Moving with Kids — What to Know
One of the most common questions we get from young families. Here's our honest take — including how our own family makes it work.
Can You Move the Whole Family? Yes — But Think It Through.
We get this question a lot from young families, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on how you structure it. The Philippines can absolutely work for a family with kids — but where you live and what you do about schooling are the two decisions that will make or break the experience.
Our recommendation if you're committing to a full-family move: stay within Metro Manila, particularly BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Makati, or Alabang. That's where the highest concentration of international families live, where the international schools are, and where the expat support infrastructure is strongest. Outside of Manila, life is more affordable and often more relaxed — but the schooling options for kids from abroad get significantly thinner.
For our own family, we made the decision to keep our kids enrolled in schools in the United States. That's the choice that made sense for us given our situation — and it means we structure our time differently.
⚙️ How Our Family Makes It Work
📍 Where Families Should Base in Manila
If relocating with kids, these three areas give you the best access to international schools, expat community, safe walkable environments, and the full range of services families need. They cost more than other parts of Manila — but the infrastructure is worth it for a family.
BGC (Bonifacio Global City) — the top choice for most expat families. Modern, clean, walkable, gated communities, direct access to international schools. Feels closest to a Western city environment.
Makati CBD — slightly older but established expat hub. Good schools nearby, strong restaurant scene, central location.
Alabang (Muntinlupa) — more suburban feel, popular with families who want space and quieter neighborhoods without leaving the metro area.
🎓 International Schools in Metro Manila
These schools follow US, IB, or UK curricula and are well-equipped for kids coming from abroad. Tuition is significant — budget $10,000–$25,000+ USD/year depending on school and grade level — but comparable to private school costs in the US.
- International School Manila (BGC) US/IB Curriculum
- Brent International School — Makati & Laguna US Curriculum
- British School Manila (BGC) UK/IB Curriculum
- American International School Manila (Forbes Park) US Curriculum
- Beacon School (BGC/Taguig) IB Curriculum
- German European School Manila European/IB
- Faith Academy (Cainta) US Curriculum · Missionary families
🔄 The Hybrid Approach — Worth Considering
Full relocation with kids is a big commitment. Many Filipino-American and mixed families find a middle path that works well: keep the family base and kids' schooling in the US, and structure extended annual trips around school breaks — summer, winter, spring. This gives kids real connection to Filipino culture and family without the disruption of a full school change.
For families with Filipino spouses, there's also the practical reality of back-home travel for business and family obligations — checking in on property, managing family matters, handling paperwork (see the bureaucracy note elsewhere on this page). Building those trips into the annual rhythm, sometimes with the full family and sometimes as a solo trip, is how many binational families navigate it long-term.