As a Filipino living in Bay Area but raised and educated in the Philippines I have not forgotten my cultural orientation. If anybody wanted to go back and live or retire in the Philippines please do not bring your western values and entitlement. Filipinos have their own ways of living / social structure and we need to respect that. You do not impose your personal expectation from others. The Filipino culture uniqueness comes along with its pos and neg but in totality the contrasts is what makes the Philippines beautiful.
In case you didn’t notice, many rich local folks tend to imitate how Americans live, talk, acts or even jump into the whole “woke” culture. But I do agree that don’t bring American culture back home. But at the same time people should be able to live their lives how they want and it’s none of anyone’s business. It’s all about respect and space. I just find it hilarious that you felt the need to say people in the US, the same country you currently live, feels entitled. You’re no different from the people you’re badmouthing. It’s a bit hypocritical. 🤣 Cause I ca say it goes both ways. Filipinos who comes to the US love to bring their “pagka Filipino” with them.
This is just information related to the topic at hand, so please, no unnecessarily spiteful comments. My Filipina wife and I used to live in HK. We bought a 4-bedroom house in Antipolo - around 1-2 hrs from Manila - in 2017 for around USD80, 000. We then bought two more similar sized properties in 2018/19 and built some commercial property in a nearby town. The value of these properties has almost doubled. For example a similar house - but with less land - to the house we bought for 7.1 million PP in 2019 was recently sold for 13 million PP. Living in the semi-sticks is an advantage. Property values are going up because people working in Manila see it as a viable/convenient alternative to living in Manila. The climate is also much cooler, since we are quite high up, which is another advantage.
I just sold my San Franciso house (in Sunset area) for $2M, and my Nob Hill condo for $500k. SF is going downhill, crime and homelessness are out of control. Interest rates are high, sanctuary city, soft on crime, drugs , etc... I have condos in Makati, MOA, etc. I live in Las Vegas and Makati (50/50). The cost of living in CA is outrageously high vs Makati which is sooo affordable specially if you are earning in US $$$. $3,000/mo in Makati is living like a king but that is BELOW poverty in CA. No-brainer choice. Retire in the Philippines. my 2c.
Totally agree. The very reason why there are a large majority of our fellow Filipinos, are stuck at where they are at. Sad to say, that I see that in my MIL who has been and worked in the US for over 30 years. They always think that things can always get done tomorrow. I was born, raised and spent my first few years of my adult life in the Philippines. However, my father who was never in any military component and raised 12 children, had always instilled discipline and punctuality during our formative years growing up in the Philippines. A trait that my spouse and in laws cannot seem to accept.
I see so many expat videos, but not many with Filipino Americans. Good video. I would like to see more of those types of interviews. And BTW, the median house price here in California is around $860K
Actually, the median price in Nov 2023 per Redfin is $793k, but the average really doesn't matter because in LA, San Diego, and most of the SF Bay Area it's well over a million dollars. In areas like Sacramento and Riverside, it's below $600k and even cheaper than that out in the San Joaquin Valley and outskirts of the Inland Empire. So huge variations.
It's a shame, I see most of my friends I grew up with in San Fran are like that, they are proud of being Filipino, but they can't speak the language nor do they even bother to come here to visit. I don't get it.
Kuala Lumpur is way cheaper then Manila. New condos are going for $40-65K USD. I lived in KL for 3 years 2014-2017 it's a gold mine for Expats. Transportation, English spoken, Hospitals rival USA or Singapore. I was in BGC last year it's not the end of all ends. Your still surrounded by very low income slums. I thought Makati was better area to be in.
I really enjoyed time spent in KLCC. Also Penang and Langkawi. The problem now is the high cost of obtaining a Malaysia MM2H visa to become expat there.
Totally agree. I’m a local but been to KL a few times and with relatives in MY as well. On my very first visit there, I learned that KL has better housing and more affordable too.
The slow bureaucracy has to end with digitalisation. It’s not good enough to say that’s how it is and to have patience. I think Balikbayan’s and expats should put pressure on the bureaucracy to perform better and raise their standards.
I was just in the Philippines and had to set up my GCash account. I found it crazy to see the Filipino bureaucracy translate over digitally. Even just to register a SIM card and connect my GCash to my Globe account. They made it harder and more complicated than it should’ve been!
@@raineboots Yes people who haven't traveled there just have no conception of how much smoother things should be. Hope that with the influx of foreigners things will fix themselves.
