Why is Manila one of Southeast Asia's Most Expensive to Live In?

Nov 17, 2022

Manila, known as "the Pearl of the Orient," is the Philippines' capital city and home to numerous historical sites, top universities, and well-known businesses. 

Living within the Metro's limits provides many benefits, primarily due to the area. As the capital of the Philippines, Metro Manila is home to numerous thriving cities as well as employment possibilities. Whatever the case, nobody can dispute that the population is always growing, which impacts a number of things, including heavy traffic, pollution, rising prices, and so on.   

According to a data aggregator iPrice Group study, Manila is one of the most expensive places to live in despite having the lowest average working-class pay compared to Southeast Asia peers. The Philippines' capital city has the second-highest rent charges, behind only Singapore, according to data collected by iPrice from Southeast Asia's six primary markets on Numeo database.

According to iPrice, the average monthly cost of living in Bangkok is P51,500. This includes all living expenses like rent, food, transportation, and utilities. With an estimated monthly cost of P50,800 for a single person, Manila is only 1% more expensive than Bangkok. The projected monthly cost of living in Manila, excluding rent, is P28,800. 

Moreover, the cost of living in Manila is 33% more than in Kuala Lumpur, 28% higher than in Vietnam, and 24% higher than in Jakarta.

You may be left wondering how comfortable Filipino residents of Manila are in light of the rates mentioned above. It is not surprising that about 35 percent of Metro Manila's population is said to live in unstable, substandard housing in the slums, with 11 percent of them residing close to railroads or garbage dumps, according to iPrice, where the average cost of living is 168 percent higher than the average salary. 

In Manila, bed space rentals are a popular practice, according to iPrice. It was reported that some locals resort to renting bed spaces and sharing rooms with others rather than renting genuine rooms or a whole apartment.

Given Manila's high expenses and low earnings, one might wonder what other burdens inhabitants must suffer. Perhaps ordering takeout or using other luxuries is completely forgone or kept to just a minimum. This and the fact that Manila has the second-worst traffic in the world, according to the survey, gives you an idea of the quality of life there.

Invest in a condo in Manila

Although living in Manila is something someone should think about, it is no doubt that people still choose to live here, especially since most of the good-paying jobs can be found in the city. Most professionals opt to invest in a condominium or rent an apartment near their work to avoid the hassle of going back and forth because of commute and traffic. With that, investing in properties such as real estate could be best. It is also a good time to buy pre-selling in Manila. If you work in the city, you can use the condo as your future home and rent it out to others to generate additional income.

Homebuyers and investors have turned to real estate in recent years as a secure shelter for their cash and future. Real estate investment is ideal, given the nation's low expenses, high rental returns, and tremendous appreciation potential. A fantastic way to begin is to purchase a condo in Manila. 

While there are many historical sites and a lot of people living there, there are few condos. Every style of condo imaginable is available in Manila, and they range in size and cost. You can find whatever you're searching for here, whether a little studio apartment or a 3-bedroom home.

Although homes in Manila are now less expensive than those in urban centers like Makati City and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, values are rising quickly, making them an excellent investment. 

When investing in real estate, the best course of action is to think about the city, area, or location. Researching local businesses is typically encouraged because they have a tendency to draw in more workers from other locations, raise real estate prices, and increase rental rates—all of which are great things for you as a real estate owner. 

When searching for the appropriate condo in Manila, it is typically recommended to look at extra factors that could affect the property's value. Market value, crime rate, economic growth, and local news are a few of these.

Purchasing a condo in Manila is a great choice because it allows you to choose the ideal location. There are numerous options in Manila. There is a lot to see and do, and it's simple to move around.

If you are looking for the best condo in Manila, invest your money in Vista Residences. From pre-selling condominiums to ready-for-occupancy condominiums, they also have various properties in different parts of Manila. Most of these condominiums are located near prestigious universities, making these properties perfect for families with a child going to college. These are also ideal investments if you want to use real estate as another income stream. These condominiums are strategically located, which is best because you can easily target young professionals and students. Especially now that classes are back to face-to-face, many students, especially those who live in provinces.

Pre-Selling Condominiums

  • Plumeria Heights | Condo on Taft Avenue
  • Kizuna Heights | Condo in Taft 
  • Bradbury Heights | Condo near the University of Santo Tomas 
  • Sky Arts Manila | Condo in Malate

Ready for Occupancy Condominiums

  • Vista Recto | Condo near FEU
  • Tennyson Heights | Condo near SM Manila
  • VIsta Heights | Condo near CEU Manila
  • 878 Espana | Condo near the University of Santo Tomas
  • Crown Tower University Belt | Manila Condo
  • Vista Taft | Condo near La Salle Taft
  • VIsta GL Taft | Condo near UP Manila

For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.

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