Life in the Philippines is NOT What You Think It Is

[@picadosinferno]

I'm in Pattaya now and have been surprised at the quality of hospitals here, I have been to Jomtien hospital and bangkok hospital in Pattaya, both excelente. Internet has been also stable and great, I pay less than $10 a month and can work online no problem. The Philippines has some pros, but for me those cons alone are enough for me to choose Thailand any day.

[@NomadElite]

Good choice! Glad to hear that you're happy living in Thailand!

[@jamessikilaa9129]

@@NomadElite I am sure you will face the problem I faced in Pattaya, Thailand language. The Thai people find it difficult to speak English. Do you encounter English language problems too?

[@NomadElite]

Yes. Foreigners living in Thailand for the long term need to learn Thai.

[@cristitoangobjr2975]

I'm Filipino....You think of the Philippines, you think of Storms, yes Storms

[@NomadElite]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@apassionfortravelling3280]

Let's get real. guys go to the Philippines (Phils) for the women. If Thailand had the same mindset that much older men were the best husbands then no one would ever go to the Phils. Why would you? Thailand has amazing beaches too. What do you think?

[@barneygoogle4003]

What are the most reliable up to date sources of data to compare various attributes of different countries? (Food poisoning is a definite deal killer at any price - why travel 6000 miles to get sick?)

[@Asia-dr4yj]

Over 10 years retiree in Manila - can't remember every having food poisoning - huge variety of restaurants - Phil, Korea, Western, Japan, Thai etc. - spoilt for choice and I find very cheap, and delicious. (I went to Bangkok for a short break and got very bad food poisoning)

[@arentol99]

I’ve lived here for 16 yrs and can’t disagree with anything in this video. I’m leaving next year.

[@NomadElite]

How do you feel about leaving the country after so many years?

[@arentol99]

@@NomadElite At this stage in my life, I've done everything I can do in the Philippines over the last 16 years... traveled from top to bottom, lived in poor areas, lived in rich subdivisions in Cebu, owned cars and bikes, got and paid-off mortgages, and everything in-between. I am very happy to be moving on and enjoying a lifestyle in a country with a better infrastructure. The rose-colored glasses I wore in my 30s (when I arrived) have slowly faded, and with age comes a desire for more comforts in life.

[@NomadElite]

As my good buddy likes to say: the bloom is off the rose. You accumulated a wealth of experience during those 16 years and you must have liked some aspects of living there or you wouldn’t have lasted this long, I guess. Where are you heading to?

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Infrastructure is not there but their selling point is english language.

[@NomadElite]

So true

[@jaime8318]

Food quality is definitely an issue. I was there for 3 weeks in 2019. I got food poisoning three times including once from a restaurant in Vigan that was highly recommended.

[@NomadElite]

Sounds rough. Would you go back to the Philippines?

[@jaime8318]

@@NomadElite If I do, I'd have to pick the food myself from the market and do all my own cooking. I don't trust if the street food is fresh or if it was stored properly before selling it.

[@NomadElite]

Know what you mean. I got food poisoned a lot in the Philippines. Hygiene and food standards are very low, and like you said, there's never a guarantee that what you're eating is actually edible.

[@jaime8318]

@@lorenk.775 I even got the runs after ordering from a top rated restaurant in Vigan. I guarantee you these vloggers who go trying street food in the Philippines end up on the toilet. That's the part they don't show you. And "trying the food" first is no guarantee. Dumb statement.

[@clintrichardsonclintfromny203]

When I moved to the mountains in Panama in 2014 I was using a portable WIFI with 2 Mbs inet speed and Spotify wasnt available. A couple years later the Cable company laid fiber optic in all the populated areas and we gt Spotify. Now we get 250 Gbs for about $50/mo and you can buy more. Reliability is about 98%. Power outages are usually short but still common so I use a backup battery on the router. More than half the time when the power goes out the internet is still up.

[@NomadElite]

Good deal. Whats it like living in the mountains of Panama?

[@clintrichardsonclintfromny203]

@@NomadElite Its beautiful and brimming with nature. Always temperate so no heating or AC bills here. I have a view of a dormant volcano in my front yard. English speaking expat community with good numbers. Cheap transport, many live without vehicles. Many shops close by, rarely have to leave town to find anything. Inflation since the pandemic averages about 15-20% (even though its reported at 11%) which trails the rest of the world substantially. Im happily married so I dont want to say too much about the women, but if your looking for a hot young Latina, even the oldest ugly guys find this easy. They are low maintenance but have a jealousy streak. I have a furnished all inclusive 2BR apartment available for you to rent for $595 per month (email in the about section). I come from US suburbia where everything looks the same every day. Here I am surrounded with nature and hummingbirds and the bugs are not nearly as bad as Belize was. Somethings are not perfect but Im very happy overall. If I could change one thing it would be to teach Panamanians to stop throwing trash everywhere.

[@krotsin]

I love your experience! Thanks for sharing!

