Is UK getting boring ?,..or is it just me ?

In seeking to be objective I would agree that not all about the UK is perfect. Again, its is a package in what it offers, both the good and the bad, though there are a vast range of positives that it has to offer. I don't find the UK depressing. Though talking it down is depressing.

In the checklist I have in my head there are, comparitively speaking, far more negatives than positives to a move to the Philippines.

I believe that on balance, taking everything into account and I mean everything, there is far more to be depressed about the Philippines than there is the UK. If there is anything I get brassed off about in the UK it is the weather, however the Philippines doesn't have a monopoly on sunshine.

Yes. But how does that compare with Joe Average in the Philippines?

The offering of the Philippines to the people (that you refer to) as a panacea, almost like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, isn't altogether a solution. For those people in the UK in their twighlight years who have worked hard all their lives, have little savings and struggle to pull together anything more than a basic pension, I am not sure that the Philippines' all round package is a solution. I can see how the warm sunshine and the fantastic beaches might be a lure but there is considerably more than just that to consider.

No, things are not depressing here in the UK.
Don't believe a few people that complain.
There are many, many people who are working and life is ticking along as it always has.

Life is a state of mind, it doesn't matter where you live.
People will be happy and some will complain no matter where they lay their heads.
That's just the way it is.

Very well put.
I like the fact that you're positive.
People move to the Philippines and other countries all the time and many others do the reverse.
I lived in Spain for a while and couldn't understand why most Brits there spent all the time moaning about the country (Spain). Mindyou, the same people just moaned about everything and anything all the time anyway.

I have been to the Philippines lots of times and the thought of living there every day makes me enjoy the UK even more.

Living in the Isle of Man has made me appreciate the UK more.

This a good point that you make and a great illustration of that is on the other channel.

Since I was banned from the negative forum, I have been much happier.
The darkside was/is "bad company" and the negativity vastly outweighed the positivity.
Nobody on here irritates me. I may not agree with everything here but most threads are optimistic and uplifting. I come and go from here with a happy disposition and I hope it continues. I have been on here over 2 years and they have been pleasant ones.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to one simple word: compromise. We men are extraordinarily lucky in having Filipinas as wives, fiancées and girl-friends. They are unique in that they invariably put others ahead of themselves and often to their own disadvantage.

If she's living with you in the UK, then she has made compromises and sacrifices to be with you. She may have given-up tertiary education or a job, she's certainly foregone close contact with her family and friends and her diet may take her some time to get fully used to - sorry, but American long-grain rice simply isn't sticky enough! Of course she may thrive in her new environment and be loath to leave it, I know several Brit-Phil couples where the husband wants to move to the Philippines but the wife doesn't wish to return.

If you're thinking about a move to the Philippines then I suggest you take a look around you and decide whether or not you're prepared to forego most of what you see. That applies particularly to your kitchen and the contents of your refrigerator, larder and freezer. Can you do without roasted Welsh Spring lamb accompanied by Jersey Royals, Marmite "soldiers", horseradish with your beef, Chives sprinkled over your egg mayonnaise, smoked or poached salmon, kippers, haddock and cod and, last but not least, decent bread? A few of my personal favourites just to give you an idea of what you won't find here.

Personal safety is likely to be one of your considerations and you may well have decided that the Philippines is just a bit too lawless for your liking. That may be true for most of the country but with the notable exception of Davao City where there's an almost zero-tolerance for any criminality - but is the UK any safer, really? Maybe now but can you say that it will remain so in a year's time when the effects of the Bulgarian/Romanian "invasion" begin to bite? They've had to close the Louvre in Paris due to the uncontrollable onslaught of pickpocket gangs - invariably young children who, being under 12, can not be prosecuted. The effect they will have on Oxford Street, outside the Palaces and other tourist attractions as well as at sporting events and music festivals up and down the land could be disastrous and Daily Mail readers will be outraged and immigration will, once again, be a hot topic.

"Ah", you say, "but in Britain the age of criminal responsibility is 10, so we'll be fine!" Well, actually, no. In January, a Lib-Dem Peer introduced a short Bill which seeks to raise the age of criminal responsibility. As the Lib-Dems are a party of government, we can assume it will enjoy full government support and will be passed by the end of the year - possibly before the Summer Recess. Although the Bill as currently worded states 12 as being the new age of criminal responsibility, there are enough socialists in both Houses who'd probably wish that to be even higher, to 14 or 15 as it is in a number of countries.

As I say, it's all a matter of compromise and I think there's much to be said for choosing somewhere neutral to live. Both parties then have to make compromises!

If it was down to food, I'd move to the Philippines tomorrow!
There are too many negatives for my family to move there, education and lack of health care being the main two.

There are many negatives and positives on my checklist. On the checklist are of course my wife's wishes and the sheer fact that the Philippines is her country and is where her family is etc etc. But again, they are not the only considerations.

Food? I am used to eating anything and everything. I am not certain that would be an issue. In fact food would be a plus for me. I love mangos!


Education sure is high on my checklist.

It really matters little about a negative and positive check lists in my view as these lists are often swayed by the fact that most guys with a wish to live in the R.P simply cannot afford to do so and probably never could unless they are of pensionable age.
Most people in the UK (even frequent travelers) are content to stay and live in the UK and I say good luck to them. If you are happy where you are then why on earth would you ever consider moving in the first place?
Some of us do not fall into that category though.. For me,personally the very thought of having to return makes me feel ill..
My son who as well as going to a local private school has also followed a 2 year IGCSE course..
I had been dreading the inevitable fact that I would have to take him back there for his examinations this year but I was saved by the bell as he can now take them in Manila..Whew!!
We are extraordinarily happy here as a family unit and we will never return to Europe to live..

Live where you are happy... If you are unable to do that,then that is sad.. I truly feel sorry for you.

I am quite happy living in the UK (British Isles).

I know two people, business partners, who are both UK millionaires. One chooses to live in the UK with his family. The other chooses to live in Dubai / Spain with his family. "Chooses" in the sense that they can almost live where they want to. The difference is purely down to them and their families and what suits each of them. Neither would prefer the others lifestyle in that way.

I use the word "checklist" as I cant think of another expression but undoubtedly there are a long list of factors to be considered for a move to the Philippines. A checklist implies a pre drawn up set of checks that one might look at before making a decision. Judging from what I have read, many folk simply have a very narrow "checklist" and think beaches sunshine sunshine beaches or not so very far removed from that with both blinkers and rose tinted glasses together.

In the absence of the word checklist think thoroughly consider all aspects of both countries. The word checklist simply makes it a little more systematic.

Many of us could live in the Philippines or the UK.
I could do it but don't want to. Even my wife wouldn't go back there either, I think she is turning English
I was surprised when she was telling me about the negative aspects of the Phils compared to the UK.

Hi,...my wife and I have been sitting almost every night now going through all the pro's and con's.
Most issues we bring up can be dealt with but the biggest and most important is indeed the education of our two small kids (3 and 6 ).
The school here is one of the best in the Borders ( I went there too ) and to see the look on my daughters face when its school-time is priceless,...she loves going there.
How do I pull her out of that school and place her either with a home tutor or private school in a province ?
As for now,.. that looks like a problem that will keep us in the UK for the foreseeable future.

But,...I enjoyed the imaginary 'trip' we had discussing what our new life would have been like when we moved over !!

I think my wife sees it that way too.

Yes, and a good question is how good are these private schools in the provinces?

Yes, hang fire a bit. In a couple of years you might reap the benefits of all that luvverly oil revenue that will be heading your way in Scotland.

I was reading last night that they even plan on a Scottish passport.....