Is it safe to move?

[stevewool]

You read about people being robbed and even being murdered and yes it happens all over the world, but is it still safe to think the Phils is still the place i would like to be?

I am not into looking for trouble and i hope trouble never finds me either.

If we ever get to the Phils i would like to live a normal life going about my daily chores and just enjoying what i think i would do, going from place to place and wondering if i would like to stay in some places for longer then say a few days.

Our main base will be Marikina the family home so i think that is as safe as it could be, but also like i have said i want to see and explore other places too, whether we do that by our own car or with others who knows, i am not into going where people say dont go, and if i feel danger i would run a mile too.

Like i have said is the Phils a safe place to be?

[Michael Parnham]

Well, it's like this Steve, I've never experienced any crime or violence in the UK or Philippines!

[stevewool]

You are indeed a lucky person Michael

[Michael Parnham]

You are indeed a lucky person Michael

I think the main reason has been because I don't really go out in the evenings, if I ever do it's to visit someone or a gathering of some sort, never been one for crowded places like for instance Football games. I always find plenty of things to do at home, yesterday I spent 5 hours in the garden sifting all the visible soil of stones and using the pebbles in the pond, I must admit it looks perfect. I just love doing things around the house and enjoying home.

[Iani]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

[Tawi2]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Word and your right.

[stevewool]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Indeed you may be right, but in my eyes its better then being here once i come to retire, but there are other places that are attractive to me

[Ako Si Jamie]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Can't be any worse than living in Africa, Central America or a country like Brazil - and the food isn't that bad. Many foreigners deem our food as poor.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Top 30 countries with the worst murder rate. Thailand is there but no Philippines.

[fred]

Surprised me this list..
UK and USA 3rd and fourth worst countries!
http://www.wonderslist.com/top-10-co...m-rape-crimes/

[Terpe]

?....I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Hasn't upset me in any way.
I live in the south, Davao City. According to a number of reports/surveys it's the 4th safest city in the world. If that's an accurate assessment or not I don't know.
Certainly feels safer than most large towns / cities in England that I've been to.

Health facilities here are very good IMO
I don't believe that "bloody awful" is anywhere near the appropriate description. My experience of the UK healthcare I experienced with my family and my parents did meet the "bloody awful" level. Perhaps we were unlucky.
Perhaps you were unlucky in the Philippines if indeed you actually experienced any.

Can't argue against the tropical weather issues. Especially if you decide upon living in a typhoon belt.
We don't have them here so it comes down to the choice of location really.
Bit like those flood plains in UK

One thing I do take a big issue with is the awful food.
My wife is an excellent cook. She owned and cooked in her own restaurant when we lived in Japan. She cooks wonderful dishes each and every day. To be honest we live like kings when it comes to daily food.
I'm not sure whether you're directing you comments at home cooked food or at food you've paid for in an eatery or restaurant.
I do agree that many of the so called traditional dishes here are really not the sort of stuff that would appeal to most westerners. Especially when prepared by folks who really don't understand how to cook and present.

I can't prove any of this. Don't know how to.
Like you I'm just giving a personal opinion.
My own experience is obviously very different to yours, but nonetheless surely has the same validity.

Most of the people in the countries I have visited think English food is awful just like the English weather.
It's a funny old world.

Sorry to disagree with most of the things you said.

No offence intended just giving my view.

The world can offer a retirement life to suit all. Comes down to choice.
We seriously considered Ecuador at one time.
In all honesty I always knew I'd not be living my final years in UK. I actually never considered the Philippines. It only seemed to figure on my list when I got married to my wife.

It wasn't my first choice, but I've no regrets.
Life is good
As a foodie I couldn't be happier. Especially with the variety of seafoods available at very low cost.
As an adventurer I couldn't be happier.
Diversity is the spice of life.

I hope you find the same fulfilment in your retirement

[Michael Parnham]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Couldn't have said it better, filthy also!

[fred]

Maybe the Aussies were on to something.

[stevewool]

So us folk whos partners are from the Philippines and live here and life is good, then they, ie your wife girlfriend says i want to go back to the Philippines to live forever, what would you say, bye bye, see ya later, the divorce will follow you later, or try to give them what they are wanting, sometimes the two-way street forms a one-way street in some views, just my thinking most probably each to there own.

[stevewool]

Hasn't upset me in any way.
I live in the south, Davao City. According to a number of reports/surveys it's the 4th safest city in the world. If that's an accurate assessment or not I don't know.
Certainly feels safer than most large towns / cities in England that I've been to.

Health facilities here are very good IMO
I don't believe that "bloody awful" is anywhere near the appropriate description. My experience of the UK healthcare I experienced with my family and my parents did meet the "bloody awful" level. Perhaps we were unlucky.
Perhaps you were unlucky in the Philippines if indeed you actually experienced any.

