Ever thought of going away to live on a tropical island? I did, so I left everything and moved to the Philippines! In 2011, I did a lot of thinking about what I wanted to truly do the rest of my life. I've never been a "travel person" up until that point. I'd only been to border towns along northern Mexico for short vacations and visits.
But then in California, I met a wonderful Filipina who jump-started my interest in the Philippines. So by 2012, I was on a plane to explore the Philippines, and I've been here ever since. I plan to continue seeing more of Southeast Asia and eventually settle down 'somewhere'. Maybe. :)
Follow me on my journey as I share tips for safe travel, the places I visit, and observations on a variety of cultures. I hope you'll find it both entertaining and informative.
-- Reekay
LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
A short series Vi is putting together.
https://youtu.be/V0tRhB8o6Ww?si=-Uyt6...
8 hours ago | [YT] | 0
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
Living overseas can be an amazing experience, but there's a side of expat life that people don't always talk about. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of cheap food, affordable rent, beautiful beaches, and the idea that your money will go further. But here's the reality: there's a lot more to living in another country than paying your monthly bills. If you don't have a reliable source of monthly income, eventually your savings are going to run out. And if an unexpected illness, injury, or medical emergency comes along, things can go downhill very quickly. One medical problem can create a domino effect that leaves someone struggling to pay rent, cover basic expenses, and possibly even facing homelessness.
My recommendation is to plan on having at least $1,700 USD per month if you're a single man considering life overseas. If you're bringing a wife or girlfriend who has children, I'd suggest budgeting $2,000 or more. Don't forget to factor in visa extensions, particularly in countries like the Philippines where tourist visa extensions may be required every two months. Falling behind with immigration can create serious complications that you don't need. And if you don't have at least $10,000 in emergency savings, seriously consider expat health insurance. The bottom line is simple: don't move overseas hoping everything will work itself out. Have a realistic budget, emergency reserves, and a workable plan. Do that, and you give yourself a much better chance of enjoying the life overseas you've been dreaming about.
www.youtube.com/shorts/Tij571...
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
One of the biggest obstacles people face in life isn't their financial situation, their lack of opportunities, or even the circumstances they were born into. It's their mindset. Some people spend so much time blaming everyone else for the problems they've created in their own lives that they never stop to consider their own responsibility. Instead of making changes, learning from mistakes, or working toward something better, they become trapped in a cycle of envy, jealousy, resentment, and bitterness toward people who have managed to build a better life for themselves.
Here's the thing: insulting someone who has accomplished more than you doesn't make your situation any better. Hating someone because they've worked harder, made better decisions, or taken chances you weren't willing to take doesn't take anything away from what they've achieved. It only reveals something about the person doing the criticizing. And sometimes, the anger people direct toward others is really a reflection of how they feel about themselves. At some point, you have to stop looking outward for someone to blame and start looking inward for something to change. You cannot build a better life while constantly resenting the people who already have one. Personal responsibility is where real change begins.
youtube.com/shorts/MxFYj_efv84
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
youtube.com/shorts/_NTGEMySnUo
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
youtube.com/shorts/uXjmtYNd5Eo
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
A romance scam can begin with something as simple as a Facebook message—and I know because I experienced one myself. In 2007, shortly after my divorce, an attractive woman began giving me attention every day. She mirrored my interests, built a convincing backstory, and claimed she was pursuing a modeling career in Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm6ZQ...
4 days ago | [YT] | 2
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWDlm...
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
youtube.com/shorts/Xk8OtG7ZBlE
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
youtube.com/shorts/Bro0rWHYots
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LifeBeyondTheSea - Southeast Asia Travel
Is the Philippines condo market heading toward a major correction? Reekay shares his perspective as a former licensed realtor and real estate investor, explaining why he believes Cebu and Manila have far more condos than the market can absorb. From empty towers and pre-selling developments to the problems facing Airbnb owners, he looks at the factors that could put pressure on condo prices.
He also discusses why foreign buyers may have an advantage if prices decline and the peso weakens. But is buying a condo really a smart investment—or does it make more sense as a personal home base? Reekay examines financing risks, short-term rental restrictions, and why a studio condo may not fit your future plans. He also explains why renting can offer more flexibility in the Philippines. These are his observations and opinions, not financial advice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1RyT...
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