The TRUTH about Living in The PHILIPPINES (2025)

[@JooseTheNomad]

👨‍💻 Join our community 'The Nomad Tribe' for exclusive tips, resources, and support: ➜ www.skool.com/nomad-tribe

[@americanfrench5]

Great video. I am just back from doing North to South 2 months in Philippines. Been going since 2007 every year. Never been so hot. Cannot grow old there no more. It will only get hotter. Still magical but too hot. Keep on vlogging.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@americanfrench5 thanks man! The temperature is getting hotter?😳

[@ianpatrick23]

Thank you so much for this detailed information about life in the Philippines!

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@ianpatrick23 You're very welcome🙏🏽

[@kostimos]

Bought all your programs! thank you for the awesome videos.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@kostimos thanks so much for the support🙏🏽

[@EdembaRansom]

Another informative and great video, thanks joose love❤ from Nigeria 🇳🇬.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@EdembaRansom thanks so much🥰🙏🏽

[@tomasraulickis]

Great overview, thanks.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@tomasraulickis thanks🙏🏽

[@shimaosman6520]

Welcome to our beautiful country Philippines. Explore more videos guys in our beautiful country. We have 7,641 islands and enjoy our beaches blue crystals clear water and our delicious food and the locals are friendly and helpful everywhere enjoy. Hope you have a great journey and time. 💖😍🇵🇭🇪🇬

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@shimaosman6520 Salamat🙏🏽

[@omaralsayegh759]

I have been to siargao many times had same feeling first month u happy then after that u feel not many options not developed honestly as u said for travel Phil is the best but for living I think Thailand and Bali better and if u can stay in the city Cebu and Davao the best has many islands around those city

[@TheBoondocker]

Great video Joose. Thank you

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@TheBoondocker thanks man🙏🏽

[@LennyiesTravels]

Thank you for the tips! Going to Siargao soon ✨

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@LennyiesTravels enjoy🙏🏽

[@stocksmarts_]

Can we interview you about cost of living in the Philippines?

[@Stephenuk-zc3xo]

Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam etc are the best places in the world definitely couldn't be moody there lol

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Stephenuk-zc3xo moody?

[@mattclark7718]

Another well rounded video Joose. Thanks so much for covering the issues and not just showing the Screensaver parts.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@mattclark7718 thanks a lot!🙏🏽

[@JooseTheNomad]

@krabbanshand thanks! I'd consider Canggu in your case😊

[@johnmarlon6916]

Compared to the "real world" still seems like a net positive.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@johnmarlon6916 for sure!

[@MSalem-gt5dy]

Please let us know where you’re staying and nearby attractions & restaurants which make it convenient to stay. You’ve been going around the best places in the Philippines. Watching here from California. I’m planning to visit my home country soon. I’m from Manila, born and raised there, then left in 2000 to join my husband with my son. It’s been 24 years now, Philippines had been well developed and seeing all the beautiful islands on KZbin now makes me realized that it’s a beautiful place live in and explore.

[@Yasin_Affandi]

What a wonderful video.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Yasin_Affandi thanks so much🙏🏽

[@Yasin_Affandi]

@@JooseTheNomad Thank you too. Enjoy your weekend. 😀

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Yasin_Affandi you too😊

[@Yasin_Affandi]

@@JooseTheNomad Thank you. 😀

[@RoperRoams]

Great video. You put out some great content, congrats. Question, how much would you say you need to sustain your lifestyle, staying in nice places and eating out most days?

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@RoperRoams thanks! Under $2000/month is pretty easy!

[@RoperRoams]

@@JooseTheNomad that's really good, thanks.

