Settling Down - North or South

[Calistro]

Been thinking where exactly to lay grounds on starting a family. I grew up North side, but am now thinking twice if it is still convenient to settle down here. With a 2 hour traffic from North Avenue to Makati on an early morning basis, this does not seem practical to me, wasting time sitting idly on traffic. I think I'd rather have pay the exorbitant toll fees from the South coming into Makati daily. This will be the more expensive option, but I'm already thinking on how this can be negotiated with my current benefits. We can have too much money, but not enough time.

The only clincher here is the NLEX-SLEX connecting bridge being constructed right now. This MIGHTcut travel down back to 1 hour, but no one can say so for now. And it will entail a hefty amount of toll fee as well. Of course, this is not the single item that holds me back, as I'm still weighing options on available schools, hospitals etc. There's also the cost of living etc, but looking at the prices of townhouses being sold at QC and Las Pinas, I would dare say that they're preety even. I'm not in a rush, but investing earlier would be better. Condominiums are off our options too; would prefer buying a pre-owned house / remodelling one / whatever we

Anyway, I just want to hear from you guys your thoughts, if you guys were starting a family now, and are currently working in Makati CBD, what else should be running in your head? It might give me more perspective in deciding. Thanks a lot tsikoteers

[n_spinner06]

I'm on the same boat. I work in pasay so south looks more attractive to me. Im also looking to settle further south as well somewhere in laguna. Travel time kasi ng colleague ko who lives in san pedro is a lot shorter compared sa trip ko pauwi. Pero investment wise north looks very attractive lalo na sa pampanga/clark area. Yung nlex/slex connector mukhang matatagalan so kalbaryo if you have to go through the whole length of edsa. Pabor yung south kaso where exactly yun medyo struggle pa. If anyone can suggest a good town in laguna along slex would be greatly appreciated.

[SkyFlakes88]

I grew up in Qc during my teens and ended up here in cavite when i got married. Been living here for about 23 years. I think this side is good to settle down as its quite accessible to mla.via coastal road and to slex via daanghari. Never experienced floods in our area. Its about 30kms to chinatown and 12kms to slex via MCX toll exit. On weekends tagaytay is just 40kms.

My son works in makati and he just rides the express vans and normally about 11/2 hrs he's in the office. Just 1 ride[emoji4]

[radz15]

*TS if you plan to settle down in the south may kakilala ko nagbebenta ng house and lot sa Biñan laguna Brgy. Sto Tomas very near sa slex carmona exit. Nung dinala nya ko dun mula bahay gang makati 20mins lang byahe ko via SLEX and skyway. Mahal nga lang pag lagi ka mag skyway.

[jut703]

If you're working in Makati CBD, and living in a condo is not an option, definitely I'd pick the South. I grew up in the south and enjoyed the suburb feel, and back then toll wasn't exorbitant yet. But even now, living in the south isn't so bad if you can deal with the toll. The advantage is that houses in BF Homes are still much cheaper than houses in QC (Maginhawa area), so this should offset your toll costs.

Traffic is pretty bad though during rush hours along Sucat Road (or Zapote if you decide in Las Pinas), but not as bad as QC traffic. Also, during weekends, there's no need to leave the south as everything is in Alabang.

Biggest drawback is if you have some business to attend to in QC, you'll bear EDSA/C5 traffic, but if it's just BGC or Makati, it's not so bad. Another thing to consider is that IMO schools are still better in the North. I studied in Zobel when I was younger and I can honestly say that AGS/AHS is better (less conyo kids, better education). You also get to be near Pisay (if you consider that option for your kids).

[anesthoncall]

rush hour traveling from pasig to makati would took me 1.5hrs. Now having my own house in sta rosa, near mamplasan exit, going to makati is a breeze. 30 minutes top. Toll will be quite expensive but looking at your car's maintenance and fuel saved from the idle on the traffic I think its worth it. Of course, more time spent in the family, not on the road.
I enjoyed suburb living here, all the best schools and hospitals are already in place. not to mention the malls and it's near tagaytay.

[jut703]

rush hour traveling from pasig to makati would took me 1.5hrs. Now having my own house in sta rosa, near mamplasan exit, going to makati is a breeze. 30 minutes top. Toll will be quite expensive but looking at your car's maintenance and fuel saved from the idle on the traffic I think its worth it. Of course, more time spent in the family, not on the road.
I enjoyed suburb living here, all the best schools and hospitals are already in place. not to mention the malls and it's near tagaytay.

