam. However, to date need to fly to the island of Saipan then to Rota due to the current pandemic situation. Enjoy Guam and be safe.
very informative! great job!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. its very informative. It helps me a lot. right now i am about to go to Guam hopefully soon.
Glad it was helpful! If you have any questions, don't be shy!
Sure I will. Maraming salamat.
Thanks and Thank You for Your Service.
Much appreciated
Very informative video, well done thank you.
Glad it was helpful! Still working on an update.
Philippines have more struggles than Guam. Guamanians are more fortunate than the Philippines because they don’t have to worry about third world problems.
kasi usa na sya sayang tayo sana din kaso matapang muslim
hi
Ha. We can't keep the lights on. The roads in Philippines are gold compared to these. Philippines isn't 3rd world. Guam is 3rd world with 1st world prices.
Quality of life is better in the Philippines. Without base access this guy would be hurting in Guam
Very informative video on the cost of living in Guam. For retired military vets it is definitely somewhat more affordable , though still expensive. Even the cost of a studio condo / apartment is expensive. Good information for those considering where to live outside the continental United States. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks.
It's no more expensive than where I live in Houston. Not at all.
thanks for a nice video, considering since I am retired and be closer to S.Korea
Thanks for this video.
You're welcome!
Awesome information, gateway to Asia.
Thanks for watching
Guahan's native people, the Chamorro, have intricate ties with the people of Southeast Asia, specifically the Island nations like Indonesia, Philippines, etc.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I lived there in the 1950s when I was a kid for 3 years. My dad had a civilian job on Anderson AF Base. You couldn't be a tourist back then as Guam was closed by the government and you couldn't go there unless you had government clearance. From time to time a Japanese soldier would come out of the boondocks and give up not realizing that the war was over. Strangely enough I later started working on cargo ships and Guam was a regular stop for us. Like you said in the video the Jones Act keeps the cargo coming in on American flagged ships. Usually I would rent a car for the day and just drive around for a while to take in the sights and bring back some old memories but a whole lot of things are different now. Guam is more expensive than where I live in Iowa but not quite as bad as another regular stop for me, Honolulu.
I'm originally an Illinois boy myself and grew up between a bean field and a cornstalk. 😉
@@TropicShade Yea, me too. When I was a kid we lived next to a corn field in Illinois. Now that I'm on my own I live across the river in Iowa.
Being a non-veteran that supermarket tour just proved to me I could never afford to retire there with my soc sec and meager pension. The only thing that was the same price as here was Spam $2.99, everything else was about double. The number you showed from Numbeo for a single guy was $1,309 per month not including rent. Unless there are some really cheap apartments suitable for an American guy your monthly income would need to be over $2000. That lets me out. I guess I'll have to wait until central Luzon opens up!
Guam is not cheap, for sure. I do have a friend that pays $575 for a 1BR apt.
Actually you could live on 1309 month in Guam including rent but it would be tight if your non military. First there are two-bedroom places for 750. IF you want one bedroom you can get it around 500. As to utilties, I pay 150 a month though I only use air when I am home. So lets say you have a studio for 600 add 150 that's 750 Add internet at 100 thats 950. Add 75 for cell phone, thats 1025. Okay that leaves food and transportation. Get a moped, yes it rains here in Guam but in year only 3 times such has been issue (have raincoat). Also as far as buying grocies I have zero problem putting groceries on moped. Anycase go to LA cycles it costs 1100 for moped, insurance via Calvos which includes appartment rental (have to have it) is 160 a year. Average gas bill 20 a month. So for first year 125 a month for transportation (including price of moped paid over 12 months). So now we are to a total of 1150. That leaves you 250 for food and other expenses. Its tight, but duable. My cost of living is tad higher but thats because i have two bedroom appartment in prime location near the beach. My per month cost is 1600 covering all my base expenses including food (between 100 to 120 a month buying at payless and cost u less). Though I am living confortably and enjoying life so my expenses that include eating out at restaurants (I do 39 buffet once a month), going to water park, and going to bars such as Jimmy Dees, I live confortably at 2000 a month
@@primitivestudio1 When you have year-round beaches and great weather, what more could you possibly need?
