Author: Reekay V.
Since 2012 I’ve been traveling through various islands of the Philippines as a full-time Expat and spent 1999 living in Vietnam.
Share with me my ongoing adventures of life in the Philippines. Hopefully you find my observations helpful in your own adventures.
— Reekay
https://www.tourism.gov.ph
https://psa.gov.ph/
https://travel.state.gov
— The Only Filipina Dating Site I recommend.. https://bit.ly/christian-filipina-dating
— For Expat Health Insurance in the Philippines, please contact Michael Onstad at;
https://www.facebook.com/monstad1 or email at; [email protected]
— How I send Money to the Philippines.. https://remit.ly/1amhoix
— Loctote Flak Sack Ⅱ – Anti Theft Backpack.. https://amzn.to/3tXuBDk
— Get a Quote on Expat Health Insurance.. https://bit.ly/expat-insurance-LBTSea
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— See this week’s most interesting comments/questions here..
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— “5-Minutes With Reekay” channel.. https://www.youtube.com/@5minuteswithreekay/videos
— My official FB Page.. https://www.facebook.com/reekay.new
— View My Videos by Category here.. http://bit.ly/reekays-video-playlists
— My “Heaven & Earth” Podcast Channel (theology)..
https://www.youtube.com/@heavenandearth-reekay/videos
— My Red-Pill Channel..
https://www.youtube.com/@mgtat.redpill
— My Book Summary Channel..
https://www.youtube.com/@ricksbooknotes/videos
If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support.
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I’ve already been to the Philippines. I’ll go again.
I spent 6 mths travelling and seeing a lot, in 22-23 want to see more SE Asian but I’ll be back to ph for more visits
Retired in August. Final purge of my Apartment this week. I fly out the following week.
expat .. that’s not on the agenda yet, first of all a longer vacation to make first hand experience in place and yes the ticked is booked already
Na…been there done it. Some expats better hope YouTube stays a thing. I think the Philippines is a good soft landing for you American guys or Europe for now. Best deal there these days is not just scraping by . Bud…people are talking about blowing up Irans oil fields. Smoke em if ya got em. I don’t think even Canada can save anything anymore. Your nature analogy was funny. Ya ya…Dumok and Gillad at Tinogra…Dumok and Gillad on the ocean. That was in a Star Trek episode. Haha. Here’s what’s going on in Canada…people want almost full price for used stuff . Then if they don’t get it…they throw it out to the curb..Imagine?haha. No country for old men like me…. Just joking . You take care Willard. It’s getting hairy all everywhere. I’m going to Pray for us all in a Pentecostal way. Signed the palup king. Haha. How can I help you? What do you want in the box…night vision? Just joking…all the best bud. Oh and so I don’t forget…maybe some of those visitors are Pinoy but got citizenship in another country. Came back to see the kids or mom or dole out some cash.
I’ve been probably ~10 times. First for work… we frequently flew through. Been 3 times on my own since.
Waiting for these bases in N Luzon to potentially open up… they will need my profession. And should be a prime area to get in on the ground level.
I like watching your videos, but I think Vietnamese women are far better looking. So guess where I’m going…
I plan to retire there, but I will have to rely on pension and inheritance to get there. This means that I will continue to live in the UK for up to 7 years before I can move. I grew up on a farm, so I’d prefer the provinces. I hope that I make it there one day…..
No
I think that a lot more guys see Thailand as a better retirement option.
Philippines seems mostly Americans
I’ll tell you what, man. Getting over there is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do in my life. Trying to sell all of my precious things and having to settle for thousands of dollars less. Going down that long list of arrangements. Getting that passport. And hoping that once I finally do get there, they will let me stay there so I never have to come back to the dis United States of America.
If you didn’t go for the first time 25 years ago, you missed it!
Unless you can find an inexpensive slow boat.
I have been there before and after Covid after Covid it has become a Prostitutes haven sadly
Been there and done that only 2 weeks ago!
Not only did I fly to the Philippines (rare), I married in one week after meeting. I guess that’s a record?