[@NomadElite]

My pleasure

[@thaimayoree1494]

Thank you for liking my country. Philipinos love American people, majority of them. Ithey never said bad words about American. If people of America keep doing this, it wil change their perspective. I love the food in my country. And I love the food in the Philippines because it showered with different culture. Philipinos food is Great.

[@joenewontheblock2404]

Food in the Philippines is horible....🤮

[@thaimayoree1494]

@@joenewontheblock2404 there's always a bad apple everywhere.nibody is perfect. I'd rather chose and defend my South East brother and sister than any other races. Don't spread Hate in Asia. We are peacefully living here'. I'm afraid that you contaminate the Hate in my country(Thailand). If you're from US, don't bring your madness and hatredd in my place. I've meet in a guy from Texas here in Phil and he said he doesn't like to many expats also in Phil. Full of hate also.

[@joenewontheblock2404]

@@thaimayoree1494 you are wrong! Westerners make factual observations, they compare and it is nothing wrong with that, it is not hate! Saving face and not recognizing the bad and the ugly in your country keeps you backwards! Evolve, love and aim for change and progress, teach your children what's good and not to accept nonsense and misery just because what? So many of you emigrate to more developped countries to better themselves! With your complacent attitude you are keeping people back in misery! Shame on you!

[@joenewontheblock2404]

@@thaimayoree1494 I am a citizen of the world and I am honest and direct! Learn, don't accept misery and stupidity!

[@thaimayoree1494]

@@joenewontheblock2404 You are from US. Don't brought Hatred and Madness in my country. That' sickness is infectious. I'm proud of my country, so Many Westeners are dying also to retired in my Homeland. I love my country, I don't want someone to exploit it. And I love Phil. Philipinos treat me like a family

[@Paul-yk7ds]

So much truth in this video. I tried many Internet solutions in Cebu City-multiple SIM cards and multiple Airbnbs (with a combined 5 different wifi routers). Even with the best solutions I found, my video calls would still drop for at least a couple minutes in almost every 30-minute call I had. Also, yes the beggars in PH are more persistent than anywhere I've experienced in the world. And the local food did not appeal to me personally. But yes, the dating is better than anywhere else I've experienced in the world... So, it really is a trade-off of those factors.

[@NomadElite]

Hi Paul. Thanks for sharing your experience. Where are you located these days?

[@Paul-yk7ds]

@@NomadElite I'm moving around a lot, trying different places. This week, I'm in Ho Chi Minh City, VN, but might go up and try Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Hanoi soon.

[@NomadElite]

Very nice. Let me know how you liked Da Nang!

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Yes malaysia's health care is world class. Many hospitals are approved by the international committee group. JCI joint commission international. Many rich indonesians travel to malaysia to seek treatment. Because we speak their language too. Other languages are spoken: japanese, english, chinese, tamil.

[@NomadElite]

I can attest to this. Malaysia got great hospitals.

[@Yamie1101]

Im clueless about dating here. I dont know that we have the best about that matter coz for me..(Bit suck) Or maybe im busy or what. Peace everyone. I appreciate your opinion. Thank you!

[@NomadElite]

Thank you

[@turningpointaustralia9531]

You have to count your fingers every time you shack hand with any Philippino

[@joshuakelly997]

thank you

[@NomadElite]

My pleasure

[@jazzpianoman01]

The healthcare system I heard isn’t that good in the Philippines; I hear you about the internet and the poor infrastructure there, having been there many time I can attest this. However, beautiful country and lovely people with some of the most hospitable people anywhere

[@NomadElite]

Healthcare is a necessity for retirees and first world hospitals aren't available in most parts of the country except for Manila. People should think twice before committing to a country.

[@jazzpianoman01]

@@NomadElite healthcare is a big issue amongst people thinking to retire there

[@NomadElite]

Yes, and it will take many more decades before quality healthcare is available in the smaller cities. What countries do you consider for your retirement?

[@jazzpianoman01]

@@NomadElite Hi Jerry, well me and my girlfriend will still go ahead and build our house in the Philippines as we have the land but whether we retire there fully is another question. As I’m going to Cambodia to work, I’m hoping to at least work until 65 or a little older then I might consider an ER visa in Cambodia, go fully digital, and have the Philippines as a holiday home as another thing is income, some pensions are not enough to cover a comfortable lifestyle in the Philippines so many have to resort to online income to supplement things without dipping into savings; lots of things to consider right now but there is no way I’m going to any country without either being able to work or retire comfortably. Cambodia is better for work while Philippines is good for a retirement place but only if you are set up and there are cases of foreigners coming to the Philippines and running out of savings as they arrived with no income, total disaster.

[@jazzpianoman01]

@@NomadElite Yes especially over 65 and up

[@dancooper5741]

Your right about the food….it’s slop. When was the last time you saw a Phillipino restaurant anywhere . You don’t. The woman…..yes plentiful & playful…..but greedy opportunistic moochers. The blackouts & shit internet is definitely unacceptable in 2022 . You’d think they’d have that sorted by now.

[@joenewontheblock2404]

Agree, I was there this summer....All expats have mental problems, that's why they live there....you got to go there to see it!

