Your enthusiasm is contagious. I caught the bug of life in Asia clear back in 1957 and haven't lost it yet. Will continue to look forward to your video's.
I can confirm all of that. In my first weeks in Bohol, I was amazed every day by how beautiful it is there. I've been here for almost 10 years now, I've lived in many different places. The longest time in Makati, where of course you like to go to a beautiful island for a long weekend. Where I live now, in Angeles City (as in Dumaguete) I have the best of both worlds. There are malls and bars. And if I want to be in the countryside, I don't have to go far. And the people are as relaxed as in the country, unlike in Manila. Can only say: wonderful!
I am philppino. I was born there, but was adopted by an American family at age three weeks old. I am now forty. I am a southern girl from Charleston, SC. I want to visit and heard it wasn't safe for me and that I could be killed. Thank you for such a positive video. Giving me more confidence.
Some areas of Mindanao are dangerous due to the religious and political dramas that are going on. The rest of the country is pretty much safe. There's crime (especially in urban areas) but I am from a rough neighborhood in Boston, so this place seems very tame by comparison. Take the time to see your native country sometime - it's a BEAUTIFUL place. :)
Just subscribed to your Chanel not because you were too kind to talk about the upsides of what its like in the Philippines but because you make us Filipinos, me in particular, that despite how negative things are, we can surely still appreciate a lot from our country. I mean you being from the better side of the world and still recognizing the place well makes me proud of being a Filipino myself. That before I go thinking I want to be in another country for better living, why not explore my country more. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks, Eress. You know more than most here what the number one problem with your country is. I won't get into it (but you know), and once you all get that straightened out, this place is going to be booming. Even with that problem in place, the World Bank just noted that the Philippines is the next big thing.
dumaguete is where i came from and so far what you say is true, for me, being in dumaguete is living your life . the life style is so simple compare here in states. me and my wife were planning to move back there when we retire...my family there owns the business where you bought your motorcycle i saw the decal..thanks for the video
Ben Pata Ah, the Yamaha dealership? Nice! Yeah, paring life to its most simple components is part of the charm of living here. You really find out what is important and what is not. Thanks, Ben.
***** Arnis,Escrima, Kali,Studied it since i was 5 years old by far it is the most deadly Martial Art, i have ever seen and studied. It kind of get a bad reputation in the Martial Arts world. You would stand a better chance messing with a Tiger Than a master of these arts
Just ran across your site here... Great first experience. I have been to the Philippines many times, but will just finally be able to move there for good in january. Hopefully, your videos will be very helpful to me in making my transition to a slower lifestyle.
I've spent a lot of time in the Philippines, and I must say I have lost my patience more than once there. My goal after i move there is to have a similar attitude to Henry and yourself, and try not to let things bother me. I have 55+ years of being an American to shed... that is not always easy. Thanks for your reply and for you videos.. By the way... you have a gorgeous girlfriend. You are blessed.
my friend, I mean this in the nicest, coolest possible way: you're like a big kid in a candy shop! It's great to see and hear your passion about the new places and new life you've found there. It's a real treat to have people like yourselves and Henry take the time to put these videos together and show us less fortunates how wonderful life can be over there! Yes, there's a dark side and it isn't all wine and roses-and that's really the point: so what!!! Thanks man, love your vids and keep rockin' it out there pal!
Thanks,Ron. There are some negatives to living here, but for me, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives. The most important thing is your mindset and attitude. If you are a pessimist or don't have decently developed coping skills, it could be a very stressful place. And yeah - I feel like a big kid in a candy store at times. Ooooo - look at that!...... :)
hahahaha you've got a totally cool perspective on life and its great to have online insight from people like yourself and Henry... popz seems a tad self absorbed for my tastes... he has his agenda and quite happy to stick by it, thank you very much! lol I don't mind him very much, just you and Henry have a far more balanced and mellow approach and I can really relate to that!
the best country i had ever visited i really wish if i can live there for ever after one year i spent over there i found my self in deep love with all asia
love you site, i hope to retire this year to live in the philippines , i have been there many times but i am still nerves to make the big jump, keep up the good work, regards peter cullen
Thanks so much! It means a lot to get positive feedback like this. And since you have been here a number of times already, making the big jump should be a lot easier. The most important thing you bring over here is your state of mind.
Great videos!! Very informative and well-spoken. I visited PH in 2006 for two months and really enjoyed myself - Davao & Cebu - but haven't been back since. Watching your videos makes me really miss it. Keep up the great videos, Thank you!
Kawasan falls was great,my first 4 Months living in the Philippines was a adventure but since i lived in Cebu City and just did not like the pollution.. I never got pass the 3rd major water fall of Kawasan, but did try to get to them. Like you i am fit but you need climbing gear.to go past the 3rd fall safely.. For sure Filipino people are the most hospitable people i have ever met, when my bike would break down which was usually a flat tire,total strangers would help me. Made Moal Boal my home base.not much to do there but scuba dive. Think i only saw a few dozen Americans in my whole stay there and that includes the few Expats friends i had in the city that would visit me.. There where 3 other Americans that also made it there home, was four but one got shot. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to here your loving it there . Thanks for the info on the schools . We plan on coming to visit my wife's family next year. They are in Siquijor , so we are differently gonna be looking around to see if we would like to relocate there . Thanks for sharing .
