After 9 months living in the Philippines these are my honest thoughts before I head home... 

Thanks for watching! ➔SafetyWing low cost travel insurance: bit.ly/44DPvrn ➔Philippines travel essentials: www.amazon.com/shop/chadfosterexplores ➔Dating site for serious relationships: christianfilipinadating.com/chadCF1

I'm 54 and my wife and I are VERY worried about our future, gas and food prices rising daily. We have had our savings dwindle with the cost of living into the stratosphere, and we are finding it impossible to replace them. We can get by, but can't seem to get ahead. My condolences to anyone retiring in this crisis, 30 years nonstop just for a crooked system to take all you worked for.

The reason why women in the Philippines are wary of dating is because culturally it is a huge social step. Dating in the Philippines is different than it is in the west. The act of meeting a man in public for a potential romantic relationship is basically the woman announcing to the world that she is interested in you. That is a big deal for women in the cities, imagine how huge a deal that is in the provinces and smaller towns where everybody knows her. A woman trying to be discreet does not mean she is trying to scam you. She's trying to protect herself in case things down work out.

You are right. The more cautious girls are harder to get but they are the good ones

He is right about the real gem of a Filipina. They won’t approach you because we are supposed to be that way…… if they do, they are probably desperate! Take it slow, you will know if you stay there for a while. If you found one gem, you have a loyal partner FOR LIFE. I am a Filipina living in the US for 29 years.

If you're respectful, Filipinos will love you. It's simple!

I am here in the Philippines now. What he is saying is most definitely true. Yesterday my brother-in-law and I were at the doorway at the SM mall in Iloilo. We were waiting for our wives and the policeman offered us 2 chairs to wait for our wives. We have been here for over one month and in the middle of our stay we went to South Korea for 5 nights and 6 days! We had a blast!

Philippines is not a perfect country, but you are absolutely right we are welcoming people. I live in Vancouver and it’s so expensive here.

Thank you for painting a very realistic picture of us, Filipinas. I do hope you find what it is you’re looking for. 😊

Thank you for visiting our country❤❤❤ May God bless you🌷

I came to the Philippines this past February and I absolutely loved it! What you said about the vibe that’s really it! The people are great. I like the food the overall lifestyle the public transportation I actually loved all of it. And I can’t wait to get back there, I’m just starting out with RU-vid and I documented some of my trip. But I have a lot more to go. Thanks for all your videos. I really appreciate your style.

One outstanding memory of the Filipino people is one day we were taking a tricycle to a local taxi yard in Talisay, south of Cebu City. My Filipina wife said stay in the tricycle and there was one taxi driver in the yard near the entrance, he had his car running with the hood up and him and I guess a mechanic were looking or working on his car. My wife went up to them and asked if he was available and he basically ignored her and said no he wasn't available (he was more interested in working on his car). A few moments later the driver looks and sees me in the tricycle and tells my wife yes he can give us a ride. Obviously he was hoping for a tip and I gave him a tip because taxis are so cheap in the Philippines compared to here in Florida. Its nice to be looked up to by the locals and treated like a king...lol Am surprised that a lot of vloggers will put their personal life in the vlogs and think if it was me, would not do so. Completely understand why, if you keep your personal life private. Thanks for sharing, Chad...Jim

Hey Chad, awesome to see your channel growing! Almost 50k subs ... I remember when it was 1k!

I have lived in the boonies with my Filipina wife and our family for the past 4 +years. We own property, have a business and a decent income. We came here from HK, where we lived well, but chose to live a life with less stress, here in the Philippines with our family. We have no budget because we don't need one, since our income exceeds our expenditure. The kids are in education and are doing ok. We take domestic and overseas trips and have a happy life with one another.

