What are the items that I should bring with me because they’re not available (or are too expensive) where I am going?
Furniture
Most items are available in Manila, but furniture for rent is not a common service here so either bring your furniture or look for fully furnished apartments. Fully furnished houses are not common.
Medicines
If you need special kinds of medicines, it is advisable to bring these, particularly enough to last you the first few weeks until you have time to find a local GP and pharmacy. It is good to keep at least some of these in your carry-on luggage in case your checked-in luggage is delayed a few days with the airlines.  Prescription medication tends to be expensive in Manila as most of it is imported.
Musical Instruments
Good quality musical instruments are difficult to find and costly, so bring your instruments with you. The Philippines is a very musical country and your skills will be highly prized with opportunities to jam in the bars in the evening.
Specialty Children's Requirements
Basic children's goods are easily available here, but if you need a special car seat, stroller, etc., it is better to source outside and bring it with you.
Imported electronic goods are expensive in the Philippines. If you already have your favorite 50" screen, best to bring it with you, but take care as hertz here matches the US but doesn’t match elsewhere in the world.
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Will anyone have particular trouble finding clothes that fit?
No, but the range of selection for larger sizes (clothes and shoes) tends to be limited to the high-end stores, such as Marks and Spencers.
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What grocery stores do expats in your city shop at?
Rustans and S&R (US imports) are popular for groceries; Santis or Terry's carry great selections of deli cheeses, wines, cold cuts and sausages. Contact Crown Manila for help locating these places. Assad mini-mart is great for Indian cooking ingredients. There are also great Chinese, Japanese and Korean stores.
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Where can other household items (such as cleaning materials and home furnishings) be found?
Most department stores have wide selections of household items.
LRI Plaza is a great place to start for furniture, as it houses a good selection of furniture and accessory items for purchase or to order. Ask your local Crown rep if you would like a larger range of furniture outlets on arrival or a tour of great shopping places.
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What are factors that might affect my shopping habits in this country/city?
Once again, traffic is a big factor. Try to time your shopping during office hours if possible. Prices at supermarkets like SM and Landmark tend to be lower for some products, but ranges of products tend to be limited so you may find yourself shopping at several outlets rather than one-stop shopping.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.