If you want to get some good info on an active forum check out the livingincebu forum. Those guys have been collectively been here for decades, most of them are family guys, and their info really prepared me for the move. Just steer clear of the ugly American Politics section. ;)
site, sounds, and smells, i love the PH, i stay in atimonan, and sometime lucena city, like to watch americans living in PH vid, when i am bored, i do have filipina wife, good hard working woman, someday.......
I aboslutely loved living there for 4 years of my childhood. Of course that was 28 years ago but from what I see the people are still the same.....awesome.
well I gotta hand it to you , your vids are truly inspiring and I 100% relate to how you feel about living there, I've been there since 2009 and I still feel as you feel every morning when I wake up, the green lushness and the friendliness of the people is dream stuff compared to back home. I'm so glad my little girl (3 ys old) is growing up there rather than back in the uk.it still makes me feel I'm on a tropical vacation just walking down the street, seeing banana trees and coconut everywhere you look...just love it, keep up the good work, and stay happy !!
I been there 8 times last time I did 6 months ..hes so right about everything ..theres really nothing like it so beautiful there and the people are awesome it always draws you to come back
Thanks for the nice video. I subscribed to your channel. I also enjoy Henry and Jack. So, I will be moving to Cebu very soon, now I'm just tying up loose ends.
Ah, the "loose ends" - I remember them well. Before you go, I would recommend scanning all important paperwork (ID's, medical records, etc. etc) and having them with you in an encrypted file. You can also upload the important papers to on online storage site (many are free). Thanks, man.
yes good to watch your videos ,well done ,im heading to Cebu and dumagete in 3 months as my mate is getting married ,also the language lessons is a good thing as well.
Thanks! Wait til ya see the malls in Cebu - their ginormous! We are going to do a video soon on some bisaya pickup lines that Michell is teaching me, so keep an eye out for it. :)
Hey, man I am from Lynn. I know what you mean. I have been to Thailand 3 times and it is the same there.. They comment on the fact I do not smile. My smile muscles do not work..lol.. You are living me dream.
Lynn, Lynn, City of Sin - You don't come out, the way you came in. :) It takes some effort to get those smile muscles working again. At first, it looks like you are grimacing in pain, but after a while it becomes more natural. Welcome to the channel, Sean.
Very Cool - thanks for this... I was in Manila for 3 months (City Mouse) and visited Surigao with my GF.. had a blast. I get double "nose bleed" as she speaks Visiya and Tagalog. I bought a couple of USB Charge packs in Canada before I left and they were excellent to have for extra power when/where there is no power. Mine are even waterproof.
Nice channel and nice videos. I subscribed to follow you around. Been to your blog also, look'en good. I love it here and definitely found a new home. Videos are nice not only for the viewers, but you will enjoy looking back also. I have been here about a year and nine months.
Thanks Jack!! Yeah, I am looking forward to looking back at these vids twenty years from now! Thanks for the support - it really helps as doing vids can sometimes be more work than fun. :)
jack, I am also one of your followers. I like both yours' and ned's TH-cam channel. I hope you guys continue to make entertaining and informative videos for all of us to enjoy, thank you!
At first I thought that was a growling black panther on the background behind on the right of the screen at 9:10 Anyways I'm happyr for your new home JOE!
Ich kann das alles bestätigen. In meinen ersten Wochen auf Bohol war ich jeden Tag beeindruckt davon, wie schön es dort ist. Ich bin inzwischen fast 10 Jahre hier, habe an vielen verschiedenen Orten gewohnt. Die längste Zeit in Makati, wo man natürlich gern ein langes Wochenende auf eine schöne Insel fährt. Wo ich jetzt lebe, in Angeles City, habe ich (wie in Dumaguete) das Beste aus beiden Welten. Es gibt Malls und Bars. Und wenn ich ins Grüne will, habe ich es nicht weit. Und die Leute sind so entspannt wie auf dem Land, anders als in Manila. Kann nur sagen: Herrlich!
Don't feel bad about getting lost, I have been to SM and Ayala (probably not spelt right) so many times and I always get lost, in Ayala, if you can find the outside food/garden area, you know roughly how to get to most places there on that side (I recommend the milkshakes from the pancake house). If you are going to Cebu, you should check out the Taoist temples, they have 2 there although I have only been to the one on the hill nearish to the zoo; I think it would make a good video. The view from Mr A is also a must see if in Cebu, try to go around dusk to see both day and night views.
Philippine Dreams I am a little jealous to see you at the falls, my gf is always saying we should go there and how nice it is. It takes a lot of guts to move out there permanently. If I can't get a visa for my fiancée, I will be doing the same, the things that concern me are; being robbed and stabbed or worse, the possibility of my children turning into working women (I don't mean office workers) and the weather conditions like Typhon haiyan, what are your thoughts on these things or are you not concerned (sorry for going off topic).