Saipan?
You could live there for 2000 per month. You just couldn't live Large. Sleep on the beach.
Lived there for 5 years in Tamuning. Moved back to the states to San Francisco March of 2020...boy was that a mistake. I miss it sorely. Guam has it's issues but I prefer it...especially now.
Me and the wife plan on moving back in a year or 2 depending.
Guam is like an affliction that there is no cure for.
You picked San Francisco of all places lol. one of the most expensive places to live in the entire world
@@phil_matic I work in tech pal. It's where the money is.
@@rockycvs3 so if that’s where the money is, then it can’t be entirely a mistake
@@phil_matic Not all problems we encounter in life are money related.
I lived on Guam for 8 years. I moved to Los Angeles. All I can say is that it is cheaper in LA than Guam. Gas was thru the roof on Guam more than Cali. Food was way out there because it has to be shipped in by boat. Rent is mot as bad as LA but close. Electric was 3x's what I am paying here since all the houses are cement wall to wall and is nothing more than an oven so the AC is working hard to keep things livable. All that aside. Having a good-paying job helped and I did enjoy living there. My wife being a Filipina was convenient to jump on a quick flight to visit family. There is a price to pay for island living
I guess it all depends on 'where' you live in LA. Today, gas in CA is $3.98 and here it is $4.41 off base ($2.98 on base). I'm guessing also you miss Guam! Appreciate the info. 😉
@@TropicShade It has its ups and downs like anywhere. I was in the water almost every day snorkeling in Tumon, Gun Beach to 2 Lovers Pt.
@@InvisibleAmericaTV I'd say that's an UP! ;)
@@TropicShade Are normal citizens eligible to buy on base gas or it it only reserved for servicemen?
Another great video. Cost of living in Guam depends on needs and life style. I do live comfortable here on less than 2000 a month. I will be getting medicare an thats a plusfor me. In Phils I was self insured. Looking foward to trying that Hilton buffet
All the steak and lobster you can eat at that price seems worth it!
@@TropicShade It seems like a steal compared to similar buffets here in LV.
Wow, really? I can remember Breakfast buffets in Vegas for $1.99 and Prime Rib buffets for around $4.99. 🤔
@@TropicShade I been to vegas many times over the years. I never seen 1.99 or 4.99. Vegas for me is expensive for food. Cheapest I seen is old freemont area, even there its still 9.99.
@@primitivestudio1 I remember $.99 breakfasts in LV in the late '70s.
having lived both in the states and GU, i definitely had it easier financially bc i was on a weekly pay and it was quick and easy for me to find a home and own a car.. but i missed the home feeling from GU so i had to move back. the thing i miss the most was gas prices 😭
It took me almost 40yrs to get back! I don't miss much from stateside.
@@TropicShade I solute you sir!
So you guys agree that gusm is better :D
@@TropicShade is Guam better than the states though
Interesting perspective. That said if you look around Guam isnt as expensive as folks think. You can even find small houses for rent for 700 but make sure your good friends with neighbors. That said, I pay 1100 a month for 2 bedroom apartment with washer and drier right across from beach (from my door to sand about 3 minutes). Internet is expensive as compared to mainland. I pay 107. Utilities (water and electric) costs me 150 a month; though I only run air when I am in my appartment (takes 2 minutes to cool down). I do have my own transportation. I drive moped. Mopeds are great for guam. I pay 16 dollars month for gas. Insurance which includes moped and my appartment rental is 160. After, all my bills, insurance, gas, all comes to 1550. Add about 100 to 300 for food costs. Add 200 for movies, relaxing at beach bar, you can live 2000 dollars with no complaints but same time no huge luxeries. As far as stores, Cost U Less is great, company is connected to Costco indirectly. Payless not bad, ,key is specials and their reduced price. Now if you have base access thats great. Gas is 1.50 less and food costs are on average not 30 to 40 percent cheaper but more like 50 percent cheaper at commesary. The Exchange is closer to in town costs but still a bit cheaper. For some reason tomatos and cucumbers are cheaper at exchange than commesary.
The best perspective anyone could give is via a testimonial like yours. I know there are cheaper places to rent, but you just have to beat a few jungle bushes to find them. I find tomatoes cheaper at Payless than at the commissary. Thanks for the input, I'm sure many will find it useful.
