What Have You Noticed

[chris49]

I am not a permanent resident but will be in a couple of years when my gf wants to stop teaching. On a

recent 3 week visit looking at prospective retirement locations (which we did not find) in Nth Luzon, I

would say that traffic congestion and overcrowding at the two main issues. From my readings on this and

other forums, I would say that is the primary problem now presenting itself.

Edited June 1, 2015 by chris49

[KenzoFujisaki]

 

For there few who live full time over in the Phils what have you notice that has changed for the better of for the worst,

Some of you have been there for years so has it got better or worst for you

It is still the place that you want to call home or would you say to others who are thinking of coming , just be careful

 

I think the longer you stay the more you would like to be away from the Metro area, and in my case I think if I had stayed in Manila,

I feel my enjoyment would be less.

 

I may have enjoyed single life to an extent , but I still like having a partner to talk to, for companionship, a closer relationship than

a girl friend.

 

I like the food, after some period of adjustment. Eventually I think you can establish a more healthy diet here, although it

also depends on where you live. Better if there's less fast food joints available, with our ex pat money and the Filipino love

of treats and outings, food joints are too easy to access, better to be far away.

 

To others? There's a long period of adjustment here, maybe 2 ears or more. The more money you spend in the beginning does not equate

to always having a good time. Life gests better one you have sorted out a budget and you can stick to it.

 

So is it good? Yes, still good, but there's a syndrome with it. If you think the grass is greener on the other side, you will never be happy anywhere.

 

 

I agree with alot of Chris's points. I am still in Manila but I live in Fort Bonifacio which in my opinion is very liveable these days (for Manila) as long as you stay within it.

 

In my opinion Fort for the most part is improving and has almost everything you need. Good internet, access to food, more restaurants. Still when my wife and I have to leave to go to Megamall or anywhere outside of the Fort I dread it because it takes up our entire day due to heavy traffic. You can avoid it if you time things right, start your day early, get home early.

Since I have been here (2 years) Fort has a new mall (nice but kind of useless), another coming.. condos everywhere.. The air still feels relatively clean within Fort but is getting worse near the heavier traffic areas. You could still find places to go for a jog and there are little parks. There is an SNR here that has imported meats etc from Aus/NZ. There are SNR's in other areas of Manila as well like Pasay etc.

 

Still like Chris is saying we are dealing with the do we stay or do we try and live somewhere quieter with less resources dilemma. I make my money online and need fast internet so for now we will stay but our hearts want to go and live simple in one of the many lovely province areas. We recently moved to a gated community just outside the BGC but in Fort and are a lot happier.

For food I agree there are so many unhealthy options around. It's still best to get homecooked meals either from your own cooking or your partners. There are always new restaurants opening in my area but they are always still unhealthy. I never eat anything deep fried here because the oil is often overused. Healthy meal plan services are an option here in Manila, I have never tried one but they are deliver meals to your door on a monthly subscription basis. People in my community use them.

 

There are many new online services popping up taking note from successful startups in the west. Taxi apps (you have to pay extra but beats being stranded or lining up sometimes)

 

Fort has expats everywhere, not just retirees but people working young and old for international companies who have BPO's here or entrepreneurs/self employed people like me. I met other guys here doing the same thing as me who are in their 30's as well and plan to stay for a while.

 

I agree with Chris that Cebu is not for me, we lived there 6 months last year and literally almost died (we lived on the 18th floor of a brand new condo in IT park, there was an earthquake one day and when we looked out our window people were pointing at our building and running away from it. The swaying of the building left deep cracks throughout every level). For us the air quality was bad in a different way, it hit me in my eyes more than my lungs. That said, there are a lot of retirees living there and loving it I think. Always meeting up, drinking and relaxing. Taking a taxi to the resort areas when we were tired of the city was always a nice break for us. You don't have to stay at Shangri La Mactan to enjoy the facilities. They have day passes for the pool or you can just go to their beach or restaurant, as long as you're spending money they don't care. The beaches in Cebu are average but there are some nice resorts either way.

 

I think I had 7mbps internet in Cebu with Smartbro's LTE wifi device for 995 peso monthly (in certain areas like my condo). That was an improvement that had happened within the past year.

 

Internet is slowly, slowly improving here (Manila) but you have to understand you're not on the same connections as the west. Switching from 250mbps to 5mbps is hard for many people. 10-15(20?) is available in Manila, I recommend at home wired connections for that. I am with Globe. You can get higher than that but it would be an enterprise account and you'd gasp at the prices.

 

All that said, you still have to come here and decide for yourself is what I would tell people at the end of the day. You have to decide what you can tolerate. There is a lot to tolerate.. Most of the people though, are still amazing, love to sing, eat, relax and are very social. Coming from (Lost in Translation) Tokyo, those things made me feel at home and were reasons for me to give it a shot here. I have since met my wife here and we plan on staying for another year or two. Leaving to spend time with my family then coming back to retire when it's time for that. Hopefully the province areas will at least have better internet by then.

