Several multinational companies continue to choose the Philippines as their primary area where they conduct their offshore business operations. Apart from businesses, tourists coming from the United States and other countries visit the country for their extended vacations. Due to growing pleasure and business demands, real estate developments are continually popping up across the country. These developments are mainly in the Metro Manila area, particularly in the cities of Quezon, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and Mandaluyong. In particular, the central business district area of Ortigas Center provides a cheaper alternative to the premier areas of Bonifacio Global City (Taguig) and Ayala (Makati Central Business District).
Ortigas Center: Getting Around the Capital
Given the cost-effectiveness of being in Ortigas Center and its proximity to other vital areas in the capital Manila, many American expats and tourists are looking for places where they can stay for the short or long-term. Several hotels and condominiums in Ortigas offer reasonable rates for long and short stays. Amenities, such as gyms, swimming pools, bars and restaurants, and free parking space, are readily available in these expat-oriented accommodations. Apart from comfortable hotels and condominiums in the heart of Ortigas Center, visitors have various options in terms of mobility and accessibility. Although Ortigas Center has several public transportation hubs and walkable sidewalks, problems in movement arise due to the chronic heavy traffic and the near-constant bogging down of the city’s metro services due to aging trains. However, these problems might become things of the past, thanks to a local motorbike ride-hailing service app. This local motorbike ride service, which is famous for locals and expats alike, can squeeze you right past heavy traffic, pick you up at any condominium in Ortigas, and drive you anywhere in Metro Manila. If you are still not convinced for your safety, you can always take the metro services locally known as the Metro Rail Transit–3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit (which has two lines, LRT1 and LRT2). Expats and tourists can easily travel across Metro Manila through the MRT and LRT lines, which also cover other major business district areas and recreational places.
Nearby Recreational Areas
The accommodations in the Ortigas area are close to various recreational areas, which include prime bars, internationally renowned restaurants, scenic parks, historical tourist spots, and even beaches. Ortigas is approximately two to three hours away from the sandy beaches of Puerto Galera and Bataan, and the scenic area of Tagaytay, which is also home to the world-famous “bulalo,” a traditional stew with beef shanks and marrow.
Tourism and Immigration is Booming
The decision to stay in the Philippines, either for good or temporarily, depends entirely on you. The country has many things to offer, and the continued construction of several condominiums in Ortigas suggests that the country is expecting more expats and tourists in the country. In Ortigas, condominium price estimates are about 65,000 Philippine pesos or 1,244.00 U.S. dollars. You might want to delay the decision to stay because rent rates and purchase prices of condominiums can still go down.