Great dialogue, guys! Intelligent and insightful. I can relate to your Filam expat encounters with our own indigenous culture. My wife and I have our second home in BGC , a few blocks from High Street. Most of the year, we stay in our main home in the Bay Area. As a Californian, with BGC as secondary base, and having lived and worked more than half my life around the globe, in garden spots best left unnamed, I totally get Michael. Hope to see you around BGC High Street.
It would also be interesting to understand the home buying process in BGC from viewing units to closing. And the added fees such as condo dues, maintenance, property taxes, etc. What documents do you need to get a mortgage? How does the process compare to the US? What are the rules for subleasing or renting out your condo when you're not there?
It’s a minefield ..completely disorganised ..over the top charges with high interest rates, given current rates I don’t see a any capitals returns for a few years. Plus you have to be so careful with units ..the new units command a premium and have a shelf life of 2-5 years then they are to sell.
If the foreigners, (bloggers) can embrace the culture of the Philippines quickly, why Filipino Americans are expecting more from locals? Bret, Kulas and Kumander Daot, to name a few speaks Visayan and little Tagalog really go around and assimilate with the locals. Learn the language and don't act you are special because you came from abroad. Be yourself and you'll enjoy more. Expats and balikbayans please get off your pedestals and embrace the culture of the land you or your parents came from. I love the way Michael said "Just do it" he must (should) be paid by Nike. Kidding aside wish you and yours happiness in your new life here.
As a Filipino living in Bay Area but raised and educated in the Philippines I have not forgotten my cultural orientation. If anybody wanted to go back and live or retire in the Philippines please do not bring your western culture and entitlement. Filipinos have their own ways of living / social structure and we need to respect that. We do not impose our personal expectation from others. The Filipino culture uniqueness comes along with its pos and neg but in totality that what it makes the Philippines beautiful.
This is easy to answer. I grew up with the first generation of Fil Am’s in the 80s and 90s. All of the Fil Ams embrace hatred for whites, and love for blacks and ghetto culture. Even though the blacks hate them and beat them up, rob and ruin them. The Fil Ams still kiss their asses. So in Philippines, Whites and faire skin is the the symbol of beauty, wealthy and status. Everyone wants to be the rich white Asian. Fil Am’s hate white people openly in California. I grew up in the San Fran Bay Area and even faced racism directly from my friends for being a halfbreed mix. So when Fil Am’s going to Philippines, Everything that Philippines loves, Fil Am’s hate and resent. Thats the cut off and problem that no one will talk about. I grew up within this.
Speaking of social class, my wife and I went to a bread store in the province. We did NOT dress up because...well...we're in the province. While waiting in line, other filipinos showed up and crowded us. Luckily, the bread store owner knew us and asked us for our order before theirs even though we were crowded. When they heard our westernized accent, the filipinos that crowded us walked away.
@@TarikSolimanX They have serious look because they expect a Filipino to speak to them in a local language. A Filipino who speaks in a foreign language sounds like showing off or mayabang for them. Their first assumption is that you are a local so why are you speaking to them in English. You have to tell them that you actually grew in the US, then they will understand why you are speaking in English.
This was a very enjoyable video because you were your authentic self. We need more like videos like this where you just seen to feel comfortable in your own skin. It’s good to see you evolving your brand.
I bought a condo in 2012 in Pasay on Roxas Blvd. I paid about 2.2M Php, but at same time I could have bought in BGC for 3.5M php. My condo now is worth 5.6M php. But I wish I had invested in BGC instead.
Biggest factor of BGC is d proximity 2 all essential conveniences. U dont have 2 keep hopping on ur car & waste ⛽ just 2 obtain ur essentials & time saved 2 complete those errands. U might b n a bubble but anytime u can exit out 2 a beautiful province & beaches & d exposure 2d most beautiful culture & people. U can really maximize enjoying life + more. THANKS EVAN❤❤❤
Yes, definitely it's a bubble, after two days of it I needed to get out. I like the outdoors so I need the forest hike and beach life too so I hopped on my car . 😅😅
I have a question for those who has the data or anecdotal information about the real estate market in the Phils. What is the average length of time for a used condo worth over 12 million pesos to be sold in the open market?
Love how he mentioned there are tons of safe places. The Philippines is not some crime-ridden horrible country. Hard to go wrong choosing a place to live in Metro Manila like BGC where rich people live. I love living in the Philippines ❤️
@@sfrealestatedealmaker6001 someone sent me a comment and said BGC is for younger people and someone older like myself would feel out of place. Is this true?