I was one of the guys that pulled the trigger after watching PH vloggers for a few months and speaking to Reekay and a few others. Soaking up tips and information. Then I spent 2 months in PH and loved it. Since returning home, all I think of is heading back permanently. Currently seeking a remote job to allow me to do so.
I’m from Canada and I went for 3 weeks last year….Beautiful coutnry…Beautiful people….Roughly 40% of people in America and Canada are $400 away from insolvency…..So, even if they have a passport, they can’t afford to go anywhere let alone overseas………
Was there in 2006, I had met a young lady on line and we had been talking online for about a year. I went over and fell head over heels in love with her. We were married in 2008 and she moved to the US with me in 2009. Eighteen years difference in age but we’re going on 17 years now and still happy!
I had thought about it but that whole thing about taking care of the wife’s famil Supporting them..
I’m going to Africa.
I wanna add one category for you.
Under 30 guys deciding if it’s a good long term decision for them.
I’ve been twice now by the time I turned 30. Probably for about 3 months combined and I have a US passport.
Didn’t find a wife material girl either trip. I talk to a lot of guys under 40 who travel and have the power to make it happen. And these guys are open to it over there, know a couple who got married to a Filipina. But the ones who don’t find that early (including me) start to second guess it.
Not knocking you BTW I fully agree with this take. Just wanted to add a younger perspective too
there’s gotta be some statistic stating that although less Americans are traveling to the Philippines after 2019, but MORE MONEY tranfers to the Philippines ie lonely men sending money to Filipinas
I visited 3 times in 2023, am I counted 3 times or just once?
I live in Valencia a suburb of Dumaguete Negros Oriental where 3 to 4000 expats live with 120K population and I traveled here several times and it took me almost 3 years to make the move. My best friend in USA who has a house in Talisay Cebu started me on the journey when he asked me to tag along with his wife and himself for vacation. my girlfriend in college junior and senior year was a filipina so i had some previous experience in dealing with her talk about her country. So it took many years to come and wish i had done it earlier as I knew from the first visit that i wanted to move there for a multitude of reasons. I suggest any guy Visit with Open mind and do it Now as you can always come later.
I went many times. Eventually stayed, got married, had babies, built a house. Now in process with USCIS to bring family to the States. USCIS/NVC process is not fun.
Also was there 2022 and twice in 2023 and will be there November 29 to December 31 2024. 1 week of that stay will be in Thailand
I’m 62 and hope to retire to the Philippines in about 5-6 years. All I really want is to spend what time I have left on this spinning rock is to have a simple, stress free life as reasonably possible. I’m divorced. I’m tired. I’m burned out. Finding a Filipina isn’t my primary goal but would consider it a bonus.
Hi good video. Am 40 in U.S. I plan to visit Philippines for first time ever in Spring of 25’. Def for two weeks maybe three weeks total if I push it. Overall, nice video sir.
Started in 2018 came back in 2019. Covid hit and was going in 2023 but my fiance got covid. Spent a month and got married in September 2024.
I live here… Now I need a good woman
Hello, where are these beautiful girls you always have in your videos. Are they personal meets, or Philippines models. Btw welcome back to vlogging, you are one of the first vlogger I use to watch years ago.. D
Will I fly? No need, because I am already here for the past 32 years. I left a well paid job in the pharma industry at the age of 38 in 1992 and relocated with my PH wife and then 7 year old daughter to my wife’s hometown. There have been tough times, but everything went to our plan eventually. So no regrets at all. I am sure, I would have had regrets, if I had delayed my relocation plans to after becoming a pensioneer. Especially in the light of what is going on now in the west…
I’m going to pull the trigger hopefully when I retire in 2years at 62, I had been planning to visit the Philippines in 2019,but we all know what happened with all the lock downs, it I want to retire at 62,will need to do so abroad, $$$$.
Great video.
It’s too far from New York so I don’t visit.
I have the boldness, but not the $$$(at this time). I have to wait about 5 years until I have the financial capacity to go and stay there.
No. I live in England UK. I was going to go to Philippines in a rubber dinghy. I’ve heard this entitles me to a free five star hotel, new clothes and an iphone.
