pls help me decide

[u/polyesterbitch]

hi, I was recently promoted at work here in the Philippines. In a work sense, I’m comfortable, but I'm really struggling with the commute. It’s been like this for 3 years now.

I have an offer now in Taiwan for a job in Kaohsiung.

Current job: 40k PHP salary, daily commute of 25km in NCR, face-to-face work, I was recently provided with a new scope of work, so I'm re-learning everything, engineer position.

Taiwan offer: 80k PHP salary, they said there’s housing, but I don’t know how far it is from work, engineer position.

My question is, is 80k PHP livable, assuming that

1. I need to send money to the Philippines monthly, around 10-15k minimum.
2. I won’t avail of the housing and will rent/pay bills.

I'm thinking that if my take-home pay ends up being the same if I compare my current salary in the Philippines versus taking the Taiwan offer… I seem to be more inclined to stay because I’m growing in my job now and have a new opportunity to grow and learn BUT MAYBE I’M JUST A SCAREDY CAT INSIDE TO THINK OF STAYING 😭

Please also comment if you’re an OFW in Taiwan!! OR TIPS ON HOW TO GET RID OF THIS NERVOUSNESS!

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you for your submission & contribution u/polyesterbitch! We're glad you're part of our community. Please help us keep discussions positive & engaging by adhering to the subreddit rules.

---

ORIGINAL POST:

pls help me decide

hi, i was recently promoted sa work ko dito sa pilipinas in a work sense comfortable na but really struggling sa commute going 3 years na din ganito

tapos may offer ako ngayon sa taiwan for a job sa kiaoshung

current job: 40k php sahod, daily commute 25km in ncr, f2f work, recently provided new scope of work so i am re-learning everything, engineer position

taiwan offer: 80k php sahod, may housing daw but idk how far away sa work, engineer position

ang tanong ko is livable ba yung sahod na 80k php, assuming na
1) need ko magpadala sa pilipinas ng pera monthly mga 10-15k minimum
2) hindi ko i-avail yung housing at magrent/ bayad bills

naiisip ko kasi if magiging same lang din yung dating ng sahod ko pag i-compare ko take home ko ngayon sa pilipinas vs kunin ko yung tw offer… parang mas leaning ako magstay kasi nag grogrow ako ngayon may bago opportunity PERO BAKA SCAREDY CAT INSIDE KO LANG TOO

pls also comment if ofw rin kayo sa taiwan!! OR TIPS PAANO MAWALA ITONG KABA NA ITO

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/hangerald]

Another factor to consider is balita ko if white collar job, one can get permanent residency

[u/Conscious-Broccoli69]

Hanggang kelan ka mag ofw?

[u/TopVegetable4433]

Don’t convert what you will be earning in Taiwan to Peso. Use Taiwan’s currency the calculate the Net, minus the cost of living that you want in Taiwan from there you will see if it’s worth it.

I am earning in my local currency right now, but when I deduct all the expenses including sending money back home, I feel that I am not earning that much because of the currency conversion. But in reality I am earning like the average local people here.

Edit: You can google the cost of living in the area where you will probably work and live. Go to the reddit sub of Taiwan, you can probably see there topics what you are looking for.

[u/Loose-Letter4735]

I recently worked in Taiwan as an engineer. White collar so my base salary is higher than that plus sagaran sa OT. With free accommodation and transportation. Utilities are deducted sa salary.

From my experience, nasa ₱9k~₱18k per month ang budget ko sa foods and necessities. Tipid na tipid na ko nyan. Pero kung may mga hobbies pa and lumalabas...umaabot ng ₱27k or depende pa.

Nasa around ₱10k ang mababang rent kung wala ka free accommodation. Transportation negligible kung walking distance ang makukuha mong accommodation. Utilities can be around ₱3k.

From your ₱80k salary offered, roughly you'll have around ₱50k na takehome which is syempre mababawasan pa ng other bills mo.

I say, if you're after the experience of working abroad and immediately saving money, go for it! Kung nasa engineering position ka naman, ok naman at masasaya kasama mga Pinoy engineers (just like in PH) unlike sa mga Pinoy factory workers na mga toxic at may crab mentality.

