LIST: Gated communities in Metro Manila
Living in a condominium may be the “in thing” to do if you want your own space in Metro Manila, but nothing beats living in your own home, especially if it’s within a gated community. Imagine having access to your own clubhouse, playground, a sports facility, and anything else you might need without so much as leaving the safety of your gated village.
IMAGE GRABBED FROM acci.com.ph
There’s only one catch to living in a gated community within Metro Manila: the exorbitant prices per square meter (we’re talking about 6-digit figures per square meter). You do, however, get your money’s worth if you choose to get a home in any of these gated communities:
Dasmariñas Village, Makati
Commonly referred to as “Dasma”, it’s a tightly-guarded subdivision with tree-lined streets that’s home to expats and diplomats. In it are two parks, a post office, and a Catholic school. Go out through McKinley Road gate and you’ll see Sanctuario de San Antonio Parish, along with several shops and restaurants.
Magallanes Village, Makati
Staying roughly within the same area, Magallanes Village is a good choice if you’re looking to stay somewhere close to Pasay City and its bevy of entertainment options: SM Mall of Asia, Solaire Resort & Casino, and Resorts World Manila. It has its own commercial center (Paseo de Magallanes) if you want to stay within the safety of your neighborhood.
Bel-Air Village, Makati
It occupies what used to be Neilson Airport, the country’s lone airport during the American Occupation. It has three phases (Bel-Air I, II, and III) and is located at the northern part of the Central Business District (CBD). One of Makati’s classic villages, it puts you within walking distance the CBD itself, with access to both the CBD and Rockwell.
Urdaneta Village, Makati
An exclusive subdivision within Makati, it’s as close as you can possibly get to the CBD. You can literally walk towards your office if you live here. It’s ridiculously close to Ayala Triangle Gardens if you want a quick jog, and its southern area is lined with condominiums like Discovery Primea.
Forbes Park, Makati
If you’ve got around half a million pesos to spare and are looking for a place to stay (read: splurge on real estate), Forbes Park is the place to be. It houses the country’s richest of the rich as well as diplomats and ambassadors. Fancy a round of golf? No need to leave the premises, as it is home to the Manila Golf and Country Club.
Corinthian Gardens, Quezon City
One of the most expensive enclaves in Metro Manila outside of Makati, it’s popular for its huge lot sizes, exclusivity, and proximity to Ortigas Center and Eastwood City. In case you’re wondering where it is, it’s the walls close to the People Power Monument located along EDSA.
Greenhills, San Juan City
No, we’re not talking about the shopping complex, though that is where the Greenhills Shopping Center is located. We’re talking about the posh village that houses the shopping center; the same posh village that current Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada used to call home. It’s also home to Club Filipino, the known meeting place of the Liberal Party.
Valle Verde, Pasig City
If you’ve ever taken a tour of Pasig City, chances are you’ve passed by one of their roads/gates. Valle Verde is composed of six mini-villages, and is the city’s most expensive place to live it. It’s convenient to live there, though; you’re close to Ortigas Center, Capitol Commons, and Eastwood City.
Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City
It’s not the most expensive, but if we’re talking about sheer land mass, it beats all of Makati’s posh villages combined (it’s the third largest village in Muntinlupa City). It has its own clubhouse, which houses the Alabang Golf and Country Club, as well as being the home of Alabang Town Center. It’s also close to Filinvest, a fast-rising business district south of Metro Manila.
Source: Lamudi
