How To Live Large, But Spend Small in The Philippines 

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Hi there. I’ve followed your channel for years and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to comment with something useful. I know you favor BGC and always assumed you did not bring up Eastwood City due to it being smaller in size. I spent 18 days in Eastwood City in November 2023 checking out the town as a possible retirement destination. Here’s what I loved about Eastwood City and why I prefer it to BGC: 1) The color palate of the buildings are more earth tones, and the buildings have a lot more stone in them. It’s a more traditional natural look to my eyes compared with glass and steel in BGC. Visually it's more appealing to my tastes than BGC. 2) You can get to almost anything you need in the rain and not get wet. Lots of covered sidewalks and pedestrian bridges. 3) Everything you need is no more than 8 minutes walking distance; grocery stores, a mall, a movie theater 4) You only need to go to one spot to see the events that are going on. Of course there will be fewer things to see overall than BGC but if you want something to do you just have to walk to one spot. 5) The Legrande 2 and Legrande 3 towers feature 2 story loft apartments with 2 story glass walls that are unlike anything I have seen advertised in BGC or Makati. The rents are very reasonable. 6) I never had to wait in line to get seated at a restaurant for lunch or dinner. Another RU-vidr who lives in BGC reported that he always plans his lunches in BGC because of the lines. 7) Eastwood City has much less traffic noise than BGC. It’s not large enough for traffic to go fast and for some reason people don’t blow their horns as much as in BGC. You mentioned in one of your videos that BGC makes a for a great "soft landing" in the Philippines, agreed. While on a smaller scale I think Eastwood City does the same thing. I hope this information will be helpful to you and your viewers.

I walked around Eastwood too. Its very family friendly. The bars are very few but they look open all day because the call centers are open 24 hours. Having office workers walking around 24 hours felt safe.

BGC is my destination. I am not going to travel 8600 miles just to live in the woods and mountains. I will travel to those places.

Also, by hiring househelp you are directly helping jobless people and their families. That type of help allows them to send money to the province, pay for their childrens education etc. Its hard to find work for people in the lower class.

Love your content!

Love your breakdowns… I do want to add that I lived in Cebu for a year and a half. Currently waiting on a condo to finish being built. But you need to understand that the healthcare is quite bad there. My wife was pregnant and we went to Cebu Doctors Hospital… old equipment. Not the cleanest. All doctors are in their 20’s or 30’s. Chong Hua was absolutely packed. If you’re retiring here, you’re most likely a little bit older and healthcare should be a concern. I can’t name a single hospital outside of the Metro Manila area that is even close to “western quality”. So just something to keep in mind.

Love this style of video! So much info in such a short timeframe. Keep on doing everything you do. Sending you hugs and Love ❤❤❤

Another great video Evan.

Great stuff! Excited to spend some time in BGC soon.

Great video

You are a man of leisure Evan.🏖 Thanks for the info.

Hi Evan, Another great video. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to touching base again soon. Plans are to be in BGC next April. The business wind down and shedding all the years of accumulated stuff is in process. Best regards, Kenn

Nicely done - I live in Manila, and now plan to check-out Eastwood on your recommendation - hotel for a few days for a break from my unit in Mandaluyong - cheers.

I have not forgotten about you. I am serious hoping to make the retirement move in 2025, next year. So, I will need your assistance. Even though I was stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines 🇵🇭 back in 1991. The military 🪖 took care of transitioning. Now, watching 👀 your videos for quite a while now. I feel you are a straight up legitimate young man 👨 that can make life easier for me. As a soon retired man 👨 of age 62. Eventually in CEBU, I would like to retire under the American Military 🪖 Philippines sponsored SRRV program. Once again, I thank you for this information 🙏 GOD SPEED to you and GOD SPEED PHILIPPINES 🇵🇭.

Let´s gooooooo

Savy expat!!!!

I will be doing this the first year staying. I'll be im cebu checking out mu condo this May. I can't wait.