Sorry Ned. I am sat here on Saturday night watching this with my 6 year old daughter sitting on my lap. She said Daddy You both have the same hairstyles hahahaha. You both have the same lines on the head. My younger daughter said you both have the same muscles. lol I couldnt stop laughing. Even though my daughter was born here she understood everything you said in the video. pretty amazing listening skills she has.
Wow --what a great video for I have lived there many years ago (in Cebu Bohold and a brief stay in Manila) and I thought Bohol was the place then I met a guy from Alaska dn he told me about Dum (as u natives call it) and I think now I will change my plans and come to Dum rather then go to Cebu for maybe the crime in some areas is not worth the hassles. So tell me how do u make the adjustments to the weather --I am from the Chicago area. I have a small business in the US so I hope I can get a great internet connection so I can use my Manic Jack to keep abreast of my holdings for I plan to be there in spurts of a few months during the winter. And if I make it (depending on my hectic schedule) I would like to meet and talk with u for I am also a world traveler and went form Asia to South Americas as well and frankly I can do a Chicago to Bogota run in less then 7 hours but this Chicago to Cebu takes like 22 hours and Dum will take longer! So do u think Dumaguete will get an international airpot for that would make my life easier if I make a rin there and to Bogotas as well !!!!! have signed up for ur site and hope to meet u and Henry once I get there and yes I plan to learn the language but like u have said it is not like Spanish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!urs Jim Bates
Adjusting to the heat takes a lot of time. And taking siestas around the worst hours in front of a good fan. Coming from Boston took 26 hours and was brutal. I don't see Duma getting a bigger airport as the runway they have now is very short - the planes literally come to a stop right by the highway on north road. Also make sure you set up a Google Voice account before you leave the US. You can use it in the Philippines with WiFi and the Google Hangouts app to make free calls to the US.
Philippine Dreams Thanks and I was at a nearby Chase Bank setting up an account for my daughter in Indy and I am told that if I deposit )in investments etc $250.000 that I can ATM for free usage for money from the US via thier partner of J P Morgan --so my question to u is there a JP Morgan there qnd would u rent or get a condo for I think u need security there to avoid theift --right and I have a business to run in Indiana and also if I come there --is there anything u need and yes I know grape juice and peanut butter goes well as do chocolates !!!!!! I like the delivery u do and l am also a part time comic --sort of, I may go first to Manila for I am checking out some Day Traders there --for I am an investor and also rent out houses etc !Urs Jim any questions then u can e-mal me via Spook12spook12@yahoo.com and there I will give u my private account for ur delivery is very impressive and like I said when I heard it it reminder me of Abbott and Costello doing their bit of "WHO'S ON FIRST" and yes I have been to Cebu and Bohol but that was many many years ago then I went to South America !!!!!!urs Jimt
Hey Bro! I stumbled upon this video I never expected. Continue to explore your new found land and if anything happens, just share it to us either poss or negs it doesn't matter. Just stay safe, relax and enjoy the life in my beautiful country. Thnx!!!
Thanks! There isn't too many negatives that get under my skin - well, except for shrimp paste...... And yeah, you pretty much got the beautiful country thing covered.
How can I "play all" of Philippines Dreams? I want to work on my bike, watch you and 'Chelle without having to get up every few minutes to play another video.
Love your videos, Ned! Keep them coming. P.S. I'm going to the Philippines (Davao City) in November and I appreciate your videos since they help learn the people, the country etc.
I have a small amount of money coming in every month which is well within the budget needed to live pretty well here. I am sort of an economic refugee. Plus, there was this woman that I met....... :)
Philippine Dreams Sounds good. I may be able to do that soon myself. My filipina wife is here in Maine with me, but after six trips there myself it just keeps calling me to return. Congrats to your decision to do so.
Love the video! Couldn't have said it better myself. My family and I jut got back from the Philippines this past Sunday and are already missing it. It was our fourth visit. We were in Negros Occ. We're from the Bay Area and the concept of "Bahala na" is definitely needed here. I'll subscribed just based on this video and check out your other videos. Ingats! Peace!
Thanks, Cyarno. Negros is pretty much ideal - it's protected from harsher weather, has city conveniences, and nice getaways are only a short drive (or ferry) away. LOL - I use 'bahala na' and "hakuna matata" quite a bit here - especially when I am trying to get something done. Still, I can't imagine myself anywhere else.
