Manila

[CleanYourTeeth]

Any mumsnetters in Manila or the Philippines?

Work have suggested a role there. Package would be good with schooling for the kids (8 and 6).

I’m not keen tbh and nor is DH - we live abroad now and it’s lovely, great lifestyle with fab weather and seasons and a 10 min commute.

We backpacked through SE Asia (years ago before DC) but didn’t make it to the Philippines...

From my very brief time in the Philippines (lots of island hopping, spectacular) but Manila was/is gridlocked with sparse train stations.

Loved it though.

Tbh I'd say just from reading your post that neither of you seem at all keen and I would genuinely go with your gut instinct and not go!

I've visited Manila as part of a holiday and we stayed in the business district (Makati). Didnt like it at all tbh and wouldnt go back. The rest of the Philippines though was absolutely gorgeous.

I wouldn’t move to Manila - it’s overcrowded, noisy, dirty, polluted. But the rest of the Philippines is well worth a visit.

I have family living in Manila and would agree with the overcrowding and pollution. They don’t have children and are having a great life ( been there about 10 years) but I understand that the
“expats” are generally fairly cut off from everyone else, even more so recently due to lockdown. The restrictions there are still pretty severe, tbh.
I have no idea about schools, I’m afraid.

But the islands are beautiful and lots of opportunities to travel to interesting places in normal times.

Thanks. I’ve wanted to go there to travel for ages.... and we love SE Asia generally. But we all know that living somewhere is a totally different kettle of fish.

Work are not pushing it and in fact are also hesitant about sending a family there given the current context, but have said I was the natural choice for the role. They know I’m not keen.