Moving to Ortigas

Ortigas is considered the second most consequential business district in the Philippines after Makati CBD. Asian Development Bank (ADB), one of the most known organizations internationally, holds its headquarters in Ortigas. The area is a pleasant place to live and work due to its proximity to numerous businesses and recreational places.

There is also a good deal of high-rise offices and condominiums in Ortigas. If you plan on living there, you’ll have a broad range of choices when it comes to malls, bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and supermarkets within walking distance.

In terms of accessibility, Ortigas is next to Mandaluyong City and only a few blocks away from EDSA, the main road linking various cities of Metro Manila.

Real Estate and Living Expenses

Real estate prices in Ortigas usually go up every year. By law, foreigners can buy condominiums, but cannot buy land. Real estate purchases are subject to 12% VAT tax on anything over P3,199,200 (around $70,000). Buying parking lots are also charged with VAT upon purchase. All these make buying real estate in the city expensive.

If you’re planning to move to Ortigas and rent a condo unit, P25,000 per month can get you at least a one-bedroom apartment spanning 45 square meters. Utilities average about P4,000 (about $90) a month while P400 (around $8) a day for food is usually enough since you can find many options in all price ranges, which can go as low as P50 (about $1) a meal at food trucks.

You’ll be able to save more if you cook since local produce is cheap and abundant. Transportation-wise, taxis are required by law to give receipts although it’s not a common practice.

Recreation and Leisure

There are a lot of recreation and leisure choices in Ortigas, aside from the bars you can go to after work. You don’t have to worry about staying as late as you possibly could since it’s not a particularly high-crime area. Of course, it’s still better if you take the usual precautions.

So far, there are four types of nightspots where you’ll be charged upon entrance: dance clubs, bars with bands, karaoke bars where rooms are rented, and bars that cater to adult clientele. Although not popularly known as a party hotspot, its neighboring cities offer great options for partying such as ones in Makati, BGC, and Tomas Morato.

    Chimvie Dimaculangan +63 917 701 6127 chimvie@asia-relocation.com