It depends in where you live in Pasig, and where you work in Makati. I used to work in Makati and it would take me around 45 min to get to work during rush hour (20 min if traffic is light). From the south, while it only takes about 15 minutes from Sucat to Don Bosco, you'll be stuck in traffic from there until you cross Ayala. Then there's the travel time from your house to SLEX.

[WallyWest]

Less severe ang floods dito sa South.

[macsd]

rush hour traveling from pasig to makati would took me 1.5hrs. Now having my own house in sta rosa, near mamplasan exit, going to makati is a breeze. 30 minutes top. Toll will be quite expensive but looking at your car's maintenance and fuel saved from the idle on the traffic I think its worth it. Of course, more time spent in the family, not on the road.
I enjoyed suburb living here, all the best schools and hospitals are already in place. not to mention the malls and it's near tagaytay.

The selfish side of me don't recommend south as i don't want traffic , peace & order, fresh air etc... be hampered by population growth. But for TS, Sta Rosa right side of slex is the place to go.

[vinj]

Consider:
- School of your kids
- Work
- Is being near certain relatives a must?

I think a lot of us are on the same boat. In my case i decided to get first a condo close to the current schools, which i can use for the next few years before i decide on building or acquiring a more permanent abode. I also want to see how the NLEX-SLEX link will pan out.

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Consider:
- School of your kids
- Work
- Is being near certain relatives a must?

I think a lot of us are on the same boat. In my case i decided to get first a condo close to the current schools, which i can use for the next few years before i decide on building or acquiring a more permanent abode. I also want to see how the NLEX-SLEX link will pan out.

[CVT]

The selfish side of me don't recommend south as i don't want traffic , peace & order, fresh air etc... be hampered by population growth. But for TS, Sta Rosa right side of slex is the place to go.

Nice one bro. macsd....

However, schools in the north are generally cheaper than here in the south, for some reasons that I could not comprehend....


"The measure of a man is what he does with power" LJIOHF!

27.4K _/_/_/_/_/:burn:_/_/_/_/_/

[macsd]

Nice one bro. macsd....

However, schools in the north are generally cheaper than here in the south, for some reasons that I could not comprehend....


"The measure of a man is what he does with power" LJIOHF!

27.4K _/_/_/_/_/:burn:_/_/_/_/_/

What will be more cheaper than being a scholar bro

[vinj]

Nice one bro. macsd....

However, schools in the north are generally cheaper than here in the south, for some reasons that I could not comprehend....


"The measure of a man is what he does with power" LJIOHF!

27.4K _/_/_/_/_/:burn:_/_/_/_/_/

Dahil sa mga households tulad mo na nagpapataas ng per capita income sa south.

[1D4LV]

we have properties both in the north (QC - Teachers Village) and from the south (Las Pinas).
i grew up in the south. i was born in paranaque, had my reformative years in alabang and after getting married, bought a property in las pinas....

the southern area has changed a lot.... dati, kokonti ang tao, walang traffic and sariwa ang hangin.... ngayon, sobrang populated na, commercialized na din and malupet na din ang traffic. going to makati would mean that you would have to spend on toll or bear the traffic.... depends on the place where you are living (i love the surroundings of the Palms Village in Filinvest and yung mga loob loob ng ayala alabang), but otherwise, plenty of amenities.... near malls, hospitals and schools... CVT is right, schools in the south are more expensive that those from the north for reasons, i cannot also understand.

sa north, depende sa area.... although ok yung property din namin sa QC dahil tahimik, paglabas mo, sobrang gulo na din.... matalino street in UP Village as well as Maginhawa Street in UPV/Teachers Village has heavy traffic during early evenings. madami ding hospitals although most of them are public hospitals like Heart Center, Lung Center, Kidney Center, etc.... Medyo malayo pa lalakbayin mo to get to St. Lukes E. Rod. Good schools are nearer (Ateneo, UP and UST is just one UV ride away), compared if you are from the south where La Salle is the nearest one... Although I heard most schools are now opening branches sa BGC, nothing beats studying from the original campus.... When i was living pa in alabang, dusa ang byahe ko papunta sa USTe, araw araw. So if you are from the south and your kid wants to study in these schools, dorm na talaga ang option.

My choice? I would rather go the Sta. Rosa area.... Mas sariwa ang hangin.... O ganito na lang talaga ang nararamdaman ng mga matatanda na....... ang kawawa lang is ang mga bata, kung sa schools sa north nga magaaral.

For us, we would just wait for our kid to finish Grade 12 and transfer to QC na din..... (in two years).