I’m glad you have enjoyed yourself so much while you have been there and travel as safely back to Canada as possible. I’ll be in the Philippines for my first boots on the ground this August to mid September! So looking forward to it. You’ve helped me a bunch along the way learning from your experience and journey! Peace ☮️

I was in Manila taking a taxi to the airport. We were pulled over at a check stop. The police asked where I was going, I said the airport. He told the driver to turn around and take me to the airport lol

I believe the focus before getting to the Ph is to learn at least 50 to 100 every day phrases that include verbs and some form of conjugation. Then learn 2-300 basic words to include items, animals, colors, and shapes as well. This will set you apart from the tourist vibe, it shows massive respect to the Filipino people and their culture and will excite them to share more with you than they already would. If you seek to blend into the culture first all the things travel bloggers realize, after months and years of hopping around, will come faster when your presence is normalized. You won't be the newest "ooh ahh" but a member of the community. Realistically most men going there aren't socially skilled and the oddities most men would find with foreign women is more common with awkward men so that's why they're overwhelmed by the attention. If you've not traveled either you're most likely going to stick out as well. Don't go over the top and try and greet everyone with more energy than you're used to, it'll drain your social battery faster and likely cause you to be more reclusive in a foreign country. Do find a spot, bar, church, market, etc that has an environment you enjoy and there focus you time and energy. Make an effort to learn names, get close to one or two families and ask if they'll help you learn their culture. Use your skills and talents to help people, do not try to fix things with your wallet, whatever your budget is live under it and tell people that you're on a budget when asked for something. Ask if there are other ways to help instead of money. The one method I continually repeat on these types of Vlogs is to offer people work instead of a loan or what not. Tell them you don't have the budget to pay them but say I have laundry that you take to the cleaners or need help buying things from the market. You will find out if they're looking for a freebie or the need is real. Owning a scooter means you're doing well, owning a car means you're upper class. Eating in restaurants is also a status symbol, eating at local street vendors is what the better off locals do. Learning about holidays and festivals and how they're celebrated is another great way to immerse into the culture. Learning what is unique and special to them that most tourists wouldn't will also go a long way to winning their respect and trust. Learning the sense of humor is probably one of the biggest ins to any culture. Find a couple Filipino comedians and learn what gets people to laugh. I just a few months you can easily find yourself in with the community as if you've always lived there. How you respond and relate to people is more important than anything. If you make them the focus and not your happiness I guarantee your own level of life satisfaction will soar.

Very, very well said Chad about the front-line girls. All the other bloggers telling guys the foreigner is the prize is nonsense. They are the prize only to the low-value front line girls. The truly very good, high value girls are the big prize for a foreigner, consider yourself lucky to get one, you better be a high value person yourself to get one.

It's the same all over the world: if they're fast and loose they are fast to lose.....

With the peso rate at P58+, right now, that’s better than the P54 rates of 2005!

Nice vid. I’ve traveled extensively in The Philippines, met lots of great people and I totally agree with your position.

Enjoyed the vid Chad. Good analogy with the 'front lines' easy pickens vs being patient for the rignt one in the 'back lines' that may take time.

Good video! Thanks ~

Yea I'm on a circa 1500 to 2000k budget too. Moderate spending. One can have a decent life in the Philippines, Thailand etc. Thais have for the most part been friendly to me.

Chad, that was the best summary of real life in the Philippines I've ever heard. Well done.

Retired Civil Service & Military New Yorker and I love your channel. Like your vibe, you tell it like it is and very informative. I’m 2 years away from collecting SS, and I plan on making the move. Things here in the US are crazy and I want to be anywhere but here.

You come across as someone who is a decent person who treats others with respect and that is the reason why Filipinos come across as friendly to you. But there are many foreigners, mostly Americans, who come to the Philippines with an attitude. As soon as they arrive, they think Filipinos as being inferior and subservient to them. A lot them don’t realize that some of the Filipinos they encounter are probably better educated and wealthier than them.

Hey Chad, I've been following you since your first video blew up in PH and congrats on 1.5 years now in the Philippines! That's awesome. Love your content and advice and especially your travel related videos!

Wow... great vid!!! Very informative and you give a great perspective about your life there.