Hi Ned - Thanks again for the great videos. I'm enjoying following your journey. I have (another) question for you as I contemplate my own move, probably within a few hours of you. Now that you've been there 6 months and you and Michelle are settled into the "pink house" can you give me an idea of your monthly cost of living? It will vary person to person, but I'm just trying to get a sense of your experience to date. I imagine trying to live a lifestyle relatively comparable to yours, at least based on what I've seen so far. It would be helpfult to know your complete costs on a monthly basis (housing, food, utilities, entertainment, travel, etc). Thanks for whatever help you can offer - Jim
"How much does it cost?" is asked all the time. The answer, basically, is it depends on if you want western food, a castle house, whether you are renting furnished or unfurnished (and have to furnish it yourself), if you want 24 hour aircon, ect. I have been overspending since I have been here and am averaging about $1,250 a month. That went up big time this last month as we had to buy a bunch of furniture. Do you follow LifeBeyondTheSea channel? If not, check it out and subscribe as he gets into the specifics of costs many times. An accurate breakdown of costs in Dumaguete can be seen here: www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Philippines&city=Dumaguete&displayCurrency=USD
Philippine Dreams Thanks for the info. I subscribe to LifeBeyondTheSea (as well as your channel) and have gotten good info from both. I like to keep asking that question of different sources to see if things have changed. Your figure is right in line w/ others I've heard. Thank you for response
hi. your videos are fun to watch and very educating but there are two things you didn't mention in this video wich you should ( at least the way i see it ) one being that you have a lovely partner ( i fail to understand if she is yuor wife or just a girl friend ) wich helps you understand things better and can help in the translation . the second being that you are fairly young but seems you have retiered allready , not having to worry about money makes things easy too . any way good luck and i'll continue watching your videos
Michell is my girlfriend (uyab) and we have been together since I got here. And you are right - she is a massive help in explaining and translating things - not to mention her not having to pay the "kano tax" here. I am not retired - I still work online a bit doing some SEO content stuff. Not a whole lot of money, but you don't need much to live well here. Thanks for the feedback!
I have a quetion about the ecc. i just left the philippines on december 1 2017 cz i stayed 17 months so i did all the paperwork and give it to the immigration at the airport. My question is once i get an ecc am i still allowed to go back to the philippines cz some people are saying on the internet that once you use an ecc you cannot go back cz it is permanent. Can you clarify that for me?
Filipinos simply seem much more extroverted and friendly than what I am used to. Keep in mind that I am coming from Boston, which isn't renowned for it's approachable populace. :) Of course I have been overcharged - it's par for course. Got beat by a tire dealer when my Pajero got a flat, but another Filipino at another shop went over and got my money back. I don't wear rose tinted glasses - I think I have just been rather fortunate in my time here thusfar.
jericho cruz Thanks Jericho. The overcharging didn't happen all that much. Only serious time was when I had to buy that used tire. Michell prefers that I stay away while she is shopping in places where she can haggle, though. I hear you on the angry foreigners thing - check out my last blog entry if you want to read about it. Thanks again. :)
Ooo, yeah a great idea! My wife and I have really enjoyed these vids, although separated by 8000 miles, we have watch these together and with many friends and relatives on fb, I'm sure many would also enjoy these. With Ned giving you the green light to share on fb, I assume a blanket green light, I'll share a few myself.
English is widely spoken here. I actually LOOOOVE Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, but both countries possess tonal languages which are difficult to learn. The Philippines - from what I have heard - is a little more expat-friendly than either Thailand or Vietnam. Again though, I am just going by what other expats who have been to all three countries involved say.
Hello,i am retired military and have some things i would like to ask you about where you are living...lbts sent me here and if you have time pm me...great site...keep up the good work...ps..i am new to youtube so bear with me ,if you have time to reply
Your enthusiasm is contagious. I caught the bug of life in Asia clear back in 1957 and haven't lost it yet. Will continue to look forward to your video's.
harley jones Thanks, Harley. Yeah, I am totally beguiled with this place.
Thank you for all the positive comments about our country, and our people. Have fun and stay safe.
pepermayde Well, thanks for having me!!
I can confirm all of that. In my first weeks in Bohol, I was amazed every day by how beautiful it is there. I've been here for almost 10 years now, I've lived in many different places. The longest time in Makati, where of course you like to go to a beautiful island for a long weekend. Where I live now, in Angeles City (as in Dumaguete) I have the best of both worlds. There are malls and bars. And if I want to be in the countryside, I don't have to go far. And the people are as relaxed as in the country, unlike in Manila. Can only say: wonderful!
I am philppino. I was born there, but was adopted by an American family at age three weeks old. I am now forty. I am a southern girl from Charleston, SC. I want to visit and heard it wasn't safe for me and that I could be killed. Thank you for such a positive video. Giving me more confidence.
Some areas of Mindanao are dangerous due to the religious and political dramas that are going on. The rest of the country is pretty much safe. There's crime (especially in urban areas) but I am from a rough neighborhood in Boston, so this place seems very tame by comparison. Take the time to see your native country sometime - it's a BEAUTIFUL place. :)
Just subscribed to your Chanel not because you were too kind to talk about the upsides of what its like in the Philippines but because you make us Filipinos, me in particular, that despite how negative things are, we can surely still appreciate a lot from our country. I mean you being from the better side of the world and still recognizing the place well makes me proud of being a Filipino myself. That before I go thinking I want to be in another country for better living, why not explore my country more. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks, Eress. You know more than most here what the number one problem with your country is. I won't get into it (but you know), and once you all get that straightened out, this place is going to be booming. Even with that problem in place, the World Bank just noted that the Philippines is the next big thing.
dumaguete is where i came from and so far what you say is true, for me, being in dumaguete is living your life . the life style is so simple compare here in states. me and my wife were planning to move back there when we retire...my family there owns the business where you bought your motorcycle i saw the decal..thanks for the video
Ben Pata Ah, the Yamaha dealership? Nice! Yeah, paring life to its most simple components is part of the charm of living here. You really find out what is important and what is not. Thanks, Ben.