@@TropicShade No problem. Having base access sure does help. I do go to Payless frequently. I live just short walk away. I mostly go there to refill my water, look at reduced price stuff, and specials. Cost U less, also simular.
Yeah, Payless as a whole is cheaper than commissary when comes to tomatoes. I asked about that and that's because Commissary airfreights tomatoes in. But you go to the Exchange gas station either at the main naval base or one at the Naval hospital and tomatoes are 1.89 a pound. Cheaper than Payless unless on special (right now Roma tomatoes are on special I think 1.29). Cucumbers at Exchange Gas Stations than at Commesary or Payless. The last I paid was about $1.60 at the exchange gas station. Also, things like Lettuce unless they are on sale at Payless Commesary is so much cheaper. 1.19 per head for Romane Lettuce at Commesary while Payless is $2.59lb (one head is about 1lb)
All these guys mentioning high cost for internet... I bet there is an audible "CHEER" everytime a Falcon 9 launches with 60 more satellites! 😂🤣😆
@@tennesseetravelr Agreed, I pay 107 a month for internet. That said, I have signed up for star link which is said to be 99 dollars and much faster. Should come here next year.
Side note, I just came back from Mainland and also Hawaii. This is suprizing but prices in Hawaii an even in mianland isnt to different than Guam. If you have access to commesary, the commesary in Hawaii is actually more expensive.
$2K a month with no entertainment in 2021? Bye Guam. I'll go to Philippines or Thailand with $2K includes entertainment.
thanks for this info
You're welcome
nice vedio thank you to make this 😍
Hello 👋👋😍
How are you doing today??
I hope y'all are safe after the storm. James from Arkansas
We are good, thanks.
I always love this island I would wish I can get to come there for a living I have lived in Caribbean island and I like island life .Guan is more developed than most of the Caribbean islands
Guam is Good!
Gee, My idea of retirement is to do the things you wanted to do. And it's not like that at all, listening to your interview with this nice gentleman. I felt some kind of loneliness listening to him. Anyway, here in NYC, having your own home, cost of living is not that bad, although taxes go up every year. Groceries is much cheaper. I saw Breyer ice cream in your vid for 8.99 which is two for 6.00 on sale here. Bananas .69/lb and I can get 4 thick slices of good quality Angus steak for $28.00. But then again, this idea pops up saying I want to live there or there or somewhere but here. Never know till you get there, I suppose. Nice, informative video.
I can't speak for Ken (in the interview), but he did just arrive here and knows noone. I can be a lonely life being shut-in and without any friends.
Thanks for the info. Now I know that place is out of the question for us.
Sorry, it is what it is... unless you want to take a part -time job.
How long does it take to shop?
@@cynthiagibbons4654 Shop where?
As of today, it looks like jobs will be plentiful going forward!
Hafa Dai!!~ from NYC~ ^^
😎
Did not see your em in about, was able to put my em in mine. Thanks
In the About section under the "Details" tab. I'll send you one, thanks.
Thanks for sharing. $3.99 for a package of bologna. I paid $7 for the same bologna here in Subic. Guam is my plan B if I am forced out of the PI.
$7 ??? That's Baloney! 😲 🤣
Finding a ton of good information in your videos. Super useful and super relatable.
However.
I caught the part about the gas price, as stated 'under the current administration'.
I know we have a supercharged, divided electorate. I sense I am probably on the opposite side that you are, that's cool. We both have homes in Phils, and wives from there, and I most definitely relate to your appreciation of Asian life. Fist bump!
But... Presidents do not influence the price of gas. They just don't. I had lots of complaints about "the last administration" for a lot of things, but whenever gas prices were higher than I liked, or not, that was never up to him, even if he claimed it was when it was low. (Presidents do that.) I don't blame any of them, because the market dictates the price. It's just the way it is.
That said, I'm eating up your content like crazy, and don't be surprised to see I've touched down with my family and want to get together for a beer. :)
I appreciate that!
🤣🤣🤣 pare/mare system thought was hilarious. Most don't understand. I'd be checking out Guam soon as you said v accessible launching pad to other Far Eastern countries
Exactly!!
