10 Reasons Not To Live In The Philippines Province

[@Admiral_Crunch_87]

Good list of things to consider. In the US, I have always lived in a small/medium town, or a rural area near a small/medium town. I don't like going into big cities, because of traffic, noise, poor parking, etc. But if I relocated to the Philippines or Thailand, I would prefer a more urban area for many of the reasons you stated, especially initially. I also would be more dependent on public transportation, which is going to be much better in large towns or cities, and since I won't own a vehicle, I won't have to worry about traffic or parking. I might get a bike later. You're also going to have less of a language barrier in the cities until you've had an opportunity to learn the local language. Less of an issue in the Philippines, but I'm sure that in the rural areas, there will be more people who might only speak very basic English and don't have a reason to speak it often. I think if I relocated there, I'd move somewhere more popular with expats, at least as a starting point to make the transition easier. I could always choose to relocate further off the beaten path later, once I'm more adjusted and settled in.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@Admiral_Crunch_87 great points

[@Gregory-Masovutch]

I have been here close to 7 years and have never been sick from any foods. The Palengkes wet markets have the fresher of Baboy pork, chickens, beef with no hormones or preservatives, live tilapia, crabs, bangus, fresh coconuts, Buko, pinas, it’s all healthy. Not to mention the melons, mushrooms, passion fruits, lettuce at Mahogany Market in Tagaytay.

[@eu7435]

@Gregory-Masovutch - 10 out of my 14 trips to the Philippines, I have had food poisoning. I'm not eating street food. I'm eating in quality restaurants. The trip before last, my Filipina, got diarrhea, too.

[@chrisdillon2073]

You have bad luck. I been here for aome years and never sick ​@@eu7435

[@dsrrellgriffith1161]

haha,,,oh really,,, i never eat street foods, or many types of food in the PI. They let it sit out, and a lot of flies sometimes. I only eat at quality restaurants or make my own food. But the eggs, meat, milk all taste horrible to me. I try to buy imported meat at Rustans, but the fruits are okay. I guess each persons body is different

[@romeosiervo9418]

@@eu7435 .....You must had been drinking tap water wich is not good to drink for people are not from the philippines.....

[@eu7435]

@romeosiervo9418 - Did you read my post? Even my Philippine GF got a rotovirus. Lack of proper staff hand washing, lack of proper food refrigeration, using unpurified water to clean veggies and fruit, using improperly cleaned utensils to prepare food- there are a myriad of ways restraunts can make one sick. It's not like there is a local health department cracking down on health safety violations. Even if there was, restraunt owners would just pay-off the Health Inspector.

[@tuting1965]

The difference of russian expat to other western expat in the philippines ,the russian easily adopt a simple province life they buy and eat food in carinderia , buy fish directly to the fisherman were its cheap, even planting vegetables and fruits for their food ,they rarely eat those expensive restaurant, they build a community helping each other!

[@liamdesmond4504]

Do they then go on to invade their neighbours houses

[@LumieSoucek-r2t]

The Americans are ignorants on where their food comes from. Nothing here in USA are fresh. Meat has been in the freezer for months. Fruits and vegetables in the supermarkets are previous season products which needed to go in order to make room for the new harvest.

[@theswede5402]

@@liamdesmond4504 Can the Americans say any different though?

[@liamdesmond4504]

@@theswede5402not aware of America trying to change internationally recognised borders by fighting a war of imperial conquest in the last century

[@ßhopkins]

so its safe to say the Russians are wiser, more flexible and emotionally, socially intelligent

[@Yourfriendinlearning]

Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Survival rates are around 10-20% In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Survival rates are higher, averaging about 20-25% Province or not, chances of surviving a heart attack is low. But it's true that a lot of services are missing in the provinces, especially good food delivery.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@Yourfriendinlearning that may be true, but that's just one of many medical emergencies that could happen, and being far away from decent medical facilities could have terrible consequences. Thanks for watching.

[@LoveyourLife-1970]

