Here's another whinging pom
Very interesting read actually especially from the viewpoint of a fellow Brit called slpj who takes no prisoners and calls it how it is.
https://talk.xpat.life/22772-british...ppines/?page=1
Here's another whinging pom
Very interesting read actually especially from the viewpoint of a fellow Brit called slpj who takes no prisoners and calls it how it is.
https://talk.xpat.life/22772-british...ppines/?page=1
We are all different in what we are wanting or even think what we are wanting too, take each day/week or month as it comes, thats what I am doing here anyway
Well, as I said, prove me wrong
Regarding the two people seem to have picked up most on...
The health - well my experience has been visiting someone in what was I'm told a private hospital. The nearest I could describe the place, was a council run 60's built youth club building. I'm sure they were all efficient and qualified, but the NHS it wasn't. We really are spoilt in this country, with our local hospital being new, full of staff and state of the art........and all paid for through our taxes (ie the NHS is not free, it's worth it paid by taxes).
I also had to visit the local clinic when taken ill with food poisoning, it's just that what I saw, I'd be scared of being ill over there for anything other than minor matters.
Again, maybe we're just spoiled here. Our local doctors surgery, the last three I've been registered to have been so clean and modern.
Now the food. Well out there, we eat what we pull from the sea.......with rice. It's ok. Wife is a brill cook and won't cook stuff she knows I won't eat. Fish there too is so unbelievably cheap, this is great.
Contrast when we go out to meet Filipino friends, and I know already I'll be sat there craving an egg sandwich. It doesn't matter who is hosting, or if it's outside caterers, there will be always some fatty pork floating in some sort of watery sauce, there will be something which looks like the inside of a chicken carcase scraped out and fried up (Maybe you know what I'm describing), there will be something black and fishy I'm warned not to eat (I think it's fried up fish guts). The puddings are worse. There will be what look like cupcakes but are made from rice, taste like gloop vaguely flavoured with sugar. There will be something which looks like purple polyfiller, and something else which looks at first glance like caramel blancmange, but when tasted......no it isn't.
Last time we were in Manila, they went to a night market, and bought to eat chicken intestines on sticks. It's like bush tucker trial.
Why is the food so fatty? Everything has lumps of fat in it, which we've been told for years over here is highly unhealthy.
Now obviously there are worse places, and yes, obviously you wouldn't want to retire to Africa or probably most of Central America. Comes down to who our partners are, and yes - it's a two way street
I'm not saying I wouldn't move out there, because I'd follow her wherever she wanted to go, and that really is that. I'd just have reservations.
Slightly changing the subject - only slightly - in the Philippines, except in a couple of towns people probably really wouldn't want to live in, there isn't the expat support network. Contrast this to what I know exists in Thailand, would that bother anyone? Do you really need the expat thing?
Originally Posted by Iani
Well, as I said, prove me wrong
Regarding the two people seem to have picked up most on...
The health - well my experience has been visiting someone in what was I'm told a private hospital. The nearest I could describe the place, was a council run 60's built youth club building. I'm sure they were all efficient and qualified, but the NHS it wasn't. We really are spoilt in this country, with our local hospital being new, full of staff and state of the art........and all paid for through our taxes (ie the NHS is not free, it's worth it paid by taxes).
I also had to visit the local clinic when taken ill with food poisoning, it's just that what I saw, I'd be scared of being ill over there for anything other than minor matters.
Again, maybe we're just spoiled here. Our local doctors surgery, the last three I've been registered to have been so clean and modern.
Now the food. Well out there, we eat what we pull from the sea.......with rice. It's ok. Wife is a brill cook and won't cook stuff she knows I won't eat. Fish there too is so unbelievably cheap, this is great.
Contrast when we go out to meet Filipino friends, and I know already I'll be sat there craving an egg sandwich. It doesn't matter who is hosting, or if it's outside caterers, there will be always some fatty pork floating in some sort of watery sauce, there will be something which looks like the inside of a chicken carcase scraped out and fried up (Maybe you know what I'm describing), there will be something black and fishy I'm warned not to eat (I think it's fried up fish guts). The puddings are worse. There will be what look like cupcakes but are made from rice, taste like gloop vaguely flavoured with sugar. There will be something which looks like purple polyfiller, and something else which looks at first glance like caramel blancmange, but when tasted......no it isn't.