Good Video
Thanks
I love Guam po! I went there last August.
Guam is Good!
Good video, I retired and moved Mactan Island and my wife was Samar. I moved to Guam so my son could get a better education and free medical care for all of us. Dental is the one thing I will fly back to PI. Having been a expat in Korea also; cost of living was close to Guam if you have that military affiliation to use to base. I would fly back to Korea from PI for commissary and PX/BX/NEX shopping. I would get my medical care done too so I get the free medicines although medical is cheap in PI. You can't be free.
So you are on Guam now? We just had a "Samarino" beach party today with some friends who also came from ROK. Shoot me an email or Msg me on fb @ Tropic Shade (page). 😎
@@TropicShade Wow that's great. Yes we got here in August.
@@bluhaliday1750 Sounds like a meet and greet is in order!
Having worked in the oilfield and lived in several boom towns, the prices didn’t seem outrageous or as bad as I’ve seen.
They treat you roughnecks like tourists! lol
Thanks.
You're welcome
Hafa Adai! Really enjoyed this video. I 100% agree with you on the comparison of grocery shopping at the Commissary vs off base. Although, as a military retiree, visiting home on Guam, I always get designated to buy the beer and meats for the upcoming family BBQs. Lol. That gas price off base is outrageous. I’ll definitely gas on base every chance I get. Great content and Vlogs. Keep up the good work Sir.
Thank you!
I am interested to see how I could go back and forth Guam and the Philippines. I have lived there a total of @7 years, on and off. I turn 62 in a couple of years and I now feel there's more to explore in Guam, like the nearby islands of Saipan, Micronesia (Palau, Yap) which unfortunately I never had the chance to visit while my friends and co-workers just do weekend trips/R&R to those islands. I earned my teaching certification at the UOG, worked in Special Ed, particularly the early intervention system there. I am curious if there would be any opportunity for me to take up part-time employment there while maybe doing online home-based business.
I'm almost certain there are opportunities... given you have any resoursefulness.
Shit, Dude - write a book will ya? Damn. This isn't about you.
While active duty Navy before I retired, my family and I lived on Guam twice. First time was approximately three years, late 1985 - early 1988. Second time was when my command was forced to relocate from Subic Bay to Guam a year after the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, mid 1992 - late 1994. Both times we lived in military housing on base and of course we shopped on base. And, we enjoyed the hotels and various restaurants throughout Guam.
But what nobody seems to talk about now are these points of concern: (1) Both University of Guam and the big Guam Hospital at various times lost their accreditation. So higher education on Guam was a waste of time and money; and quality healthcare on Guam was always in question. (2) Super Typhoon Omar (some reports said the winds hit nearly 200 mph that day) and then a year later the horribly bad 8.2 earthquake just tore up the island and of course we lost electrical power all the time. All the time. It was extremely frustrating to live like that for months at a time.
My questions are does Guam still have healthcare and educational accreditation issues; and, does Guam still lose electrical power at least once a week during good weather and much, much more often during bad weather?
Typhoons and earthquakes... gotta take the bad with the good living in typhoon alley on the Ring of Fire. We rarely have a power outage as the infrastructure has been upgraded over the years. Education??? It's still questionable although UOG IS accredited by WASC. Healthcare is decent, and IMO ten times better than provincial health care in the Philippines, which is one of the primary reasons we are here. Guam is still a paradise, all considered. Thanks for your comment!
great video, I watched the hole thing, am planning on moving to Guam, it would be my first time moving and living there , am from Wisconsin, ya a lot of snow here when its winter, it would be my first time flying in an air plane too, am disable so I was trying to listen the best i could, i just wish that you went a little more in-depth as for some one that's just starting out, am also on a budget, so any helpful tips as to living in Guam would be appreciated, Thank you for taking the time to read this...
I'm not sure how to respond, but I will suggest not coming here if your income is under $2500 per month... unless you have military base privileges.
Hafa adai thank you for sharing this info I’m fro Guam born there married an AF left home 80 but I visit home planning on moving back home and find a place to live I’m a widow
👍
Interesting
😎
Guam would be a nice place to live exeped the high costs of stuff but I dont care I still need to do some research on guam
Even with high costs, you learn to get by.
