Would you move to Manila?

[worcestersauce]

My husband has a work opportunity in Manila, and we are considering whether to take it for a couple of years (last fling abroad before life gets too sensible!). But we know nothing about Manila and I'd be so grateful for advice!
I'm trying to find out what the lifestyle is like, are there many expats, what the people are like, how expensive renting a house is, schools (we have two kids 3 and 5), weather etc. Any advice very gratefully received!

go, go ,go!!!!

We came back just over a year ago and I really miss it, if I could get expat posting there we'd be back like a shot! I'm happy to answer any questions, there is also a mumsnetter who lives there, (think they might teach at one of the international schools) but I can't remember their name.

There are loads of expats there, it's a real adventure, we had so much fun and the Philippines is an amazingly beautiul country.

Just make sure your package includes international school, housing allowance and flights home. Manila has some amazing homes but is not cheap if you want to live in certain expat areas or want a pool, also as an expat you will have to accept you wil pay a higher rent than a local and you legally can't really buy there. You also might want to budget for a driver and help in the home also yaya (nanny) for the kids, it might seem an unnecessary spoilt expat luxury now but is actually more essential thasn you think.

When thinking about where to live you also need to consider traffic, it is shocking (only downside to the city) and you will spend a lot of time in the car (hence why you might want a driver...) so you need to live close to where your husband will work, where kids will go to nursery/school and where you want to shop and socalise.

Life is based around malls, with shops, supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants etc
Most expats will also live in condos by a mall or in alarge "villages" gated communities with thier own security and amenities.

The BWA British Women's Association and MADS (mothers and duaghters - dreadful name but great organsignation) expat playgroup are great help when you arrive, I met fabulous frineds throught them when I first arrived.
Few links here to start you off...

www.bwamanila.com/
www.britishschoolmanila.org/britishschool/global/index.php
www.madsmanila.com/

hope this is a help, if you tell me who your DH is going to work for and the kind of things you are into I could suggest possiblevillages /condos for you or answer any questions you have.

Thankyou so much for your reply, really encouraging and helpful. I will definitely take up your kind offer to get back in touch with a few more questions!

I was an expat in Singapore recently and it is a very easy posting. TBH, from what I've heard, Manila is the opposite of the scale. It's definately not 'Asia Lite' as Singapore is often described. Doesn't mean you won't like it but you should definately go visit first and see if they have a good expat website where you can ask people there and get lots of information. My friend moved to Manila recently from Singapore and I know she would much rather be in Singapore (especially for the kids). But if you are open minded, don't mind dirt and poverty and are quite adventurous minded then it might be a great place for you. Some people find Singapore too clean, safe, predictable, claustrophic, easy etc and prefer somwhere a little rawer like Manila.

Thanks very much for this. Yes, ideally a visit beforehand would be ideal, but I'm not sure we'll have that luxury so it's great to get others' views. To be honest, I am a bit wary of something too safe, clean and focused around the shopping mall - but I know that 'adventure' is a lot easier when you don't have two young kids to think of, and when you're the one at home (i work part-time here). Also, my husband would be working evenings, to fit in with british call centres, and I'm not sure how I'll feel about that. I have lived in France and Spain and loved it, but this is a whole new thing, so lots to consider.....

Calamansi
The Manila opportunity is still on the cards, although we still don't know much about the relocation package, or where exactly it is in Manila (It's T-Mobile). There is apparently a generous housing allowance for first year - would you be able to say roughly how much it costs to rent somewhere reasonable? - guess I'm thinking 3 bedrooms, outside space, access to pool. He would be working evenings, so I would want to feel secure.
We've had a rocky ride with the recession, job-wise the past year, so I'm trying to get an idea of what our main outgoings would be there, so that we can work out if it's realistic. Thanks for the website links - I took a look at the british school site.
Thanks ever so...

Hi Worcestersauce

Please don't be put off by Scanty's message, she is correct that Manila is not everyone's cup of tea, however to put her comments into context anywhere would seem dirty and full of poverty after living in Singapore!

Personally I actually found manila much cleaner than London and in regards to Poverty - yes some people are not as fortunte to us, due to the West's desire for cheap products and service so we refuse to pay decent wages to workers in other parts of the globe - HOWEVER as an expat you are in the extremely privaledged position (if you wish) to do something about the poverty and give something back. There are numerous charities you can be involved in which can make huge differences to some people's lives, just check out the British Women's website to see some of they fabualous things they do. However don't make the stereotypical mistake and think that Manila is all poverty there is also unbelieveable wealth there and the standard of living you will be able to afford will most likely be far far greater than in the UK.

It is hard to advise on rental prices as I'm not sure where T-Mobile have their call centre and especiallyy as a new arrival you should live close to the where your partner will be working until you suss out traffic and the commte that works for your partner; however I'm guessing it could be in the Ortigas / Eastwood hub - in that case google properites in Green Meadows or any of the Valee Verdes (there are over 6) these are gated communities with nice houses inside. For condos there are lots of buildings like the Alexandria in Ortigas or any of the Eastwood condo blocks. If T Mobile is in Makarti you are spoilt for choice with condo units 9too many to mention just google Makarti condo!) but they most likely may cost more than in Ortigas/Eastwood. One area central to all places which is very cosmoplitian and "European" in feel is the "Fort" or "Fort Bonafacio" area - lots of goregous condo units here from Pacific Plaza (Imelda Marcos lives in the block next door!) to the newer developments who's names escape me right now... You also have some very exclusive villages in the Fort area.

I hope this is of help, if Manila is for you it will be the most amazing adverture for yo and your fmaily. Also the Philippeins is amazing and Manial doesn't represent the whole country - there are over 7000 islands to explore and Eco Tourism is huge
Here are also a few links to come of the best weekend get aways you can easily do - beats bognor huh !

www.visitpuertoprincesa.com/
www.boracayisland.org/
plantationbay.com/
www.tagaytayhighlands.com/

Just when I think I'm up for Manila and husband feels 2nd interview went well - a friend of my sister warns that Manila is like Columbia - with an aggressive atmosphere, armed guards commonplace, and kidnapping a risk! Apparently his business colleagues who travel particularly dislike visiting. Any comments from people who know what life is like there on the ground?