Can't argue against the tropical weather issues. Especially if you decide upon living in a typhoon belt.
We don't have them here so it comes down to the choice of location really.
Bit like those flood plains in UK

One thing I do take a big issue with is the awful food.
My wife is an excellent cook. She owned and cooked in her own restaurant when we lived in Japan. She cooks wonderful dishes each and every day. To be honest we live like kings when it comes to daily food.
I'm not sure whether you're directing you comments at home cooked food or at food you've paid for in an eatery or restaurant.
I do agree that many of the so called traditional dishes here are really not the sort of stuff that would appeal to most westerners. Especially when prepared by folks who really don't understand how to cook and present.

I can't prove any of this. Don't know how to.
Like you I'm just giving a personal opinion.
My own experience is obviously very different to yours, but nonetheless surely has the same validity.

Most of the people in the countries I have visited think English food is awful just like the English weather.
It's a funny old world.

Sorry to disagree with most of the things you said.

No offence intended just giving my view.

The world can offer a retirement life to suit all. Comes down to choice.
We seriously considered Ecuador at one time.
In all honesty I always knew I'd not be living my final years in UK. I actually never considered the Philippines. It only seemed to figure on my list when I got married to my wife.

It wasn't my first choice, but I've no regrets.
Life is good
As a foodie I couldn't be happier. Especially with the variety of seafoods available at very low cost.
As an adventurer I couldn't be happier.
Diversity is the spice of life.

I hope you find the same fulfilment in your retirement

I think like this and in my head i write it like this but when i read it , it never sounds like this , well said that man

[Ako Si Jamie]

So us folk whos partners are from the Philippines and live here and life is good, then they, ie your wife girlfriend says i want to go back to the Philippines to live forever , what would you say, bye bye, see ya later , the divorce will follow you later, or try to give them what they are wanting, sometimes the two way street forms a one way street in some views , just me thinking most proberly each to there own ,

So who wants to live in the Phils more, Steve? You or Ems?

[stevewool]

Maybe the Aussies were on to something.

[fred]

Thanks for rep!!

[stevewool]

So who wants to live in the Phils more, Steve? You or Ems?

To tell the truth Jamie its me who is pushing to live over there.
Its always been Bohol, but Ems is not keen to live there so we have to compromise, thats why we built the family home so that is our base but we can tour wherever we feel is right.
I would have gone a few years back but we have given ourselves a few more years here.
I can understand anyone wanting to come here and earn good money and staying here because of that but in the end everyone seems to want to go back to there native home sooner or later, whether in a box or walking.
Ask in a few years time who wanted it most maybe we shall have the proper answer

[Ako Si Jamie]

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

[stevewool]

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

[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?

[Tawi2]

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.

[fred]

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!

[London_Manila]

Well if our partners didn't come from there, would we ever consider for retirement a place with high poverty, crazy crime levels in some cities, awful food (sorry but be honest - it is), corruption, regular typhoons, an insurgency to the south, bloody awful health facilities and where you stand out a mile, in a place where "white" foreigners are thought of as rich, or in some cities rich sex tourists........with potential attention and targetting possible?

I dare say that's upset some sensibilities, but please prove me wrong.

Spot on and i blame the partners for convincing whitey to live there
Most women want to be around their mothers and family anyway
Yes its safe for them because they are pinoys but its a different story for whitey
I like the food in the Philippines but they dont tend to over salt everything

Another point to remember is natural disasters in the Philippines
They dont have resources to deal with major disasters and when that last awful super typhoon hit leyte there was numerous reports of lynch mobs going on the rampage stealing food and water from anyone who had it
It was weeks before decent supplies actually reached Leyte
The same could happen in any part of the Philippines and i would imagine things become desperate very quickly
If a major earthquake hit Manila then i would want to get out fast

[London_Manila]

To tell the truth Jamie its me who is pushing to live over there.
Its always been Bohol, but Ems is not keen to live there so we have to compromise, thats why we built the family home so that is our base but we can tour wherever we feel is right.
I would have gone a few years back but we have given ourselves a few more years here.
I can understand anyone wanting to come here and earn good money and staying here because of that but in the end everyone seems to want to go back to there native home sooner or later, whether in a box or walking.
Ask in a few years time who wanted it most maybe we shall have the proper answer

Why not just take extended holidays there ?
It always floods in Marikina

[jake]

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

[stevewool]

Why not just take extended holidays there ?
It always floods in Marikina

In the 8 years i have known Ems it has flooded once at the house, yes certain parts flood,

[stevewool]

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

[jake]

Spot on and i blame the partners for convincing whitey to live there

In my experience most of the foreigners where the ones who made the decision to move to the Philippines. We need one of Jamie's polls
Lets see. We have myself, Fred, Peter, Stewart and Jonjon who live full time in the Philippines and are active posters on the forum. Would be interesting to hear their thoughts on the subject?
When we moved back to the Philippines, it was a joint decision. Kind of forced on us, as the Chinese were kicking me out for not meeting their residence requirements.