Hey there, it’s Aksel! Welcome back to VibePinas. Today, I wanted to sit down and address some of the big questions I’ve been getting from people—both foreigners and locals—since we moved up to our land here in Ronda, Cebu. The number one question is always: "Aksel, why did you leave a developed country like Norway to live like this?"
Let me start by showing you what "this" actually looks like. Some people see our current setup and get worried or even a bit judgmental, but for me, it’s all about perspective. Right now, we’re living in what will eventually be our laundry room and balcony area. It’s temporary! I’ve got my office set up with my "On Air" sign, a comfortable chair, and a view that honestly beats any office I’ve ever had. We have a kitchen with a microwave and fridge, a bed, a TV that swings around so we can watch from anywhere, and a bathroom. It’s simplistic, sure, but it’s ours, and it’s comfortable.
I even saw a comment from someone bullying Jessa about our "storage unit" not having windows. Guys, it’s a storage unit! Of course it doesn't have windows! People really need to pay more attention before they start policing our lives.
The truth is, I’ve lived in all kinds of places here in the Philippines. We’ve stayed in five-bedroom mansions, nice condos with pools and clubhouses, and even small shacks off the beaten path. And you know what? I have never been happier than I am right now, living this simplistic lifestyle.
Happiness, for me, is about being stress-free. It’s about having privacy, a beautiful tropical view, and no debt. I’ve reached a point where I don’t care about impressing anyone with a big, fancy house. We are saving up our salaries for the next few months to build our main house without taking any loans. If I were alone, I’d probably just live in a 30-square-meter hut with a big balcony, but I'm building bigger because Jessa and Liam need the space.
Another thing I hear a lot, mostly from other foreigners, is that I’m "stupid" for building here because I can’t legally own the land and Jessa could kick me out anytime. Let me be very clear: Jessa is the one who paid for this land. She’s incredibly successful, and she put up the 350,000 pesos for the property. I contribute my part to the building costs, but even if we were to split up in three years, the memories and the experience would be worth every cent I’ve put in. Plus, for those worried about ownership, there are perfectly legal ways to secure your interest, like long-term leases.
We aren't "off the grid" in a way that’s isolated. We’re 15 minutes from town, 25 minutes from Moalboal’s malls and beaches, and only three hours from Cebu City. But being up here gives us the privacy we need. Jessa is so popular now that we get stopped for photos everywhere—even in Norway and Germany! Our land in Ronda is our sanctuary where we can choose when to be public and when to just be a family.
To some, our life might look "sad" or "poor," but to us, it’s absolutely everything. We are living our dream, watching our goals unfold right before our eyes. Very few people get that opportunity, and I am so grateful for it every single day.
Thanks for following our journey and for all the support. Until the next one, bye-bye!
