After Seeing the World, Dan Reveals Where He’d Grow Old

The next question The next question will be very interesting. What would happen will be very interesting. What would happen will be very interesting. What would happen if you if you if you tried to tried to tried to return to the US and return to the US and return to the US and live on $1,200 a live on $1,200 a live on $1,200 a month? month? Well, first I have to Well, first I have to say that we are say that we are say that we are not living on not living on not living on $1,200 in $1,200 in Southeast Asia right now. I Southeast Asia right now. I Southeast Asia right now. I mean, we were in mean, we were in mean, we were in Danang 3 months ago Danang 3 months ago Danang 3 months ago and we lived on and we lived on and we lived on $1,448. I checked $1,448. I checked $1,448. I checked it out today for it out today for it out today for another video I'm another video I'm another video I'm making, so I remember making, so I remember making, so I remember it. it. it. This is for two people. This is for two people. This is for two people. People, yes. People, yes. People, yes. What about one What about one What about one person? person? person? How will one person live How will one person live How will one person live in the US on $1,200? in the US on $1,200? in the US on $1,200? Um, well, we Um, well, we Um, well, we interviewed a interviewed a interviewed a man recently, and he lived in man recently, and he lived in man recently, and he lived in his van. Um, his van. Um, his van. Um, because he couldn't... because he couldn't... the rent for his the rent for his the rent for his apartment kept apartment kept apartment kept going up. He going up. He going up. He could no longer live in his could no longer live in his could no longer live in his van...or in a house van...or in a house ...in his apartment. ...in his apartment. ...in his apartment. He had to He had to He had to move into a van. And move into a van. And move into a van. And then he got into an then he got into an then he got into an accident with his van, accident with his van, accident with his van, lost it, and lost it, and lost it, and effectively became a effectively became a effectively became a pauper. But pauper. But pauper. But $1,200 a month is $1,200 a month is $1,200 a month is homelessness in the United States. homelessness in the United States. homelessness in the United States. Although it depends on the Although it depends on the Although it depends on the location. There are people who location. There are people who location. There are people who live in remote live in remote live in remote rural areas and rural areas and rural areas and have a little bit of land have a little bit of land have a little bit of land around their around their around their house. Their house. Their house. Their house is paid off.

house is paid off. house is paid off. Their car is Their car is Their car is paid off. And they have paid off. And they have paid off. And they have some land to some land to some land to grow fruits and grow fruits and grow fruits and vegetables. I mean, there are vegetables. I mean, there are vegetables. I mean, there are exceptions where exceptions where exceptions where people can reduce people can reduce people can reduce costs. But the typical costs. But the typical costs. But the typical American—no, they American—no, they American—no, they go to grocery go to grocery go to grocery stores. They go to stores. They go to stores. They go to eat out. So that's an eat out. So that's an eat out. So that's an unrealistic amount for unrealistic amount for unrealistic amount for the US unless you're the US unless you're the US unless you're homeless. Um, the other homeless. Um, the other homeless. Um, the other thing that's thing that's thing that's missing, even if missing, even if missing, even if you're homeless, is something you're homeless, is something you're homeless, is something you don't get you don't get you don't get in America, which is in America, which is in America, which is respect. Elderly people... respect. Elderly people... I'll just I'll just I'll just talk about talk about talk about Southeast Asia now, Southeast Asia now, Southeast Asia now, because we're here now, but in because we're here now, but in because we're here now, but in Southeast Southeast Southeast Asia, elderly people are Asia, elderly people are Asia, elderly people are respected. I would say respected. I would say respected. I would say that in America, older that in America, older that in America, older people are invisible. They are people are invisible. They are people are invisible. They are invisible. That is, you invisible. That is, you invisible. That is, you can walk can walk can walk around and maybe no around and maybe no around and maybe no one will even one will even one will even look you in the eye. look you in the eye. look you in the eye. That's not so bad That's not so bad . There are some places that are . There are some places that are . There are some places that are friendlier than friendlier than friendlier than others, but overall you are others, but overall you are others, but overall you are invisible. Um, whereas invisible. Um, whereas invisible. Um, whereas in Southeast in Southeast in Southeast Asia, people respect their Asia, people respect their Asia, people respect their elders. It's just a elders. It's just a elders. It's just a different culture. It's different culture. It's different culture. It's just a different culture. just a different culture. just a different culture. If you want to go If you want to go If you want to go to a doctor in to a doctor in Southeast Asia, it Southeast Asia, it Southeast Asia, it depends on the depends on the depends on the circumstances, of course, but it's not circumstances, of course, but it's not circumstances, of course, but it's not uncommon to go to a uncommon to go to a uncommon to go to a family doctor in a family doctor in a family doctor in a typical typical typical Southeast Southeast Southeast Asian city, and for $10, $12, $20 Asian city, and for $10, $12, $20 Asian city, and for $10, $12, $20 , in inexpensive , in inexpensive , in inexpensive places, a visit to the places, a visit to the places, a visit to the doctor can doctor can doctor can cost you $40 or cost you $40 or cost you $40 or $50. In a big $50. In a big $50. In a big city, a well-known doctor, city, a well-known doctor, city, a well-known doctor, or, you know, one of the or, you know, one of the or, you know, one of the best in his best in his best in his field, might field, might field, might cost you $40 or cost you $40 or cost you $40 or $50.

