Philippines Expats returning to home country what changed?

[Old55]

For those Expats who have returned to their home country for a visit what changes have you most noticed?

[i am bob]

I thought the Philippines is my home country now..?  

Seriously, I don't intend to go back unless I marry a certain young miss...  It's to her advantage to become Canadian and she is very much younger than I am...

[jpbago]

I go back and forth every 6 months so I see improvements in both countries.

[stevewool]

I have not left England yet , so really i am not a expat , but i do feel like a expat living in England these days

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, stevewool said:

i do feel like a expat living in England these days

The Commonwealth coming home to roost?

[Gratefuled]

2 hours ago, jpbago said:

I go back and forth every 6 months so I see improvements in both countries.

So do I. The changes are subtle. 

[SNAFU]

The incredible suburban sprawl and new/expanded/improved infrastructure, but much of it is now tolled. Retail growth and new car mega-dealerships. Major intersections in most suburban cities are mirror images of those in other surrounding cities - same big boxes, same grocery and pharmacy chains, same banks, same fast-food/restaurant chains, etc. Ha, so similar it becomes somewhat disorienting just driving around the area. More new, sterile, cookie-cutter subdivisions, but rarely any kids outside playing and basically "just being kids" as I remember. SUVs, new Mustangs and Camaros out the ying-yang, and a ton or Harleys, too. The convenience of literally anything and everything is nice, but it doesn't take me long to think of that Southwest Airlines jingle, "Gotta get away"? IDK, I guess it's all good, but just not my cup of tea after being spoiled by a simpler life in the PI.

[Kuya John]

Like Stevewool, I am still resident in UK,

However since retiring, returning to the city of Liverpool that I once daily commuted to, the amount of construction work in progress and development is colossal in the last five years.

Manila has also seen massive development too in the last five years, I refer to the area around the new international airport there.

[Gratefuled]

Like I said, the changes have been subtle for me and that is why I haven't thought much about it.

Being born and raised in southern California I have noticed how cities have sprung up where there were once orange groves and vineyards. I've seen nice simple middle class neighbourhoods become crime infested. I've seen how the once middle class neighbours have moved away from the city to a more suburban life.  I've seen where crime has increased where it was once a quiet peaceful community. 

If one takes a drive up the local mountains, on the way down you will see a blanket of smog that looks like smoke. That's what we do not notice so much but it's there and what we breathe that once was not there.

Last but not least, I've noticed many immigrants that have made the states their new home. Some legal some illegal but still many more than when I was going to school. I'm not complaining because I'm sure my ancestors were once immigrants. Both sides of my family have family reunions annually. My mother's ancestors were Scotch-Irish and have a big reunion in Texas every year. On my father's side our reunions are small because we all live pretty much in California and socialize frequently anyway.

So, those are some of the subtle changes I have noticed.

Good question.

 

[Old55]

I visited Cebu City after being away two years the changes were amazing numerous new large buildings many more new cars on the roads.