“I really love living in cities where the people living above, below and next to you are from totally different worlds to you.” –Rupert Friend
Makati living has always been associated with the lush, glamorous and sophisticated lifestyle.
Known for its air of exclusivity and catering only to the elite few, it has been designated as the Philippines most coveted zip code. As a result, more and more individuals have been thinking about being billeted in the swanky city. Apart from the obvious progressive city lifestyle, Makati is also known to be a melting pot of various cultures as well as a booming station for individuals seeking to further their careers or looking for new job opportunities. After all, the city is not known to be Manila’s central business district for nothing. However, to be fair and objective, there are also downsides to living in the city—even one as opulent as Makati is. So, if you have been planning on ever living in condo near Makati or so, here are some of the things you might want to take note of:
The weather
Pro: The weather in Makati is mostly fair in a sense that it never got too hot or too cool either. Sporadically, you can expect the weather to change a bit. Expect the hottest months to be in April to May but more often than not, it is bearable. Usually, the weather is nothing to complain about seeing as the Philippines is a tropical country.
Cons: Typhoons and hurricanes are particularly common in the Philippines between the months of July to September. In this regard, you can expect torrential rain and inundated streets. While you can brave the harsh weather with an umbrella, you cannot always expect to stay dry. Some streets would get so flooded it would be barely passable. Moreover, it leaves most people stranded inside malls or inside their homes.
Transportation
Pros: Metro Manila already offers a myriad of commuting alternatives with riding apps such as Uber and Grab. However, you will find that your commute would barely cost you anything if you rode the way most Filipinos do—through a jeepney ride. The commute—depending on where you wish to go—would only cost you seven pesos. Alternatively, if riding jeepneys is not your thing, cabs usually offer rides for quite low.
Cons: Traffic in Manila grips it like a plague. For years and years now, individuals and residents of the metropolis have always complained about the amount of time they spend wasting just sitting in traffic. Although traffic has always been associated as a sign of progress, this being Manila (and incidentally, Makati’s) major handicap can be quite annoying—especially if you have places where you need to be.
Cafes to work in
Pros: One of the quirky and interesting things about Makati is that there would always be a café available for anyone who wishes to work. Staff will never complain regardless of how long you stay so long as you ordered some items off of their menu as well. Moreover, Makati’s coffee shop scene is incredibly diverse so there is no need for you to keep on relying on the same old Starbucks and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf shop that is for sure,
Cons: Unfortunately, while most coffee shops offer you free “high speed” internet access while you work, that is mostly open to doubt. Internet speed is relatively slow as compared with other countries and the Philippines is known to be notorious for being one of the countries with the worst internet speed connection. Internet in café’s are not always reliable and even in your apartments and condominiums, connection can be subpar—or worse, abysmal.
People
Pros: Much like most Filipinos, people living in Makati are usually a very friendly and welcoming bunch. They are not hard to strike a conversation with and would mostly have an excellent command of the English language. Moreover, you can almost always expect for Filipinos to give you a warm smile whenever you interact with them.
Cons: Much like any place in the world, Makati is plagued with crime. As such, there would be your occasional swindlers and unsavory characters in the nook and cranny of the city. However, just try not to stand out so much to ensure you would not be susceptible to being victimized in any criminal activity.