I would love to know.............

What our Filipino friends on here that have settled into or are settling into life in the UK, think of the UK now is it how they thought it would be is it harder or easier to settle than you thought?what do you think of our shops, british food, the locals where you live, the media,T.V. and radio etc etc, non political posts please!

My other half says life is totally different to what she thought - the food, communication, how busy we are, how every second seems precious because we are tight for time, things are fairer here for instance if you buy something that is faulty you have a right to an exchange or refund!
It goes without saying that the healthcare is much better here.
She loves the scenery and the variety of flowers and trees. They make a change to banana and coconut trees...
Last but not least it is a lot colder than she imagined - even today when it's 16C...

we were talking about this just last night. my Mrs loves living in the UK---first came here as a student in 2008. she loves the climate--& the wages !. even on little over the legal minimum--she works a lot of hours--and sends home more than she could earn over there. she pays for all the weekly shopping and car fuel--plus always buying clothes and bling. her bank a/c is now several £thousand higher than it was when she came here a year ago. so its win all round.

How does she feel about living on the Isle of Wight?I know its a lovely place does she seeit as isolated from the rest of the UK or is she happy traveling when the need arises?

she lived here weekends when i met her in 2011---at college in bournemouth in the week. she has a lot of friends here--and her sister. so the island really is home to her. in the filis she lived in a small village up in the hills in la union--8 hours by bus to manila !

I had to show mine how to use the washing machine, the toaster, the oven, the steam iron...And more..
And she can't believe how we look after our health and teeth!
The food is very different too..

I think a lot depends on where the missus came from in the Philippines, if she came from the province then the UK will be WOW, if she comes from a large city then not so much of a WOW

Back home, I was a city girl. Here, we may not live in London but I dont feel we are far from the surroundings I grew up in.

So far so good. Been here since december and since then I was preoccupied with wedding stuff so experience with the abovestuff aint that much.

Shops-dont like how they dont give plastic bags "for environmental reasons" yet they sell them. Should provide paper bags at least. Small thing anyway.

British food - most of the time we eat indian curry dish than British but every time we were in the parents' house, we were fed with delicious British foods. I'd say I like how they are not so much into pork but adds vegetable in almost everything. Fried foods are very rare.

The locals- birmingham accent aint so listener-friendly but they seem like friendly people.

Media- since i arrived here, there are only two channels i knew,Cbeebies & Tinypop. Wish i can explore more when the normal life starts (after the wedding). I was surprised that there are no commercials on tv but then i was more surprised to know they pay tv tax whether you use it or not.

I like the peacefulness here and the spacious trains. The worst thing is the more expensive cost of living but why not, people are well-paid here.

There is more for me to see and experience here. Just hoping that everything works for the better of us.

where abouts in birmingham are you @joi1991 ? i was born and grew up there--but left over 45 years ago. i can speak fluent brummagem.

We are actually in Sutton Coldfield not so sure if legit part of Birmigham.

Look forward to meeting you at the Bario Festival,so close to you how can you not attend!

I am definitely coming!

yeah yeah

She doesn't like the clocks going forward an hour as she gets up at 5.30.

Good to see you're getting some curry in you

OK, I'm asking her. I'm quoting.

Shops - What shops? Food shops or clothes shops? What shops? Depends on what shops? I don't like the Poundland.

British Food - I don't like pie. I like lasagne. Is that British food? And roast beef. (Lasagne is Italian, I tell her). Oh. Roast beef then because I don't like fish and chips. I'm not into fish with thingy on it. I just want fresh fish. Not just put batter in it.

Locals - yeah it's alright.

TV - yeah. I like that. I like it because we have Netflix.

strictly speaking--sutton coldfield is a town in its own right--but still part of the west midlands. sutton is my real surname.

@inaroiles

My Kris isn't here yet but when over in Scotland last November (went to Sports Direct for waterproof jacket, fleece and base layer!) she sampled our national dish -- haggis - as well as the rather wonderful Stornoway black pudding. She thought both were ok but somewhat bland (heresy!!!)

She did however develop a penchant for red peperami. Clearly a girl with a spicy palate!

She also liked chicken tikka masala - although she'd had that before in Phils.

I had to tell her what a radiator was - bless her cotton socks!

Looking forward so much to seeing her again - this time for keeps.

G

I installed the Television Transmitters for BBC in Sutton Coldfield, when they went color in 1969. Now Im really showing my age...

my ( late ) aunts house looked out on the mast. she was in Four Oaks.