$50. $50. You know. You know. You know. Clinic. I Clinic. I Clinic. I mean, for example, mean, for example, mean, for example, when we were in when we were in when we were in Vietnam and you Vietnam and you Vietnam and you seemed to have seemed to have seemed to have headaches or headaches or headaches or trouble breathing. trouble breathing. trouble breathing. This is a This is a This is a lung problem. lung problem. lung problem. Lung problem, Lung problem, Lung problem, yes. yes. yes. Constant cough. Constant cough. Constant cough. Yes, and that included Yes, and that included Yes, and that included a doctor, x-rays, and medication. a doctor, x-rays, and medication. a doctor, x-rays, and medication. Analysis. Analysis. Analysis. Blood test. How much did Blood test. How much did Blood test. How much did it cost? it cost? it cost? 58 US dollars. 58 US dollars. 58 US dollars. 58 US dollars. Now, 58 US dollars. Now, 58 US dollars. Now, this is this is this is Off the Record. Off the Record. Off the Record. Now, you might Now, you might Now, you might get this if get this if get this if you have Medicare in the US. you have Medicare in the US. you have Medicare in the US. A. A. A. You might get You might get You might get it for 58. I do it for 58. I do it for 58. I do n't really know. I have Medicare, n't really know. I have Medicare, n't really know. I have Medicare, but I've never but I've never but I've never used it because I used it because I used it because I rarely go to the US. rarely go to the US. rarely go to the US. What about the dentist What about the dentist ? ? ? Dentist, cleaning Dentist, cleaning Dentist, cleaning costs from $75. costs from $75. costs from $75. We did cleaning in We did cleaning in We did cleaning in Danang, Vietnam, for Danang, Vietnam, for Danang, Vietnam, for $10. Um, our $10. Um, our $10. Um, our food in Vietnam... food in Vietnam... we're in Thailand right now, we're in Thailand right now, we're in Thailand right now, as you mentioned, but as you mentioned, but as you mentioned, but our... our food in our... our food in our... our food in Vietnam, my Vietnam, my Vietnam, my favorite restaurant in favorite restaurant in favorite restaurant in all of Vietnam, in all of Vietnam, in all of Vietnam, in all of Vietnam, all of Vietnam, all of Vietnam, actually probably actually probably actually probably my favorite my favorite my favorite restaurant in the world, my restaurant in the world, my restaurant in the world, my favorite dish there favorite dish there favorite dish there is called bun rieu, is called bun rieu, is called bun rieu, it's a dollar it's a dollar it's a dollar thirty-five. My thirty-five. My thirty-five. My favorite food in the favorite food in the favorite food in the world right now. So, world right now. So, world right now. So, this won't happen in this won't happen in this won't happen in the US, no matter the US, no matter the US, no matter how much how much how much money you have. You won't money you have. You won't money you have. You won't get a meal there, you get a meal there, you get a meal there, you won't go to the doctor won't go to the doctor won't go to the doctor for that price, and you won't for that price, and you won't for that price, and you won't respect respect respect the average person the average person the average person walking past you. An walking past you. An walking past you. An average person.

