10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Retiring Abroad

[@PeterC245]

I’ve said that many times , a holiday in a place , is very different from actually living there , Peter Australia

[@ianlewis2813]

Lose the fear 👍 Take the jump👍 everything will work out, it's just a different path you will walk, And different thinks will happen to you.😊

[@MarcRichard-b1u]

Always learning from your channel…Thanks

[@vhoy7899]

Back up banking is a very good idea

[@safffff1000]

I loved driving my Honda beat scooter as my main transportation around Cebu, loved the crazy driving. Pay attention 100% and use other vehicles as blockers ahead of you. Though at 72 I usually keep up with 20 yr olds and weave between cars at traffic lights to get in front.

[@Cyrisnyte]

Great tips! I went through the same thing with Colombia. I flew to Cartagena in January of 2022 to meet my then girlfriend from Venezuela. I felt safer there than in certain parts of America.

[@VagabondAwake]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@GregoryPunzo]

That's interesting that buses and trains are much cheaper than plane flights around the world. In the US it's the opposite with cheap airlines like southwest, maybe it's because of the US's size.

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes. Economies of scales. Regular people travel on the ground in most of these countries. The USA is spread out so far that ground doesn't always make sense.

[@martypoll]

Short haul plane flights in SE Asia are far cheaper than the sam in the US. Ground transportation though is incredibly cheap.

[@vhoy7899]

Time is not money when you move oversees-I never thought about it that way...very good explanation Dan

[@johnway9853]

This is one of those videos that all future travelers should book mark to watch again, and probably again again. Thanks Folks.

[@VagabondAwake]

Wow, thanks!

[@thecountrybunkins8896]

Fully agree!!!

[@robertdaem2315]

Brownouts. Some people traveling for the first time have ever experienced a brown out. Maybe check for place with a generator, or emergency power if you are concerned. How are you doing Dan, good to see you. Thanks for the money saving tips.

[@WilliamFluery]

WOW!!! Beautiful blue water…where did you film this episode? Very informative content. My heart is aching to start the adventure but I am responsible for my mother (89) and uncle (90). One day!!!

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it! This is Boracay in the Philippines.

[@frankfilippi4154]

Love the channel for for years now but I'm not a big commenter in general. This was definitely a great video and super informative. I guess it just struck a chord with me. Love what you guys do.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffyeah4256]

@@VagabondAwake What's your new top 2 places to live?

[@israelcolon9434]

Whoa whoa whoa so you’re telling me you don’t have to leave the Philippines, you can just keep extending the visa and pay the fee ? I always look at embassy websites because idk if the other websites are official and I always budget to leave every 3 to 6 months, that’s what I thought everyone that’s not on a tourist visa did.

[@VagabondAwake]

You have to do a visa run every 36 months

[@marypac4882]

Dan, did I tell you I luv your videos? Thank you for the other great one! :)

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you. :-)

[@JimMillsCSLC]

Really valuable info Dan & Qiang. Thanks from lifetime member Jim M from California🇺🇸💖🇵🇭

[@brentp7122]

Great information Dan you are spot on.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you think so!

[@martypoll]

Actually #2 applies first to retirement. Retirement is not like being on vacation. I experienced 5 years of retirement in the US before considering moving overseas. Both life changes require an adjustment in your lifestyle.

[@mtkidbigsky7230]

I love your laid back, non hype information and advice. I’ve gained a lot of good travel tips from the two of you. Keep traveling and keep Sharing!

[@Sheeeerkhan]

Hi guys, could I suggest you could make a video showing your luggage, how you and what you pack? Especially since you groundtravel a lot... thanks a lot 🙂👍🏻🇨🇭☀️

[@martypoll]

He did exactly this a couple of years ago. Search his old videos.

[@Angelwinggs]

Yes very true .create a routine , budget and be happy while overseas retiring will work good .. agree ❤❤❤

[@VagabondAwake]

Absolutely!!

[@HumbleTravels]

Good stuff as usual. Thanks!

[@jimnech5066]

When you get a local SIM card are you forced to get a new number?

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes. But you move your home country number to an online app like Google voice or whatever. I explain in my free eBook. Come to VagabondBuddha.com and look for the free eBook link top left.