[@FunkyChild718]

The internet is pretty bad in the islands and there are often brown outs. Not yet reliable to set up to do remote work. I will stick with Bangkok for now, then just take weekend trips to the Philippines.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@FunkyChild718 yep but why bangkok tho? Canggu, Bali is so much better imo

[@lulutia25]

Same here in Puerto Galera. I had to abort zoom meetings many times due to bad internet connection. what's worse, sometimes there is even no cell phone signal, so basically you are isolated. One time, there was an earthquake in the country(not in PG), but my parents couldn't get in touch with me as there was no signal here,(neither wifi or cell phone data could be used), they were really worried.

[@neo_saaid]

Thanks

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@neo_saaid 🙏🏽

[@mattclark7718]

Did you find the internet/electric reliable when you were in boracay? Another daytrader question.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@mattclark7718 there was no problem with electricity but internet was still unreliable🤔

[@mattclark7718]

Thanks again

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@mattclark7718 ur welcome🙏🏽

[@JohanFitFoodie]

Siargao definitely seems fantastic, have to visit once I relocate to Manila after summer ⛱️🌞😊

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@JohanFitFoodie why are you moving to Manila?

[@JohanFitFoodie]

@@JooseTheNomad for work, market research consulting, been in north Asia since 2012 but now time to go south 🌏😊🌄⛱️

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@JohanFitFoodie right! Enjoy☀️

[@JohanFitFoodie]

@@JooseTheNomad thanks, would be cool to meet up if you're doing something in PH as a fellow Nordic if you're still around, you're doing great conten, keep it up! 😊🔥

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@JohanFitFoodie won't be in PH this or next year anymore at least, but thanks🙏🏽

[@movezzify]

How would you compare Siargao to Palawan?

[@MrQ8center]

I hope you find what you looking for soon. Have you considered staying in Cebu ? And how did you find it ? Thanks 💐

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@MrQ8center Thanks! No I haven't tried it. I've found few places I really love tho😊🙏🏽

[@Pampamii]

Thank you for the informative video! We are going for 3 weeks (El Nido, Coron and Boracay), but i’m worried about the internet. I still need to work and have lots of video calls, so good wifi is crucial. I chose hotels with good reviews on the wifi, but still worried it’s unreliable. What is your experience and advice on this? I’m even thinking of going less than 3 weeks because of the wifi.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Pampamii Generally Philippines is not the best destination in that case :/

[@susannah7851]

I agree. I am a Filipino.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@susannah7851 🙏🏽

[@dispelledword7818]

Philippines❤

[@travelbug4536]

Food for thought! Have you been to Puerto Princesa?

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@travelbug4536 Nope. I'm sure it's a nice place to travel but not to live for people like me👀

[@EvolvedBonobo]

You should try Langkawi Island, Malaysia sometime. Scenic, cheap, good internet, decent English.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@EvolvedBonobo is it good for long stay tho?

[@EvolvedBonobo]

@@JooseTheNomad I think so. I stayed 3 months and loved it. Stay in the Pantai Tengah area which is more quiet yet still walkable to popular Pantai Cenang. Not good for surfing, but good for working and relaxing 🙏 Penang is nearby and good for shopping and other "civilization" haha

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@EvolvedBonobo it just doesn't seem to have all the nice food options, activities, etc. That the islands in Thailand for example have🤔

[@EvolvedBonobo]

@@JooseTheNomad It has plenty of food options, but not compared to the popular touristed Thai islands. Langkawi is more developed than Koh Lanta and even Koh Phangan, but much less so than Koh Samui. It seems like Da Nang is best for you given the cost, surfing and vegan food options 👍 Langkawi is just super peaceful yet has all the infrastructure (airport, hospital, etc.) that Koh Lanta is lacking.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@EvolvedBonobo What I like about Phangan and Canggu also is food, padel, gyms, etc. Langkawi seems to be pretty bad with that stuff

[@timandabipascual9329]

Where did you stay in siargao? What’s your suggestion around beach area?

[@johndoherty8198]

Hey Joose I've been planning to visit Siargao for a while and the more I see the recent KZbin videos the more it just looks like a party island ? I'm in my 50's and I was going to bring my daughter with me but it definitely doesn't look like the Siargao prior to the typhoon a couple years ago. What's your opinion is it suitable for someone middle aged and/or a family?