average person. average person. Some people will. Some people will. Some people will. What about what? What about what? What about what? Apartment. Apartment. Well, apartment prices Well, apartment prices vary greatly vary greatly vary greatly depending on the city, depending on the city, depending on the city, area, age, area, age, area, age, amenities, amenities, amenities, furnished or unfurnished, but furnished or unfurnished, but furnished or unfurnished, but typically in the US, in typically in the US, in typically in the US, in most cities, most cities, most cities, apartments with one apartments with one apartments with one small bedroom small bedroom small bedroom cost between $800 and cost between $800 and cost between $800 and $1,000. And in big $1,000. And in big $1,000. And in big cities like New York, a cities like New York, a cities like New York, a small small small one- one- one- bedroom apartment now costs bedroom apartment now costs bedroom apartment now costs probably $4,000 a probably $4,000 a probably $4,000 a month. month. month. What about prices What about prices What about prices abroad? abroad? We see our friend We see our friend Red, who is currently in Red, who is currently in Red, who is currently in Chiang Mai, found Chiang Mai, found Chiang Mai, found an apartment for his an apartment for his an apartment for his father for $300. father for $300. And this is a nice apartment. And this is a nice apartment. In a couple of days, Red will be In a couple of days, Red will be In a couple of days, Red will be on the channel and on the channel and on the channel and will talk about will talk about will talk about how his father how his father how his father retired abroad retired abroad . You will see an . You will see an . You will see an apartment there. 300 bucks. apartment there. 300 bucks. apartment there. 300 bucks. This is just one example. This is just one example. If you wish...And this is If you wish...And this is in one of the in one of the in one of the most expensive areas of the most expensive areas of the most expensive areas of the city. If you are willing to city. If you are willing to city. If you are willing to move outside the move outside the move outside the western areas, western areas, western areas, you can find housing for $ you can find housing for $ you can find housing for $ 100, $150, or $200 a 100, $150, or $200 a 100, $150, or $200 a month. If you month. If you month. If you want to follow the want to follow the want to follow the local local local lifestyle and lifestyle and lifestyle and enjoy enjoy enjoy local local local amenities. But if amenities. But if amenities. But if you search on Airbnb, an you search on Airbnb, an you search on Airbnb, an apartment in Nieman apartment in Nieman apartment in Nieman will cost you will cost you will cost you $600-700. So it all $600-700. So it all $600-700. So it all depends on where depends on where depends on where you shop, how you shop, how you shop, how savvy you are, and whether savvy you are, and whether savvy you are, and whether you're willing to work you're willing to work you're willing to work for your budget.

