NOT BUYING A HOUSE is the best advice, that unfortunately will still go unheeded . I have personally lost a farm lot, and a house to my lovely pinay X. About 400K $ worth If the love of your life insists on it and brings up all sorts of good reasons to buy a lot or build a house. You are being set up for a fall. DON'T DO IT!

All common sense advice that need to be reiterated over and over again. Thank you for telling it like it is, no embellishments. It’s a crying shame when retirees end up being in a worse situation than before they retired just because they tried to live their fantasy dream of what retirement should be without taking the time to research it first.

This is small thing but if you buy a car make sure your car windows are tinted dark because if the traffic enforcers see you as foreigner behind the wheel they will most likely pull you over for smallest reason to make extra cash. I didn't have dark tint, just medium, which they can see you through the windshield. But now i have dark tint and i have not been pulled over.

Mark, you are right. Foreigners need to know when you marry a Filipina you are marrying her entire family financially. You will be supporting her parents and her siblings. That's why Filipinos have 7-8 kids as substitute for Social Security benefit.

Very sensible advice and honesty up front saves a lot of heartache You have integrity and it comes across thank you for the advice

This is solid information. Some people will not heed a word of it and will learn the hard way.

Dont get scammed by the Pinay. Thats how you prevent homelessness in the Philippines.

Beware of gold diggers, greedy Filipina relatives, investment scams, lavish lifestyle and having too many girl friends.

First time I've seen your stuff, and it's really excellent. I lived there five years in the 80's visited very frequently another five years and kept visiting ever since. All your remarks are right-on, I'd say. The you/honeyKo/family relationship can be tougher than you let on. She's going to be caught in the middle, and those conversations starting with "I have problem" don't go away or slow down as time goes on. I'd like to see a talk about expats and taxation as a Philippines resident. Maybe there is already a good one online somewhere. THanks

All good points, and true. It is cheap to live here if you live as the natives do. I myself am still trying to dial that in. I have yet to befriend any other expats. I avoid it lol. I have sat near groups of expats and heard their conversations and it's usually not something I want to be part of. In fact, they should just get the F out if they are just going to bitch about everything here. I know there are some other good guys here but I'm fine with the locals hehe.

Great tutorial. Thank you. Keep it coming!

Mark, really good information. Everyone who considers going there should see this video. We built a vacation house in Mindanao. Will Airbnb when not there. Been married to my wife 31 years.we live in fla.but if I was to move there I would rent in major city. My wive idea of retirement is being close to 3 Malls. I like Makati and Cebu. City. getting a knee replacement after that we coming over there. May stay 3 months. Maybe we can talk when I get there I got we have to be near a Catholic church.we been helping here sisters and their kids get a college education.no regrets. One a nun and others are hard worked.thank again for the info to newbies.

Sage advice Mark. Very similar to Thailand. One thing I would add is to go to the Philippines. Spend a month or two and spend time here first. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it. All the best!

That's great mark glad the info I gave you was helpful

Iam 65 and plan on moving to PI. I have over $4,ooo. month in SSD and VA disability. LETS see, don't buy a house, don't drive, and I don't want a girlfriend or a wife, don't go into a business with any body here, all I want to do is live out the few remaining years of my life and have fun.

Very nice sound advice. Call it like it is. God bless.

Amazing value in this video. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see you soon Eric when I come to Dumaguete in either March or April

Disagree about the quality of the dental care here. The material used isn’t the same. Noticeable difference.

One of the most informative videos for newcomers I have seen.

that beach background noise is awesome 😊

Great advice Mark!!!! Well said and well done. This advice will help many men with their plans to move to the Philippines

This was a very well thought out and intelligent conversation thank you for sharing your thoughts

Very impressive, and generous advice. Easy to listen to.

Super advice in a short, condenced and to the point format. Really great.

Very sound advice. Thank you!!

great enlightening information.....thank you..

Great Video and great advice!!!!! Thanks

Thank you for sharing all this advice!

Great advice, thanks!

I feel sorry for the men who built a house with their wife over there, only to get kicked out at a later date. The housing laws aren't in our favor over there, think with your big head guys and speak with a local lawyer before making any serious decisions. Thanks for the advice OG 🙏.

Great video, Mark!

U gave very good and honest tips. Double thumbs up.

This has probably been the most informative video I've ever seen on the Philippines! I truly appreciate all the honest information. Thank you!

Rule number one. Never be worth more dead than you are alive in the Philippines 👍

Great wisdom and common sense!! Thank you sir!!

Thank you very much for your video. Lots of information people can use. And, you're right about rents. What I rent here for $270, I couldn't get a tent in Arizona (of course the dollar about changes as the rates do) I was told that foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. However, a foreigner can build on the property and own 100% of a residential building. Condos are different. A foreigner can own 100%, if the building is sold 60% to Filipinos. I don't know what would happen if the ownership in a condo drops below 60% Filipino ownership (through foreclosure, etc.). If the Filipino landowner tells you to leave, you can knock down the house and sell or keep all the materials. Foreigners at the age of 60 years and above, cannot get a loan, not even for a car. I came here at the age of 68 not knowing that, so I had to come up with cash. I am not sure about mortgages. I knew a fellow who came here and he was an amateur photographer. He put up a web site advertising his availability. After about a year he had to take it down because he had so many requests for weddings that he just couldn't keep up. So there are simple sort of "hobbies" which a person can turn into an online business. (Filipinos are photo "mad". These phones with a camera was a real treat here. People constantly take photos, mostly of themselves! Also, the Philippines is the texting capital of the world. I forgot how many text messages are sent every day in total it was over 1 million.) But don't expect to get a good of coverage with a cell phone as you might in the US, Australia, Canada or Europe. If you're in a major city, and there are many here, and beautiful, too, you'll probably have good coverage. And if you like shopping, some of the best Malls in the World are here! Especially Mall of Asia in Pasay. Thanks for letting me go on and on. Maybe I should get my own vlog or appear on others in an interview. I have lived her for 11, going on 12 years! Medications - Military Vets with service connected disabilities can get medication through the VA if the doctor here orders it. The USVA does operate an Out-Patient Clinic - no hospital. If hospitalization is needed, there is a VA hospital in Guam - about a 2-hour flight.