What's your advice for using Guam a home base for traveling cheaply? It seems flights from Guam to Australia, for example, are a few thousand dollars.
If you must live in the U.S., then Guam is a great base for traveling SE or East Asia. Flying to Ausralia though... it might be cheaper to originate elswhere like Manila or Singapore.
@@TropicShade I've lived in Guam for many years. Graduated high school here after arriving from Okinawa in '72. Spent over 13 years in LA for college and work but eventually returned here. I retired here last year because of the Pandemic and will travel from here to PI and use PI as a stepping stone to visit other countries as well as the different islands in PI. Guam will always be my base and the weather has become better over the years. We haven't had a major typhoon in over 13 years. Maybe it's the climate change? If you're single, you might be able to hook up with some homes that have single rooms for rent and drastically reduce your rent.
@@jameso1825 Thanks for the advice!
Saipan?
If not why?
Best of luck guys. 👍
56 vet service connect. Standing in door :)
In Socal, kids grown, divorced, ssdi and they are pricing me out. Was thinking Saipan as info available, seems housing maybe 40% lower. Like an island Mayberry :)
Best of luck guys!
From what I am hearing, Saipan's housing costs are bit lower, but food stuffs and provisional goods are just as high as any other island, Pacific wide. You can try to contact someone I know there... BJ, via his YT channel for more info - czcams.com/users/BjEddy44
I love the interview but run the audio through sound processing software to reduce or eliminate the horrendous background noise
Ha, this audio WAS processed but background noise removal features in editing software don't always work well with certain decibel ranges. That leaf blower wasn't necessarily background noise... it was just noise! 😉
I am a retired veteran living on a 100% check. I appreciate this video. I moved to Costa Rica for 3.5 years. I spent over 1000k more a month in Costa Rica . Because I drive to explore and surf fish i was spending 1k a month in gasoline. Energy was 5th highest on earth, "green "Jim Biden made Bank on it. My dogs food was triple in another country. Don't ever think you can live like a king overseas. Try Ecuador with all the civil unrest. I found a small beach town in Texas I love . And I can protect myself from bandits. Try that in another country or territory. Especially when getting older and medical issues happen
Thanks. In my experience, SE Asia is probably safer (and cheaper overall) than most places to live.
Like we feel sorry for a vet getting $3500 a month after barely serving a term or 2, but yet us retired men get by on 1800 after serving 20+ years. Difference is, gulf war vets were and are the last real vets fu
Like we feel sorry for a vet getting $3500 a month after barely serving a term or 2, but yet us retired men get by on 1800 after serving 20+ years. Difference is, gulf war vets were and are the last real vets fu
Thank you,
👍
Hello just found your channel. Thanks for the great information! I’ll be moving to Guam soon. My wife is in the Philippines I’ll be working in Guam. Any recommendations on cheap places to live under $1000 a month? Maybe just a studio is all I need. Thanks any suggestions would be appreciated! Have a great day!
Check out this link... guamrentalfinder.com/
@@TropicShade Thanks for the link! It’s appreciated!
Enjoyed your video and have been considering moving to Guam myself. Lived in Dededo when I was a kid (dad was civil service at Piti power plant). I am retired military. Can retirees use the military medical facilities there or do we use the civilian clinics and hospitals?
Retired military can avail of all base privileges. We use NavHosp without any issues, but we also have TriCare, Medicare, and VA if and when it fits.
Thank you for the reply. It seems so many military treatment facilities don’t provide services to retirees anymore. We don’t have Medicare/tricare for life, just tricare prime for now. Again, thank you for the reply, it was really appreciated.
Technically, treatment at an MTF is on a space available basis, but here on Guam, the retirement community is larger than the AD community. We have never had a problem getting seen or making appointments. And the pharmacy is a BIG plus.