I would like to see you interview the Digital Bromad. I believe you both can provide valuable insights on living the expat life in the Philippines.

I've used Google Street view and "Wandered Cebu City" around IT & Business Park. At about a ten minute walk outside those developments the Advertised Rental Prices can drop 20% or more. That said, I'll be getting a Rental Condo inside one of those developments in October 2024. 71 Work+ 21 Vacation/ 136 Calendar Days until Retirement.

Wow that’s awesome I would tip double if I’m able maybe more if I can afford it!

I see you living a good life. Meanwhile, yesterday I spent $35 on a haircut, $412 at the vet for my dog, and we haven’t eaten at a restaurant in over a year (no sarcasm)

Aloha Evan, I’d like your opinion on Davao please. Thanks 🙏🏼

when is the digital nomad visa available?

How much is a bodyguard ? I’m for real. Let’s say I wanna go to some dangerous areas which is a ton of places How much for a body guard and where do I get one?

As always you put out great content. My question today is was the price for maid services you mentioned for full-time or part-time?

Surprised you didn't mention Baguio City. There are many expats claiming it's almost perfect. You should visit and evaluate Baguio City updating your subscribers. I think your last review of Baguio city was during the Pandemic. An update would be very appreciated.

I heard the best financial budget advice for living in Asia, do a budget then double it.

The dream

Is Eastwood City about the same size as Ayala Mall-Cebu City Business Park? That’s really the only area worth hanging out at in Cebu City where all the best western amenities and nice condos are.

Where would I work and make US$ if i want to move back?

Medium or large coconut?

Evan, I believe you are a tennis player. I have seen you show covered hardcourts in BGC. I am looking for a place to play in or near BGC. Can you recommend a place? Thank you.

It's clear that the Philippines is cheaper. The more intractable problem for potential migrants (I wouldn't call them expats) is income -- how to make money while living there. Unless you've achieved your FIRE goals, this is a very hard problem.

Lol yes help is cheap around $6 to $8 a day comparative my Filipina wife here in the states makes in 10 hrs what she made a month working 8 to 10 hours six days a week😮 with insurance 401k and overtime Yes Philippines is nice when you live on USD but trying living on a PHP job there's No comparison!

Seriously when I retire and move to the Philippines, I’ll have roughly $6000+ income per month. No way do I plan to live in the jungle like some of these other expats like to do. I am just way too used to living a comfortable life to give that up in retirement.

Vacation maybe move

INFASTRUCTURE is misspelled

Any updates on the start dates for the digital nomad visa for Phillipines?

Gosh, I wish I could live with my parents, oh well...

You failed to mention how to sustain that certain lifestyle making "western income" in the Philippines.

Can you share the contact name and number for the on call driver?

I think there's a lot of guys in PH who needs help with their transition lol

I also didn't like Eastwood.

I lived in the Philippines for 9 months i just got back to Hawaii this month. I averaged $4k usd per month. Travelled all over the Philippines

Nothing compares to BGC ❤

strong dollar- weak peso, with a lower standard of living. thanks for coming to my TEDtalk.

You’re definitely overpaying for those services 🤣

Zzz can we just see you visit good places not talk about them

I put a Facebook ad for a housekeeper.. I was paying $130 a month for the maid to come 8 times per month, 6-10 hours per day. Got a ton of interest. Problem is, i didn't hire anyone. If you are dating one or two Filipinas your dishes are washed, house cleaned, laundry done, and food cooked for the next week. Like i really wanted to hire someone but it was completely unnecessary 😂

The food in the PH is awful compared to Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia but the people are awesome here and English is widely spoken so that’s the trade off.

U look different dude maybe Geting older

Texas roadhouse is more expensive in the Philippines, yet sucks. Actually almost all the restaurants in the Philippines suck.

Just moved to BGC! Looking forward on running into you bro👌

The worst food in the world. Go to Thailand instead.