Almost every Filipino dreams of having their own home. But while most of us think of spending our whole lives in the capital region, more aspiring homeowners are also considering investing in property outside Metro Manila.
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If you’re considering acquiring land, maybe you’re wondering what lies on the other side. Living in the country’s capital, after all, has long been the default — especially for those of us who’ve lived here forever. But who knows? Maybe your future property awaits you outside Metro Manila. Here are a few reasons why.
Why consider investing in property outside Metro Manila
1. Real estate beyond Metro Manila is generally cheaper
For us 20-somethings, homeownership seems like an elusive dream. After all, most of us have to deal with barely liveable wages, constant market inflation, and adult responsibilities.
Even with the downtrend of property prices during the pandemic, real estate prices in Metro Manila are still daunting, especially for Filipino millennials who earn an average income of less than ₱50,000. This said, it’s perfectly reasonable for millennials to consider investing in property outside Metro Manila, where prices are generally lower.
Let’s take a look at examples of data presented by Numbeo, an online database of contributed data about global cities and countries. In Cavite, rent prices are 82.11% lower than in Manila. Antipolo rent prices are 75.85% lower than in Makati. Monthly rent in Angeles, Pampanga is also 17.42% lower than in Quezon City.
2. The cost of living is more affordable outside NCR
This may or may not come as a surprise to you: Manila is one of the most expensive cities to live in Southeast Asia.
Numbeo reports that a single person residing in Manila or Quezon City needs approximately ₱29,000 a month to survive — excluding rent or mortgage! In comparison, the consumer prices in Makati are even higher (24.44%) than that of both cities. The significant difference in the cost of living in and outside NCR is a huge factor why many Filipinos consider investing in property outside Metro Manila.
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3. You have more property options outside Metro Manila
It’s no secret that Metro Manila has, for so long, had the greener grass in the Philippines. Because of the numerous Filipinos seeking opportunities in the region, the area has become so densely populated over the years.
In 2019, the MMDA revealed that Metro Manila was the most congested city in Asia. Meanwhile, the most recent survey by PopCom showed that Quezon City, Manila, and Caloocan are the most populated in the country, with Quezon City alone having 2.9 million residents.
Because of this, cities in Metro Manila have limited residential properties as compared to those outside of the region. Fortunately, several developers have started investing in property outside Metro Manila. Now, many are providing Filipinos with more property options like condominiums, townhouses, apartments, and houses.
4. You have more breathing space outside NCR
On the same note, one of the best features of living outside Metro Manila is the breathing space. With remarkably fewer residents, these areas also typically experience better traffic flow and more pedestrianised streets. Developers outside Metro Manila would mostly boast of their “walkable” communities. Just imagine living in an area where you can enjoy refreshing strolls at any time of the day!
5. Areas outside NCR are becoming more accessible to the working class
Gone are the days of work opportunities being only available in Metro Manila. Reports have shown that businesses have become more interested in other areas in the Philippines. These days, you’ll see more companies — especially BPOs — popping out in Baguio, Pampanga, Laguna, Rizal, et cetera.
Not to mention, remote work arrangements are also becoming more common in the Philippines. If you’re one of the employees who’ve fully adapted to the work-from-home scheme, then you definitely have more of an opportunity to live elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you report to work in NCR, you can still anticipate better commuting options in the future. Think: the LRT-1 Extension, now 57% completed, will be cutting the travel time from Manila to Cavite to 25 minutes. Set to fully run soon, the LRT-2 East Extension will let passengers go from Recto, Manila to Antipolo, Rizal within 40 minutes.
These are just a few transportation systems that are foreseeing a more connected Luzon; and they will definitely benefit commuters from outside NCR once available. If all goes well, travelling to and from Metro Manila is set to become more convenient.
Real estate is, more often than not, a promising investment
Whether you choose to invest in property outside Metro Manila or within, it’s unlikely that you’ll suffer losses from the purchase. If you have the means to invest, real estate is one of the safest options as it is tangible and low-risk. And after all, it guarantees to provide you with shelter — a basic human need.
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In Mar 2021, the year-on-year growth rate of house prices in the Philippines reached a record low of -4.2%. On 25 Jun 2021, a report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas revealed that property prices in NCR declined by -0.8% from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, property prices outside Metro Manila also decreased by -2.1%.
Aspiring homeowners can take advantage of the declining prices of real estate during the pandemic. On the other hand, experts predict that property prices in the Philippines are to recover by the fourth quarter of this year — making investing in property today promising.
Investing in real estate is a serious deal
It goes without saying that all investments require a good amount of capital — both financial- and knowledge-wise. Before investing in real estate, do your due diligence: Study the risks. Consult people with more experience. Calculate the long-term costs. Speak with professionals.
Also read: How to Invest: A Guide for Those Who Don’t Want to Risk It All
Are you considering investing in property outside Metro Manila? We recommend that you try living in the area you’re eyeing for even just a month — just so you can get a feel of it. We picked a few Airbnb homes here and here that are available for long-term stays. Who knows? You might find an area beyond NCR that feels like home to you.
Featured image credit: tobiasjo via Canva Pro