I like Guam's 6.4% tax rate up to 60K, not too bad, and only filing one return as opposed to other places needing a fed and state return, it simplifies things. The rate might be lower due to Guam having no unemployment benefits. I have a question about base exchange shopping. I am honorably discharged but not retired or disabled, so I know already shopping at base is a nogo, but I can shop the online exchange, so the question being if I shop the online military exchanges, do they just take the groceries or goods from the exchanges in Guam and ship them to say my Guam apartment? Would love to save on living costs there if I'm able to buy fresh food this way and have it delivered. One could wish for online gas buying and delivery in the future (yeah right!) Also in Hawaii, some bases had really big beaches and if I asked the right people or went with friends I was able to wiggle on to base for beach use, you think I would have any luck getting to some of the beaches in Guam even if I'm not retired military or service-connected? If not, I could always try getting a civilian job on base. Thanks in advance!
I'm not sure about the NEX online shopping thing. Veggies and meats aren't that bad here at the Payless stores... it's those darned Spaghettios in the can that will kill a budget! Those with base access can bring guests on the base, just need to sign them in and get a pass.
You can't buy groceries from the exchange online. Commisary is thru deca not the exchange and the exchange prices for everything they sell are terrible prices I find much cheaper everywhere else around the US and the world. I know I used to work for the exchange. They rip off.
Just finished my one week stay here in Guam. Headed back to the mainland today. It's expensive just to vacation here. I can only imagine a working class native with a pedestrian job.
Hope you enjoyed Guam. Hotels are not cheap for sure. Multi-generational housing and not having to eat out everyday helps with the cost of living here.
@TropicShade I am service connected with the VA. Meaning I can visit any of three military bases for exchange perks. That would help a lot for standard of living.
Yes, it definitely does!
I cant believe i spotted in your video on the shelf eden "cheese"(which actually is not even cheese) on sale for 5.69$ . In the philippines (where the cheese comes from) typically that pack size is about 1.10$ (60 pesos approx)
I can't pull myself to do Eden cheese! Ha, here it is considered "imported!" 🤣
Have you visited all three bases in Guam? Is there a VA hospital and commissary in Guam? I am a Marine Corps vet exploring retirement options.
There are several military facilities here. There is only a VA clinic but there is a Naval Hospital and two commissaries.
Is coral still used to pave the roads and are they slippery as ice when it rains? Speaking from experience in the 60s. 😁
I'm fairly certain coral is still used in the asphalt base but the process is different than it was back then. The roads are not as slippery as they used to be... thank goodness. I remember those roads very well (early 70's)!
@@TropicShade hahaha. I took a few 'fun' rides in my jeep back in the 60's. Ex-submariner here. Enjoy!
Thank you for the video. I’m a USN veteran of four years and my wife is taking a travel nursing assignment on Guam. I’m curious to know how I could get base shopping privilege when grocery shopping or for gas. Thanks for your time.
Unless you have s VA card with a service connected disability (SCD), you cannot gain access to the base. Where are you coming from?
@@TropicShade thank you for getting back to me. My wife is a travel nurse and we are going to be taking an assignment in Guam. Maybe we can meet up and have coffee. Thanks again for your videos.
Looking forward to it!
Just think, you could have thrown away 20 years of your life just to get cheap groceries for a few years. What a trade, eh? lol
Unfortunately, not everyone can be as much of a genius as you obviously are and will continue to throw 20 years of their lives away by serving in the military rather than spending that time designing cathedrals or writing violin concertos or whatever it was you did for the last 20 years.
I, had live in Guam for many year's I'm amazed to see how expensive it is now to live there example, my prior apartment monthly rental for a 2, rooms 1, bath was $700 per month now same apartment is over $1'300 mean while the pay per hour still the same. Makes me wonder how do they manage to survive.
You can still find 2/1's for under $800.
if it cost that much for a 2 bed/1 bath then it was probably bc of the location.. ^ is definitely right, the most u would pay is $800 or $900 for that type of home.
In Costa Rica I spent 4k a month. No hookers or cocaine. Just vehicle, rent gasoline, beer, insurance and Electricity for Air conditioning. Ate out twice a week. Happy in my secret spot in Texas. Beautiful empty beaches and incredible fishing.
Living in the tropics can definitely get expensive. Glad you found your paradise! Thanks for watching!