Three weeks ago I called Kerry sports and asked about a day pass, and I was told over the phone that they don’t offer them. I decided to walk in and try my luck anyways, and when I got there they gave me the day pass for 2000 PHP.
How about an episode about taxes? How do Fil-ams deal with paying Capital Gains Taxes both in the Phils. and the US whenever selling a property in the Phils.?
BGC is near the airport. Eastwood is far from the airport. The next BGC has to be near the airport. New York City to Manila is 17 hours nonstop so you don't want to get stuck in Manila traffic on your first and last day.
Evan, have you considered doing a video on Taxes? I'm sure it would be interesting for a lot of people to better understand the different income tax implications for US expat retirees vs. Dual Citizens that reside there? Also you've touched on real estate, but maybe going over Philippines property tax and how that needs to be included in cost of living when purchasing real estate there.
Nothing changes unless you keep making too much money (if allowed to work) in the country, you will be taxed both ways. Expats are mostly retired but we have new type of Nomads that work outside of the country just using their computers.
@@1lolofredno, there are lots of different wrinkles between resident and non resident. Between US citizens and US/PH dual citizens. Between a digital nomad that spends a certain amount of time in the country or not. The tax treaty complicates things since retirees can’t be taxed on pensions and social security but retirement income from a 401K or IRA can be taxed, also PH tax is high so even with exclusions or tax credits used to lessen the double taxation, you’ll still probably never eliminate tax burden from either country.
I grew up SF for 28 years. My husband job (IBM) transferred us globally including Thailand and Germany. Now, we are living in Arizona. I would not recommend Vegas or Arizona to someone that lived in the bay area. People are not the same. I still loved living in the bay area. All my family are still in the bay area. I am sorry, but I refused to live in L.A. NOT A FAN!!. As I always say in comparison, they are more intelligent people living in NORCAL than SOCAL. Lol!!
@@bethserran Curious how the people are different. I thought about buying rental property in Vegas and Phoenix because it's so cheap. I would have thought Vegas might be ok since there is a Seafood City there, and a few Jollibees :)
Hey Evan, you mentioned you leaned Tagalog after moving to the Philippines. Did you use something like Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone? Or did you take formal classes?
I am from Mumbai, India. As your guest said your banking sector is lagging behind. Absolutely right. Even your Philippines embassy has got weired rules in obtaining visa for Indians, which doesn't make any sense. My Filipino friend visited India last month, his visa on arrivals, he spent 20 minutes only to finish his formalities filling his forms & other details. Got his visa on the 3rd day. Your embassy needs appointments later turns into disappointments . Worst embassy in Dubai. Filipino's will stand in the sourging sun with long queues for any given documents. Your other activities are more in the embassy then giving good service to the OFWs. How can you boost tourism. Your airport says it all. Doing your paper work buying condo's is a nightmare. In Mumbai 1 million dollars property paper work is done within a week. You guy's have lots to do.
I would be scared giving any personal information in India. In the U.S. East Indians are now labeled as "SCAMMERS". As soon as we notice that accent, we hang up the phone on them.
You guys hit it on the head, as a Fil-am I get overlooked while my white friends get treated with royalty. Once I open my western accented mouth with my western backed wallet, like 2Pac says "All Eyez on me".....
@@sfrealestatedealmaker6001 What does that have to do with his Filipino citizenship? He's still a native Filipino. Becoming an American has no bearing on his Filipino citizenship. The Philippines recognizes dual citizenship. You're not a lawyer and have no clue what you're talking about so don't pretend to be an expert.
Why is it that Filipinos in the Philippines cannot take constructive criticism? They immediately get defensive instead of acknowledging the problem and improving.
You have to understand the culture and change the way you explain your criticism. Too much Marites ruining everything so they get upset easily because of this. Find a new way to communicate your ideas.
I moved to the States broke, after 40 years I am still struggling. Lost my home, the investment in stock went sour during the early 2000. The bubble burst and everyone lost their savings. At this point with the rents going over the roof, homelessness becomes the norm. Luckily my wife inherited her parents home but with estate payment it cleared our bank account of 50k. I have 10 hectares in the Philippines and I am selling them so I can afford living in Cali. Too old to move around anymore.