Great description of Dumaguete City :) Thanks for the great video :)
***** Arnis,Escrima, Kali,Studied it since i was 5 years old by far it is the most deadly Martial Art, i have ever seen and studied.
It kind of get a bad reputation in the Martial Arts world.
You would stand a better chance messing with a Tiger Than a master of these arts
Just ran across your site here... Great first experience. I have been to the Philippines many times, but will just finally be able to move there for good in january.
Hopefully, your videos will be very helpful to me in making my transition to a slower lifestyle.
Yep, it's all about the slower lifestyle. Just adjusting to that can be an adventure in of itself. :)
I've spent a lot of time in the Philippines, and I must say I have lost my patience more than once there. My goal after i move there is to have a similar attitude to Henry and yourself, and try not to let things bother me.
I have 55+ years of being an American to shed... that is not always easy.
Thanks for your reply and for you videos..
By the way... you have a gorgeous girlfriend. You are blessed.
That was very well put Ned,you are living my Philippines dream:) darn I'm so jeluse,jejeje
Great
my friend, I mean this in the nicest, coolest possible way: you're like a big kid in a candy shop! It's great to see and hear your passion about the new places and new life you've found there. It's a real treat to have people like yourselves and Henry take the time to put these videos together and show us less fortunates how wonderful life can be over there!
Yes, there's a dark side and it isn't all wine and roses-and that's really the point: so what!!! Thanks man, love your vids and keep rockin' it out there pal!
Thanks,Ron. There are some negatives to living here, but for me, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives. The most important thing is your mindset and attitude. If you are a pessimist or don't have decently developed coping skills, it could be a very stressful place. And yeah - I feel like a big kid in a candy store at times. Ooooo - look at that!...... :)
hahahaha
you've got a totally cool perspective on life and its great to have online insight from people like yourself and Henry... popz seems a tad self absorbed for my tastes... he has his agenda and quite happy to stick by it, thank you very much! lol
I don't mind him very much, just you and Henry have a far more balanced and mellow approach and I can really relate to that!
the best country i had ever visited i really wish if i can live there for ever after one year i spent over there i found my self in deep love with all asia
amro gibril I agree, and I want to see more of Asia once I have things in place to travel more.
exactly that would be amazing wish for you nice and fantastic life over there
This is pretty cool. Never been to the PI.
Well, if you are ever in the general area, be sure to check it out. It's a pretty amazing place!
love you site, i hope to retire this year to live in the philippines , i have been there many times but i am still nerves to make the big jump, keep up the good work, regards peter cullen
Thanks so much! It means a lot to get positive feedback like this. And since you have been here a number of times already, making the big jump should be a lot easier. The most important thing you bring over here is your state of mind.
Love your story man! Enjoy your stay! Its More Fun in the Philippines!
John West Thanks a lot, John, for all your comments. Yeah, it's a pretty awesome frikken place.
Thanks man , Will check that forum out.
Great videos!! Very informative and well-spoken. I visited PH in 2006 for two months and really enjoyed myself - Davao & Cebu - but haven't been back since. Watching your videos makes me really miss it. Keep up the great videos, Thank you!
Kawasan falls was great,my first 4 Months living in the Philippines was a adventure but since i lived in Cebu City and just did not like the pollution..
I never got pass the 3rd major water fall of Kawasan, but did try to get to them.
Like you i am fit but you need climbing gear.to go past the 3rd fall safely..
For sure Filipino people are the most hospitable people i have ever met, when my bike would break down which was usually a flat tire,total strangers would help me.
Made Moal Boal my home base.not much to do there but scuba dive.
Think i only saw a few dozen Americans in my whole stay there and that includes the few Expats friends i had in the city that would visit me..
There where 3 other Americans that also made it there home, was four but one got shot.
Thanks for sharing.
OK, I'll bite, how did the American get shot?
Glad to here your loving it there . Thanks for the info on the schools . We plan on coming to visit my wife's family next year. They are in Siquijor , so we are differently gonna be looking around to see if we would like to relocate there . Thanks for sharing .
If you want to get some good info on an active forum check out the livingincebu forum. Those guys have been collectively been here for decades, most of them are family guys, and their info really prepared me for the move. Just steer clear of the ugly American Politics section. ;)
site, sounds, and smells, i love the PH, i stay in atimonan, and sometime lucena city, like to watch americans living in PH vid, when i am bored, i do have filipina wife, good hard working woman, someday.......
I aboslutely loved living there for 4 years of my childhood. Of course that was 28 years ago but from what I see the people are still the same.....awesome.
well I gotta hand it to you , your vids are truly inspiring and I 100% relate to how you feel about living there, I've been there since 2009 and I still feel as you feel every morning when I wake up, the green lushness and the friendliness of the people is dream stuff compared to back home. I'm so glad my little girl (3 ys old) is growing up there rather than back in the uk.it still makes me feel I'm on a tropical vacation just walking down the street, seeing banana trees and coconut everywhere you look...just love it, keep up the good work, and stay happy !!