[@patrick-g1h5v]

Great podcast and nice seeing how you both enjoy each others company so well, I see your in Boracoy and what a great setting for the podcast - sitting so naturally on the best beach in the world - you two are giving a clue I think to where you are going to retire to.........have fun - Patrick

[@jimwolfe4286]

Thank you very much , Great Intel !...Happy Holidays !....

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you too!

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

Visa rules change all the time. Sometimes hard to stay up to date. Staying at a 4 star resort is different than living there permanently. Unless you find a cheap resort to stay full time.

[@rileyjones650]

Thanks, excellent work!

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad you liked it!

[@elsienorback7689]

All good information!! Thanks.

[@VagabondAwake]

Glad it was helpful!

[@timaginations3769]

Hi guys. Another great video. So, if I buy a sim card and I have good connectivity, do I really need internet if I can use my phone as a mobile hotspot ?? Thank you

[@VagabondAwake]

Great question @timaginations3769, those are the kinds of questions I answer in detail in my free eBook here: vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/ It is good to have a backup in the Philippines so we use both land wifi and our cell phone hotspots. Thanks for watching and commenting! Dan

[@tombrown8428]

New iPhones don’t use simm cards. They use esim.

[@VagabondAwake]

Android

[@Scottys_Philippine_Adventure]

Wonderful content as always 🎉. You guys are amazing. Thinking creatively like you 2 do is not only a money saver, but also unlocks the experience of local culture for wherever you are traveling. And yeah that Schwab card is great!! So glad I got one before I left California, it has saved me a bunch on atm fees since I’ve been out here in ph. Thanks for helping out peeps that are pursuing their dreams. Cheers, Scotty

[@MichaelPrudhomme-u7x]

Been trying to guess her accent and best guess is Hong Kong to Singapore to world traveler 🤷🏽‍♂️ Appreciate all the tips 🙏🏽

[@VagabondAwake]

Thank you @MichaelPrudhomme-u7x, Thank you for watching and commenting. I have interviewed Qiang and she has her own KZbin Channel. Make sure to watch her video about how we met and subscribe to her channel. How we Met: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmi3qImnbpWfd5I Qiang Interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmWmkHidZqulia8 Qiang's Channel: kzbin.info%E8%96%94%E8%95%99/about Thank you, Dan

[@sbkpilot1]

which spot is this that you're at in this video? Beach looks gorgeous.

[@sofyapalankerin1568]

Thank you for very interesting videos, is enjoy to wach Thank you

[@VagabondAwake]

You are welcome!

[@Neal_only1]

I have a question, have you guys ever been to Hard Rock Cafe in Sabah

[@VagabondAwake]

No.

[@SenorJuan2023]

Mexico is one of the few countries I don't really have a desire to visit. Not into ocean beaches as much as most people.

[@VagabondAwake]

Knowing what you like and want is half the battle.

[@SenorJuan2023]

@@VagabondAwake I've since learned of a few places that would be ok to live in Mexico.

[@MichaelPrudhomme-u7x]

Been trying to guess her accent and best guess is Hong Kong to Singapore to world traveler 🤷🏽‍♂️ Oh, she says Malaysia. Cool Appreciate all the tips 🙏🏽

[@VagabondAwake]

Malaysia.

[@eddiemoney61]

Good info thanks

[@bobandlucas]

Did you travel across Africa?? Or did i missed it??

[@martypoll]

Regarding visa incomplete information. In Thailand visas are typically obtained in Thai consulates in your home country. The Thai consulates are operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, once inside Thailand all your visa extensions are obtained through the Department of Immigration. Foreign Affairs and Immigration are two completely different departments doing different things and the information is not coordinated between them. I can imagine this is true in other countries. Visa agents or expat groups can offer a bigger picture about the visa and extension opportunities.

[@jeffrey6958]

Hello Dan , thank you for sharing the information,, You said you travelled to different countries by bus or train etc... My question is, does immigration in the country that you have just been in view a ticket on a bus leaving the country as an onward ticket ?? ie: if i was going to fly into singapore and was catching the train to malaysia , can i just have a prepaid bus ticket and they see this as an onward ticket and let me into Singapore ? kind regards Jeffrey

[@VagabondAwake]

I used to do that from time to time. And it always worked when I did it. So long as I had something saying I was leaving the country. But I can't speak to its reliability for any particular country in any given day. It s not only the immigration you have to worry about but the airline will ask for it when you are boarding your flight. So I would just Google "Onward Flights" and buy one for $12.