Subbed. I'm very curious about Cebu city. I've been working in IT since 1988. Before Covid, I worked as a sys/admin for a call center. I worked the same hours as the ladies in Cebu city. Loved talking with them. Many spoke perfect English, which amazed me. We'd work and chat. I'm retiring next summer and am going to move to the PI. Spent time at Subic back in the late 80s, early 90s. Loved it.

I appreciate your vids and viewpoint. I have visited both Thailand and Philippines a few times and deciding where to move next year. I am 90% certain it will be Thailand due to better infrastructure (power, internet, streets, public transport, etc) but I do see the appeal of Philippines too. I likely live in Thailand but keep visiting different islands in Philippines each year. I hope you keep finding happiness there

I live as a nomad on my bike throughout SEA. Learn how to repair puncture and change drive belt on the side of the road. Learn the tool you need. If chain drive, take chain and learn how to change to adjust. Main things that go wrong on bike. Everything else can wait until come out of jungle

Im happy for you man! And I agree, some foreigners who comes over to the philippines tried to live like a king then complaint 2k dollars per month isnt enough. 2k a month in cebu is a lot unless you go for many luxurious hotels and restaurants. 2k in philippines can make you do everything you want without working as long as you know your limitations. Foreigners who spend more are living the lavish lifestyle they couldnt do in their home country and expect they could do it in the philippines. Yes they could but it depends on the level of luxury.

That’s not my experience with the police. I was there for 3 months, and rented a car for 2 weeks. Once in Manila and the next day in Cubic Bay, I was stopped for being in a turning lane that had no notice it was a turning lane, and the other for stopping ON the white line at a stop light. Once you hand them your license they won’t return it until you pay them off. The stop in Manila had 7 police taking turns fleecing people. It turned me off from ever living there full time. But, it’s a great place to visit.

My future Philippine wife said if you want “many kids you must own a rice field “ …..so we bought a rice field

The cost to do your adventures in the Philippines is so much cheaper compared to other places in the world. For instance, to go scuba diving in Mexico cost several hundred dollars. In the Philippines, which offers better scuba diving experience, it will cost no more $50. Philippines is rated by many scuba diving organization and magazines as the best in the world.

Still need to be careful especially traveling to Mindanao. Ozamis City a few weeks back had a foreigner shot dead. From the Visayas north you're pretty safe but be extra cautious further south and west.

Keeping ur personal life to yourself other than ur family n friends is the safest thing!

With regard to DATING - - - once you meet a good lady you like, learn to know the ways of courtship, i think she will appreciate it a lot.

This man speaks the truth. I have lived in Southern Brazil for over a year and a half now. Pretty much all of the same principles apply here as well. I would say one of the things he mentioned at the top of the list is cost of living for someone coming here from North America or Western Europe. The cost of living and how far your money goes here is amazing. If you are frugal you can do it on $1000. per month. If you want to go to nice restaurants and date pretty young woman and have a lot of fun, then $2000. per month will cut it. I live a short block from the ocean and have a nice three bedroom two bath with ocean view on the top floor, in one of the best beaches in Brazil. I would be in a studio apartment in a not so great part of town if I was back in the good old USA. It would be very hard to go back to that hustle.

100% support you keeping relationships and personal things off here, not why I subscribe. Looking forward to seeing more places and events happening there. If you're seeing someone and she happens to be caught in some footage, just say she's a tour guide 😂

That was a great topic. Thanks and be blessed 👍

The point is that prices wherever you've come from are going up too! Living in Manila, compared to living in London, is far far cheaper. I've lived here for more than 11 years, in total, and have spent the last 36 years in SE Asia. Married a Filipina decades ago and have a 27 year old son now! The only place I would consider living, long term, apart from Philippines, is Vietnam. We spent 6 years living in Bangkok, from 2013-19, and just got fed up with the immigration hassle. Having to report every 90 days was just a huge pain in the ass.

