Once again thank you everyone for the wonderful welcome. I'm so warm and fuzzy from this.
Trader Dave - Interesting you should suggest I look at the Phillipines. I'm probably going to sound naive here but here goes.
I have certainly considered the Phillipines (do you all have an abbreviation for that?). My gf loves HK and said she'd be happy to consider the UK but naturally would like to visit here first.
Thing is, I've heard quite a few negatives about the Phillipines, which I suppose have more to do with where you are there than anything else.
Gf is from Pangasinan, but I've got two pals in HK both with Filipina ladies (one's married, one's getting married) and the ladies are from Manilla.
General consensus seems to be that its the wild west.
My gf has even said she wouldnt like living there as she's be worried everytime I went out the door. The Gualo being robbed, murdered, mugged etc. has been impressed upon me as being a strong likelihood, rather than a remote possibility.
Anyway I've spoken to quite a few Filipinas in HK who seem to be of the same opinion. I'd love the Forum's perspective as I'd very much like to know its not all doom and gloom. Being originally from London I know there's a big difference between (for instance) New Cross and Piccadilly if you're a visitor in terms of your safety, so no go areas I'm expecting but surely there must be plenty of safe places there? In the Phillipines I mean.
Tell me the good stuff (or better still the truth!) as I'd deifinitely like to go there in September with a view to looking at it as a potential home.
Cheers all.
Anakin Dogwalker