Last time we were in Manila, they went to a night market, and bought to eat chicken intestines on sticks. It's like bush tucker trial.
Why is the food so fatty? Everything has lumps of fat in it, which we've been told for years over here is highly unhealthy.
Now obviously there are worse places, and yes, obviously you wouldn't want to retire to Africa or probably most of Central America. Comes down to who our partners are, and yes - it's a two way street
I'm not saying I wouldn't move out there, because I'd follow her wherever she wanted to go, and that really is that. I'd just have reservations.
Slightly changing the subject - only slightly - in the Philippines, except in a couple of towns people probably really wouldn't want to live in, there isn't the expat support network. Contrast this to what I know exists in Thailand, would that bother anyone? Do you really need the expat thing?
I can honestly say that food wise here in Bohol..We are spoiled pretty bad..I suppose its because its a touristy kind of place with many foreigner owned restaurants and 3..4..5 FANTASTIC Filipino restaurants too.
Our standard of life in regards eating is 10X what it was in the UK..
Of course we could eat to the same standard in the UK but the costs would be astronomical.
We have quite a few Italians that have come here to flee the economic situation in Italy so you might be able to imagine the quality of Italian food here.. Here`s an example of where we go to sample little Italy..
http://www.giuseppebohol.com/ If we want a Curry,we go to "Bohol Curry",run by a Brit that lived in India for many years.. Hmmmm..Great Indian Nosh.. and many many more..
If you want to try excellent Filipino food I highly recommend "Golden Cowrie" especially in Tagbilaran or ANY of these Filipino or Foreign restaurants in the review page below..
We have been in all of them and the nosh is top quality.. I cant prove it!! You try them yourself one day..
Our average restaurant bill for 2 persons in the restaurants listed is a bit less than 500.00 Peso`s..In the U.K for the same standard,I`d expect 50 Quid or more.
If I want a quick cheap lunch I use places like Pizza hut and use the "Panalo" menu..99.00 PHP.
http://www.eatingoutbohol.com/Bohol_Restaurant_Reviews/files/tag-tagbilaran.html
Weather wise we have had no typhoons here above signal number 2 in the last 8 years..Perhaps that's just luck or perhaps its because our area is not in a common typhoon belt.
There was of course an earthquake here but the island I live on not one house was badly damaged or one person killed that I have heard about.
If you are really scared of natural disasters then try Palawan.. No earthquakes or typhoons..
I`ll talk about the health thing later as I`m off for my 2 egg,,2 bacon,2 sausage,mushrooms and toast and jam butty, full English and a nice cup of tea.. Cooked by a Brit Northerner here for 160.00 PHP!!!
Later!
I am never interested in the expat network,but birds of a feather and all that,the same as pinays here seeking out their countrymen and women,thailand has a huge amount of expats,and everything works better in LOS,the food is certainly better as the popularity of thai restaurants here in the uk attests,i visit pinas often due to family and friends but without those ties there would be no return as i have visited much of the country.
Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you'll be up again. But life goes on.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the passion that she shows to the outside world.
Ian, although you make some valid points, I personally think living in the right location can be a deal breaker when retiring in the Philippines. For example Manila, Angeles, Dumaguete wouldn’t be on my list of places to retire. On the other hand some people enjoy these places because of the high number of expats.
Let’s put the first part of your post in perspective. Saying that we wouldn’t consider retiring there is a bit like saying the Filipinos married to British guys or gals only live in the UK because it’s their partner’s home country. Why? Let’s be honest here, the vast majority of Filipinos growing up, who dreamed of living abroad weren’t thinking of the UK. Most probably dreamt of North America.
Yes, the levels of poverty are high compared to most western countries. If you look at the world in general 80 0r 90% of the population live below what the UK deems, as poverty. At the present time we are not retired, so we try to be careful with our income, however I will try and help the less unfortunate on occasion. If at a later stage in our lives, we happen to be fortunate and have more than we need, I would happily help on a more regular basis. I know there are better long term solutions to the problems but we can only help in our own little way and hopefully teach our kids to be more proactive in the future.