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@johndoherty8198 yeah parties is a big part of it now. But of course it still has everything else too, you don't need to party. But I'd say it's good for people who wanna go to the events & parties or surf! If you don't do either of those, it's still a nice place to travel for a week or two but probably wouldn't stay longer

[@johndoherty8198]

@@JooseTheNomad thank you for your quick response All the best from 🇨🇦

[@justice753]

what kind of macbook your using and is good for a digital nomad?

[@WorldDiscoveryPath]

I have move in Canada ❤

[@richardfox2865]

Cool video... I like the content. I really want to know where to get good food on Siargao Island... we have just had two weeks there... hard to find quality food... Please tell me the best Cafe options... I've lived in Asia for 35 years... Philippines is good, but where is the good food? Thanks.

[@richardfox2865]

We went to Naga and Happiness and Hapag and green waves.... food just no good. Just telling the truth....

[@deanfrain1803]

I was watching you videos about Vietnam. I was hoping to go this month for a month that place you are about the seaside Townplace I just wanna know is it gonna be so hot out there? Is it gonna be good weather to get a good Santana and do I need bulletproof jacket on?

[@DjinnV]

What about Cebu city IT park? It seems close to the beach... or is that wrong?

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@DjinnV what beach?😄

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@matrices3987 That's what I thought!

[@bsways]

Im leaving Sydney soon to retire OS long term. It looks beautiful there and fun but the more videos I watch the less I want to live in Phillipines. Sounds like nothing works properly and everything is difficult and things that shouldn’t take long take forever. I watched another video a guy who needed new plates for his scooter and it took over a year, like WTAF! I mean most SE Asian countries are developing and so there is a lot of corruption and failure of infrastructure etc but Phillipines seems to be worse than other places.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@bsways yeah for long term Thailand & Bali are way better!

[@bsways]

@@JooseTheNomad not a fan of Bali. Used to be way cheaper but not anymore. Also get sick every time I go there. Usually after eating in a warung. To eat in nice cafes is half the price of Sydney but you still end up spending $25 every time you go to one. That adds up fast.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@bsways I don't get how people spend that much in Bali😅

[@paulwolf6094]

Question: is there any hobby shop in Philippines?

[@nemanjazajkeskovic]

Hi Josh! What kind of gear do you use? It looks amazing! I will definitely buy the course as I am planning on going nomad next year! :D

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@nemanjazajkeskovic iphone 15 pro with DJI Mic 2 :) nice man🙏🏽

[@nemanjazajkeskovic]

@@JooseTheNomad You joking me right? Looks amazing! Thanks!

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@nemanjazajkeskovic no hahaha

[@Kimberly.Newhart]

Nice

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Kimberly.Newhart 🙏🏽

[@Vee_cz_]

You talk about Siargao only, there is better islands with all the luxury and comfort. For an example, Bohol is much better then Siargao for long term stay. Food, internet, beach and etc..

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Vee_cz_ it's hard to imagine it would be🤔

[@stefanexplores]

The Philippines is incredibly beautiful. I like it a lot :)

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@stefanexplores it really is😊

[@miguelalvarez8794]

Hey man whats ur camera

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@miguelalvarez8794 iphone 15 pro :)

[@6xGlitch]

What about work

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@6xGlitch what about?

[@Korbkorn]

Philippines is a place to visit, not for long stay. Anyone who wants to stay longer can go to Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia not The Philippines.

[@dentray]

People on vacation dont and should not pander to digital nomads needs which I have found is expected, lucky that the man diving in pool didnt keep doing it all day!