I admire your perspective in life living in the Philippines. Wish you the best in your journey. I miss the country so much.

You look better and happier Chad. Take your time and enjoy your life in the Philippines. You’ll meet a good Filipina wife. Maybe you can try to explore Lipa city Batangas. Beaches are awesome. I have a tiny house in Lipa. I’m still in Washington state and planning to go back and visit. Thanks for your video.

I meet my fiance online and we did ldr for 1 year before we met inperson in the Philippines. Been 3years and still together 😊

I am in Tanauan close to tacloban, leyte. The warmth of the people in the whole country is amazing. Thanks for the positive content and for not slamming the exs 👌. Great job

Just a friendly suggestion, spending sometimes with the needy, i mean the really needy, poor people, the orphans, visiting hospitals ,prisons, praying for people and giving them something to eat ...thats is the real joy. Joy that only true service can give and heaven recognize. Dont be problematic about a partner because God will take care of it if you put God first in everything you do

Thank you for being here

Yeah,for u guys from the US,Canada, Australia,etc,u would be treated like coutomers in the first-class,but not for all kind of foreigners,the phillipinos are quite realistical,who differentiate foreigners into several different levels in their hearts clearly.

Good chanel ,no sugar coating BS , You have good approach,better to know Phillippines and they culture first rather than jumping in the relationship. You may found someone even without looking just doing your own things .

Hope you find that fulfillment.. Thanks for sharing!

Im a 36 year old guy who plans to go down and live on 1200 dollars a month there soon, life is going nowhere and bored out of my mind here at home.

Thank you for being quiet about some dating relationships and also so respectful. We get what you are explaining the frontline girls compared to the back end line reserved ladies who are in for the long run. Luckily, there are many, but hard to find. They will take care and support you all the way.✌🇵🇭🇺🇸

Great channel : articulate , upbeat, informative and well brought up 👍👍

If you are a single guy and are interested in meeting an Asian lady. It's better in the Phillipines because they speak English. You can choose your mate based on her character. In other countries where English is not so prevalent you must choose from the small percentile of ladies that speak English. So 100% of Filipina women speak English compared to 3 to 5% in Thailand.

I always appreciate your videos. Coming to Philippines in July. Would be awesome to run into you to learn/experience “boots on the ground” with you. Appreciate your channel. Thanks

I am a routine person as well. I will probably choose to live there for 9 months soon. I made my first trip last December to Philippines. (Calbayog City to meet my gf for the first time)

You want to meet the right woman? Go to church every Sunday attend Mass.

Thanks for your positive outlook of the Philippines. I checked out your last vlog when you visited your brother in Canada and you mentioned the negative side of the Philippines. Not a problem simply because as far as I know ...no country is perfect.

Wow what a stay. Thank you for staying in the Philippines for 9 months. Hope that you will choose Philippines as your retirement haven.

Chad you seem like a very nice guy. Just remember there are a lot of haters waiting to "try" to take you down.

Good points on ph women on dating.

No it's pricey to book a flight if you book it a day or 2 before I learned that really quick

Great advice and perspectives. Love the info!

Looks amazing, relocating to Manila after summer and this seems fantastic 🔥🌄😊

Thanks Sir for your great appreciation here in our country,welcome, stay safe and Godbless u always 🇵🇭🙏

Been living in Cebu 8 months. I've never felt so welcomed, appreciated, and loved like I do in PH. Travel a lot, just returned from Siquijor. Lived 4 months in Mandani Bay Suites, just moved by Alaya. I looked at Calyx and Sedona Park - IMO the units are too small to stay long term, great pool though. My budget: $1500/mo in PH, $1500/mo. for various travel. No one is "living like a king for 2K or even 3K. In the US, you need 15K to "live like a king" so what makes people think you need 2K in a place like PH? LoL

You call it a privilege, for us it is one of the Fil traits to make visitors (local or foreign) to feel comfortable considering they are new to the place and yes we are happy to help most of the times, as long as we are being respected as well ( we all wanted to be treated well ),

You are learning Chad, good advice on finding a right Filipina and to avoid scammer Filipina 😊

Great video, Enjoyed all the info.

