Looking for a Place to Live? Here are Tips When Looking for a House to Rent

The 2010 data of the National Statistics Office revealed that there are around 200,000 expatriates, or expats, currently living in the Philippines. That includes foreign employees (and sometimes their families, too), retirees, spouses of Filipino citizens, and even students, many of whom profess that living in the Philippines has been one of their best decisions. 

 Though a foreign national cannot buy and own land in the Philippines, expats can still experience the joy of living in a cozy home. Houses and apartments for rent are great choices, especially for those bringing their families with them, as these types of dwellings offer more in terms of space and comfort. Compared to condos, houses and apartments provide a much larger living space to accommodate an entire family, pets, and even guests. Expats living in these homes will have more room to do a variety of activities indoors and outdoors, and with more privacy but less of the restrictions associated with condo living.

If you are one such expat in need of some help finding the perfect house or apartment to rent, MyProperty.ph has put together a list of tips to make your stay in the Philippines easier and more enjoyable.

1. Choose an ideal location. In the cities comprising Metro Manila, there are plenty of residential areas outside the business districts that offer expats the cosmopolitan lifestyle they are accustomed to. Examples of these are BF Homes in Parañaque, Loyola Heights and South Triangle in Quezon City, and the fringe areas of Makati. These places offer plenty of competitively priced rental houses and apartments, which are also close to leisure and lifestyle spots for a more comfortable suburban living. BF Homes in Parañaque, for instance, is a quickly gentrifying neighborhood that is now teeming with artisanal shops and lots and lots of restaurants.

Makati, on the other hand, despite being the Philippines’ most expensive real estate market, offers plenty of good-quality rental houses and apartments in its fringe areas, including Brgy. Bangkal, San Antonio Village, and Brgy. Poblacion.

2. Know the ins and outs. With the current traffic condition in Metro Manila, it is a good habit not only to give yourself time allowance when going to and from work or school, but also to know which routes and modes of transportation are best for you.

Metro Manila is served by major thoroughfares, chief of which is EDSA that runs from the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay to Monumento in Caloocan. It is also where majority of the metro’s commuter buses run. There are also four commuter railways that serve the metropolis: LRT-1 runs from Baclaran to Roosevelt in Quezon City; LRT-2 runs from Santolan at the border of Pasig and Marikina to Recto Avenue in downtown Manila; MRT-3 runs from Taft Avenue in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City; and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) from Alabang to Manila. Buses, jeepneys, and taxis are likewise available to bring you to the metro’s CBDs. Another mode of transport available are UV Express vans—point-to-point transport services that have terminals in many locations, even in cities outside the metro. These vans ferry commuters to major CBDs.

3. Be nice to your landlord. Since you will be dealing with your landlord over the next year or two, your relationship with him or her should start amicably. Being friends with your future landlord will give you a number of advantages, such as lower rate and speedy response should any part of the property needs repair.

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