[@dsrrellgriffith1161]

Living in the PI depends on a lot of variables,,,,these variables are age, health condition, income, eating good food, eating western food,,,etc etc,,,,The young guys can live in remote areas, or in low income areas with the locals....Most old guys prefer the cities, because of better healthcare and food. I had 2 friends who were older and lived in the provinces, they both had big health problems and were scared to death of the healthcare in their province, They got stabilized and went back to usa, the put one of my friends who has a stroke on a dirty bed in the middle of an aisle. His gf messaged me to help, i could not help cause i was 4 hours a way by car. They dont have an airport, but he made back to usa and had surgery. He is never returning to the PI, he was 67 years old.

[@Mikeycambovideos]

Too hot,many rodents and insect that cary disease. Way overpriced housing, traffic, toxic shower water, awful local diet (all salt, fat, sugar in every meal)… lack of nutrient filled fresh vegetables at the markets, items out of stock, air pollution, earthquakes, import tax on electronics, massive deadly storms, zero nightlife including Makati there is not much to do. I’m not being harsh towards Asia in general. I lived there for years. Just the Philippines is far behind other countries like Vietnam and Cambodia and for some reason the housing in Philippines is 2x or 3x more. Makes no sense. I moved to Cambodia and solved ALL of those problems and I’m so much more happier and comfortable on half my budget. Nightlife and dating scene is 10x better than the Philippines. Free shots and 50 cent beers happy hour. Live music. Family oriented tourism, not just lonely single men. Too many vloggers sugar coat the Philippines. I couldn’t find a real espresso for many months. Rats in the expensive condos. I’ve only seen 2 cockroaches in Cambodia in 6 months. In the Philippines I would see dozens everyday in every place I lived regardless of cleanliness or rent cost. etc etc Before you move there try it for 60 days first. Also go try Vietnam and Cambodia too so you’re not just comparing it to your home country. This comment is purely opinions and subjective. Each person is different.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@Mikeycambovideos I also would recommend trying Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc. Not just Philippines :)

[@chrisk7118]

Cambodian tourist board spreading your nonsense on PH vlogs.

[@chrisk7118]

Why do you keep saying lonely single old men when all the islands are full of young western girls and adventure backpackers 😅

[@jerrylittle2726]

A Filipino can pay for your stuff.It's cheaper for them

[@karlzie]

so its like german internet xD

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@karlzie it's like that there?😳

[@karlzie]

@@JooseTheNomad bro our inte in germany is like late 2014 .......compared to rest of world ^^

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@karlzie that's crazy🤯

[@omaralsayegh759]

Bro try Cebu or Bohol it’s a big island has everything

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@omaralsayegh759 big island, big distances

[@bighand1530]

I wanna go there.

[@mihadalzayat6957]

Get your passports and leave America.

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@mihadalzayat6957 that's a good advice!

[@CptZatōichi]

Nomad my ass😂

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@CptZatōichi ?

[@colinwoods5663]

To be honest looking at your travel history hard o believe anything you say about the best place in philippines. 3 months is just a piss in the ocean if you understand what I mean

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@colinwoods5663 I mean for the lifestyle I enjoy, not saying it in any other way😄

[@bighand1530]

A lot to explore and check out in the Philippines for sure.

[@joeythenomad]

Festive vibes seem sick, but the power cuts sound brutal. Always good to have a backup plan!

[@JooseTheNomad]

@@joeythenomad Yep.. Staying at a resort with generator would be an easy but expensive fix😅

[@dgcat_9487]

Here in Yerevan Armenia currently, my apartment have power outage almost everyday. Paying 1200 usd per month and electricity range to 150-200 usd. Worst power outage last week in Erebuni, Yerevan lasted for almost 12 hours! There's no water 3 days back also from 8 am to 6 pm. Can't wait to go back Philippines after I will get my diploma. Waiting patiently to finally take bath regularly at ease. Without water interruption!

[@a1k078]

European Bro, the Philippines is like being in the U.S., BECAUSE IT WAS COLONIZED BY THE U.S. AND IT IS STILL A U.S. SPHERE OF INFLUENCE!!!