Crazy crime levels again comes down to location and the way you go about your daily life. There is no doubt that the Philippines has a higher crime rate than the UK. Spending your time drinking all night at some seedy bar or chasing some young bit of skirt around probably increases your chance of something happening tenfold. I certainly don’t spend my whole life looking over my shoulders; however I am more cautious at certain times depending on my location and the nature of my business at that time.
When it comes to food I will eat just about anything, so never been a problem for me. If Filipino food is not your thing, there are plenty of non Filipino food restaurants popping up all over the country. A quick google search usually brings one up in most towns. Not sure if you can find one that serves a piece of meat and two boiled veg though. Sorry mum I couldn’t resist!
Corruption, I agree is a major problem in the Philippines. It shouldn’t really affect Steve or any other foreigner on a regular basis and at times it might work to their advantage. Just ask any home or landowner how much yearly tax they pay!
At the end of the day, I am not going to knock anyone on their choice of place to retire. If you're happy that’s all that really counts
End of the day its down to each of us to be where we want to be, be with we want to be and try to be happy, like i have said its a long time till i am over there or anywhere else for that matter, its good to read what others have experienced or have read , so keep it coming
I like Dumaguete but not because of the expats. It's my favourite city in the Phils to date. As for Angeles, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone other than a fleeting visit. Manila's OK for a few days but after that the chaos would be too much for my liking.
Remember serious road accidents, wait hours for ambulance and no helicopters!
^
So true. Too many people out there like that in the UK especially. They've lived on the same street all their lives in some backward town or village where most think the same way believing in each others bullshit and what's written in the papers.
^
So true. Too many people out there like that in the UK especially. They've lived on the same street all their lives in some backward town or village where most think the same way believing in each others bullshit and what's written in the papers.
-=rayna.keith=-
...When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible...
I would not force Keith to live in the Philippines coz I know he wants to live in Las Vegas..haha..although we are planning to buy a house in Cavite near my family because that's the place he sees acceptable for him whenever we go back home. It's near Manila where he can get whatever he needs especially with food, it's also near to a country life he has always preferred to be. As for me, I've always said that I would go back to the Philippines and would never stay here in the UK to live for the rest of my life. I told Keith if I die here first, he has to bring me back to the Philippines, ashes or my body..hahaha
Oh and about the British food, SO BLAND!Give me Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and other Asian food all the time, except Indian.
...When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible...
Indian food is topsI would not force Keith to live in the Philippines coz I know he wants to live in Las Vegas..haha..although we are planning to buy a house in Cavite near my family because that's the place he sees acceptable for him whenever we go back home. It's near Manila where he can get whatever he needs especially with food, it's also near to a country life he has always preferred to be. As for me, I've always said that I would go back to the Philippines and would never stay here in the UK to live for the rest of my life. I told Keith if I die here first, he has to bring me back to the Philippines, ashes or my body..hahaha
Oh and about the British food, SO BLAND!
I actually searched out a good Indian food place in Manila and they are not easy to find
Top floor in some mall in Ortigas was all I could find but it was worth it = delicious
What about Chow King? for me the menu is the worst I have ever seen
Monosodium glutamate by the shed load I guess = Chinese food
Nothing on that menu even looks slightly inviting
Over fried and greasy salty Chinese food diba
After seeing how they made or even serve their food in the hawkers in Singapore, it put me off.Indian food is tops
I actually searched out a good Indian food place in Manila and they are not easy to find
Top floor in some mall in Ortigas was all i could find but it was worth it
What about Chow King for me the menu is the worst i have ever seen = nothing on that menu even looks slightly inviting
Quite a few Indian restaurants in Makati: Indian restaurants in Makati
Chowking is a mix of Filipino-Chinese cuisine. If you want authentic Chinese, plenty of them in Binondo, where the China town is. http://outoftownblog.com/top-10-must...rants-binondo/
I grew up eating Chinese food, having a Chinese blood in me that's a given. We usually dine in Chinese restaurants that are not really posh but all servants and cook are Chinese. There was one tiny restaurant in Quiapo that was our usual go to place but it closed a couple of years before I went to UK. Probably because owners were already old.
