Pros and Cons of Living in the City: Bonifacio Global City
Expats who visit any country are often drawn to business districts. In the Philippines, that usually means one of three places: Makati City, Ortigas in Pasig City, or Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. Each business district has its own flair, but BGC has been rising in stock as of late.
BUZZING AND BOOMING. Words frequently used to describe BGC’s rate of growth. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
More and more businesses are either opening or making their move to BGC. From restaurants to high-end boutiques, business process outsourcing centers to corporate headquarters for local and international companies, BGC is quickly becoming the go-to place for any expat to stay in. But apart from these reasons, here are a few more that should leave you wanting to stay in BGC:
1. Endless options for food, shopping, and nightlife. BGC’s myriad of restaurants, high-end boutiques, and popular stores will satisfy even the most discerning of people. Listing the best places would be futile, as every street in BGC has at least one. As far as bars and clubs are concerned, anyone who’s anyone can be found in one of BGC’s clubs once the sun goes down.
2. Infrastructure and transportation. BGC roads are well-planned AND well-maintained. Flooding is rare, and it’s hard to get lost in BGC. BGC also has its own transportation system (the BGC Bus and the e-Tricycle) in place of traditional jeepneys. Cabs are always present, but with how BGC is designed, a lot of people choose to walk.
3. World–class facilities. From St. Lukes Medical Center to top schools like British School Manila and (soon) the country’s top universities, BGC will be home to the crème de la crème of everything Metro Manila has to offer, apart from all the hotels and condominium buildings it already has.
4. Ideal location. BGC is situated right next to Makati City and is within 30 minutes of Ortigas Central Business District (CBD), making access to both CBDs really easy. There’s a transport hub located at Market! Market! where you can take a bus or a jeep to nearby CBDs if you’re not keen on taking a cab.
Most people love the idea of living in BGC, but there are a few things that people don’t like about the rising business district:
1. Extremely pricey. BGC probably has one of, if not the highest standards of living in Metro Manila. Meals can easily go for as much as P300 per person, while shopping options are usually limited to boutiques. If you’re comfortable with malls, budget options are available at Market! Market!, which houses fast food chains and bargain shops, as well as a fully-stocked grocery.
2. Transport system can be confusing, since most people are used to the public transport system along EDSA. This is why you will see people walk around BGC, or take a cab. BGC’s transport system is similar to big cities like Singapore or New York, where everything is scheduled, so it can take some time to get used to.
BGC is seen by a lot of Filipinos as the best representation of what our cities can become if managed properly. No wonder it attracts a lot of expats.
Source: Hoppler, KMC MAG Group
