Second Thoughts About The Philippines 

I think he was in The Clash.

I think this guy like most English expats he has a bit of a drinking problem.....he gives off that vibe

Interviewing more Brits like Simon would be great.

Its better to retire in your own country and just spend your vacation in southeast Asia or any other country.

I subbed to him a few days back. He gives you more than a penny for his thoughts, it's more like a quid 👍🏽

Good honest conversation! Thank you I appreciate this video

My wife is of Filipina descent though we live in N America. The Philippines is not a “perfect country” just like any other. But generally, I love the culture, people, food, and communication is not an issue since they can speak English. The only drawback for me is it's too hot, especially during the summer season. We intend to build a retirement house there a few years from now.

Simon's a top bloke, we're looking forward to him getting back to Siquijor . I'm surprised you managed to get a word in though Mark, he can talk underwater.

I appreciate what you're saying about the folks not being so friendly here in Dumaguete. I've been around other places and especially when I lived in Mindanao the folks were much more open and friendly. I've honestly had the rudest encounters ever right here. I think we all can figure out why that is. We actually are planning to move out of Negros next year.

Everyones experience is different iv lived davao butuan surigao and dumagetue canalon neber problem.finding or being found of friendly people

Mark is right. Many Filipinas want to stay in their home area in the Philippines even if they can leave. My wife has built a house on her ancestral land and we spend 5-6 weeks a year there and likely she will return there someday. Perhaps after I pass away. Sooner perhaps if I don't behave (joke).

am with this guy being american-filipino now living in Manila...last thing I want to do is hangout with the very same people I left behind...lol... I want to hangout with the locals

I've been to both places and I feel like Thailand's better in every category except the language and the Visa. In Thailand I did not explorer anywhere in a tourist area I was way up north. Not even Chiang Mai or Chiang rai. About an hour from Chiang Rai in Phayao. I just use Google translate and stayed with the lady for 25 days days i know. Outside of the major cities Thailand's definitely got better infrastructure than the Philippines outside of a major city. I will say I've never eaten Thai food except for in Thailand and most of the food I ate in Thailand was at the lady's house. I don't like spicy and she doesn't like spicy but the food was kind of a disappointment from what I've heard it being so great. It was okay and it was better than Filipino food except I like lunchon and lumpia better than anything I ate in Thailand. the difference in religion are major but the people were very friendly in Thailand and in the philippines. I will say you feel more like a rock star with the people in the Philippines especially in provinces. In Thailand they were very friendly but not as outgoing as the people in the Philippines but that had me question why they were so outgoing. I felt like in the Philippines they were so friendly it made me think it was about money and in Thailand they were friendly but they never seem to ever ask money

@Mark ,Don't generalized "the Philippines" if you experience bad food choices in Dumaguete. Live in the big cities like Makati, Cebu, Manila, etc. Duma is a small province with population mostly with limited income , don't expect businessman to stock hi end food in there stores there.

Ya mark. My nurse friend tells her grown daughter to please get a job so she can go home to northern Mindanao. She's stuck here for life! Lol

One thing about void in this scenario are those basic things like plumbing medical benefits manila is cool,smaller provinces towns lots more rooms to grow as far medical benefits issue,hope new administration should look up to that void missing puzzles,growing up in the Island I saw all these discrepancy this land is abandoned for so many decades because unqualified government servant.

Literally guessed he was a Brit by his looks and a Londoner by how he was sitting hahaha

Thanks Simon for confirming my own suspicions about the poor quality of meat, fish etc available in the Philippines. Unfortunately they have a reverse supply chain whereby quality food products get exported but very little gets imported. I couldn’t even get a pork chop when I was there.

Hi Mark. I have been watching your channel for a couple years now.Love the interviews very educational. I live in Canada do you come across any Canadians?

He sounds like a good person to party with but where ever you are you can't do that for ever or you'll end up in Davy Jones's locker.

Filipinos speak English, for the most part, and are the friendliest culture in the world. More beaches, thousands of islands.

Yes. The food here is a BIG problem ! (for me)

You people continue taking about these accommodations like the status of this stuff is staying the same, Philippines is building way more stuff than Thailand swapping out alot of old existing accommodations being the stuff most of yal compare vs Thailand and Vietnam, Philippines is honestly just getting started becoming tourism ready.

The pork and chicken more expensive because corruption and price fixing culture. Plus fuel, electricity, logistics all cost more here so it adds up.

It's about equal top of the game for both.staying with their own country is an A + money currency widely stretch out so ladies felt privileged & now if living in Uk 🇬🇧 USA 🇺🇸 it might not be the same ballgame,however legally documented its a blessing.

During my travel in Europe, I absolutely loved London! If I could afford the good life there it would be my pick! But hey........for an early retirement, needless to say..........

Lol I knew he was a fellow Englishman without hearing him

Im a Filipino and recently visited Duma for almost a week . Yes ,the food there is terrible .i couldnt find a decent Filipino restaurant and was extremely disappointed .However,that place is rural . It does not represent the entire Filipino cuisine as it has nothing to offer even for local tourists. However,I live in mega Manila . You can easily find authentic International cuisines here .Gordon Ramsay is slated to open his second franchise in Asia ,near BGC ,while Wolfgang Puck has a established restaurant here in BGC .You can easily find Argentinian ,Australian , Japanese ,USDA beef here .There are numerous Chefs here ,from different Countries .im sure Cebu has several fancy Steakhouses,as well ,since it is inundated by expats ,including some well oiled . Again ,Duma is a rural area of the Philippines and few Filipinos know her existence ! Most Filipinos do not want to travel there .They would like to travel to BGC ,MOA ,Baguio ,Tagaytay ,Boracay,Palawan , Siargao,Cebu,Davao ,Baguio ,Bohol . Duma will never be in their radar!

Yes, cheese, theres definitely an ex-pat market for cheese, someone please start up a market!!!

Wish he would talk a liyylr slower I can't understand half of what he is saying.

I have been to the Philippines 5 times, to Cagayan De Oro, Tacloban, Cebu and Davao and Davao was by far my favourite. That said, the only city I have been to in Asia where I think I could retire is Da Nang in Vietnam and it is cheaper than the Philippines. and the food is better.

Subtitles please😂😂😂I only speak American english

Philippines is heaven on earth for rich Filipinos only Foreigners are not allowed to own lands in PH & can only own 40% of PH business or corporation if the main Fil. owner allows it Foreigners can obtain PH citizenship if born & raised in PH like the prominent Spanish Ayala family which is not the case of foreign expat newcomers