One of the best videos I have seen , thank you for sharing.

Twelve years in the Philippines. I have had enough. Going back home early next year.

Once on a flight from USA back to Philippines I met a guy who inherited parent's farm. He met a girl online, fell in love, sold the farm and sent all the money into Filipina's bank account. He was flying to Philippines to meet the love of his life for the first time. Upon arrival he discovered that she was a he.

My first year in the Philippines, I never signed a lease, plenty of people will rent you a place month to month,I never bought anything or accumulated anything I couldn't fit in my car, oh yeah I bought a car,( it has been the best decision since I have been here, ) I like that I can pack a couple of bags and throw them in a car at a moments notice, I recommend to travel around the islands and check places out first before you settle anywhere, there is so much to see, with woman here, they will be on their best behaviour, it takes months before you meet the real her, if you don't know the culture learn it before you commit because you wont understand half the things she does and you will fight over things that are always just a miss understanding , I learned patience and to hold my tongue, Filipino are super respectful and saving face is everything, that's something I learnt early, but its easy to be nice all the time, the Philippines made me a better man.

39 minutes of Great Advice. Free Too!! Listen to Mark. He's the real deal! So many similarities to China. Take Care Mark! Good To See You!!

This is a very serious man and he gives us the best advises.

the dog jumping out in front of you is my exact motorcycle story. Bought a car soon after instead. Listen to this man! His words can save you a lot of trouble.

this guy speaks straight forward about the idiosycracy of the Philippines. Kudos for you sir!

May I say your hardwood floors are stunning.

One of the best summaries for avoiding trouble in the Philippines. Thanks for your wisdom! -Nils

A lot of this advice applies to all of SE Asia.

great video my friend. i lived in Cebu 2019 to 2021 then back to Canada. i listen to Bloggers like yourself in the Philippines before I visited. listening to guys like yourself is very helpful to foreigners. keep up the good work. thanks again. God bless.

Very important advice.I am a Philippine born,left in 1978 to live in Australia (45 years) and Naturalized. Planning to live there part of the year in my retirement. Am so westernised and to live back there permanently is out of the question. Health care is very important and financial plan is a must.Have this in place.I can still speak Tagalog and still love Philippine cuisine. I intend to just want to live the best of both worlds.I am blessed.💐

Excellent coverage of various key topics that most people need to consider. Succint, clear explanations in a serious and credible presentation. Helped me a lot.

Great stuff...very practical. I was relieved that most of the things Mark addressed are things that I have already addressed through common sense planning. He had a few topics that I still need to plan for and I'm really glad I spent the time to watch his video. Thank you Mark, you have definitely contributed in a very tangible manner, to the success of my upcoming initial visit (4 months) to the Republic of the Philippines!

Good advice. The main thing is keeping your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open. Be careful about who you allow into your inner circle.

Such great advice. People need to listen to this advice.

Good info, concise and organized, un garnished.

Excellent advice. . . and concise! You hit ALL of the important points. Well done.

Ramble on, excellent advice. I look forward to your videos. Positive information.

I've been doing 'month to month' condos and hotels for 6 months. DOGS and KARAOKE are the biggest nuisances here and it's great to be able to get away from it with minimal inconvenience. Too many places to choose from to be stuck for a year right off the get-go.

Excellent reminders, thanks so much!

Free and sensible advise!

Excellent video....very upfront....a lot of wisdom and knowledge here....

Great advice and you covered some important things that are many times overlooked by people who are coming to the Philippines. Love your videos and your perspective. Hopefully many will take your advice. Congratulations on going over 50 k subs. Quite a milestone! I’ll still be here when you hit 100 k. 😎

Love the Great straight talk. Holding nothing back but the truth. Great job.

Thanks for your honesty and your thoughts of your life and advice 👍

Fantastic advice it's all spot on Mark, this is one of your best videos for sure.

I'm glad you're okay. You have such good information and how you explain things. Thank you

Mark, great advice for newcomers. LISTEN & LEARN! Wishing you continued success with your wife & channel. Appreciate your honest evaluation of life in the Philippines for anyone. Keep Up the Fire!

Great Video Mark packed with good advice, thanks.

Thanks for the good, thoughtful advice. Timely and well said.

Girls in the philippines are Western now. Coming and going since 1981 and I see the change. The filipina in the USA is the filipina in the philippines. It's not like 40 years ago.

Very informative video.

Sage advice. Hope all newbies take it to heart.

Sage advice Mark. As a new comer to your channel your overview is comprehensive and covers so many essential areas which I would not have considered. a heartfelt thank you!

Quality advice, thanks for sharing.

This is without a doubt the best video I’ve seen on coming to the Philippines. Thanks for all the info.

Listen to Mark, I grew up in the Philippines until I was 19, lived in the US until I was 59. Having said that, what Mark is talking about is can you live in the Philippines with your comfort level. Don't buy a big bike because you'd be lucky to go 25 miles and hour for 2 minutes during rush hour.

Great video! Very informative and helpful. Thanks!

Very informative. Thanks a lot

You deserve your success on KZfaq. This is great advice and should be mandatory viewing for all foreigners. All of the items you mentioned should be considered by everyone.

Great video Mark. Very informative. I will definitely look you up in the near future mate. 10/10

Awesome information and the best no BS video Thanks!

Very well said!I have so much respect to a person like you who shows the same respect to all my fellow Filipinos. I’m jealous that you’re living in my home country,Philippines 🇵🇭 I’m living here in Japan for 30 years,married with 2 daughters and a granddaughter.I missed the chaos,going out with my filipino family & friends and life out there.There’s no place like home🏡 .It’s true ,it’s more fun in the Philippines 🇵🇭.Thank you for saying the good side of filipinos and the Philippines 🇵🇭 More power to you!God bless you and your family🙏

Some good advice's Mark, keep up the good work!