We live in the province. Not everyone gets that 90 day sickness. I didnt, nor have several of the brothas that I know here. Its all about how diverse your gut microbiome is. L. Reuteri, L. Gasseri and L. Johnsonii are the three main strains of bacteria that MOST Americans have had destroyed by the use of antibiotics and even OTC pain killers. Medications for things like diabetes can have extreme negative affects on the human immune system by destroying the Neutrophil production in the white blood cell family. Now add this to eating the local foods, drinking the water and even bathing in the water (as you said, the different bad bacteria here), and you get the diarrhea and all types of issues. A lot of immigrants move here and are already in poor metabolic health and their bodies have to build up tolerance to the new biological environment. I can drive 30 mins to the Manila VA, or 15 mins to Asian Medical Hospital in Alabang, which is also one of the top hospitals in the country. Age does not determine health as much as lifestyle does.... We are 15 to 20 drive to several S&R stores and a Lander's. We have TGIFridays, Texas Roadhouse and a few other US owned restaurants. BGC has too many foreigners in it for us. We are close enough to drive there to shop, then come back to the peacefulness of the province. I also order USDA imported Ribeye slabs and cut my own steaks. We have been here for 2 years and have only had 2 brownouts that lasted maybe about 3 hours... We live in a 4 bedroom, 2 bath modern home in a gated community with our own fenced in yard. We pay 25,000php a month and thats on the high end here. Anyone that needs hot water can spend about 9,000php and have a shower water heater installed. Instantly provides very hot water at adjustable temps. We would never live in a condo... Not into sharing walls, or having my ceiling be someone else's floor or vice versa. Not to mention that we left the US to get away from Americans or any other foreigners that have certain mindsets or ideologies. So why live in an area where there are crowds of those type people? I feel safer around the citizens of the Philippines than I would around an entire community of immigrants. I do wish they would build better drainage in the new developing areas across the islands... It would help the people a whole lot.

[@Avacadofrommexicoyeah]

I hear you on all that! So, the rent is $431 usd per month?

[@Avacadofrommexicoyeah]

That is what Dr Davis talks about I need to replenish L Reuteri

[@LoveyourLife-1970]

@@Avacadofrommexicoyeah Roughly.. depending on the exchange rate. It is worth my privacy and peace. No wall bumping, stomping neighbors, HOA rules that are specific to some condos... Our dogs can run around in a secured yard. Im not the type that wants to live in an overpriced apartment building... Which is all condos are in my opinion.

[@LoveyourLife-1970]

@@Avacadofrommexicoyeah Before I came here, I read up on the issues immigrants had health-wise and found that the bacteria here caused a lot of issues. And since we have our own natural microbiome, I wanted to get a gut health test to see what I was missing... And those were three of the ones I was extremely void of.... They control a lot of defenses against bad foreign bacteria. In this day and age of technology, its sad that people are too distracted to actually look into their own health and find natural ways to heal. But I also eat a meat based diet.. Most times only meat, but sometimes I will through in some broccoli and homemade keto bread.

[@Avacadofrommexicoyeah]

@@LoveyourLife-1970 so fun for the dogs!

[@roger.mendoza1965]

I honestly can tell you. My parents retired and lived in the province for 13 years, and they never got sick because my dad always plants vegetables in the backyard, I mean, pretty much what they eat is all fresh, including fish, oh and they don't eat much meat. They were healthy and really enjoying province life, but after 13 years, they came back to the U.S. because they miss us and they really miss their grandchildren and they have been living in the U.S. since then. My mom passed away a few years ago, but my dad is still alive.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Thank you for sharing. And thanks for watching.

[@BFFConstables]

I never been to BGC but every time I watch the vlogs of the foreigners it sounds like that place is designed for them as they could afford everything there . But one thing you don’t have in BGC are the beautiful beaches/rivers/lakes/falls and the fresh air 😊

[@JosephThompson-mu4ey]

Great video content with excellent information. Thanks for the info!

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@JosephThompson-mu4ey thanks for watching

[@robocop581]

Provinces are several hours away from International Airport. This would be especially hard and stressful for seniors that need to fly back to their home countries for serious medical care. I also fly out every three months to my home country and one other destination so being within an hour from the Airport is convenient.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@robocop581 great point. Thanks for watching

[@ßhopkins]

Its funny how these Westerners seem to dislike the Philippines so much, but be so obsessed about the country. 😂😂 As they say, the opposite of love isnt hate, its indifference. If you're truly happy where you all are now outside the PH, you won't even look back.

[@The_Geek_World]

Dear, I've been living here in Pampanga province and I easy access to all the groceries I need. There's also a whole variety of food options and restaurants from Western to Korean to Middle Eastern

[@tombkk1322]

I’ve been living in Bangkok for almost 8 years and like the idea of setting up another homebase like you did in Vietnam. Can I ask how you handle the visa situation in Vietnam?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@tombkk1322 right now my plan is to spend basically 90 days in each place at a time with 2 border runs a year for each country. Thanks for watching.

[@tombkk1322]

Thanks

[@theswede5402]

Whats your current budget for Vietnam and Thailand?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I haven't been in Vietnam long enough to know for sure, but I'm guessing around $1,500 to $1,700 not including flights back and forth every 90 days.

[@theswede5402]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia But Vietnam is the cheapest country out of all the others in Asia so far right?

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@theswede5402 it is of the countries I've visited or lived in.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@theswede5402 yes

[@andrerodon3921]

Thanks!