Thank you for another great video! I have everything in place to come to the Philippines, but I’m concerned about the threat from China. Do you have any ideas about that?
Im sure mkst Westerners coming here from america are single guys, but how many are coming short-term or vacstioners with wife and kids with them that need to also be removed example me and my son 5 at the time came here in 2023 but a lot of men retiring with filipeana wifes and children all american are part of that number you are assuming to be juat single men the actual number of single men cominf here is probably way smaller like by half or 2 3rds
When the real estate market settles down to sell my house, about the time I get another year of driving, wrap it up, stop by PH for a bit and head on to Thailand and catch up with friends.
I’m one of the guys that retired in the Philippines and found a good relationship and I’m staying here. And so far I love it here and I would never move back to America.
He** I’m here now
Interesting stats Reekay!
Well I visited in January of 2015 to meet in person a woman I had been dating online. Sweet, but too young at 25 for me. Dated another Filipina online in February/ early March, but I broke it off, something wasn’t right with her intentions. Then in April I went back again after dating a third Filipina. I was 55, she was 37. I knew this was the one and we became engaged shortly after I arrived. Filed for the Fiancée visa the following week. Saw her again in May. Then she arrived in California in November 2015.
Wow. Nine years later and we are more in love than ever. We expect to move to the Philippines in 2025 so she can spend more time with family while I work remotely.
Been here almost a year. I can identify with the baby turtles!
I’m a 30+ US guy. I’ve traveled extensively and seriously considered retiring in PI. The reason for landing there was to allow me to retire much earlier. What stopped me is I found retiring in the US isn’t nearly as expensive as I estimated after some serious saving/investing over the decades and working hard to stay out of debt/live below my means. Anyway, the primary reason I didn’t retire there is the resources for the things I love to do are scarce or not available in PI. Some of my passions are simply illegal in PI (example any firearms related sport) . I’d miss them too much ..the tradeoff isn’t worth it.
Had I moved to PI, I probably wouldn’t get involved with anyone. One extremely bad marriage cured me of ever risking that much misery again.
One thing I seriously miss is cold weather. I’m strange that way. I’m outside a lot in the winter. Last winter even -26f cold didn’t stop me.
Please before you go to philipinese , visit other countries in southeast Asia, you might not settle in Philippines after all especially if you witness what other countries can offer you compare to the Philippines .
Spent the month of August 2024. I’m going back in May, 2025 for a minimum of a year, with the idea of moving there. Carpe Diem! Yeah, I loved it enough to do what’s necessary to make the move. I’m so wonderfully happy with this goal. Peace ☮️
Philippine Airlines has a sale for flights out of Seattle right now. For example a round trip coach ticket is $775. Business class is $2800 when everyone else is charging $4-5k.
5 trips since last September, got my ticket for November this year
I like watching these videos and I did get out there for two weeks. So not quite in that group of individuals who make it long term. But I can at least say that and will likely come out again for a longer timeframe; one or two months to start. The biggest part was just getting there. It felt so far off and exotic before landing. But I saw enough to want to come back before committing long term. Thanks for the motivation and please continue the great videos. If I’m way off base, feel free to call me on it! Best.
I almost made it. The food and the infrastructure are difficult to overlook, although I do think Makati or BGC could be acceptable.
Instead, I’m going to Thailand in January as my 1st SE Asia scouting mission. Depending upon those impressions, I’ll do another trip before I finally retire in September. Might just be the Philippines? The ease of English is surely an appeal.
A small percentage of a large population (USA) is a still a very large number infiltrating a destination population of one third it’s size. (Philippines). And the majority of expats are attracted to the Philippines because they are failed alcoholics that have nothing to loose by leaving their country…… Rule number one about finding a paradise, DON’T TELL ANYBODY ELSE! Lol.
However Chinese are looking for young women
Just as in the PH if you are over 30 you are considered a leftover women
Thanks for all your interesting videos! In a week I‘ll come to the Filipines for three weeks, for the first time. The flight to Manila is booked, everything else is open. Maybe I take the bus to Cebu and look there for a dentist. I come with open mind and eyes, not too big expectations and very much look forward to this journey. Kind regards from Alsace, France. Christian.
