Makati is one of Philippines’ major central business districts, with more than 60,000 retail and commercial establishments in the area. Many of these establishments offer diverse choices of coffee shops and fine restaurants. Also within range are convenience stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets where you can easily shop.

Of course, the number of International companies and big firms based in the vicinity is what defines Makati as the premier business district in the country. In fact, statistics show that about 40% of the country’s local and multinational companies are based in the city, with the rest divided among BGC, Ortigas, and Alabang.

What is It Like Living in Makati?

If you’ll be based in Makati, living in the area offers a host of conveniences you won’t get anywhere else. Many expats claim that living in Makati makes the traffic there manageable since they only have to walk to work. It is also relatively cleaner than most cities in Metro Manila. The city is pleasing to the eyes and has strategic parks and landscapes situated in key areas in the city.

Moreover, many foreigners moving to Makati believe that staying in the city brings a lot of value since it can be a possible investment. Condominiums in the city have one of the highest property values in the country since their prices don’t depreciate over time. The only downside is that it has one the highest occupancy and rental rates in the nation.

For all these reasons, the cost of living in Makati is understandably higher than most other cities in the Metro. From food to real estate taxes, expect many aspects of living to be much more expensive.

The average rental fee in Makati is around P35,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to as much as P120,000 if you’re looking to occupy a three-bedroom apartment. If you want to live outside the city, but still near Makati, it will cost you around P10,000 for a one bedroom apartment and around P26,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. Despite these, there are many positive aspects to living in Makati if you set aside the cost.

Language and People

Makati is a great place for foreigners since many foreign nationals live there. A good number of them adapt to Makati easily since most people in the area speaks English fluently and it’s pretty much at par with many International cities. All instructions in the city are in English such as on road signage, public displays, transportation, and much more.

If you have kids, they would be able to adapt to the education system easily since the language used in schools is also English. In terms of culture, there’s not much cultural difference if you’re coming from the West since the city is heavily westernized compared to its neighboring Asian countries.

What to Do in Makati

More than just the thriving corporate life, Makati is a great place to explore the culture and the arts. From museums to exhibits and regular art fairs, you’ll appreciate the host of choices available in the city.

The North of Makati is also home to a booming urban culture, which serves as the creative hub of the city. It also serves as the city’s entertainment district with establishments such as the Circuit Mall, Circuit Theater, Blackbox, hotels, and many others.

Overall, Makati offers its residents a more urban lifestyle with close access to arts, culture, parks, and work-life balance.