Tomm..
Thats just Manila!!
It is what it is..The place is just another overcrowded city (Asian style) and not my cup of tea.
Although I dont live there any more,I can get there in 30 mins depending on traffic..We are moving out to the visayas once we have set up our business here correctly ..Perhaps this year.
Having said that there are many foreigners that would not live anywhere else in the R.P..
I have neighbours from the U.S,Belgium,Norway and Denmark that love this area and would find it inconvenient living anywhere without places like the mall of asia or Makro and Embassy buildings near by.
Others choose places like Ortigas,Quezon city Alabang or Makati where they live in houses that you could only dream about anywhere in the UK with maids cooks and live in drivers.If you get a chance take a drive down to Manila Polo club in Makati and you will see what I mean..
Anyway..Horses for courses.
Which brings me to the standard of living comment.. I can honestly say that our living standards here far exceeds what we were accustomed to in the UK. I cannot think of one thing that we need that cannot be obtained if we so wish without the constant feeling of being ripped off at every turn.(as in UK). For us,Its a stress free lifestyle no doubt about it.
However..The Philippines is not for everyone and that's a fact..