I been there 8 times last time I did 6 months ..hes so right about everything ..theres really nothing like it so beautiful there and the people are awesome it always draws you to come back
Thanks for the nice video. I subscribed to your channel. I also enjoy Henry and Jack. So, I will be moving to Cebu very soon, now I'm just tying up loose ends.
Ah, the "loose ends" - I remember them well. Before you go, I would recommend scanning all important paperwork (ID's, medical records, etc. etc) and having them with you in an encrypted file. You can also upload the important papers to on online storage site (many are free). Thanks, man.
Thanks, I will do that.
I just discovered your vids. GREAT stuff!!!! Thanks for posting.
Thanks! We will try to keep up the channel with some good content. Videoblogging has turned into a pretty cool hobby.
yes good to watch your videos ,well done ,im heading to Cebu and dumagete in 3 months as my mate is getting married ,also the language lessons is a good thing as well.
Thanks! Wait til ya see the malls in Cebu - their ginormous! We are going to do a video soon on some bisaya pickup lines that Michell is teaching me, so keep an eye out for it. :)
Hey, man I am from Lynn. I know what you mean. I have been to Thailand 3 times and it is the same there.. They comment on the fact I do not smile. My smile muscles do not work..lol.. You are living me dream.
Lynn, Lynn, City of Sin - You don't come out, the way you came in. :) It takes some effort to get those smile muscles working again. At first, it looks like you are grimacing in pain, but after a while it becomes more natural. Welcome to the channel, Sean.
Gee, never heard that rhyme before
Very Cool - thanks for this... I was in Manila for 3 months (City Mouse) and visited Surigao with my GF.. had a blast. I get double "nose bleed" as she speaks Visiya and Tagalog. I bought a couple of USB Charge packs in Canada before I left and they were excellent to have for extra power when/where there is no power. Mine are even waterproof.
hahaha yes...good plan!! Relax and make the best of it! We were without power for 5 of 7 days in Kitcharao (beside lake Mainit) in Surigao.
Thanks, I'll add USB charge packs to my list.
Nice channel and nice videos. I subscribed to follow you around. Been to your blog also, look'en good. I love it here and definitely found a new home. Videos are nice not only for the viewers, but you will enjoy looking back also. I have been here about a year and nine months.
Thanks Jack!! Yeah, I am looking forward to looking back at these vids twenty years from now! Thanks for the support - it really helps as doing vids can sometimes be more work than fun. :)
Love ur video been going over there my self for the last 14 or so years keep up the good work ok
jack, I am also one of your followers. I like both yours' and ned's TH-cam channel. I hope you guys continue to make entertaining and informative videos for all of us to enjoy, thank you!
Glad you're enjoying your stay in the Philippines. The river behind you looks so clean & refreshing to swim in.
Chris Punzalan It's a beautiful place.
At first I thought that was a growling black panther on the background behind on the right of the screen at 9:10
Anyways I'm happyr for your new home JOE!
Ich kann das alles bestätigen. In meinen ersten Wochen auf Bohol war ich jeden Tag beeindruckt davon, wie schön es dort ist. Ich bin inzwischen fast 10 Jahre hier, habe an vielen verschiedenen Orten gewohnt. Die längste Zeit in Makati, wo man natürlich gern ein langes Wochenende auf eine schöne Insel fährt. Wo ich jetzt lebe, in Angeles City, habe ich (wie in Dumaguete) das Beste aus beiden Welten. Es gibt Malls und Bars. Und wenn ich ins Grüne will, habe ich es nicht weit. Und die Leute sind so entspannt wie auf dem Land, anders als in Manila. Kann nur sagen: Herrlich!
North EDSA and MOA in manila are the 2 largest in Philippines, good video just take your time and spread things out.
Jason Ta Thanks, Jason. Yep, pacing and time. Got to smell the roses, as the journey sometimes is the reward.
We went to palawan and baguio if you need info just ask.
Philippine Dreams im glad u have a good time there.
Have you run into Henry from Lifebeyondthesea.com. Is there golf there in dumagautee?
Henry has had the distinct pleasure of running into Michell and I on more than a few occasions. /sarcasm off. The answer is yes. :)
I hope you guys with your channels can get more americans to move there
Mura na mang ka Pinoy!
Don't feel bad about getting lost, I have been to SM and Ayala (probably not spelt right) so many times and I always get lost, in Ayala, if you can find the outside food/garden area, you know roughly how to get to most places there on that side (I recommend the milkshakes from the pancake house). If you are going to Cebu, you should check out the Taoist temples, they have 2 there although I have only been to the one on the hill nearish to the zoo; I think it would make a good video. The view from Mr A is also a must see if in Cebu, try to go around dusk to see both day and night views.
Axischilled83 The next time I go to Cebu, I will take three or four days to really see the sights.
Philippine Dreams I am a little jealous to see you at the falls, my gf is always saying we should go there and how nice it is. It takes a lot of guts to move out there permanently. If I can't get a visa for my fiancée, I will be doing the same, the things that concern me are; being robbed and stabbed or worse, the possibility of my children turning into working women (I don't mean office workers) and the weather conditions like Typhon haiyan, what are your thoughts on these things or are you not concerned (sorry for going off topic).