In Duma now. Here till May this year
Great statistics breakdown. A lot of volggers makes it seem lots of guys are coming to the Philippines to visit or move there. Which is not the case
Interested in how many that were going to Philippines are now opting for cheaper alternatives like Vietnam and Cambodia. I had Phils at top of my list for quite some time but have decided when I pull the trigger I’ll be going to Siem Reap, Cambodia first.
Going back for my fourth trip in a few weeks. This time looking at places to buy a condo.
I have traveled in thirty countries so far and filipinas are the most feminine women I have found so far.
Its all depends who gets elected in November. I may have to find another country to survive and live.
I made it from the U.S. twice in 2023. And, in 3 days I am marrying a Filipina who is now in the U.S. I see many more trips back to the Philippines in the future for us.
Yes I’m going just about every 3 months so far
I met my wife in 2015 online. Then I flew in 2016. I courted her for three years. Flying every six months and staying in the Philippines Airbnb for two weeks. I did the K1 visa. We are happily married with a 4 year old. Don’t wait for luck, create your own luck. It’s not expensive. Airbnb condos are super cheap, I usually paid $330 for two weeks . Food is cheap, only the airplane ride is a little expensive. Best decision I ever made was to fly to the Philippines to meet my future wife. Good luck to everyone who is entertaining the idea of meeting a Filipina in person.
I’m 29 5,8 170 pounds kind of look skinny but make really good money. Also have 4K passive income a month available to boot. Half considered living there now lol.
Well… I’m pretty sure, statistically-speaking, I’m one of a kind. I’m moving there with my two teenage daughters and my ex. And no, I don’t work for a company sending me there, I’ll do this because I want to.
Fortunately enough, I have an excellent relationship with my ex and we believe it’ll be good for our kids to spend their teens in the Philippines, studying remotely, learning English, and opening their minds to another culture and easy to understand life.
And, of course, her daddy will be getting himself a girlfriend.
But trust me, I didn’t come to this decision or gotten the means to make it happen, overnight. Hell no.
Been thinking of ‘living happily ever after’ in the Philippines. I’m a 75 y o widower and looking after my 102 y o mother and saving up for a 4 week holiday late next year to test the waters.
Worked out that I can live comfortably on my pensions.
Regular listener to Life beyond the Sea. Thanks for your candid and wise posts.
God willing, Philippines here I come.
I met a Thai girl online and flew to meet her. We are now married and living in southern California.
Is there an age and gender breakdown for tourist statistics? Males over 30 from United States are what percent of the 18% of the 3.8 million?
I visit PH every six months… sometime more.. I was in relationships with filipina before.. amazing people.. Even I dont stay permanently, i consider home away from home. I am 63 widowed having 19 year old gf.. we work together pretty well. age gap is not barrier. Most important thing I have budget for each trip and spend within the budget and enjoy life fullest.
27 year old American here. Looking at traveling to the Philippines once this crypto bull run is over next year
I plan on going after Trump is president again
I’ve been listening for about a year now but haven’t been. Staying away from the websites thanks to you. I plan to visit in 2025 but the length of flight is my current roadblock. I fly regularly but past the 4-5 hour mark and I start to feel anxious. It’s my goal to overcome this
I’ve been planning my retirement in ph since 2000 . I’ll b there in 2026 for a month than permanent in 27 .
My finances r in order , just waiting to reach 55 to collect pension & 401 .
I’ll b in touch for consultation in 2027.
Of course the closer Countries can visit more. We are far away.
My money’s not right . Yet . But when it is, I’ll but the coffee
I’ll get there. Just waiting for the former marital house to sell.
I was there in December 23, and May 24 and I will be back in December 24.
Flying there for the 3rd time next month…
I’m an American over 30, plane ticket in hand. First time to go there, very excited!
