How much should a person shell out in order to live comfortably in Metro Manila?
There are a thousand and one reasons why Metro Manila is the place to be. There’s great food, exciting places to hang out, concert venues, and some of the world’s largest shopping malls. Metro Manila is where you can find the country’s best opportunities as the metropolis houses the Philippines’ most prestigious universities, top companies, and exciting startups.
What makes Metro Manila stand out from the rest of the Philippines is that it is the country’s economic engine. The capital is where goods are traded, products are exported, and wealth is created. As such, it is a relatively expensive city to live in compared to the rest of the Philippines. Condos for rent in Makati, for example, are among the most expensive in the Philippines, as are home prices, the cost of dining out, and even basic services like cab fares or getting a haircut.
However, all these are offset by the convenience of living in Metro Manila, not to mention the opportunities offered to those who want to further their career in the metro. This does not mean that one would be hard-pressed to live frugally yet comfortably in the Philippine capital. If a person knows where to find affordable yet quality homes, knows the foodie streets where artisanal joints and holes-in-the-wall serve great meals, and don’t mind riding public transport, then he or she can manage to live in Manila with no sweat.
Food
Metro Manila would be more comfortable, say, with an average American salary, although Filipinos do get by well without earning dollars. Whether a person is into gourmet eateries or prefers to eat at interesting hole-in-wall locations, they can get filling and satisfying meals virtually anywhere.
First stop will be the malls, which can be found anywhere in the metropolis, from big-box retailers like Mall of Asia, TriNoMa, and SM Megamall to high-end shopping centers like Power Plant Mall, Century Mall, or Greenbelt Mall. The great thing about these places is that they offer a wide range of dining options, from really affordable fast-food joints (Php75–150 per meal) and mid-end restos (Php200–250 person) to high-end eateries (Php500–1,000 per person).
However, you will be pleased to know that Metro Manila is also teeming with foodie streets dotted by food trucks and holes-in-the-wall serving everything from tasty tacos and burritos to burgers and ribs. Some of these foodie streets include Poblacion in Makati, Brgy. Kapitolyo in Pasig, and BF Homes in Parañaque. A meal in any of these places can range from Php150 to Php500.
Transportation and Services
The Philippines may not have the most efficient public transportation system in the world. But what efficiency lacks, affordability compensates. A taxi’s flag-down rate is priced at Php40 plus Php3.50 every three meters. You may have to get used to Manila traffic, though, to get a rough estimation on how much will be spent.
For cheaper modes of transportation, there’s the LRT 1, which runs south to north from Baclaran in Parañaque to Monumento in Caloocan, then west to east from Monumento to North Avenue in Quezon City. LRT 2, on the other hand, runs east to west from Santolan in Pasig to Recto Avenue in Manila. Then there’s MRT 3, which runs above EDSA. This line runs south to north from Taft Station in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City. The average price of an MRT and LRT trip is less than Php20. A word of caution, though: It is recommended not to travel during rush hour as lines can get quite crowded.
There are also the ubiquitous jeepneys and buses, and depending on distance rides can cost from Php8 (minimum for jeepneys) and Php12 (minimum for air-conditioned buses). Check out websites to know the different routes jeepneys and buses travel through Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares. Lastly, if you are planning to own a car, you can do so quite affordably. A basic, brand new sedan costs approximately Php500,000 ($10,600), while gas or petrol costs Php43 (less than a dollar) per liter.
Housing
The cost of housing depends on where exactly you want to stay. Rent for a studio or one-bedroom condo in Makati, Ortigas, or Bonifacio Global City (BGC) may cost anywhere between Php14,000 and Php25,000, while mid-end and larger ones may cost approximately Php30,000 to Php40,000. Rent in upscale condos in Rockwell Center, Ayala Center, Century City, or BGC, on the other hand, is pricier at Php100,000 to Php250,000 (the sizes of these condos can be anywhere between 100 to 300 sqm).
Door apartments or townhouses in Metro Manila’s residential suburbs are more affordable options. For example, a three-bedroom door apartment in BF Homes, Paranaque, can be rented for just Php20,000 per month, while much bigger townhouses in Quezon City can be had for roughly the same amount. The only disadvantage is that these places are situated a few kilometers away from the central business districts, but homes here are much bigger and the neighborhoods quieter.
If you prefer to buy, however, the most affordable options can be found in Parañaque, Las Piñas, Quezon City, and Marikina. Although these places are situated far from the business districts of Makati, Ortigas Center or BGC, homebuyers can find plenty of affordable options in these localities. A typical townhouse in Quezon City ranges from Php7.5 million to Php15 million.
Main photo via IngImage
