Originally Posted by
Davis Knowlton
Red: It's a good salary, but it's very important what perks come with it. I lived in Manila when I was still working. Salary was about the same - but, it included car/driver, house, electric and water - full ride. I had no kids at the time.
When I retired, I stayed in Manila for four more years, setting up a new business. Money was less (pension of about 55% plus what I was making from the new business). Had twin babies by then as well. Rent on a moderate 3-bedroom home in a gated community was about 2,000 a month. Manila has the highest cost of electricity in Asia - with very recent proposed massive increases, it's about to become the most expensive in the world. Monthly water is also very high.
Traffic SUCKS! When I was still working, I routinely had employees come in at the end of two years and say that they would really like to extend, but just couldn't deal with the traffic anymore. Proximity to your work is a REQUIREMENT!
The pollution is also terrible.
If you can work it out to your satisfaction, I'd leave the kids at home. The International School is about 30,000 per kid, per year.
Let me know what perks you get, and I can advise better.
I moved south from Manila a decade ago, as soon as I got it so my Filipino partner could handle the day-to-day of the business. I handle most of my end by phone and computer. Plus, I have good, cheap schools, little traffic, no pollution, my own large home I built on a big plot of land, a small farm and no stress.
At that salary, I'd go for it (even though I don't know how it stacks up to your UK salary) but if it comes with a decent perk package, then it would be more attractive.
Final note: A driver is nice, but it still doesn't change the fact that first thing every morning, you're facing an hour of traffic hell, and when you're finally done for the day, it will take you even longer to fight your way home. Living next to your work will cut stress in half.