for your budget. for your budget. Now let's talk about Now let's talk about Now let's talk about food. food. food. Good. Good. Good. Give us some Give us some Give us some examples. What food examples. What food examples. What food abroad have you found abroad have you found abroad have you found so cheap and so cheap and so cheap and delicious that you couldn't delicious that you couldn't delicious that you couldn't believe the price? believe the price? This happens all the time This happens all the time when I'm in when I'm in Southeast Asia. I just Southeast Asia. I just Southeast Asia. I just remembered Bon Cai in remembered Bon Cai in remembered Bon Cai in Da Nang, my Da Nang, my Da Nang, my favorite restaurant in the favorite restaurant in the favorite restaurant in the world—$1.35. world—$1.35. world—$1.35. Yes. Yes. Yes. We just spent a We just spent a We just spent a few months in Hua Hin few months in Hua Hin few months in Hua Hin . My . My . My favorite family-run favorite family-run favorite family-run Thai restaurant Thai restaurant Thai restaurant there is a vegan there is a vegan there is a vegan place. There is just an place. There is just an place. There is just an amazing amazing amazing range of range of range of different food. different food. different food. One of my favorite One of my favorite One of my favorite dishes there seemed dishes there seemed dishes there seemed to cost around 45 to cost around 45 to cost around 45 baht. 35, 30 baht. baht. 35, 30 baht. baht. 35, 30 baht. At that At that At that vegetarian vegetarian vegetarian establishment. Yes, that's establishment. Yes, that's establishment. Yes, that's a portion of rice and one a portion of rice and one a portion of rice and one dish, green curry. dish, green curry. dish, green curry. So, that's less than a dollar. So, that's less than a dollar. So, that's less than a dollar. Yes. Yes. Yes. And if you go to the And if you go to the And if you go to the mall and mall and mall and eat at a Western eat at a Western eat at a Western restaurant, you'll restaurant, you'll restaurant, you'll spend six or spend six or spend six or eight dollars. So it's up to eight dollars. So it's up to eight dollars. So it's up to you to decide you to decide you to decide how much to spend and how much to spend and how much to spend and what you're more comfortable what you're more comfortable what you're more comfortable eating. But if you eating. But if you eating. But if you go to the family-run go to the family-run go to the family-run Thai restaurant Thai restaurant Thai restaurant nearby and want nearby and want nearby and want meat, it will probably meat, it will probably meat, it will probably cost another cost another cost another five baht more, five baht more, five baht more, around 35 baht. So, around 35 baht. So, around 35 baht. So, maybe maybe maybe twenty dollars. For me, it's twenty dollars. For me, it's twenty dollars. For me, it's just incredible, by just incredible, by just incredible, by the way, I only eat the way, I only eat the way, I only eat twice a day now. At my twice a day now. At my twice a day now. At my age, 66, I can no longer age, 66, I can no longer age, 66, I can no longer eat three times a eat three times a eat three times a day. You just day. You just day. You just inflate like a inflate like a inflate like a balloon. So in balloon. So in balloon. So in Southeast Southeast Southeast Asia I can Asia I can Asia I can eat eat eat for about $3 for about $3 for about $3 a day. In the US, a day. In the US, a day. In the US, I can't even I can't even I can't even buy a sandwich at buy a sandwich at buy a sandwich at Subway for this money, even a small one Subway for this money, even a small one . 19 years ago I . 19 years ago I . 19 years ago I left the United left the United left the United States. I help

States. I help States. I help people like you people like you people like you retire safely retire safely retire safely abroad. abroad. abroad. In fact, I provide In fact, I provide In fact, I provide more free more free more free content than others content than others content than others who hide it behind who hide it behind who hide it behind paywalls. paywalls. paywalls. Start by Start by Start by downloading my downloading my downloading my free free free e-book at e-book at e-book at vagabondbuddha.com. It vagabondbuddha.com. It vagabondbuddha.com. It covers the basic covers the basic covers the basic settings settings settings needed to contact your needed to contact your needed to contact your bank, mail, bank, mail, bank, mail, phone, and family phone, and family phone, and family before leaving home. Don't before leaving home. Don't before leaving home. Don't pay $200 for a pay $200 for a pay $200 for a short phone short phone short phone call. The reality is call. The reality is call. The reality is that you that you that you don't even know yet what don't even know yet what don't even know yet what questions to questions to questions to ask. Just ask. Just ask. Just read my read my read my free free free e-book and e-book and e-book and email me email me if you have any if you have any questions. questions. questions. Check out the syllabus of Check out the syllabus of Check out the syllabus of my course on my course on my course on retiring abroad retiring abroad retiring abroad for free and for free and for free and see how I have see how I have see how I have laid it all out for you. My laid it all out for you. My laid it all out for you. My library is an library is an library is an open book. So, open book. So, open book. So, let's get back let's get back let's get back to the video. to the video. to the video. So, the next So, the next So, the next question is also very question is also very question is also very interesting. If someone interesting. If someone interesting. If someone told you: “1200 a told you: “1200 a told you: “1200 a month is not life. month is not life. This is survival." What would you This is survival." What would you say to them? say to them? I get this kind of I get this kind of comment on videos comment on videos comment on videos almost every week. Um, there are almost every week. Um, there are almost every week. Um, there are actually two different actually two different actually two different types of expats.