♥️♥️♥️♥️ I'm from Yemen ✋😃
Damn super noisy almost made it through at 15:44.. Besides the noise Great interview
I know, right? We chose to do the interview at noon, when it would be quiet. Wrong! 😕
@@TropicShade Fastest reply ever
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@@TropicShade You got my Sub, Keep up the great work
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So are you saying that Military Veterans can go on base and shop? Not retired from Military Veterans, is this right? Thanks
If you have a VA Card with a Service Connected Disability (SCD) annotated on your card, YES.
Damn those prices are crazy, am in the Philippines and im paying 200$ a month, for everything but food. And thats a whole lot cheaper than what im seeing. I guess if you have 4-5000$ a month retirement its okay. I live good here on my 1100$ a month SS. But the big plus is the hospital takes my Medicare, and doesnt here.
When you attempt to live a western lifestyle in the Philippines (including western foods), it can get expensive. The bottom line though is at least there in the Philippines, you can choose your standard of living. Not so much here in Guam.
I lived on Guam from 2004-2010. My rent was $2200 for a 2br/2ba condo and my electric averaged around $200 per month. You will get island fever after living here a year or two.
I never got island fever... but I did have withdrawals! 😂
I'm not the biggest hot weather beach person but the flights and flight time to places like Japan is great
Wow, a country with grocery items more expensive than Australia !
Paradise isn't cheap! 😉
Thank you for posting this video. I looked into the possibility of relocating to Guam but my research found it to be out of my affordability. I' m a 100% permanent and total disabled vet. The VA 100% disability rate is currently approx. $3150.00 per month. As you stated in the video, the commissary is a HUGE benefit overseas. I'm currently 52 y/o and don't have any major health issues that require management by medical professionals/specialists and subsequently residence in relatively close proximity to advanced care medical facilities. Do you think a couple year tour of the Philippines would be a waste or if for nothing else serve as a "gratitude shot" for fully appreciating my arrival in Guam. I've never been married and would like to find an Asian -Pacific Islander wife ( no more than 10 years younger than myself - I'm not a sexpat)
Daniel Murphy
You could easily live here on what you earn. There is absolutely nothing wrong with exploring the Philippines... even better if you are in good health.
You would have no issues with 3150 a month here in Guam. I live comfortably at 2000 dollars a month here in guam. WIth base access you will save a lot. Key is finding good place to rent. You can find nice fully funished one bedroom apartment with electricity and water for as little as 1100, though 1500 might be more common. As far as transportation, dont make mistake of buying new car at car dealership, either get used one at car dealership or get one at lemon lot. As far as food prices, yes I do shop at payless and cost u less, but key is specials and reduced price items. THough on overage price difference between commesary and in town is 50 percent. here is example. bread at commesary for standard white or wheat is about a dollar to 150. IN town your talking 250 to 4 dollars. Lettuce one hea'd at commesary of say romane is about 1.19 a head (more than pound), while in town its about 1.99 to 2.99lb. """""MILK in town is 7 dollars for 3/4gallon or half gallon at 5 dollars. I got half gallon milk other day for 135, thats even cheaper than in USA at ALDI.""""""
So you can afford to vacation there for 2 years, but you can't live on 3150 per month? LOL Whatever you say, chief.
@@primitivestudio1 Is the commissary only available for defense personnel? Or anyone can use it? Thanks.
I love this video!!! I had never even heard of Guam until about a year ago but amid the stress of the pandemic and my exhaustion over the media and riots that dominate mainland America, I've been craving an island escape to start over, a place where the pace of life is slower and that is exotic to America but also part of America so I won't need a work visa. Guam might be my answer.
Any of the islands around here will do! My next video will likely break the camel's back! lol
I used to worked and lived in 3 continents... Guam is Paradise for me... perfect to raise a family... got two kids all professionals and a product of prestigious universities back in CONUS... one lives in Seattle Wash....😛
I'm waiting for mask wearing to stop and tourism business as usual before I return to Guam.
Yeah I’m in the Philippines, but Guam seems way out of my budget.
I can understand that.
So you mean any veteran can shop on base and save money? 😮 Thanks ..nice video
Eligible Vets only. More info here... www.va.gov/resources/commissary-and-exchange-privileges-for-veterans/
@@TropicShade Thank you for that information.
