Should I accept a job offer and move from Northern Europe to the Philippines or to Gibraltar?

Manila definitely. Depending on where in North Europe you reside now, you will find Gibraltar boring. While I have not lived in Gibraltar, before I moved to the Philippines, I lived on a similar rock, barely larger (Cyprus) and I bored myself to death. While Cyprus was an enjoyable isle, gorgeous with lovely weather, I had both profession and age against me. Except for some Russian noveau riches, there was barely anybody in my age category (mid-thirties) and most locals in that age worked whether in seasonal tourism or construction. Little did they know about people working online. Younger locals all wanted to escape to the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden/Finland. Because there are more jobs, universities are better and life there just seems more interesting. The expat community generally was older, and retired. While it was great to connect with them, usually they had a different rhythm as working online allowed me. Cyprus may not be the same as Gibraltar, but with Gibraltar being lots smaller, I expect you may encounter even worse. Manila has a bubbling tech scene and experienced expats can land very decent wages in the BPO sector. I will generally +1 's answer about further details when it comes to working in Manila. Depending on your aspired living standards and expectations I may have further elements to say, although if you end up in the BPO sector, don't really expect to live native live except for weekend trips to the province (you will highly likely end up in Makati, The Fort or Eastwood City, areas not representative of 'native life' and almost as Western as you would find in Antwerp, Den Haag, Manchester and Metz). Grab the chance, it is awesome to broaden your horizons, experience abroad in such a thriving area of the world as Manila and South East Asia as well. You will not 'miss much' from home, there is almost everything although you may like the odd moment to want to commiserate with other expats because we grew up with different standards on cleanliness, recycling, arriving on time aso. Nothing life disturbing but it can be annoying at times to be confronted with cultural differences. I have now lived here for almost 4 years and unless I were to discover an opportunity in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia or maybe Australia, I wouldn't want to leave the Philippines for the First World anymore. People are awesome and there's some bits of paradise which can be found here in the area. It is highly likely that if ever I leave PH it will only be for an emerging nation in Africa, because I have friends and contacts there and after South East Asia the future is Africa.

If you're looking for a more modern, developing career environment, then Manila can be a better option. ;) I'm not aware of what it's like working in Gibraltar. So I'm going to elaborate my perspective when it comes to working in Manila. Let's just say there are advantages and disadvantages: Advantages: You said it right. Manila can give you lots of opportunities and experiences. You'll be able to meet a lot of technical experts from the various fields of IT and you'll be able to experience the latest trends in IT industry. Filipino hospitality (especially to foreigners). You can get more than a career experience. You can meet lots of happier people and you can have fun in working that you'll almost forgot that you're at work (if I said it right. :P) Disadvantages (or I would say challenges): Typhoons are frequent especially from June to August. As Mr. Benjamin Azada have mentioned, frequent typhoons result in some flooding in the streets sometimes you'll not be able to go to work because of it. In regards to seismic activity, earthquakes are rare in Manila. As far as I've known the last earthquake in Manila was almost 3 years ago. It is not safe enough to walk at some streets in Manila during nighttime because of such occurrences of crime especially when you walk by yourself. I'm just wondering where in Manila are you going to work. Should you'll be mentioning it, I'll give you further and updated details. Hope this will help you. Good luck. :D

The Philippines is a great place to live and work for a few years IF you get an expat package. This should include: a car (with chauffeur if at all possible), housing subsidy of some sort, annual fly backs and home leave to Europe, education subsidy for your kids (if you have kids), expat-level medical insurance that works worldwide or at least in Europe (local insurance won't cut it), full-service relocation assistance, personal tax advice. If you don't get these, you might find that the annoyances of living in a developing country would be too high of a cost. Feel free to ask follow up questions and I will update my answer.

Wow ironically i lived ther in Gibraltar before yet im a Filipino.Currently moved from country to country but Philippines is different. If you do have an expat package go here and experience the culture. Dont worry about the bad news from here every country has it. Check out the provinces on weekends. Of course Metro Manila hasa alot to offer. If you're looking for a new experience live and stay here for a while. Back in Gibraltar it was hard for me since i need to get visas to travel the neighbouring countries. But yes life here is simpler and more attach to people and nature. Please accept the fact we do have a bad system here.

Depends on what's important to you I guess.  You mentioned that moving to the Philippines may be your only shot at living and working in this area.  If that (and travel in general) is important to you I'd say go to the Philippines.  Aside from enjoying what the Philippines has to offer it also opens up all of South East Asia and North Asia (Japan, Korea, etc.) for you to explore.  And if you get a good package it should be ridiculously cheap for you to fly out on weekends to the destination of your choice. The same is true of job offers.  Manila may be a stepping stone to Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok or a host of other cities and countries that can offer you exciting opportunities.