 

Sorry if that's long, I'm new to writing on forums and my wife is away so I'm pretty bored right now.. :)

[RBM]

I am not a permanent resident but will be in a couple of years when my gf wants to stop teaching. On arecent 3 week visit looking at prospective retirement locations (which we did not find) in Nth Luzon, Iwould say that traffic congestion and overcrowding at the two main issues. From my readings on this andother forums, I would say that is the primary problem now presenting itself.

Yes very wise to think carefully before making roots.

My partner and I spent some years before deciding where to live here. We did have the advantage of seeing a good deal of the country and living some time in various locations. It's not an easy decision and everyone's situation differs.

For us we looked firstly at the typhoon belt this being number one. Also coming into the equation was proximity to a city that could provide some western necessities. Over crowding, pollution, traffic, crime, access to ports and planes and on and on.

Definitely worth spending time on this as its perhaps the most important decision one has to make.

[WordsandMusic]

Well written and Interesting KenzoFujisaki, Keep writing, your good at it!  You have a natural flair that kept my attention. This is a great forum and people like you make it that way. Thanks to all my forum comrades who have contributed to this forum in some fashion. I enjoy all the different personalities that blend to make my day and choices about living in the Philippines an Interesting endeavor. There is a full spectrum of life experiences, social, emotional and environmental life experiences you only get from living. 

[Ynot]

I'm jealous I can not contribute as i am not living there yet!  Another 2 years then I can post on what I have noted

[KenzoFujisaki]

Well written and Interesting KenzoFujisaki, Keep writing, your good at it!  You have a natural flair that kept my attention. This is a great forum and people like you make it that way. Thanks to all my forum comrades who have contributed to this forum in some fashion. I enjoy all the different personalities that blend to make my day and choices about living in the Philippines an Interesting endeavor. There is a full spectrum of life experiences, social, emotional and environmental life experiences you only get from living. 

 

 

Thanks @WordandMusic! Yes its definitely a very helpful forum full of great people, I've already learned so much from the members here and it's been half a day. So good for stevewool and others who come here to do the research first from people who have lived it. Wish I had done the same, could have saved some money! haha.. but no regrets ever..

[jon1]

Kenzo, 

 

You should check out the Subic Freeport. Air is fresh, Internet is decent (you can get Fiber from PLDT now), good power, good water and close to western living standards. I rarely have an internet outage that you are so dependent on. 

 

Living here is like small town USA type activity with tourist traffic during the holidays and peak season. Other than that it is relaxing, quiet and the place for me.

 

:cheersty:

 

Jon

[Jake]

Well written and Interesting KenzoFujisaki, Keep writing, your good at it!  You have a natural flair that kept my attention. This is a great forum and people like you make it that way. Thanks to all my forum comrades who have contributed to this forum in some fashion. I enjoy all the different personalities that blend to make my day and choices about living in the Philippines an Interesting endeavor. There is a full spectrum of life experiences, social, emotional and environmental life experiences you only get from living. 

Hello Words and Music,

 

Kudos to you and others for articulating vital insights about living here in PI.  The original question from Steve was -- has it gotten any better or worse?  If I remember correctly, Steve encountered some very serious problems dealing with the extended family.  I believe no matter where you may want to settle down, it is the wife or GF and her family that must be factored in.  I mean, what is your state of mind when you get up each and every morning?  Are you still pissed off from the previous night(s)?  Or more importantly, is your wife/GF ready to swing a bolo at you?  From living the bare minimums from a fixed income to luxurious western lifestyle, what good is that if relationships are falling apart.  

 

There are the tangibles of watching or smelling your community degrade over the months and years.  Population is over 100 million now and still out of control. Outside your peaceful compound, you will see abject poverty everywhere.  Will it get any better?  Not in my lifetime........

 

Am I painting a doom and gloom scenario?  Perhaps as a pessimistic realist.  But on the other hand, I am a foolish/hopeless romantic who can easily fall to my knees, asking for forgiveness and a warm smile or embrace.  Perhaps that is my saving grace over the years, no matter where I live.  

 

With my companion by my side......watching the sunset as well as the sunrise.  Respectfully -- Jake

[lonewolf]

jake hows the sailing missed you , glad to see you again

[KenzoFujisaki]

Kenzo, 

 

You should check out the Subic Freeport. Air is fresh, Internet is decent (you can get Fiber from PLDT now), good power, good water and close to western living standards. I rarely have an internet outage that you are so dependent on. 

 

Living here is like small town USA type activity with tourist traffic during the holidays and peak season. Other than that it is relaxing, quiet and the place for me.

 

:cheersty:

 

Jon

 

Thanks Jon, my wife has mentioned Subic to me before and says we have to visit before making any final decisions. She feels we could be happy there. Fresh air is very important to me, so I'm definitely in to check it out.

 

Even for the time we are planning to live in Canada we are targeting small towns rather than city life, so Subic seems perfect for our lifestyle.

 

I read some of the posts on your site. A lot of advice I wish I had read when I was first arriving here and also some great advice I will use in the future, especially about the 'leasehold rights'. Thank you for getting in touch!