Are there any cost differences between NEX and AAFES. For gas or other items? Could you live on a boat for cheap there?
Yes, certain items can differ in price. For example, we get a .05 cent p/gal discount on gas at AFEES and cat food is cheaper at Big Navy. The wife says cosmetics and lotions and such are different prices, but still cheaper than off base anywhere. Sometimes Home Depot prices can be slightly less than on base when using the 10% military discount.
Asian food items inside both commissaries are way out of whack... not all are cheap if you’re familiar with the prices off base , i.e. CalroseRice, 50# bag at Payless is always on sale for $25-$29... on base $36! HomeDepot is way much cheaper and newer models like that of the refrigerator etc... 👻
@@jagmeister9255 I agree... you have to know where to shop!
NEX is AAFES. Theres no difference. It's just navy
All you need is half of an acre, and you can grow everything yourself. You need one hen to lay all the eggs you need. If you have a rooster and a few hens, you have all the meat you need. The only thing you need to buy are milk, rice, soy sauce, and cheese.
... and beer, because I'll be all hot and tired from all that farming! lol
I have heard that you cannot use Medicare benefits at hospitals and clinics on Guam unless you are a permanently residing there. It this true?
Nope, not true.
You made mention that Veterans could shop at Military stores. Does this apply to veterans who did not retire such as myself with 6 years of service in the Navy?
If you have a service-connected disability rating through the VA yes, you can obtain Commissary and Exchange priviliges. Check this out... www.va.gov/resources/commissary-and-exchange-privileges-for-veterans/
@@TropicShade
Awesome.
That was information I could maybe use in the States since I am service connected.
There are times when the base commander may limit access to Commissary for retirees, both Andersen and NBG had access limited to weekends recently, I'm told that this also occurs stateside now (I haven't been stateside in quite a few years.)
@@wallaceralston2057 Retirees were restricted to shopping on weekends only during the height of the pandemic, and that created a cluster puck. We've been returned to normal hours for several months now.
I'm almost certain that AAFES, NEX, MCEX have opened their stores to all veterans. However, the commissary is another story -especially overseas. The commissary operates at a loss and is subsidized by congress and therefore the priority is to supply adequate low cost food to ACTIVE DUTY TROOPS.
can i as a u.s. army veteran get my gas for my car on any u.s. base? and might add love this interview very well done
Not unless you have exchange privileges by holding a VA card with SCD rating.
What about night life, things to do, social life, safety? I'm in the Philippines(Cebu City) with no house payment(2000sqft) and can live here on a decent budget of $1400 to $1750 with 8 people coming and going. There is just so much to do here on Cebu Island with so many options and the women are fantastic, now I'm only talking about my wife, LOL. Medical is the only thing that is very questionable for me but maybe Guam has the answer to my Medicare needs if I could make it there if I were to get very sick.
No shortage of night life with all the bars, clubs, live music, etc., and much less crowded than Cebu.
There is night life, granted covid ruined it. That said because Philippines is so much bigger you will have a lot more. But yes Guam has night clubs, lots of bars, including karoke bars to beach bars. As far as safety, not sure how things are in Philippines but Guam is USA, so I say its pretty safe, though like with any US city there are places to avoid. Though I have no issues walking streets of guam at night. Also speaking of nightlife and all that. Few years back few friends of mine went to bar, we then were invited to local party, long story short it was weird night but next day, we were in southern guam riding local caraboa (water buffalo). As far as things to do, theres plenty. Beaches, beaches, beaches. Scuba diving is great and some cheapest in world, Micronesian Divers Association is like really one cheapest I seen. Also if you like off roading there are some nice spots. Great hiking with nice waterfalls. There are also places like water parks, standard movie theaters, few malls, mini carnival amusement place, chamaro village. Also there are thoughout the year periodic cultural events.
If I wanted to get a one bedroom apartment how much do you think I should bring with me to move to Guam from Okinawa?
You would need a minimum of about $2000 per month to live here, after getting set up. But as the cost of living keeps going up, you might need a little more.
Most of those foods price shown are about double what I pay here in Branson, mo
We need a Walmart, but no worries... DonDon Donki is opening soon!