Medium Rise Condo

During my teenage years, I moved to a new neighborhood in Makati that had a separate area for medium rise condos outside. The people I eventually befriended turned out to be neighbors in the medium-rise condo community and have been friends since they were very young. When I asked them how they met, they said they met in the playground or while swimming in the pool. From then on it was really easy to spend time as they were growing up since their houses were quite literally a stone’s throw away from each other.

I think medium-rise condos are perfect for young couples who work in the city but would like to have kids and raise them in a safe, family-friendly environment. For those who don’t know what they are, medium-rise condos are a cross between a single detached house and a high-rise condo. It has all the advantages offered by high-rise condos like garbage management and security, plus the atmosphere and appearance of a planned neighborhood. All medium-rise condo clusters have shared recreational areas, pocket gardens, landscaped lawns, and swimming pools, making it a great place to raise children. With the added security roaming around the cluster, you don’t even have to worry too much about keeping an eye on them all the time.

Medium-rise condos also have lesser numbers of storeys, and its architectural design keeps you from feeling as though you were living in a box by allowing more natural light to enter the corridors and the unit. Multiple storeys make efficient use of the land, which is why developers can afford to build them near business district. And since medium-rise condo clusters are always located within urban areas, you can get to work on time and be near the kids, in case any emergencies happen.

Since medium-rise condo clusters are a family-friendly place, I think they might be a little bit strict about having guests over and throwing parties. I suppose it’s just a matter of keeping the noise down and being considerate to the neighbors but at least in high-rise condos, the people who live there more or less have the same kind of social lifestyle so they might be a little more used to the noise and having people come and go.

While I’m still single I don’t see myself living in a medium-rise condo cluster because it just doesn’t suit my lifestyle. If ever do decide to settle down and raise a family though, I would definitely want them to grow up in the warm, friendly, and safe environment that medium-rise condo communities offer.

Condos vs Townhouses

First-time home buyers usually dream of owning a traditional, single-family home with a lawn or a backyard, but it might be better to start out your property-buying with a townhouse or a condominium unit. The biggest advantage both types have over the detached house is price - with condos and townhouses, you have more living space for you money. Sure, the many high-end condominium developments in the market today might be a little intimidating for first-time buyers, but getting a mid-level market condominium will cost a lot less than a detached house with a yard.

Another advantage of both condos and townhouses is that you don’t have to worry about maintenance at all - the association takes care of all those things. The downside is that you’re definitely going to have to live within the association rules. They might have certain provisions against owning pets or renting out your unit, and these restrictions might make it difficult for you live there or resell the property. Still, there are many benefits to community living, such as a pool, gym, and 24-hour security, which you could probably not have afforded on your own.

Depending on what kind of lifestyle you’re living, townhouses may have the upper hand over condos. A townhouse allows you to live more independently - you’ll have your own garage or parking space, you can enter through your own front door, maybe you’ll even have a little bit of back yard. Some people prefer condos to townhouses however, because the former tends to be located near bustling business centers, malls, transportation, restaurants, and other facilities - all of which are very attractive locations. Townhouses are usually located a bit further from business districts and are not as easily accessible through public transport.

It all boils down to a question of lifestyle choice. Would you rather live in a house or in an apartment? A townhouse works more like a single family home and provides more privacy, whereas a condo lets you live in close quarters with your neighbors. Both condos and townhouses foster community living on the residents but the former offers cosmopolitan living whereas the latter gives you a little more independence.

House and Lot in a Planned Subdivision

I spent all my life living in a house and lot in a planned subdivision. Back in the 80’s when my parents bought their first home, all these developers were still creating subdivisions within Metro Manila for the middle class market, so it wasn’t too expensive to buy a lot and build detached house then.

Today, however, it’s a lot more difficult to acquire a house and lot in the city; developers are moving to the suburbs of Antipolo, Canlubang, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Land in these areas cost less, allowing developers to build a lovely detached house in each lot while creating a subdivision that feels like a country club or a resort. Although these suburban areas are known for the fresh air, gorgeous view, and a peaceful and clean environment, the biggest disadvantage is that they’re at least 45 minutes away from the business district centers of Metro Manila. For some families though, they feel that going home to a relaxing countryside atmosphere is well worth the daily commute to work and back.
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