[@vhoy7899]

Hahahaha..Quiang is so funny. I laughed so hard when she say if you spend your money you got to go to the embassy and ask them to send you home...the not funny thing is- this is very true

[@IsaacCheng8]

What do you think of GoogleFi with worldwide coverage with no roaming charges, instead of getting a local SIM for every country?

[@VagabondAwake]

Fi is 6x cost and I heard they drop you if stay out of the USA more than 6 months.

[@damncars2618]

Rule #1. Get a beautiful traditional girlfriend who could be a fitness model and can cook. Rule #2. Don't go anywhere a fitness model wouldn't go to.😅 Rule #3. Avoid trouble and Block problems. Rule #4. Plan on your costs doubling every 10 to 20 years and living to 100.

[@Falconlibrary]

Qiang IS a model. That's how Dan met her.

[@timaginations3769]

Hi Dan. Do you happen to know how much it cost to get vaccines there. My son is traveling there with his 5 kids and thought since they did not have any vaccines whatsoever( Polio, Rubella, etc.), maybe it would be cheaper to get them there ? I have looked online but all I can find are sites that tell you how to get vaccines in the U.S.

[@VagabondAwake]

The Philippines have vaccines. But they are more expensive than other SE Asia countries in our personal experience. I would go to Malaysia first because Pharma is regulated and the prices were less than half Philippines. With 5 kids, it would pay for the trip plus more.

[@83Utica]

If you dont keep your U.S. phone plan, How do you respond to two factor authentication for banking and financial institutions ?

[@VagabondAwake]

Set up 2FA before you leave your home country. I explain that in my free eBook. Great question @83Utica, those are the kinds of questions I answer in detail in my free eBook here: vagabondbuddha.com/fire-your-boss-travel-world/ Thanks for watching and commenting! Dan

[@stevenjb.9275]

You can keep your U.S. phone number - and probably advisable for bank verification/contact. If in the US you can set up Google Voice or use a service like Tossable Digits. When using a VOIP phone service like Google Voice consider connecting through a VPN so that GV sees the call from the US and not from a foreign IP address. Same when using 2FA.

[@martypoll]

I do keep a US phone number but I keep it turn off and only use my Thai phone number. You can often use 2 factor authentication using email and for my US bank I use a USB security thumb drive.

[@LongThanh-ew4tf]

Adi Dassler, Adidas: 48

[@PerfectSense77]

Even if you know someone who overstays and says it's fine it's still a terrible idea imo. Just do it by the book and you won't get bitten. You can get thrown in a third world prison for a long time in some cases for overstaying if you can't or won't pay the amount they want on the spot.

[@VagabondAwake]

True. And even if you don't go to prison, if you become known for overstay on Internationals databases, you may not be able to enter many countries.

[@Neal_only1]

If your on wifi, you do not even need a sim card to use wifi

[@VagabondAwake]

True.

[@richardhogeland8597]

Have you experienced skin tax in other countries like in Philippines

[@VagabondAwake]

In almost every market I have been in the world, the skin tax only applies to people that don't know the local prices (new in town). Once you know that and explain that you know they are likely to refuse your money.

[@martypoll]

You will find dual pricing in Thailand. It is actually government policy to allow higher fees for hospital services for foreigners. National parks almost always have higher prices for foreigners. After that you may encounter higher prices in tourist areas but that is typical worldwide. What I have found here in Thailand is that the higher price is typically lower than what you would pay for a similar item or service in your home country. As a retiree living here full time I never encounter dual pricing for everyday living.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Great video very good points. Have you seen options for buying E-Sims for newer phones? 📱 📲 💡 If so which countries? 🤔

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes. They are double triple last time I looked.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

​​@@VagabondAwake I was thinking of making a 3 month trip to the Philippines, Indonesia, and one other. About a month in each one. Beach oriented with our 13 year old daughter. Our goal would be $2,000 to $2500 a month. Besides the Philippines which would you recommend for a family? I want to introduce them to the concept of slow travel. We have moved to other countries but normally to live.

[@nala3038]

Over the last 20 years, I have spent most of that time living abroad. Americans who have NEVER left the United States have no idea what the rest of the world is like. The USA doesn't even rank in the top 10 places to live, The USA doesn't rank in the top 10 safest countries. The USA doesn't rank in the top 10 healthiest countries. MOST citizens around the globe would choose to live anywhere BUT the USA. This world has a lot of nice places to live in. Life goes quickly. Enjoy while you can.