Well, I got my passport a few months ago so I’m planning on going somewhere but for me I’m looking at building up to 6 months away and 6 months back home here in Canada. It works out well my winter Nov-April and from what I understand those a the best months in the Philippines/Thailand. Honestly if I want to keep my house I have to work another 2 years. I was planning to sell and retire next spring ( just spent 4 months fixing/trashing/painting/selling items) but I’m wavering on that, I’ll never live anywhere nicer over here once I sell so maybe I gut out a couple more years in the old factory ( 43 years Oct 26 making bumpers in crappy old Oshawa Ontario).
Coming to Cebu December 5th for a week.
Planning to early retire in one year and move to the Philippines permanently
I want Vietnam or Thailand… better food& internet etc..etc
Had tickets & housing all set up for 4 weeks but the night before talks with the filipina had me cancel all plans. She wanted to hold my passport for security while I was here and made some comments over how much I was carrying into the airport. She hinted on an actual budget for the 4 weeks that I should bring and a location she wanted to get to that she had never been. Also wanted to know if I could carry her cousin during the visit. Too many variables and only voice & video calls up until then.
I thought it all a bit strange (Gut feelings) so I cancelled the flights and housing (Airbnb) was a wash and not recoverable. My next attempt will be solo without any meetings with anyone upon arrival. I’ll be a tourist doing touristy things and if something else transpires then I can judge it at that time. Keep my expectations managed and the adventure as a top priority. Thanks for this episode !
Great video, Reekay. Thanks for the numbers breakdown. Due to all the vloggers, I wrongly assumed it was mostly Americans there. I plan to be in PH soon. And yes, I’ll be in the tiny subset that actually stays.
Thanks Reekay you’ve reinvigorated me.
VERY INTERESTING STATISTICS. THANK YOU!
The Philippines isn’t even in the top 5 most popular expat location for westerners. But if you look at the number of subscribers of the top Philippine expats youtubers, 685k is a multiple of them.
Never visited, prefer Thailand
Passport Bros
vs.
YouTube dreamers 🙂
Made it once to Samar near the capital of Samar. I love the people but not the conditions. I would need a slightly more modern.
Yes, moving to the Philippines fly in end of this month
In Cebu now.
Interesting statistic’s. Bought a ticket last Tuesday , be in Manila in a few month’s. See if all these bloggers are right about the Philippines.
I’m a 2%-er. wow! jumped in and visited my GF in October 2023 (met online previous June). Two weeks of bliss! visited again in Feb and June this year. We are engaged now. Next visit next month, and I will retire there early 2025. life is good!! take the trip fellas!!!!
On my fourth trip. I’m staying…
refreshing to hear the numbers broken down :)…for me im 50ish and blessed to have some VA service connected disability help ( about 1k), but need to fine a way to make i guess about another 1000 a month to make it happen, well and have some $ saved to….i could sell my coffee buisness for nest egg but i dont think that last till social security or 10 or so years…online buisness ideas anyone?
One reason a Canadian guy I know wants to go but doesn’t is because it is such a long flight.
Realistically, I am flying there in about 2 weeks. I plan to stay for several months, but not forever. If I find someone great, if not great. I will enjoy scuba diving and whatever else I can get into and see as much as possible. I love that I have a job I can take months off at a time and the only thing that stopped me from going before was the relationships I had in the West. I don’t know what category I fit into, but traveling and seeing the world is one of the greatest things any human can do. You really appreciate what you have when you see how other people live. You also learn what is really important in life. I do love your content and help. Keep it up.
Exellent analysis.