[@Kev-Howie]

I have lived in the Philippines since 2015...(Tagaytay). The only food item I'm sketchy about is... no one ever refrigerates raw eggs... Eating a "runny yolked" egg is a risk. (Yup I learned my lesson in year one ) Hard boiled, scrambled or fried to a solid crisp are the only way I'll eat an egg. Restaurants that offer an eggs Benedict?? NOPE not for me.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

Agree 💯

[@KevinTrickKnee]

Do you rent all 3 places at a time? Meaning 12 months x 3 residences…. 3 rents.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@KevinTrickKnee no. I'm only renting in Bangkok and Da Nang Vietnam right now.

[@KevinTrickKnee]

@ thx for reply. So you pay 12 month rent x 2 ? Meaning, you have 2 rent payments? Or do you stop paying say Da Nang when you are in Bangkok? Thx for replying.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@KevinTrickKnee I have a 3 month lease here in Da Nang with an option to extend. The nice thing is I can keep my things here and not worry about bringing a lot of luggage. I'll be paying rent in both place, but the plus side is it's so cheap, and the convenience of always having a place makes it good for me.

[@alanforrester6900]

Bullshit

[@davidgonzales917]

As you get older and become a senior citizen, I don't think cold showers are good for you even if you're living in a hot climate.

[@aaaa-pe1zi]

@@davidgonzales917 To be honest the heat is even worse if you don't have aircon i agree that cold showers are not good for older people but there's so much heat in the Philippines sometimes a cold shower is the only way to cool down.

[@robocop581]

One main cause of heart attacks among seniors in the Philippines is the first blast of cold water from the shower or tabo. The initial shock apparently induces a lot of heart attacks. My friend's mother died in the shower

[@aaaa-pe1zi]

@@robocop581 your correct both heat and cold can cause a heart attack going from 1 extreme to the other. It all causes angina attacks.

[@KB3TLE]

Very likely people have different immune systems to deal with the germs that are different. Some apparently aren't bothered at all - some very little - perhaps some more than most ? Not a lot of complaints - but some with street food if your not careful of the freshness. --- The different countries surely have their own viruses to deal with ? Not everyone is immune but some people are. The provinces should be most likely avoided by most westerners to live long term. Isolation from their 'normals' and quality medical services are reason enough for most people.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@KB3TLE agreed. Thanks for watching

[@jlinks101]

When you begin to get older and weak. Your best bet to live would be semi rural area in a Philippine province. (choose a good location). The availability of having a helper or caretaker is easier to have. Unless you have a lot of financial income and physical support. Its not viable to go back to the US. I'll bet all lower income expats will live,retire and die here in the Philippines.

[@DaveD4v3]

ok your a BGC bubble fan ok i get it ...anything that is not up to yout high class western lifestyle is not your cup of tea oh no my shoes got mud on them .

[@robocop581]

@@DaveD4v3 and you're obviously low income with nothing to show for

[@xomox5316]

easy to say when you are young and healty but as people get older and good care is needed things change. I love the province but im in my mid 40s things will change in my 60s for sure ill go for the bubble, I still like the bubbles for a few months a year. The people that talk bad about 'bubbles' are typically broke and cant afford it, sour grapes types.

[@DaveD4v3]

@@xomox5316 sour grape is not me , i came to asia for something different then shoe box condos, shopping malls , chain store outlets , and everything i could find at home , if thats your cup of tea thats cool .each to their own , but trying to give advice when your world is BGC is kinda a joke now . if your concern is health i woud give phili a miss , better off in bamgkok somewhere .

[@MangoKashInThePhilippines]

Reason #1 thru #9 that’s the reasons people move out to the province we don’t care about restaurants, or driving a hour to get groceries which most of us did back in America who lived out in rural country. Brown out? We had 5 all year that lasted more than a hour. Only people who care about brown outs are men who like sitting home staring at 4 walls all day. Decent houses ? I shit eat bath sleep and other things 😜 in any province house you do in a BGC condo 🤷🏻 lol bad bathrooms ? That’s funny like there’s no bathrooms or hot water in province wrong again. Bad weather ? Everywhere in Philippines man BGC living compared to province living is Apple to oranges come on use a better comparison then BGC like comparing Beverly Hills to East LA 🤣 funny never flooded at my house up in mountains in Zamboanga Del Norte not once in almost 3 years 🤷🏻 have to take trike or bus ? So what’s wrong with that ? They have aircon buses they cost only 100 peso more to take 😎 the girl was cheap trikes buses have to wait for this and that you do realize you’re not in a western country right ? Absolutely easy to travel in Philippines 🇵🇭 safe everywhere in Philippines actually more safe than anyplace in Philippines than in America. So plant my butt in a condo to do what ? Protect my cloths ? Now living in the province less idiot foreigners, fresh air, fresh fruit vegetables, wonderful warm loving people, the most beautiful pure simple living Filipinas who aren’t city life ruined, way less noise, less beggars, traffic, and less stress living maybe that will keep you out hospitals you so desire to live close to😜 Beautiful scenery waking up to it all out weighs everything you said. 👍

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

I guess you're perfect. Thanks for your comment, helps the algorithm get my video out to others.