Sorry Ned. I am sat here on Saturday night watching this with my 6 year old daughter sitting on my lap.
She said Daddy
You both have the same hairstyles hahahaha.
You both have the same lines on the head.
My younger daughter said you both have the same muscles. lol
I couldnt stop laughing.
Even though my daughter was born here she understood everything you said in the video. pretty amazing listening skills she has.
+Ikz Chop NED .. it is your responsiblity to respond to this special response ......
People from Boston on reserved? That is an understatement! I will say no more.
Haha - I hear ya. Yeah, coming here from there was a BIG adjustment. I had to learn how to smile again. :)
Philippine Dreams the West.... Land of no smiles. Why am I here again?
Bushman Canuck It's just temporary. Everything will be here when you get back!
Philippine Dreams salamat po kuya!
Ned, how do you feel these days?
Wow --what a great video for I have lived there many years ago (in Cebu Bohold and a brief stay in Manila) and I thought Bohol was the place then I met a guy from Alaska dn he told me about Dum (as u natives call it) and I think now I will change my plans and come to Dum rather then go to Cebu for maybe the crime in some areas is not worth the hassles. So tell me how do u make the adjustments to the weather --I am from the Chicago area. I have a small business in the US so I hope I can get a great internet connection so I can use my Manic Jack to keep abreast of my holdings for I plan to be there in spurts of a few months during the winter. And if I make it (depending on my hectic schedule) I would like to meet and talk with u for I am also a world traveler and went form Asia to South Americas as well and frankly I can do a Chicago to Bogota run in less then 7 hours but this Chicago to Cebu takes like 22 hours and Dum will take longer! So do u think Dumaguete will get an international airpot for that would make my life easier if I make a rin there and to Bogotas as well !!!!! have signed up for ur site and hope to meet u and Henry once I get there and yes I plan to learn the language but like u have said it is not like Spanish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!urs Jim Bates
Adjusting to the heat takes a lot of time. And taking siestas around the worst hours in front of a good fan. Coming from Boston took 26 hours and was brutal. I don't see Duma getting a bigger airport as the runway they have now is very short - the planes literally come to a stop right by the highway on north road. Also make sure you set up a Google Voice account before you leave the US. You can use it in the Philippines with WiFi and the Google Hangouts app to make free calls to the US.
Philippine Dreams
Thanks and I was at a nearby Chase Bank setting up an account for my daughter in Indy and I am told that if I deposit )in investments etc $250.000 that I can ATM for free usage for money from the US via thier partner of J P Morgan --so my question to u is there a JP Morgan there qnd would u rent or get a condo for I think u need security there to avoid theift --right and I have a business to run in Indiana and also if I come there --is there anything u need and yes I know grape juice and peanut butter goes well as do chocolates !!!!!! I like the delivery u do and l am also a part time comic --sort of, I may go first to Manila for I am checking out some Day Traders there --for I am an investor and also rent out houses etc !Urs Jim any questions then u can e-mal me via Spook12spook12@yahoo.com and there I will give u my private account for ur delivery is very impressive and like I said when I heard it it reminder me of Abbott and Costello doing their bit of "WHO'S ON FIRST" and yes I have been to Cebu and Bohol but that was many many years ago then I went to South America !!!!!!urs Jimt
What a Beautiful Location! 😊
Hey Bro! I stumbled upon this video I never expected. Continue to explore your new found land and if anything happens, just share it to us either poss or negs it doesn't matter. Just stay safe, relax and enjoy the life in my beautiful country. Thnx!!!
Thanks! There isn't too many negatives that get under my skin - well, except for shrimp paste...... And yeah, you pretty much got the beautiful country thing covered.
How can I "play all" of Philippines Dreams? I want to work on my bike, watch you and 'Chelle without having to get up every few minutes to play another video.
Steve W You're brain would turn to turtle mush if you watched all our videos at once.
Great video. Thank you!
Love your videos, Ned! Keep them coming.
P.S. I'm going to the Philippines (Davao City) in November and I appreciate your videos since they help learn the people, the country etc.
What brings you there to the Phils? You seem young to retire so, just curious.
I have a small amount of money coming in every month which is well within the budget needed to live pretty well here. I am sort of an economic refugee. Plus, there was this woman that I met....... :)
Philippine Dreams Sounds good. I may be able to do that soon myself. My filipina wife is here in Maine with me, but after six trips there myself it just keeps calling me to return. Congrats to your decision to do so.
philippines is not just metro manila..
Glad I stumbled into your site - freak accident - definitley going there if/when I hit the Philipinnes.....for sure.....tnx....:-)
Ledzz Go Hmmmm .. .. a lot of people seem to mention "freak accident" in the same sentence as finding our site....
sorry - I of course meant "overwhelming good fortune"....:-)
could a person in a wheelchair live their
I am from your area, I am so sick of the
winters
Of course Margaret...someone will take care of you here in the Philippines..you are welcome
Hey Man, am so jealous you get to live there:-).can't wait to go home for good!
