Hi everyone, would really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.
My girlfriend and I are planning to move out and live independently for the first time, likely around November–December this year. She’s planning to apply at St. Luke’s BGC, and based on what we’ve seen here, her expected net salary would be around ₱30–35k/month (5 days onsite). However, if it turns out not to be financially feasible for us, she also has other options. She can apply to other hospitals or even take a fully remote USRN VA job, which typically offers a significantly higher salary (around ₱50–90k/month).
For me, I’ll be working primarily in the Burgos Circle area with an expected net income of around ₱40–55k/month, and I’m required to be onsite there twice a week. I also have another stable source of income in Kapitolyo (around ₱35–45k/month), where I’m required to be onsite once a week. Overall, my setup is hybrid, and I still have some side hustles on top of that.
We’ve been checking condos in BGC (Avida 34th, The Turf, Madison Park West, Central Park West, Montane, Cityflex), and 1BR semi/fully furnished units seem to range around ₱25–30k/month.
It is both our first time moving out from our families and our first time working in BGC. We’re considering staying for around 2–4 years, and we don’t expect significant salary increases during that period (maybe minimal at best).
A few questions:
1. Is it financially feasible to rent in BGC at ₱25–30k/month with our combined income?
Pros we’re considering:
- Walking distance to both our workplaces, so transportation expenses are minimized
- Convenience and overall peace of mind from living near work
- Walkable environment, safety, and lifestyle (jogging, relaxing on weekends, etc.)
Cons we’re thinking about:
- Higher rent may limit savings
- Might need to be stricter with spending (e.g., eating out less, fewer leisure activities)
- Utilities, groceries, and other living expenses on top of rent (which we haven’t fully computed yet)
2. Or would it be smarter to rent outside BGC instead?
I’ve read some suggestions here on Reddit about areas like Pitogo and the EMBO barangays, and a friend also recommended looking into condos in Pasig or Mandaluyong (e.g., Allegra, Kai Garden, etc.). However, some of our main considerations are still the safety, peace of mind, and having that “city living” feel.
Pros we’re considering:
- Significantly lower rent, allowing more room for savings and travel
- More flexibility in budget for lifestyle and leisure
Cons we’re thinking about:
- Additional transportation costs and commute time
- Less convenience compared to being near work
- Possibly less walkable or less peaceful compared to BGC
If ever, are there areas you’d recommend that offer a somewhat similar vibe—walkable, relatively peaceful, and less chaotic compared to other parts of Metro Manila?
Would really appreciate insights, especially from those who’ve been in a similar situation. Thanks!