[@MangoKashInThePhilippines]

@ nobody said anything about being perfect but you’re comparing province to BGC which is absurd why not compare the province of Cebu to the province of Negros ? There’s cities in Philippines I wouldn’t even think about living in over the province. I’ve traveled and lived on 9 islands and you ? Let me guess condo in BGC every time you’re here ? Province life is only hard on the weak that’s the truth. Filipinos have lived it for 100’s of years survived pretty well to me. But of course entitled westerners couldn’t survive it because they spoiled with creature comforts that’s what life is to them not actually living life. OMG ! The bus ? A trike ? A hour drive to get groceries? Oh no ! Not the province! Move to another country plant my low T butt up in a condo like back home yea that’s really living life 🤣

[@jonpritz9838]

Agreed Province life much better than Manila - BGC Never sick from food 32 years in Pangasinan Province Read check out Wim Huf - the ice man. Cold showers are healthy But no hot water in Province is silly statement. Old days we heated water on stove took a Filipino traditional shower Agreed about healthcare - St lukes is best option Take care of your health

[@pidgy_poofoom]

@@MangoKashInThePhilippines True. Those who understand the Filipino way of living knows that the only thing that drives people to the major cities is WORK. If there are job opportunities there, im willing to bet, they'd choose to go back to the rural Province life means s simple life, less materialism, community based -- which defines the AUTHENTIC FILIPINO EXPERIENCE. Yes there are power cuts , water shortage, malls are smaller -. but surviving it all tests ones character. Those foreigners addicted to infrastructure will never understand.

[@ca1492bob]

It seems that preventive medicine is a must , otherwise , you risk a lot. TY for the video!

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@ca1492bob thanks for watching

[@Powerful3258]

Philippines is ok place to visit not to live very boring in the province and BGC cost is too high not much to do in Manila for retirement go to Thailand and china much more to do and thing to do.

[@SamBickle133]

The dumbest guys are living in the same profince where the relative of their girlfriend are living and buy a house under the name of his gf.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@SamBickle133 yep

[@garytibo]

There a lot of video about all these cheap place to live …BUT no video about the bad FOOD that can make you sick. A BIG RED FLAG about the vlogger...

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

That's why I mentioned it. Need to be careful with food here. Thanks for watching.

[@rhemi553]

agree with your list... but you missed the annoyance of booming karaoke music in the province... which is most definitely deserving of a spot on your "10 reasons to not live in the province".

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@rhemi553 honorable mention lol

[@tuting1965]

wow lot of hate and negativity in the comments! dude you can't change the culture!!, id noticed lots of expats here are full of drama! simple if you dont like here just pack up and leave we dont need you here!!

[@jerryG-p3w]

I spent 13 months there and it was the worse time of ,my life. So lonely and the food is not good. Very unhealthy mentally, physically, and spiritually. I couldnt sleep because of the noise and its hard to exercise because of no green spaces and lack of decent gyms. Even a bad gym is workable for me, coulndt find that. I am so much happier in america. for vacations I will go to mexico.Eff asia.

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@jerryG-p3w curious why did you come to the Philippines? Where did you stay? Why were you here 13 months?

[@jerryG-p3w]

@@JJthelonelybullinasia I went there because of all the youtube videos that say how amazing the place is. However, there are no videos on the bad. that should of been a red flag right there. I went to manila, angeles city, baguio, palawan, cebu, back to manila, tagaytay. I was traveling through the country and ended up meeting a girl. we stayed together the whole time. she was awesome and i miss her. If it wasnt for her I would have left after a month or so. I went there in 2009 for a week or so. but, I was in the navy and with a bunch of people. I wanted to go back there when I was retired and really get a chance to see the counrty. I did that and did not have a good experience at all. It was so so so awful. never go bck there again. I do miss my filipina gf.

[@dsrrellgriffith1161]

yes,,,and most of the gyms have no air con,,,,the only gym with cold air con is the usa gym called Anytime Fitness, but it is expensive but nice

[@BFFConstables]

Don’t listen to the you tubers (vloggers) because the reason they were there is to get a lot of subscribers/followers .of course they will say some lies just to get their followers watch their videos and make money . Remember not everything you see on socmed were true.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

JJ,you look a lot younger with your hair dyed lol😂

[@JJthelonelybullinasia]

@@EdwinCV-dh8qc lol. I've never dyed my hair. This is my natural color

[@Daniel-f1m2e]

​@@JJthelonelybullinasiajust tell folk you dye it man, they will think your a liar😂😂😂