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we have properties both in the north (QC - Teachers Village) and from the south (Las Pinas).
i grew up in the south. i was born in paranaque, had my reformative years in alabang and after getting married, bought a property in las pinas....

the southern area has changed a lot.... dati, kokonti ang tao, walang traffic and sariwa ang hangin.... ngayon, sobrang populated na, commercialized na din and malupet na din ang traffic. going to makati would mean that you would have to spend on toll or bear the traffic.... depends on the place where you are living (i love the surroundings of the Palms Village in Filinvest and yung mga loob loob ng ayala alabang), but otherwise, plenty of amenities.... near malls, hospitals and schools... CVT is right, schools in the south are more expensive that those from the north for reasons, i cannot also understand.

sa north, depende sa area.... although ok yung property din namin sa QC dahil tahimik, paglabas mo, sobrang gulo na din.... matalino street in UP Village as well as Maginhawa Street in UPV/Teachers Village has heavy traffic during early evenings. madami ding hospitals although most of them are public hospitals like Heart Center, Lung Center, Kidney Center, etc.... Medyo malayo pa lalakbayin mo to get to St. Lukes E. Rod. Good schools are nearer (Ateneo, UP and UST is just one UV ride away), compared if you are from the south where La Salle is the nearest one... Although I heard most schools are now opening branches sa BGC, nothing beats studying from the original campus.... When i was living pa in alabang, dusa ang byahe ko papunta sa USTe, araw araw. So if you are from the south and your kid wants to study in these schools, dorm na talaga ang option.

My choice? I would rather go the Sta. Rosa area.... Mas sariwa ang hangin.... O ganito na lang talaga ang nararamdaman ng mga matatanda na....... ang kawawa lang is ang mga bata, kung sa schools sa north nga magaaral.

For us, we would just wait for our kid to finish Grade 12 and transfer to QC na din..... (in two years).

[cast_no_shadow]

Pinag uusapan na din namin ito ni esmi.

Her folks is based now at north (bulacan) but we both grew up in Manila.

Now we are still in Manila, daily drive is stress free in the morning, we left the house at 5:30am BTW

Basta agahan mo lang, wala ka problema sa traffic.

The evening drive home is the one getting into my nerves, lahat ng construction sinasagasaan ko ngayon.

The skyway connector to NLEX and the Flood interceptor project inip ka na sa traffic, gulpi pa oto mo sa wasak na daan)

sorry haba ng intro ko. :grin:

Actually we are leaning towards getting a condo near our workplace, what we want is maalis man lang or mabawasan yung daily drive.

Before we entertained the idea on getting a house and lot sa bulacan din, kaso hindi ko ata kakayanin yung araw araw ka magdudusa sa edsa umaga at pauwi. You can take your chances and re-route still manila is a jungle.

sa south naman choices mo are cavite or laguna, AFAIK and as posted here cost of living in the south is much pricier.

you can opt to reside in Rizal area, cheaper properties yet traffic is ganun din mapa marcos highway or ortigas ave.

OT

Kaya minsan i envy yung mga colleagues ko sa regions, parang ang stress free ng buhay.

Same rate kayo nakukuha yet yung stress ng living in the Metro eh hindi nila nararanasan.

[1D4LV]

Pinag uusapan na din namin ito ni esmi.

Her folks is based now at north (bulacan) but we both grew up in Manila.

Now we are still in Manila, daily drive is stress free in the morning, we left the house at 5:30am BTW

Basta agahan mo lang, wala ka problema sa traffic.

The evening drive home is the one getting into my nerves, lahat ng construction sinasagasaan ko ngayon.

The skyway connector to NLEX and the Flood interceptor project inip ka na sa traffic, gulpi pa oto mo sa wasak na daan)

sorry haba ng intro ko. :grin:

Actually we are leaning towards getting a condo near our workplace, what we want is maalis man lang or mabawasan yung daily drive.

Before we entertained the idea on getting a house and lot sa bulacan din, kaso hindi ko ata kakayanin yung araw araw ka magdudusa sa edsa umaga at pauwi. You can take your chances and re-route still manila is a jungle.

sa south naman choices mo are cavite or laguna, AFAIK and as posted here cost of living in the south is much pricier.

you can opt to reside in Rizal area, cheaper properties yet traffic is ganun din mapa marcos highway or ortigas ave.

OT

Kaya minsan i envy yung mga colleagues ko sa regions, parang ang stress free ng buhay.

Same rate kayo nakukuha yet yung stress ng living in the Metro eh hindi nila nararanasan.

since wala pa naman kayong kid...
why not rent a condo or a place near your work?
tsaka ka na magpundar pag may anak ka na.

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Pinag uusapan na din namin ito ni esmi.

Her folks is based now at north (bulacan) but we both grew up in Manila.