[@thaimayoree1494]

@@NomadElite the reason also why I'm not in flavored of American. Coz they are full of Hate. There hate in America they brought in Asia. And I don't want to spread it in Thailand.

[@jazzpianoman01]

Agree on the points here; pretty open dating scene and I’ve got a good lady who stuck w me for 13 years and Philippines has great places, beaches etc. The poverty there is really bad I agree

[@NomadElite]

Hi Mark. When are you heading back to the Philippines?

[@jazzpianoman01]

@@NomadElite Probably later next year after my planned visit to California to see my cousin; all will be Covid catch up.

[@NomadElite]

Hi Mark, do you already have a date in mind? How do I connect with you? Please send me an email - see video description! Thank you.

[@NomadElite]

Come visit me in Mexico! I won't see a reply to this message as it's an old video and KZbin doesn't send me updates to comments posted here

[@hongisland3016]

One factor for retirees to Philippines is western military vets get lower rate for retire visa only 3000 dollars compared to 10k to 20k for non veterans . At least 300,000 + Americans reside in Philippines . Second is for the women . I would like to see Cambodia , and Thailand. Malaysia has great emergency medical care without getting ripped off. Watched your other videos Philippines is going down in quality of life ,unemployment etc. Laws are becoming anti expat friendly . Philippines is the woke part of East Asia for sure anti alpha society . Laws no standing outside with Tshirt off is crazy in tropical climate. It's like a Singapore sanitized with selective enforcement of laws and fees .

[@NomadElite]

I can attest to Malaysia offering high quality healthcare. First world hospitals are available in KL and Penang. The Philippines is the country that got hit the most by inflation.

[@momolecoco4939]

I have been in many countries in ASEAN except the Philippines : surely i would visit it one day, but i dont think settle down there is a good idea . A country from where 90% of citizens want to leave to go abroad, should makes you think twice .

[@NomadElite]

What's your favorite ASEAN country?

[@momolecoco4939]

@@NomadElite Well against all odds Thailand still for me the best option : it stills one of the most reliable country there for long term (althought it tourism success, u still have a large panel of rates and options there, good infrastructures and quiet flexible laws compare with the neighbourhood). At the second place i would say Malaysia .

[@NomadElite]

Agreed. Malaysia and Thailand have the highest standard of living

[@Paul-yk7ds]

@@NomadElite Can you do a video on like "What is the best country in SE Asia for expats?" and talk more about this subject? Personally I like Vietnam and Thailand, Philippines was a mixed bag, and I haven't been to others yet.

[@NomadElite]

@Paul Hi! Yes, it's a great topic and I made a note for you. Thanks for the suggestion. I agree with what you said. I do like Vietnam and Thailand as well. Malaysia is fantastic..

[@SuperSaverPlaysSPG]

You don’t wanna spend weeks in the hospital in the states either…. You will go bankrupt

[@NomadElite]

Unless you've good health insurance which is not so cheap

[@hongisland3016]

Good overview Where you in Philippines during the lockdowns ? 6pm curfews went on for 6momth or more in many cities imposed by local authorities on top of federal lockdowns. Basically a martial law with police checking people where they go and coding for vehicles . Filipinos don't want to hear truth of the reality. Seems Philippines is your least favorite place of Asia lol. Only China might be worse with lockdown policies and people escaping .

[@NomadElite]

Glad you liked the video. I wasn't there during COVID.

[@thetechbubble]

Guys like to be hunted? Seriously? All the dating advice says don't chase the guy, let him chase you. Why don't you make a video about that to bust that myth?

[@picadosinferno]

I definitely prefer girls to approach or give signals which happens more here, after that I do a move but in the west you don't even get signals, it sucks big time back in Europe.

[@NomadElite]

Eastern women are naturally interested in western men. You do need some pre-selling to get to the nicer ones but a lot of them don't require much pulling at all.

[@NomadElite]

@Felipe Ventura You're absolutely right about that!

[@NomadElite]

@Hale Bopp Feminist women don't want to accept the fact that a different reality exists elsewhere, which as we both know is certainly the case in SE Asia.

[@876rr]

That dating advice only applies when the woman has more value than the man. Not to say any gender/person is worthless. However throughout most of human history having a man around was an absolute necessity for survival, and choosing the wrong man would cost a woman and her family to perish. When a man is attractive to many women, then the natural process is for women to compete to establish themselves with him and secures a relationship (thus acquiring stability, status, resources) The natural lust, courage,and stupidity of men causes them to chase women, but once a man invests in himself and grows, he then finds that only men with little bargaining power chase women, and he never chases again (bargaining power meaning: looks, personality, finances, social status, etc) Also, I'm not saying that as a woman you have to chase every guy you like; but you definitely shouldn't hope on the stars he'll approach you and take interest just because you have feelings internally. Around 90% of female to female matches online end up with nobody sending the first message..... Don't be in the 90% 🤣

[@baztarta]

I saw a phillipenis woman once. She had big webbed feet with hair on her toes and an fat oblong head. Ghastly.