Gr8 Work. Thx a Ton for the Post.

Thanks for a very informative video and comprehensive summary 👏

Wow! A cool, smart, educated guy! Good vid.

Hey Chad, great Vlog as always great points I’m coming down to the Philippines and December over the holidays into January. I’m gonna be in Philippines for five weeks for the first time so I’m going to experience this and I’m gonna do some island hopping and meet my Filipina for the first time. So thank you for all the points. I’ll take note in all the information that you have given.

You are a solid person, Chad. I'm glad to have found your vlog. I agree and you're being wise and are on the right track. Keep up the good attitude and you will be rewarded, I'm sure.

Take care on all your travel in the Phils. Be alert and observe your surroundings.

Expat 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 lives in Colombia 🇨🇴 on $1500 well may move to the Philippines live in both countries 👍

Very good video. Wish you the best! ☀️👍

The true Filipina gem will not be too interested with you. She is very cautious. An advice will be is to get to know her family. Courting in the Philippines is a long traditional process if you foreigners will like to meet to true Filipina gem.

Love your channel..im a fan..I think your right to keep your relationship in private and focus in your travels,places,tips and adventures..keep it pure..

Dating Battleground is a very good description 😄. Wish you all the best to win this battle!

cebu looks like Makati now. my first time it was the wild west in 1980. by the way your awesome. I got a scooter hire for Mactan and Bohol............i am 60 and they still treat us lovely and respectfully i stepped up my game in 1996 married into a good family. and I still work within there business.

Very well explained. Thank you. 👍

Hi thanks for visiting my country and at the right time you will find the right woman for you.

Well spoken. Good job. Thanks,

Only the most virgin Pacific Ocean 🌊 water 💦 that enters the Philippines and exits to various Asian countries due to the rotation of the earth 🌎🌍. Love the Philippine beaches! Same is true about air.

Cost of living depends on where you live. I get sick to my stomach just thinking of going back to the states and doing the stressful lifestyle all over again...

I first went manila 1991 very different now

That's my old home last year , The Caylex Residences, my favorite place , tell the front desk Charlie says hello 😊

Thank you for covering the vibe. I have the money figured out (no problem) but what is it really like? This is hard to contemplate not being there. I am a deep thinker and so I like to think it all through. I'm doing back of the napkin calculations on how to keep a small footprint home here in TX and then slow travel over to SE Asia to "try before you buy" or perhaps just enjoy being in both worlds for the next few years.

It's time out go check out more better and developed countries and explore the world a bit more. Lots to see out there. Perhaps go to a safari in Africa, go to China, see eastern Europe, etc. Even Antarctica.

Yes I agree with you on all that. Im 32 and this October be my third time there. I already have two moters. Opens so much freedom, go anywhere you want! Just got to be safe and know the risk of driving there! Guys looking for ladys you will find one trust me!

Good luck in your journey...words of wisdom

I am very familiar with what your saying and I was living in cebu city just now for one year and have travels around! Dating is definitely a grind there and I found a girlfriend after like 9 months and got very lucky because she just signed up on a dating site never been on one before and never dated a foreigner before. I dated a few other ones like that also but I just wasn’t interested so yea it’s a huge grind dating and also depends how old you are and how you look has to do with the quality of girls you’ll get. There is many guys there now hunting as well. With the being said I have Philipines set up as my home base and I will be traveling and working when ever I want to leave there to thialand for a month Bali a month.

Watching you here in Edmonton🥰Never been home for 10 yrs. I hope you enjoyed every bit of everything! It's still more fun in the Phils.🇵🇭 Take care...

Hey Chad, good video.

He's a Chad in the Philippines.

Another great video Chad

The easy girls are not worth it. So patience is the key. Women who have good values takes time.