Philippines Retirement Might Make Me a Man Without a Country — I'm Going Anyway

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]I recently watched a video from a very popular YouTuber who's lived in the Philippines for 9 years.

[00:00:08]He mentioned that he is now go a man without a country.

[00:00:12]And that really resonated with me because I'm about to do the exact same thing.

[00:00:18]And why would I want to do that? That's what we're talking about in today's video.

[00:00:23]So, I want to give credit to this YouTuber which many of you will know as Paul in the Philippines means old dog new tricks.

[00:00:32]He's been there, according to him, about 9 years.

[00:00:37]And I think he said he's 71.

[00:00:40]Well, that puts us right on the same path. I'm 62, almost 62, going to head there um in a few months. And so, whatever happens to him is going to happen to me.

[00:00:52]So, if he's feeling this way, then I will, too. So, and he went on to talk about how he wouldn't be able to afford to move back.

[00:01:00]And not really fitting in completely into the Philippines. So, he's kind of in the middle.

[00:01:09]I get it. So, all as I have is a truck trailer and a lifetime camping membership.

[00:01:16]Once I sell all that stuff, I don't have friends or family to come back to.

[00:01:21]So, it's a commitment. And once I do that, I realize in advance I'm going to be sim if Paul doesn't fit in with the Philippines 100%, well, for sure, I'm not, either.

[00:01:35]I'm going to do my best. And I love the Philippine people.

[00:01:39]Uh so, that's what I'm facing. I would say this, though, about Filipinos don't always feel like they fit in, either. Watched a lot of videos about that. Many of them go try to work abroad.

[00:01:55]Um what there's a lot of risks in that.

[00:01:58]Exploitation and and things, crime against them. I mean, that's pretty much facts.

[00:02:05]And yet they do that anyway because they're leaving a family behind that they're trying to support.

[00:02:10]And I get it. I'm trying to go to a family, so it's a little different. And I will have, you know, a regular income, not through working, of course. It'll be through social security. So, that's an advantage just long as that remains stable.

[00:02:28]And I know the culture shift is a real thing.

[00:02:31]100%. I fully embrace that.

[00:02:34]And could I just stay here and keep my life easy? Yeah, if In the long term, honestly, I don't want to live in an RV the rest of my life.

[00:02:42]I mean, I like it. Don't get me wrong.

[00:02:45]But as you get older, at some point, that is not going to be sustainable.

[00:02:53]I mean, just look around. Like, once your mobility starts to change, moving around in an RV is probably not good, either. And there's a lot of other options. I know that.

[00:03:06]There's just a whole different vibe with the whole family being together and that's really the bottom line here.

[00:03:17]It's not about what country I'm living in.

[00:03:20]There's good and bad in all countries.

[00:03:22]A lot of the best times I've ever had have been in the Philippines.

[00:03:27]But for me, I believe it is my best choice. And so, I'm moving forward with it. I mean, the simple answer is love.

[00:03:34]I'm going there. I've been with my wife for over 10 years. So, this is just not like some new developing relationship that I don't am not fully invested in. So, it's a little different for me than the single retiree who's going over there with zero to no experience in the Philippines. And I still know I got a lot to learn. I'll be the first to admit it.

[00:03:58]But I would just say that no country's perfect. There's issues in all countries.

[00:04:04]And I want to make sure people understand that I love this country and I respect all the military men and women that have fought and died in order to make this a free country. And I'm not turning my back on that.

[00:04:21]I'm just choosing to be with the one I love and the people that I enjoy.

[00:04:28]So, if being a man without a country means I'm choosing people over geography, then that's a choice I can live with.

[00:04:36]If you made it this far, I want to thank you so much for watching and see you on the next one.