[@VagabondAwake]

Yes. Go see for yourself. The world is amazing.

[@miketond4260]

which beach is this ?

[@VagabondAwake]

Station 3 in Boracay.

[@quartzmatter]

Nice

[@jumpinjehoshaphat1951]

Love your channel. But strictly speaking, you're not retired.

[@VagabondAwake]

I am still doing stuff everyday but it feels different. My stuff doesn't feel like work. :-)

[@carldseekingpeace]

It's clear you love your work; however, I would not describe you as being retired.

[@ecotouristjon]

Great advice from you two for the most part. However, I must say that places like Colombia and Mexico are indeed dangerous. I realize you are simply responding to alarmist videos and clickbait, but getting an accurate picture of relative danger is difficult. I used to work in Mexico, and people were always telling me how the media exaggerated things and that it was really no worse than a big American city, etc. Then one day the shop near my workplace was shot up by rival drug gangs and two innocent bystanders were killed. I knew the owner, who survived and told me about it. Didn't even make the local news! I have also spent a lot of time in Colombia and heard similar stories. Most of the time it's peaceful, and if you avoid certain areas you'll be OK... but not always. Time after time I heard travelers talking about how they've been there for such a long time and never had any problems, but then you meet somebody with a story. In sum, everything is fine until it's not. And comparing localities to the U.S. is problematic because we often have more accurate crime stats due to reporting and openness. I'm a former State Department employee, and I have often thought the official travel advisories could be exaggerated, but now I'm not so sure. Anyway, your advice is great and I love your videos. Full of useful facts and charming delivery. I have learned so much from you about so many practical things. Keep up the interesting and useful content!

[@VagabondAwake]

There are no guarantees in life. These stories you tell are all happening in the USA too. I have only had a gun pointed at me in the USA ... after 17 years outside the USA ... nobody has even yelled at me. Lucky maybe? But I let experience teach me about life. I could die tomorrow. But I have to go with my own perception and I feel the most in danger in the USA and Brazil. But your perception is valid for you. So I would not go to Mexico or Colombia if I were you. :-)

[@abidnessman]

Throw in pets and how that adds to border crossing issues.

[@VagabondAwake]

Not sure. We have never traveled with pets. Sorry. I love pets too so I know your concern.

[@Neal_only1]

Hello 4 days late

[@PalaminoHills]

Why is it always 10 things? Every time I see 10 Things I know it's clickbait and I skip it.

[@revelationmd]

Ah but, Dan’s first words were “in this video we will cover the *eleven* things…“. I resisted the click bait but stayed for the Easter egg! 😂

[@frankfilippi4154]

You still have to market your video or even you're committed followers may skip it. We all have 10 fingers so it's just a common number to use.

[@VagabondAwake]

lol. What number do you think is real. 11 or 9.

[@revelationmd]

@@VagabondAwake I lost count to be honest! All good info though - thanks guys!

[@danmcqueen5295]

Exactly. First example, the 10 commandments.

[@Holidaykills]

I feel being married to a women with broken English would get on my nerves,because we all have friends that cant hear lol,and i get fed up with it in a day or so lol. Even if she's highly intelligent the language barrier would be frustrating, this is the number one complaint i get from guys in the usa that imported a wife here. So i would be looking for a woman that spoke both languages well,maybe find a woman in a tourist town.

[@VagabondAwake]

Language cuts both ways. Have you ever met someone that speaks perfect English but can't stop talking and you miss the peace of silence.

[@Holidaykills]

@VagabondAwake Right,the never ending talkers that might be just as bad if not worse lol. I find myself tuning them out tho. If I'm at the China buffet in the States and listening to how they talk it gets to me fast because i haven't found a way to tune it out,my mind kinda focuses in on it lol,but I'm weird, I've only been with two women that didn't annoy me and they weren't talkers,more of the silent types. Lol.

[@IaintTheHerb]

23:00 wait - she still has dating app profiles-? 😨

[@VagabondAwake]

We are talking about when we were single.

[@ianlewis2813]

Philippines will lock your phone after 12 weeks...and you can't unlock it 👍

[@VagabondAwake]

What? Didn't happen to me.