Wow, It’s that rare, I’ve been to the Philippines over 4 times since 2008, and like I’ve said times before L am making moves to make the next trip the last one by retiring there, now the process is a little different than just visiting, because I am selling 95% of my items that I own here, with only a few things l will keep in storage just in case the worst case scenario happens and I will have to come back, I will have a “starter” kit of items I can just get back so I can integrate by in U.S. living standards again. I think with the climate over here especially in the U.S. as polarizing things are, more guys will take the plunge But so many guys don’t have pension’s anymore I have been lucky to have worked in an industry that gave me one. So I have a pension with SSI , it’s the transition to be there permanently is the unknown factor to me, I want to treat it like me simply moving to another town but I don’t want to oversimple the process but also not overcomplicate it either
I understand that I have to switch my finances to a different way I conduct my bills and spend money but (this is to other guys who are thinking about doing it) . This content creator and others are out there and will help if asked, they won’t give you money but they will help with you finding your 1st rental, how to file for your visa extensions and even advice on the dating do and don’ts so all you have to do is take the plunge. I am waiting to renew my Drivers license and a few others so I won’t have to fly back to do it later and by the time I’ll have to renew it again, I will be used to living in the Phils, but have a backup plan for if it doesn’t work as well guys. As far as dating goes, I will take the hosts advice, take a lot of time to get to know the woman before committing to a long term relationship and I won’t be on any dating sites
Question: what portion (let’s use a %) of the Philippines economy is reliant upon the visits of foreign nationals?
Excellent statistical analysis. I made it to the Philippines January 2024. I will be back soon.
How many returns after the first visit?
I disagree about the online dating comment, yes its a given u have to filter hard online, but I did meet some good women online, sadly no long term GF yet, will consider the more direct approach, but ain’t got much game so find it very difficult to make that 1st approach, will give it ago if the opportunity presents itself
I’ll be back in November for the fourth time. Only a few months away until I retire there. Thanks for the quality information!
Making my 2nd trip this Wednesday.
Im from Puerto Rico i plan to visit phili in early 2026
Made it twice in 2023. I’ll be back again in November for 4 months. 😀
I’m glad you did this vid and I am going if Trump gets to be President and China calms down . I have a great retirement, know Phillipinoes here that want me to go there with them to get me started. Great video
I was there in June ans stayed in Cebu for a month. I have a ticket to return for two weeks in December.
June 2024 visit was awesome! I loved the Philippines.
Many live the dream via Reekay’s channel
Made up my mind in August, got my passport in Oct, made my flight and Abnb reservations. Looked up a couple gals online, chatted them up. Spent a couple weeks in CDO in Feb, got back to States, put in my retirement. I have all my documents for SRRV now, and house up for sale. Departure date is end of March 25. Only thing left is police check after first of year, since they are only good for six months. To be honest, I knew I wanted to leave the country, I have been looking for about 2 years for a location.
As long as you keep putting out content and mention Perris, California every once in a while, I’ll at least visit the PH.
I am also dabbling in Tagalog so I will definitely use it at some point.
I visited the Philippines in September for the entire month, and I absolutely enjoyed every minute!!!
https://www.tourism.gov.ph
https://psa.gov.ph/
https://travel.state.gov
— The Only Filipina Dating Site I recommend.. https://bit.ly/christian-filipina-dating
— For Expat Health Insurance in the Philippines, please contact Michael Onstad at;
https://www.facebook.com/monstad1 or email at; [email protected]
— How I send Money to the Philippines.. https://remit.ly/1amhoix
— Loctote Flak Sack Ⅱ – Anti Theft Backpack.. https://amzn.to/3tXuBDk
— Get a Quote on Expat Health Insurance.. https://bit.ly/expat-insurance-LBTSea
— Want a private online consultation? Contact me at; https://www.facebook.com/reekay.new
— See this week’s most interesting comments/questions here..
https://www.youtube.com/@Lifebeyondthesea/community
— “5-Minutes With Reekay” channel.. https://www.youtube.com/@5minuteswithreekay/videos
— My official FB Page.. https://www.facebook.com/reekay.new
— View My Videos by Category here.. http://bit.ly/reekays-video-playlists
— My “Heaven & Earth” Podcast Channel (theology)..
https://www.youtube.com/@heavenandearth-reekay/videos
— My Red-Pill Channel..
https://www.youtube.com/@mgtat.redpill
— My Book Summary Channel..
https://www.youtube.com/@ricksbooknotes/videos
If you find my content helpful, I appreciate the support.
https://bit.ly/thanks-reekay-lifebeyondthesea
JOIN as a Member to show your support for the channel!
https://bit.ly/JOIN-Reekays-LifeBeyondTheSea
_____________________________________________________________________
This channel contains affiliate links that support the channel at no
extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!