Philippines Expat Forum

ACEPoolPlayer
Joined 2012
Posts: 2036

9 years ago

Changes in the Philippines

9 years ago

I lived in the Philippines many years. 10 years ago I moved back to the Catskill mountains in upstate New York for personal family reasons. Although I have been back on vacation 6 times my trip this month was my first in 4 years. What did I notice: 1) Well of course traffic is still getting worse all the time. Same situation more and more new cars, no regulations to remove old cars. Road construction projects that take several years to finish and at the end can't accommodate the increase in volume of vehicles from the years it took to finish construction. 2) Cost of food. There was a time when food was much cheaper in the Philippines. It's not true anymore. If you live in the U.S., buy items on sale, use coupons the food is much cheaper. Chicken, beef, soft drinks, milk, coffee and grocery items. Yes fresh fruit and vegetables are definitely cheaper in the Phil. My wife and I were stunned how much grocery items cost including bottled water. Here you buy a gallon band named for $1. There you buy one liter 20 plus pesos. Fast food restaurants. McDonalds, Pizza Hut, any of the others. It's the same price as it is in the U.S. A poor Filipino employee can't buy ulam (meat/fish) with rice on the street in carinderia's or from venders for less than $1,50. Pancakes only and coffee at McDonalds over $2 USD. 3) One reason why Filipinas were more appealing than western women was because they weren't overweight. Now with the influx of western fast foods you are seeing more and more young starting to get over weight women. The traditional diets of Vegetables, fruits, small ulam (meat or fish) and rice are disappearing. The fad of American unhealthy fast food is catching up with the younger generation. I'm sure it's still cheaper to survive in the Philippines but area of food the balance is shifting.

William Russell

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William Russell

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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Help others in Philippines by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Philippines.