You're right, I was in direct competition with Filipino Software Developers whose services were being sold remotely to the UK and they are top class smart people!Originally Posted by bystander09
LETS CALL TIME OUT HERE..... I lived with my family for 13 years in the Philippines... and yes its a wonderful place if you have the income to support yourself and your family, and provide a decent life style with all of the modern conveniences etc etc...
You will need to earn about 100,000 pesos per month to live comfortably in Manila. Keep in mind also that the Philippines has many very very well qualified IT people.. Sorry but unless you can bring something truly exceptional to the table... you will not stand a chance of finding employment.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH and get back to reality... the last thing you want is to end up on the distressed Brits list in the PI and be the subject of a whip around at the chamber of commerce meetings for a return air ticket...
bystander
However 100,000 a month is probably a bit high he could rent a decent small 1 bed condo for 12,000 a month 1,500 association fees 3,000 a month electric including aircon, 500 a month gas, 1000 a month water, 1000 a month phone/internet, 500 a month cable TV, single guy cooking for himself could get by on 8000 a month food budget that would be bloody good eating to be honest if he were cooking for himself.
But a single guy still reasonably young at 33, I'd give it a go if I had a little capitial to get started, it's tough anywhere in the world and more so in the Phils if you don't know the ropes but it's not impossible, I know guys that have done it and succeeded.
My estimate of 70,000 a month was based on having a very nice time eating out a lot and going places lots
Obviously he could be betting with his life from a healthcare viewpoint, that I think is one of the biggest concerns.
You are right though IT is nothing now, it's poorly paid in the Phils and they are good at it, particularly in the highly skilled area's like programming.
Jim
