Settling in the metro: Does it still make sense?

MANILA, Philippines – With several industries booming in the outskirts of the metro, more Filipinos are considering moving out of the urban center to make a home in one of the nearby provinces. Reasons we often hear and read about are horrible traffic situation, hopeless condition of the MRT, expensive commodities and suffocating air quality, among others.

People are looking for better living conditions. But if you are starting to grow a family, should you really quickly forget about Metro Manila and focus on the opportunities outside? Don’t exclude Metro Manila just yet when looking for potential communities to grow your family.

Let’s look at the brighter side of living in the metro and find out for yourself whether it still makes sense to invest in a home here.

Securing a solid career with the industry giants

As a parent who wishes to sustain a decent lifestyle for your family, you’d want to have a stable job in an established company. And if you’re looking for prestige and high salary from multinational companies, you have great choices in the metro.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines has been a preferred destination of international companies for expansion.

And in the 2015 Top Companies report of online job listing service Jobstreet.com, the top ten most aspired companies—San Miguel Corporation, Nestle Philippines, Accenture, Shell Philippines, Procter & Gamble Philippines, SM Investments Corporation, ABS-CBN Corporation, BDO Unibank, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines and Unilever Philippines—have offices in Metro Manila.

Getting your children world-class education

In the most recent ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education information provider that annually ranks top universities around the world, two Philippine universities made it to the top 100 universities in Asia. The University of the Philippines ranked 70th while Ateneo de Manila University placed 99th. Both are located in Quezon City.

Other universities that were also recognized are Manila-based De La Salle University (#181) and University of Santo Tomas (#143).

There are also several top-notch high schools, innovative learning centers and tutorial centers for your kids.

Taking advantage of quality, modern communities

Whether you’re looking to rent for now or invest in a house soon, you’ll find plenty of options in Manila.

Mixed-use properties that combine residential and commercial amenities to provide buyers with maximum convenience and a really comfortable lifestyle are also sprouting in several parts of the capital, not just in central business districts.

There are also affordable condominiums that many young families are considering investing in as these are also built in strategic locations. Urban DECA Tower by Deca Homes, for example, is situated in a convenient spot in Cubao City, near Farmers Market. Set to complete in 2019; while Urban DECA Tower Cubao offers furnished units with toilet and bath, tiled flooring, kitchen sink and cabinet, built-in bed and mattress, air conditioningand dining set.

Deca Homes and other real estate developers have also made their payment schemes easier especially for small families. The monthly amortization for Urban DECA Tower Cubao is pegged at less than P11,000 in 25 years.

Depending on your needs and goals, Metro Manila might not be that bad to nourish your family.

While a lot of things can still be said against living in Metro Manila (as many residents here are already angered by the ugly conditions they face every day), it’s wise to check all your options and see each one objectively when choosing a home and deciding on where to put your money, especially if the decision involves your family.

If you want to compare the metro with the countryside, you can check out this map of real estate hotspots to see your options.                                                                                  

READ MORE:

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