Which country is better for expats to live,, Thailand Portugal Brazil Vietnam Philippines Pick one and why?

Thank you so much for loving the Philippines. God bless. You have a wonderful life here

I would prefer Baguio big time 🤷🏽‍♂️

I think Cebu City is way more populated than Davao City it's just that they include far away cities like Panabo and Tagum when they count the "Davao Metro Area". Metro Cebu is counted at 7,000 sq. miles and Metro Davao is a ridiculous 2.5 million sq. miles! It's really a stretch to count all those far flung little villages as part of Davao Metro. If you put just Cebu City and the adjacent big cities like Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue City, and Talisay City on top of the same part of Davao City area, you will get around 3 million population for Cebu and 1.5 million for Davao City. Like you say, it seems like there are a lot more people in Cebu compared to Davao, that's because there actually are more people!

I’m 45, retired, single black gentleman and I arrive in Manila in 2 days. Manila will have 2 weeks to convince me to stay. Otherwise, Ill be headed to Iloilo City. Cebu is not an option for me. Too many expats. I'll be looking for a Filipina fiance.

Thanks for the great info 😊I guess it makes sense to try different places before settling down. I’m definitely interested in being close to an international airport 😊

I'm on my first trip here. Flipped a coin between CC and Manila to start and went to Manila. No big regrets. It's OK. Tomorrow heading to live in Davao City. Will do 50 days and see if I want to stay longer. CC after Davao. One thing I can't/don't understand about Davao - - - looking online and on maps - - it seems like there are so few beaches on the coast by Davao (except Samal).

Certainly has some desirable areas - or a variety. Appears to me the cost of living is really getting much more expensive in the cities ! Gentrification in Dumaguete most definitely and likely other places as well. - - - Cambodia has emerged as a more affordable alternative - that many are finding more desirable and significantly less expensive ! Especially in Siem Reap for older expats over 55 & their ''retirement visa" - EASILY - renewable every year w/o any grief or Filipino BS at any travel agent !!! Here is an American who lived in the Philippines for 5 years - and in Siem Reap these past two years.......... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpioeomjlKyAg6Msi=bgzGYHGCzWWo726F

Yes, totally agree! Cebu City is the best place to live!

Is it true that there are Filipinos that have no ID card?

All those years in the Philippines and still no tan 😂 Bro, a little sun exposure is healthy. Don't believe the fake stories that sun is bad

Welcome to city of love..... Nice vedio....great 14:46

Small City and affordable, visit LIPA CITY in Batangas Province. Manila - I hour by Public bus, Beach, 45 minutes to Laiya, Golf lovers - Malarayat and Summit, Hiking - Cuenca and Mt. Maculot, Mall and restaurants - plenty to offer, climate - cooler, traffic - moderate; They do have call centers; Swimming and Diving - Mabine/Anilao and Puerto Gallera. Just to name a few. For expats, pls visit this city. Thanks

If you choose Manila, better choose close to the sea, at least you have clean air from one side. The pollution haze over the city is permanent. if you are retiring, you had better choose somewhere not too far (travelling time - not distance) from good medical facilities, which cuts your choice down to about 10 areas. You pay your money and take your choice!

Why live in a big noisy city? Why americans love Malls so much?

Hi John, can you reccomend a competent and professional visa service company in Cebu or Manila?

If you want to know where a woman wants to eat, never ask her, "Where would you like to eat?" Instead, ask her, "Guess where/what we are eating tonight?" The answer is where/what she wants to eat. You're welcome.

Agreed! I did it exactly this way.

Great video as usual, thank you .

That’s my best choice too, cebu city. Thanks John .

I'm disappointed that you mention only the high end living areas of Cebu as a suggested introduction for expatriates. I spent a month in the Mabolo neighborhood in late 2022 and was treated very kindly in the relatively "rough" neighborhoods who got used to me walking their streets and chatting with them about our daily lives. I'm going back.

Totally agree....live in a place that has great hospitals and do side trips to islands, mountains etc.

I am planning too. But when it comes to natural disasters, which is the safest part or place in the Philippines. It seems everywhere is prone to natural disasters.

❤

Knew you were going to pick Cebu! My favorite also. Lots of areas to visit just in the Cebu City area. Lots of conveniences in Cebu City which is what I like. Bohol and the provinces are a pretty slow lifestyle. Still trying to decide on renting a condo or not. Thanks for offering a real estate agent, may take you up on that. Thanks for the video, John...Jim

The Philippines is constantly evolving so there can never be a clear verdict. What one can do is compare how your surroundings and amenities have changed over the years from when you first moved here. We have seen a lot from a new expressway not far from us, a major new SM mall being built, new Waltermart, new subdivisions, new free standing restaurants, expanded Grab service, there are considerable developments throughout.