Thank you Mark...great advice ..much appreciated 🦘

Love your channel . I was very poor 15 years ago and lost all I had . But here I am 15 years later with 2 income property getting ready for retirement. Hope to meet you in January when I visit the Philippines

Wow, this was brilliant, thank you, very informative.

Thank you Mark for all of the insights and good advice

Well said, thanks for sharing. Excellent advice. 😎

Don't buy house with Indonesian, Thai or Filipina unless your prepared to lose it all. This is Good advice. I also speak from experience.

Live within your means. Thats advice for living where ever you go.

Great video, thank you. My wife is here, I am considering moving here from US, this video answers a lot of questions I have.

Great info Mark.

Great info again

Amazing video, Mark. This one is going to be a huge hit!

Hopefully, most of your viewers will take your advice seriously. Thank you for your truthfulness without putting down the citizens of your host country

Sounds advice, very useful tips to take it vey seriously to stay safe, thanks

I really appreciated all that information. Thank you.

Very practical straightforward information plus excellence advice everyone should know about Philippines!

Great advice. Now I am a subscriber.

Great video Mark, I've been here 26 months now. Thanks

Looks Like A Great House 🏡. Love The Hardwood Floors.

Great stuff Mark

Wow thank you for sharing a lot of good imformation

Good video!!

Great videos! Thanks Mark. 😊👍

Great video bud. I want to be on your show when I get there

Excellent information! Thank you!

Awesome video... Glad that you have found your place in this world...

Love your hardwood floors. You should put up some hoops. Would make a nice basketball court!

Excellent video

Lots of good advice here.. common sense is the best thing to bring with you.

As a Filipino American from Texas!!! I find your advises on point..

Super helpful video. thanks.

Good advice Mark!!!

Really good clear advice there thank you, I've been to the Philippines twice and done loads off traveling around and must say as a whole it is a really beautiful place with lovely friendly happy people. Gonna look to move out there myself in the next couple off year s. Thanks.

Sound, practical advice. Appreciate your perspective. Stay safe and healthy.

Mark, this has been one of yours or anyone else’s most useful videos. Just one credit card left to pay off. Need dental work, but glad to know I can have it done there and with a huge savings too boot. Your right, tooth decay has been linked to other health issues. It’s truly sad for poor people who can’t afford it here in the USA. So not only do they struggle financially, they may be in poorer health to no fault of theirs. ❤️ it. Thanks!

Couldn't agree with you more, hopefully be back there again soon.

Thanks Mark!

Very good advice, Mark! Remember the old saying, "buyers beware"!

Sage advice...thank you!

Excellent content. I prefer this kind of vlogs. Im back as your subscriber.

good stuff!

Great information thank you mark

i like your show thank you

Love your place. WOW. I lived there in 2012-2015

wise advice. I would only add is learn the price things in pesos. Do not look at stuff from American mind set saying oh this is on only 3 dollars. Learn the price of stuff. think in pesos! I bought a house here with my wife. married 32 years to filipino. we have all our bills paid off. no mortgage. love it.

great picture qualitiy!

God bless you and your family, it’s always a pleasure to listen to you Mark💖 I hope to meet one day? Thank you for your wisdom and advice, it can be a really a life saver for many of us..😔 Andy from Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 ♥️

Thanks for your insight and wisdom.

Thank you so much)

great advice

I retired from California govt at 56. My landlord said she was gonna double my rent By the beach in California. So I went online and bought a home in Tx cash for $23k. Now I have no debt and no rent no mortgage and doing great. I want to ride my bicycle across the Philippines for a month.

I like this vid. Some good tips here.

Bring your bottle of prescription meds to any pharmacy in the Philippines and they'll usually just refill it for you.

Thank you Sir for sharing your info on moving to the Philippines and your honesty. 🙂👍👍

Just subscribed today! Thanks for the helpful tips, Mark! Just started researching about moving to the Philippines in the past week when my husband retires in 2-3 years. He prefers living in the city so we're thinking of renting a condo in Eastwood City first but I'd like the idea of having us visit Negros Occidental to meet expats like you. I think you and my husband will get along. Glad that you married your Filipina GF instead of just living together. God bless!

great vid

Solid info!

Also mention that the upper middle class and the rich girls both in the PI and Thailand do not like expat (foreigners) retirees. The only girls out there for the catch are the poor ones for expats.

Soon, Mark will even be able to get some furniture! Things are looking up!

Great video, Mark. Everyone needs to listen, especially about the medical care. Have a plan (and health insurance!)

Mark, I feel that you're providing excellent information, sounds like solid advice. I know that you can't answer everyone's question, but I was wondering where you live, because I want that beach style living. Your place looks very nice!

I must say you must be smart in owning a property. Foreigners can own a condo unit. If you want to buy a lot and build a house just set up a corporation to purchase a property. That way you still control 40%.

Great video Mark

Wise words from a wise man! Love listening to you.