@@maritesguillermo5108 I'd love to, but my health condition is poor. A friend about my age, retired, took a trip to the country and suffered a heart attack, came back here in a coffin. So sad.
Expensive for locals, for Americans it’s cheap. $200K for a condo in BGC is crazy cheap for us. You can’t even buy a studio in the coastal region of California for $200K. My 2 bedroom in the San Francisco Bay area is $1.1 M
Hawaii houses are now averaging about $1.1 mil. I bought my 2BR/2BA in BGC with parking, furnishings and professionally interior designed for a cheap $275k USD in 2018 pre-sell.
@@raulrufinocatangui5038 Yep, Hawaii average older single family home, nothing special, single wall construction, maybe 1700 sqft in a good neighborhood, easily 1.1 to 1.3 million starting. You want a pool add 200K. If you want upper-class, great neighborhood, not rich, 2500 sqft easily in the 2 to 2.5 million range. Rich neighborhood, 4000sqft, 3-4 mil starting. Wealthy 5-7K sqft, 4-10 mil. Ultra-wealthy 10 million starting price and you are really at the low entry level of this category. Hawaii is an example of how not to do things.
@@sfrealestatedealmaker6001 Obviously he ain't on a McDonald's food budget because he had mentioned that McDonald's is half that compared to the US. He's spending $1,500 a month on food alone. He's definitely in the minority on this budget. I'm not saying he's wrong, he can gorge on food all he wants; it's his preference. I just want to make a point that this is not typical of your average expat, even ones who live in BGC.
"Twice as less." What does this mean mathematically? I'm an admirer of yours, and am looking forward to securing your consultancy services. But is bazaar notion.
Just moved to Manila. Still looking at apartments, I prefer a full serviced residence. Undecided between Makati and BGC. Since I work part time from home, any reason I should live in BGC?
BGC all the way, makati is almost the same price but it has a lot of rough areas. Whereas BGC is nicer, cleaner, no squatter areas and unbelievably walkable.
@@tombkk1322 yes it is but i prefer to live in a province where i can grow my own food and breathe fresh air once i reach my senior year. For me BGC is only for the wealthy. If you plan to retire there make sure you have enough funds.
@@tombkk1322We live near BGC, no definite not for the old, you'll be taking elevators for days and lots of young people, you will be out of place. Lol 😅
It's good for what it is food and shopping. We go there on weekends just for that, lots of young people just hanging out at night. It's a pretty tame place, it's why I like it. No crazies sex area, and drunks, not even homeless around. Don't need that crap. Lol 😅
@@jetd9716 BGC is super lovely, but it is a bubble. I don't really see the point of living in BGC. In my opinion, if you want to experience some culture of the Philippines and not deal with all the brownouts, Cebu city an excellent middle ground i
It's TRUE!! Class level financially are too much a big deal in the Philippines. In the U.S., everyone are treated evenly. They don't judge you based on where you live or what you can buy and eat. My husband and I was planning to live there part-time, but he realized that I will have a hard time adjusting to Philippines way of life. I migrated to the S.F. since age 12 and my husband migrated to the U.S. at age 18. He can easily adjust. I was from Hagonoy, Bulacan then went to school in Pasig. The Filipinos there that has money are the "MAYABANG". They emphasized too much where they live and school they went. It's not a big deal in the U.S. All I know, I cannot live in the Philippines full-time. It will kill me. I am proud to be a "FILIPINA" living in the U.S. compared to Americans here that have no values and lazy. My parents has a condotel in Alabang, Vivere one bedroom. My parents wish they purchase a 2 bedrooms instead.
"The Fiipinos there that has money are the mayabang". Totally not true. It still depends on the person. You simply can't paint a whole section of society with one brush. How you are thinking can be called geographical chauvinism. It's a form of bias or prejudice where people show favoritism or a sense of superiority based on the place that they currently reside in and they may look down upon or stereotype people from other places.
I do not believe the story that becoz she is talking d language they thought she cant afford the place.... Not true.,.., here most wealthy people looks simpler than the not so well off ones...
My father bled for the Philippines in WWII. He had a purple cross with three clusters meaning he was injured 4x and sent back into battle. Yet he could not own land in the Philippines. If it wasn’t for the USA there wouldn’t be a Philippines. The lack of gratitude is unbelievable. The Philippines should be a US Territory like Guam.
Filipino american should grow more in population in the west and be the major or the biggest minority in all minorities in the west.Take over the west, remember your ancestors. Make your motherland proud baby