Thanks for the informative video! Peace ☮️

Cebu City and Province....coz Cebu is the Center of the Philippines and what the elders said that it is the Center of the world

GREAT INFO

Do you think it's better to rent or buy a condo and how much for a cheaper condo if you can answer of course thanks

It's the people that were brought up elbow to elbow on Cebu Island that makes it so special to me. These people stick together as one big family and they get along very well with everybody. There is very little division here. This is where I plan to start out as I move to the Philippines later this summer. I'm very excited and very optimistic about my time there, it looks like a wonderful place for me. As a loaner on this planet and something ever happened to me and I ended up on the streets, I would much rather be in Cebu than the Streets of Atlanta. Any day!

Thank you ,Cebu would be ok,i don't like big cities but i live just outside a city of 1million ,Cebu is very well spotted convenient.

So far moalboal is my favorite. Cebu city just doesn't have enough to offer for the struggle.

Cebu is the best

Hello, Is there much ocean pollution in the beach areas?

Love Manila! I bought a condo by Manila Bay. I was raised as a city gal👍

Cebu City does have its issues with traffic, and aging infrastructure, plus the heat index can get extreme. Better someone explores the cool weather of Tagaytay. Also, Nuvali in the Santa Rosa Laguna province with new expressway, Architectural Residences Museum, Ayalya new SM Yolo, great enthic restaurants, easy to drive , new subdivisions with underground utilities and affordable condominiums. P2P buses to Makati too. Manila province offers Newport Resort World, Okada, Solare North, Glorietta, One Ayala, MRT/LRT commuter trains, making Cebu an obsolescence island in comparison. High technology hospitals and entertainment venues, transportation are all important too.

Dumaguete is one of the safest place in the Philippines 🇵🇭 and i recommend it to anyone who want to stay here in Visayas region. In Mindanao we've Davao through the towns of Caraga Region is one of safe place for the foreign people.

I am American, 28, married for 8 years now and no kids. We are comfortable living in US but it gets boring nowadays. I have few properties in different parts of US. Chicago downtown (condo), San Diego (condo) downtown and Boca Raton near to the beach in Florida. I was thinking about selling all of them and get what I can get…so me and my wife can buy a farm land and build house and whatever she wants to build. While having that I have $4500 a month till I die. Probably great for our monthly needs like food, electric, gas, and $ for traveling. We don’t drink or smoke or anything. We just love to eat and travel. We have 1 chihuahua with us. Hopefully in our budgets, we can live comfortably in the Philippines.

If your going to live luxurious your going to spend here! Personally 55k a month rent in a condo is crazy especially the condo markets are crashing in Philippines! You have business there much different! Who wants to slave in the USA until dead 😂

Beautiful, simple, and peaceful

« Ok ba? » means are we all ok?

Home is where you make it, your choice,your life.

Thank 💚 you for your positive outlook of our country, the Philippines 🇵🇭 🙏 ❤️. Stay safe, and God bless 🙌 always 🙌 🩷 🙏

Good persomally i dont want foreigners in our country there not tax payer there rude act like they own our country and brings aid god know how many filipina woman they play with ...so i love it when they dont come ...

Point 1. Not entirely right, sometimes it's because the heat is intense, you will literally feel like your skin is burning. Particularly when they have to work on the open like tricycles, motorcycles or jeepney drivers.

Just 2 rules for foreigners who would like to visit or planning to move to the Philippines. Number 1, bring a LOT of patience in your bag. Number 2, don't trust easily, use your gut and instinct. You don't have to worry about your money, your dollars will go a long away if you know how to handle and control your financial. That's it! Goodluck.

Walking ATM, this is so true they think foreigners are the solution to get out of poverty, especifically for those Filipinas who are poor, uneducated and mostly living in the province, rural and squatters. But most of the Filipinas are educated, decent, working and indepent they prefer local men like them and not engage with old retired foreigners for desperation.

the catroon makes it x100 fun to watch and more understandable and not boring

Another interesting video. I keep hearing that dating in Cebu is difficult for foreigners if trying to find marriage material. I keep hearing the "community bike" description thrown around. Does anyone that actually lives there have any feedback on this? I will be retiring there in less than a year and would like to date/marry again but am not interested in bars/bargirls/freelancers/etc.. I know that is not the popular thing to do anymore but I enjoyed being married in many ways. Anyway, any input would be appreciated.