...When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible...
You've just got to look at how much attention is paid to their establishments by Environmental Health Officers. They don't bat an eyelid at employing illegals so pay scant regard to food hygieneAfter seeing how they made or even serve their food in the hawkers in Singapore, it put me off.
I don't generalise like you do.My experience in Singapore that time doesn't necessarily mean the same everywhere. It just added to the fact that I don't really like their food. The only Indian food I can eat is korma, but it's not really a preference when dining out. I'm sure there are great Indian establishments all over the world, like there would be filthy English restaurants/establishments here in the UK.
...When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible...
Snap!! Only difference for us being my Mrs was in the UK 21 years.To be honest, and i've posted this a few times before, my wife was not at all eager to make the move. It took me a few years to chip away at her and finally convince her to agree. It's only been since living here that she's admitted she's now happy and at peace and that it was a good decision
Don't forget she'd not lived here for 30 years so my case may not be typical.
I went to Manila for first time when I was 17 yrs old to spend time with my old man whom did business here.... That was the only reason for my visit at that time.
Wow lots of well travelled worldly people on here, I never went out of the country until I was 47 and the only food I've tried other than English is Chicken Curry!
A great response from many and hopefully great advice to,
A lot of you on here may have lived over there so you have the experience to say it how it is, others may know someone who knows someone else whos best friend knows someone who went there looking for a bit of rumpy pumpy but it did not work so he hates the place and the people too, but it takes all sorts to make the world go round they say,
I have only been on holiday so i am very new, but i do know what i want , i am not so naive to think its going to be paradise everyday , and sometimes i may think what the hell have i done too,
But i will make it out there someday
Keep them coming the good and the bad and not so ugly points of why living out there is great and not so great, but again please dont mention health over there compared to the NHS here
's all very well, Steve ... but, for the likes of me - who is now diabetic - and getting older
... access to FREE [at source] NHS care is vitally IMPORTANT ... alongside, of course, strong family ties.
if what I've said above appears in any way selfish - especially with you and I BOTH being married to Filipinas - and with each of our wives' families living in the Phils ... but Myrna is in regular contact with her five brothers and their respective families in the Phils and she herself has made many new friends since coming to Perth.
Indeed you are right Arthur, the NHS is very important if i am thinking of staying here, but i am not, i have thought hard about this and i understand anyone who is getting on in life or has medication to help with the day to day living may think long and hard before ever leaving this country,
Strong family ties too, but with todays tech, i see more of my kids on the internet these days, plus what a great place they can come too where ever i live,
I understand that leaving the UK is not for everyone just like living here is not for everyone,
Arthur how can anyone ever say you are Selfish , this is why forums like this are great, it gives good advice to those who are seeking things,
Thank you my good friend for your kind compliment ... I wish you and Ems the very best of luck wherever you decide to settle.
Ok this is a huge "aside", but don't forget, in the UK so called "Indian" food (Which is really Bangladeshi style or sometimes Pakistani) is full of a fat called ghee, a few other ridiculous ingredients which will stain clothes, and bear little relation to what people there really eat.
As an Indian friend of mine said, we'd be dead if we ate stuff like which is served in restaurants every day.
A lot of the "curries" are made for western tastes. Things like vindaloo and tindaloo which no Indian would be seen dead eating, and which are created for drunk white louts to try prove how well ard they are.
Very much the same as Thai food made in the UK and for good reason
Serving up proper Thai food here would be useless as most people could not eat it
With the amount of chillies most Thai's like to eat few people here could handle that heat
So for good reason most Thai food served in the UK is adapted to suit a more Western diet
@ Fred - I presume you mean Palawan rarely has a typhoon as unless the reports from the last big typhoon were wrong - then Coron was hit
I always think of central Palawan when I mention that..Sorry.
Coron is almost as far North as Mindoro!
Growing old in the Philippines with failing health is not a good position to be in
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