Demi Falle Are you OFW? What part of Hawaii do you live in?
Love the video! Couldn't have said it better myself. My family and I jut got back from the Philippines this past Sunday and are already missing it. It was our fourth visit. We were in Negros Occ. We're from the Bay Area and the concept of "Bahala na" is definitely needed here. I'll subscribed just based on this video and check out your other videos. Ingats! Peace!
Thanks, Cyarno. Negros is pretty much ideal - it's protected from harsher weather, has city conveniences, and nice getaways are only a short drive (or ferry) away. LOL - I use 'bahala na' and "hakuna matata" quite a bit here - especially when I am trying to get something done. Still, I can't imagine myself anywhere else.
Hi Ned - Thanks again for the great videos. I'm enjoying following your journey. I have (another) question for you as I contemplate my own move, probably within a few hours of you. Now that you've been there 6 months and you and Michelle are settled into the "pink house" can you give me an idea of your monthly cost of living? It will vary person to person, but I'm just trying to get a sense of your experience to date. I imagine trying to live a lifestyle relatively comparable to yours, at least based on what I've seen so far. It would be helpfult to know your complete costs on a monthly basis (housing, food, utilities, entertainment, travel, etc). Thanks for whatever help you can offer - Jim
"How much does it cost?" is asked all the time. The answer, basically, is it depends on if you want western food, a castle house, whether you are renting furnished or unfurnished (and have to furnish it yourself), if you want 24 hour aircon, ect. I have been overspending since I have been here and am averaging about $1,250 a month. That went up big time this last month as we had to buy a bunch of furniture. Do you follow LifeBeyondTheSea channel? If not, check it out and subscribe as he gets into the specifics of costs many times.
An accurate breakdown of costs in Dumaguete can be seen here: www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Philippines&city=Dumaguete&displayCurrency=USD
Philippine Dreams Thanks for the info. I subscribe to LifeBeyondTheSea (as well as your channel) and have gotten good info from both. I like to keep asking that question of different sources to see if things have changed. Your figure is right in line w/ others I've heard. Thank you for response
hi. your videos are fun to watch and very educating but there are two things you didn't mention in this video wich you should ( at least the way i see it ) one being that you have a lovely partner ( i fail to understand if she is yuor wife or just a girl friend ) wich helps you understand things better and can help in the translation . the second being that you are fairly young but seems you have retiered allready , not having to worry about money makes things easy too . any way good luck and i'll continue watching your videos
Michell is my girlfriend (uyab) and we have been together since I got here. And you are right - she is a massive help in explaining and translating things - not to mention her not having to pay the "kano tax" here. I am not retired - I still work online a bit doing some SEO content stuff. Not a whole lot of money, but you don't need much to live well here. Thanks for the feedback!
6:47 is the dog peeing on your far back? correct me if i'm wrong..
Probably. The dogs here also enjoy peeing on my motorcycle tires whenever they get a chance.
I have a quetion about the ecc. i just left the philippines on december 1 2017 cz i stayed 17 months so i did all the paperwork and give it to the immigration at the airport. My question is once i get an ecc am i still allowed to go back to the philippines cz some people are saying on the internet that once you use an ecc you cannot go back cz it is permanent. Can you clarify that for me?
It's not permanent. You can return.
Nice people? What does that mean? So you mean every experience you have had has been positive? No one has tried to overcharge you? Hard to believe.
Filipinos simply seem much more extroverted and friendly than what I am used to. Keep in mind that I am coming from Boston, which isn't renowned for it's approachable populace. :) Of course I have been overcharged - it's par for course. Got beat by a tire dealer when my Pajero got a flat, but another Filipino at another shop went over and got my money back. I don't wear rose tinted glasses - I think I have just been rather fortunate in my time here thusfar.
jericho cruz Thanks Jericho. The overcharging didn't happen all that much. Only serious time was when I had to buy that used tire. Michell prefers that I stay away while she is shopping in places where she can haggle, though. I hear you on the angry foreigners thing - check out my last blog entry if you want to read about it. Thanks again. :)
That is one of the great mysteries that I will someday try to fathom.
I am going to share this video on my Facebook account. I hope you don't mind. :)
Share away!
Ooo, yeah a great idea! My wife and I have really enjoyed these vids, although separated by 8000 miles, we have watch these together and with many friends and relatives on fb, I'm sure many would also enjoy these. With Ned giving you the green light to share on fb, I assume a blanket green light, I'll share a few myself.
Why Philippines? why not the more popular thailand or vietnam?
English is widely spoken here. I actually LOOOOVE Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, but both countries possess tonal languages which are difficult to learn. The Philippines - from what I have heard - is a little more expat-friendly than either Thailand or Vietnam. Again though, I am just going by what other expats who have been to all three countries involved say.
Can't wait till I get there to finally meet my girlfriend
Hello,i am retired military and have some things i would like to ask you about where you are living...lbts sent me here and if you have time pm me...great site...keep up the good work...ps..i am new to youtube so bear with me ,if you have time to reply
Sent you a PM, John.