types of expats. types of expats. M-hm. M-hm. M-hm. There are expats who There are expats who There are expats who come with come with come with pensions of 3–4 thousand pensions of 3–4 thousand pensions of 3–4 thousand per month. And there are those who per month. And there are those who per month. And there are those who come with pensions of come with pensions of come with pensions of 1,000, 1,500, 2,000. And those who 1,000, 1,500, 2,000. And those who 1,000, 1,500, 2,000. And those who earn 3–4 thousand earn 3–4 thousand earn 3–4 thousand believe that this is the believe that this is the believe that this is the minimum they minimum they minimum they can live on. And they say that can live on. And they say that can live on. And they say that anything less than 2,000 anything less than 2,000 is survival. And is survival. And is survival. And expats who live... expats who live... well, like Fred, we well, like Fred, we well, like Fred, we interviewed him. He interviewed him. He interviewed him. He lives on about a lives on about a lives on about a thousand a month and thousand a month and thousand a month and said it's the said it's the said it's the best thing he's best thing he's best thing he's done in his life done in his life , besides having , besides having , besides having children. That's why I think children. That's why I think children. That's why I think in life, you in life, you in life, you shouldn't listen to what shouldn't listen to what shouldn't listen to what anyone else says about anyone else says about anyone else says about you or your life, you or your life, you or your life, because they're on a because they're on a because they're on a different path and don't different path and don't different path and don't understand what it's like to understand what it's like to live in your body. live in your body. They live in their own place, They live in their own place, and since they and since they and since they need to drink need to drink need to drink craft beer craft beer craft beer every night and eat steak every night and eat steak every night and eat steak three times a week, and three times a week, and three times a week, and they want a car, a they want a car, a they want a car, a scooter, a house, and scooter, a house, and scooter, a house, and something else, that's their bare something else, that's their bare something else, that's their bare minimum. But that doesn't minimum. But that doesn't minimum. But that doesn't mean you mean you mean you need all of that, or need all of that, or need all of that, or maybe a better maybe a better maybe a better question is: what do they question is: what do they question is: what do they say to someone who has a say to someone who has a say to someone who has a pension of $1,500 a pension of $1,500 a pension of $1,500 a month? Are month? Are month? Are they saying that a person who they saying that a person who they saying that a person who earns $300 earns $300 earns $300 more than someone who is more than someone who is more than someone who is homeless in the US will homeless in the US will homeless in the US will have a better life have a better life have a better life returning to the US and returning to the US and returning to the US and living on that living on that living on that $1,500 than if they $1,500 than if they $1,500 than if they went to one of the went to one of the Southeast Asian countries where they have Southeast Asian countries where they have their own apartment? They their own apartment? They their own apartment? They don't live in their garage, don't live in their garage, don't live in their garage, attic, or third attic, or third attic, or third bedroom of their children,

bedroom of their children, bedroom of their children, they buy food with they buy food with they buy food with their own money and their own money and their own money and do what they find do what they find do what they find interesting: interesting: interesting: walk on the beach, walk on the beach, walk on the beach, have the occasional have the occasional have the occasional local beer with a local beer with a local beer with a friend, and friend, and friend, and enjoy the rest of the enjoy the rest of the enjoy the rest of the world in world in world in retirement. This is survival retirement. This is survival . You know what? If you . You know what? If you . You know what? If you think what others think what others think what others say about you matters say about you matters say about you matters , then you're lost , then you're lost , then you're lost , man. You , man. You , man. You have to focus have to focus have to focus on yourself. A on yourself. A on yourself. A friend of mine says: you have to friend of mine says: you have to friend of mine says: you have to hit the ball where hit the ball where hit the ball where it lies on the fairway. it lies on the fairway. it lies on the fairway. I'm not a golfer, but I'm not a golfer, but I'm not a golfer, but when someone says you when someone says you when someone says you can only can only can only survive like this, believe me, survive like this, believe me, survive like this, believe me, Tiger Woods has Tiger Woods has Tiger Woods has more money than him. And more money than him. And more money than him. And you know what? Tiger you know what? Tiger you know what? Tiger Woods hits his Woods hits his Woods hits his ball where it ball where it ball where it lies on the course. And whoever lies on the course. And whoever lies on the course. And whoever it is, who says it is, who says it is, who says that 1200 a month is that 1200 a month is that 1200 a month is survival. According to survival. According to survival. According to Tiger Woods, they Tiger Woods, they Tiger Woods, they survive. And he can survive. And he can survive. And he can hit his ball hit his ball hit his ball wherever he wants. So I wouldn't wherever he wants. So I wouldn't wherever he wants. So I wouldn't worry about what worry about what worry about what others think of you. others think of you. others think of you. If you are happy with If you are happy with If you are happy with your life, then your life, then your life, then you know what? To hell with them.