Now we are still in Manila, daily drive is stress free in the morning, we left the house at 5:30am BTW

Basta agahan mo lang, wala ka problema sa traffic.

The evening drive home is the one getting into my nerves, lahat ng construction sinasagasaan ko ngayon.

The skyway connector to NLEX and the Flood interceptor project inip ka na sa traffic, gulpi pa oto mo sa wasak na daan)

sorry haba ng intro ko. :grin:

Actually we are leaning towards getting a condo near our workplace, what we want is maalis man lang or mabawasan yung daily drive.

Before we entertained the idea on getting a house and lot sa bulacan din, kaso hindi ko ata kakayanin yung araw araw ka magdudusa sa edsa umaga at pauwi. You can take your chances and re-route still manila is a jungle.

sa south naman choices mo are cavite or laguna, AFAIK and as posted here cost of living in the south is much pricier.

you can opt to reside in Rizal area, cheaper properties yet traffic is ganun din mapa marcos highway or ortigas ave.

OT

Kaya minsan i envy yung mga colleagues ko sa regions, parang ang stress free ng buhay.

Same rate kayo nakukuha yet yung stress ng living in the Metro eh hindi nila nararanasan.

since wala pa naman kayong kid...
why not rent a condo or a place near your work?
tsaka ka na magpundar pag may anak ka na.

[vinj]

Re purhase of properties, if you have the resources it is nice to cover both the north and south.

OT

Kaya minsan i envy yung mga colleagues ko sa regions, parang ang stress free ng buhay.

Same rate kayo nakukuha yet yung stress ng living in the Metro eh hindi nila nararanasan.

One time i spent a weekday morning in the province. Sarap ng father-in-law ko; at 7:30am nagkakape, newspaper, at breakfast pa bago pumasok sa trabaho (de-sundo pa siya ng office service nila).

[cast_no_shadow]

since wala pa naman kayong kid...
why not rent a condo or a place near your work?
tsaka ka na magpundar pag may anak ka na.

Wifey suggested that, kaso i'm against paying rent, wala napupuntahan hulog. Might as well get one and yung hulog mo may mapupuntahan.

Pero parang ngayon gusto ko na din na mangupahan, nakakarindi na traffic eh.

Re purhase of properties, if you have the resources it is nice to cover both the north and south.

In-time bro, hindi pa ganun kalaki resources naten.

One time i spent a weekday morning in the province. Sarap ng father-in-law ko; at 7:30am nagkakape, newspaper, at breakfast pa bago pumasok sa trabaho (de-sundo pa siya ng office service nila).

Same experience, I attended a 1 week workshop sa tacloban naobserbahan ko ganyan din mga officemates ko panalo kako!

[Sarsi]

Used to live in the south for 4 years before transferring ti the center of QC.

Agree with most of the replies here, nung panahon na may thursday group ang alabangerz, talahib at iilan pa ang building, libre parking kahit saan, nakabalagbag mga auto ni CVT sa westgate, parang ayoko na umalis sa munti area. Kaya lang nung ginawa yung phase 2 ng skyway, ayun, di ko natiis. Lumayas kami sa munti/alabang area.

Also, QC is better for us since our parents and families are based in the north also.

[Bin Diesel]

Lived in the south for most of my life. Sabi ko dito ako tatanda at di ako bibili ng condo. After 2 kids in HS and both sa manila nag-aaral, the wife and I decided to move to manila para di naman kawawa mga bata sa biyahe. We got a condo pero sa 2017 pa pede lipatan so we are renting muna. Yung bahay namin sa Laguna pinaparentahan muna namin. Ako I go to work using the LRT1 and LRT2, I only get to use the car kapag weekends and ang sarap ng buhay magtren walang trapik. By the way laki ng tipid ko sa gas, toll and parking, it's enough to cover the rent of our apartment now.
Ang masasabi ko lang priorities change lalo na kapag may anak na so don't say no sa mga possible options.

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Lived in the south for most of my life. Sabi ko dito ako tatanda at di ako bibili ng condo. After 2 kids in HS and both sa manila nag-aaral, the wife and I decided to move to manila para di naman kawawa mga bata sa biyahe. We got a condo pero sa 2017 pa pede lipatan so we are renting muna. Yung bahay namin sa Laguna pinaparentahan muna namin. Ako I go to work using the LRT1 and LRT2, I only get to use the car kapag weekends and ang sarap ng buhay magtren walang trapik. By the way laki ng tipid ko sa gas, toll and parking, it's enough to cover the rent of our apartment now.
Ang masasabi ko lang priorities change lalo na kapag may anak na so don't say no sa mga possible options.