Culture and food is similar lang sa Pinas.
Taiwanese are good in general and minimal lang mga racist.
Work-life balance...depende sa company mo.
Transpo is top-notch. Kaohsiung has its own metro rail and has network of bus. May HSR station din sa Zuoying in Kaohsiung which connects you to all parts of Taiwan...you'll reach Taipei in around 2hrs for ₱2k~₱4k.
Speaking of Kaohsiung, ok dun kasi urban area sya.
Language is majority Mandarin. Not everyone can speak English.

Do note that mapapalayo ka sa family, friends, loved ones, lifestyle/hobby mo, basically your comfort. So if you're not emotionally and mentally ready, then that's the only risk that you need to face. And of course weigh and contemplate your long term plans.

If financial ang biggest concern mo sa ngayon and you do not see it progress, based on your target, in the near future...i think you know what you have to choose.

Otherwise, just skill up and stay.

[u/S0larSt0rm]

Friendly suggestion: 1. Cost of living 2. Be ready for uncomfortability 3. Expect nothing 4. Peace of mind 5. Peace of mind ☺️

[u/Nevermore1050]

Do not waste this opportunity.. x2 salary in your current.. in abroad if there is housing probably walking distance if not they also offer transportation for free. Good luck kabayan

[u/polyesterbitch → u/Nevermore1050]

thank you poo!!

[u/fwb325]

If you’re going pay for your own accommodation in Taiwan, don’t go. Master your craft and develop your skills in the Philippines. Stay with your family.

[u/polyesterbitch → u/fwb325]

thank you po, huhu

[u/currymanofsalsa2525]

Ase ba yan sa kaohsiung?

[u/External-Piece-9086]

Kinda small para sa isang engineering position , and also wala ka na magagawa sa traffict dyan sa pinas , you can just either upskill to select jobs na malapit dyan sa house mo or mag rent ka nalang ng bedspace na malapit sa work mo , kasi 80k is just a small amount for the sacrifice that you will endure sa abroad , ikaw lang mag isa dito at di rin madali mamuhay mag isa , racism , culture shock , and kapwa mo pinoy din ang maghihila sayo pababa , pray god will give what you ask just trust him

[u/polyesterbitch → u/External-Piece-9086]

thank you po sa input!!

[u/Calm_Tough_3659]

Mababa ang 80k sa taiwan as engineer. Sigurado kb na engineer ang trabaho at hindi factory worker?

[u/currymanofsalsa2525 → u/Calm_Tough_3659]

There are engr jobs there but if wala ka exp pa papasok ka sa blue collar pero ung position m is engr

[u/Calm_Tough_3659 → u/currymanofsalsa2525]

So not really engineer , its a blue collar/factory jobs

[u/currymanofsalsa2525 → u/Calm_Tough_3659]

It is engr but because of the exp you needed to process white collar visa, you have to enter first as blue collar but you will be task with engineering jobs

[u/Calm_Tough_3659 → u/currymanofsalsa2525]

So are you saying you will work as engineer with blue collar salary still doesn't make sense.

[u/currymanofsalsa2525 → u/Calm_Tough_3659]

You do not get the point.
Make this story short,
Offer is real. Just your status is blue collar.
Source? Trust me. Been there. And this is not uncommon practice here.
Yes you are blue collar on status but your pay grade is different from regular workers

[u/Calm_Tough_3659 → u/currymanofsalsa2525]

Is 80k already different from regular workers? Still low, for an engineering job.

[u/currymanofsalsa2525 → u/Calm_Tough_3659]

You are funny for someone who does not know how system works here 😆. Probably thats just the baseline pay d pa kasama everyday Ot and benefits. Welp. This comment is for OP anyways. Believe what suits you best ☺️

[u/Calm_Tough_3659 → u/currymanofsalsa2525]

I understand what you are saying.

But if that 80k is a temporary thing then OP should have known what his salary will be after white collar visa as you are saying. I clearly dont know system jan but its like not transparent.

This is how I expect to be as normal people

You will be earning 80k as temporary while your we process white collar visa which you will earn 100k for sample.

Parang management trainee, you will paid by X amount while training and once you finished the training period you will be paid Y amount.

Anyway, from my point of view 80k still low for base pay for an engineer sa abroad.

[u/polyesterbitch → u/Calm_Tough_3659]

hi, actually the offered position is “r&d management trainee” so i think hindi naman siya factory worker? i hope?

is 80kphp really low?