So much info! Great job!

Great down to earth realistic advice and information. Thank you.

Great advice ! Thank you 😊 I have been talking to my princess for 11 months and 1 WK and she never ask for anything !! She is beautiful and I'm going to see her soon 🙏🙏

Thanks for taking your time and for the precious information. I do live in Thailand but most of your advice fits here as well.

Salamat Mark …spot on as always…it took be getting burned once to find the right Filipina…sorry to miss you when i was there last month…hope we can meet you and Jen in Bacong where my fiancé lives …and we can catch up on things here in “The Ville “ so take good care and God bless my friend

Of all the videos I have watch,and trust me they have been many, some very good,but none has been better than yours sir,not even close,without this video,I see many costly mistakes I've made, I have repeat listening to this video several times to make sure I didn't miss none of this great advice,man you are good,you are really good,thanks for your awesome advice,you have saved me from being a BIG DUMMY...I appreciate you very much.

Thanks for the great insight’s Mark God bless

This is what people need to know about the Philippines. Thanks for sharing your perspectives

Thanks! I’m heading there in December and I appreciate the heads up.

Thanks Mark, from an Aussie ! Really practical

Great channel and your comments are on point. I'm a Westerner from USA and I moved to retire in the Philippines in 2016. I'm North of you in the Western Visayas about 50 miles South of Bacolod City. And your so right that you must have a plan before coming over to the Philippines for good. I grew up in So San Francisco and most of my neighbors were Filipino. So I knew and understood their culture. I met a woman online and we talk and write each other for over a year before I travel to the Philippines to meet her in person. She was an OFW working abroad and when we meet it just was perfect. After our vacation and our meeting in the Philippines she went back to work abroad and I came back to America. We finally decided to both retire and live together in Philippines in her province in 2016. And because I understood their culture and ways it has really worked out. I also came with sufficient pension and social security to live comfortably in the Philippines. It's a beautiful life and beautiful friendly people here. But you are so correct about people needing to have a solid plan when they think they want to come and retire here. The Philippines is incredibly beautiful, but it's not for everyone. 👍🇵🇭🇺🇲

Great video. Very informative and down to earth. Thx.

Sound advise. Thanks Much!

Excellent advice and recommendations!

Mark, many thanks for your most outstanding advice.

Awesome video and I am glad you spend so much time on financial matters and property matters.

Outstanding description of a roadmap to success and the pit common pitfalls. My wife is from Bacolod City, and I’m a potential expat. I am considering Cebu City or Dumaguete as a full retirement location. We happily live in Honolulu.

Very informative video. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Excellent , thank you

Good advice, Thank you Mark !

Thanks for the great information.

Excellent video, really important information.

All very good advice thanks

Mark, My 45 years in & out experience of the Philippines your advice is on target. Love your channel you always give great advice. You don’t pull any punches giving advice for other older folks who wants to retire in the Philippines. Please continue with your outstanding channel.

From Joe, A sincere thanks for caring for others.

Very objective and valid suggestions 👍

Excellent advice Mark, love your videos 😎

best advice video so far! respect man! great job!

Greetings Mark. Well said. One thing to add is when people here burn garbage and leaves or wood and the smell is terrible. That's my biggest problem as I despise the smell. Take care

Once again I thank you Mark.

Thanks for the excellent information and I will be following you!

Excellent video Mark! Everything that you mentioned is true. This certainly could be a go-to video for expats thinking of relocating to the PH🇵🇭. Thank you for doing this for us. Be safe and enjoy your evening tonight. 🌙⭐️🌙

Thanks for sharing.

Moving to the Philippines is an overwhelmingly stressful event. Planning, and making connections with trustworthy people already in the Philippines is the key. Having a couple of foreign guys that you have become really good friends with will be an invaluable source of support when you finally pull the trigger to relocate to the Philippines. Depending on your girlfriend that you met online for that much needed support is ill advised. Filipino's experience in planning is subpar at best.

Wow!@! I'm not moving to the Philippines, & yet, this is some fantastic advice. This video needs upvotes & traction. To help save the honest people who will very likely make all the mistakes discussed here.

Really good video particularly the section on clothing, just never crossed my mind,cheers

Thank you for this. Very informative.

Thank You for your honest input!

This is the best video on the Philippines ❤ thank you

12:40 - Great advice! I've experienced much of the same. From the debit/credit cards expiring, to the low water pressure. One thing you forgot to mention is that the land, and the building ON the land, are two separate entities, and not packaged together like it is in the USA. Foreigners cannot even own land, but they can own a building on a land (you can own a condo, but only if half of the condos in the building are owned by Filipinos). I know it's a weird concept for us Westerners, but it's how they do it here.

thanks for the video , really valuable information that can be used all over Asia

Thanks for the tips. Very good advice all the way around.

Very valuable content, thank you.

Thank you for the great information..

Hi Mark good to watch your video again. I’m from Vegas 🇵🇭🇺🇸

Great advice appreciated. All sold

You are so right about patience and raising your voice,I have lost my patience and raised my voice and regretted it every time.

Bravo... you've touched every nook and cranny any ExPats need to understand when moving to the Philippines! As far as not finding your clothe sizes, it is very cheap to have a local tailor make them for you..

Nice vidéo...and good advices..your Channel IS very helpfull..thanks very much..

No matter the situation (married or not), building for the family is a gift to the family. It is not a personal investment.

Great advice from a wise person.

Very informative my dear

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on your experience so far. Very informative.