you know what? To hell with them. What is more important for a What is more important for a happy life happy life happy life abroad? Having a lot of abroad? Having a lot of abroad? Having a lot of money or having the money or having the money or having the right people around you? right people around you? More money or people More money or people around you? around you? around you? Or the right people Or the right people Or the right people around you. around you. around you. That's right. Yes, I would That's right. Yes, I would That's right. Yes, I would say that you say that you say that you need a certain amount of need a certain amount of need a certain amount of money to money to money to eat well and have eat well and have eat well and have the energy the energy the energy to enjoy to enjoy to enjoy life. And you also life. And you also life. And you also need to need to need to exercise. Physical exercise. Physical exercise. Physical exercise helps exercise helps exercise helps with depression. They with depression. They with depression. They help help help activate hormones activate hormones . And it helps you . And it helps you . And it helps you live longer and live longer and live longer and healthier. So I would healthier. So I would healthier. So I would say: exercise, say: exercise, say: exercise, proper nutrition, no proper nutrition, no drug or drug or alcohol abuse. alcohol abuse. Keep to the rules. Keep to the rules. After that, I would After that, I would After that, I would say, relationships. say, relationships. say, relationships. When you have that When you have that When you have that energy and positivity, and energy and positivity, and energy and positivity, and you look at the world you look at the world you look at the world through rose-colored glasses, through rose-colored glasses, through rose-colored glasses, then it's all about then it's all about then it's all about relationships. And everything relationships. And everything relationships. And everything else is just an addition else is just an addition , you know? It doesn't , you know? It doesn't , you know? It doesn't necessarily matter where necessarily matter where necessarily matter where you are. As long as you are. As long as you are. As long as you feel you feel you feel safe, safe, safe, eat well, eat well, eat well, exercise, and exercise, and exercise, and have a good have a good have a good relationship with someone relationship with someone relationship with someone you respect and you respect and you respect and who respects you, it's 95% who respects you, it's 95% success.

success. After everything you've After everything you've seen, where would you seen, where would you seen, where would you really want to really want to really want to meet old age? meet old age? I would say in Southeast Asia. I love the Southeast Asia. I love the Southeast Asia. I love the world: Europe, world: Europe, world: Europe, Latin America, we've Latin America, we've Latin America, we've even been to Africa. even been to Africa. even been to Africa. They were in different They were in different They were in different parts of Africa. parts of Africa. parts of Africa. Russia, China. I love the Russia, China. I love the Russia, China. I love the whole world, every whole world, every whole world, every place has something place has something place has something exciting, but I exciting, but I exciting, but I really feel a really feel a really feel a bond with bond with bond with Southeast Southeast Southeast Asia. Food, people, Asia. Food, people, Asia. Food, people, nature, underwater nature, underwater nature, underwater world, and also, I don't know, world, and also, I don't know, world, and also, I don't know, the character of the local the character of the local the character of the local people. They are not people. They are not people. They are not prone to prone to prone to anger. Um, they anger. Um, they anger. Um, they also respect the also respect the also respect the elderly. And if I'm elderly. And if I'm elderly. And if I'm going to get old, this is a going to get old, this is a going to get old, this is a good place to good place to good place to start. And you start. And you start. And you probably love probably love probably love Southeast Asia as much as Southeast Asia as much as Southeast Asia as much as I do, so I do, so I do, so it's a natural place for it's a natural place for it's a natural place for us to, well, grow us to, well, grow us to, well, grow old. old. If you have If you have a question you a question you a question you want to ask, you want to ask, you want to ask, you can write it in can write it in can write it in the comments, we the comments, we the comments, we will combine all will combine all will combine all the questions and make a the questions and make a the questions and make a new special new special new special video for you.

video for you. video for you. Thank you very much for watching, Thank you very much for watching, Thank you very much for watching, see you in the see you in the see you in the next video. next video. next video. See you later. See you later. See you later. See you later.