Condo-Meets-Mall Living in the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@ericg9092]

Great video. Would love to see more of the condo options around there.

[@jeremyleonbarlow]

Its almost like being transported back to the 1980s in the states to see a vibrant flourishing mall like that one. I mean as a Gen Xer with a bit of nostalgia for the things that have disappeared from American life, every time a tourist or expat in Southeast Asia shows a tour like this, I think to myself, yeah I want to go just to get some of what is gone here in the states back.

[@BuffertheTourist]

Great point. I remember getting dropped off and hanging out at the mall as a teenager. Those days are definitely gone for most of America. Maybe that’s why I enjoy going to them when I travel.

[@EricMorgan-g7p]

It’s always fascinating how many truly huge cities there are in the world...that most people in another part of the world have never heard of...

[@BuffertheTourist]

I always feel the same. I didn’t Cebu existed 3-years ago and now I find myself keep coming back.

[@ericg9092]

I don't know - for someone wanting to retire and live a slower paced life, living on top of a mall with everything you need inside for less than your social security seems like a pretty decent deal. Granted you can always live cheaper, but that kind of convenience with good food options is hard to beat.

[@BuffertheTourist]

Good points. I’m just not there yet. Maybe someday.

[@RT804]

Way too many retired guys living in the provinces, hours away from even decent medical care let alone good medical care. It doesn't make any sense for a Westerner to live like that. It's attractive at first but many guys who put in 5+ years there realize they did it wrong. If you want to meet a girl in the province then she either wants to live in one of these self contained or mall cities or she's never even been to one and doesn't know what she's missing. You can always travel back to visit family. Leave the rural properties to the locals. These cities were in part built for Western retirees. Take advantage of it. But also understand that if you're old enough to have paid off your house in the US or wherever, the Philippines might be a lateral move. You might not be saving that much money, if any. If that's the goal then Thailand and Vietnam are still significantly cheaper. Cambodia is another option. And of course there is always Central/South America which keeps you much closer to to North America. As little as 4 hours vs a full day or more. That can matter if we have some global catastrophe. Which we will at some point. Hopefully not within our life times but I wouldn't want to be stuck in a foreign country when it does. And the Philippines specifically is the most exposed place on the planet to natural disasters. People don't take that into account. They should.

[@patthecat1800]

Good vid Buffer, as always. Hey what temperature do you keep your thermostat at?

[@BuffertheTourist]

I’m a 24 Celsius guy 😂

[@Geoduck.]

Good overview of Ayala Mall and living nearby. Living near to the mall has advantages as you mentioned. One other advantage is an older guy can walk the mall for exercise safely out of the heat or rain. I like TGIF the food is not bad but expensive the burgers are great. Rustins supermarket will deliver groceries to nearby Condos for a small fee. My wife and I had our first date at Ayala in 1998. We continue to visit almost every year as it continually expands and changes.

[@BuffertheTourist]

Great comment. Thanks.

[@Liampo00]

Good opinion

[@BuffertheTourist]

Thanks. Might change when I’m 80, but right now not a chance

[@garolstipock]

Is Phl becoming like America with the rental prices of these condos? A fist-full of years ago a very very decent condo would be $400 or less... Now it seems Americans are so used to spending $2400 back home on their rent that they find it a good deal to live in an $7-800 condo in the Philippines. For all we might say about the west, in many countries and in 2nd and 3rd tier cities/suburbs/regions, some of which are rather decent places to live in many cases, that $7-800 (ok, mebbe $900) a month rent is what it is there. $600+ in the Phl seems like they know the foreigner is coming. I remember back before this destination became the place to be, where foreigners were renting houses for $160 - $300 a month...

[@fashionfgurl18]

still cheaper the range of average condos to live well in Cebu is between 400-700$

[@lenseofanomad]

mine is $500 all in with utilities, but suckers above you are saying theyre spending more, the point is not to spend like in western societies, but people will go broke soon

[@fashionfgurl18]

@@lenseofanomad there are also under 300-400$ condos but they re ugly(worn out), small and in not so good location

[@matrices3987]

They price fix, refuse to give you a reasonable deal and would rather the unit go empty then rent for a market price There is a glut but they would rather lose money than give you the fair price.

[@charliemulligan1988]

Hi buffer. I am Charlie from Boston. I have spent most of the last three years in Mexico. I had a two bedroom six blocks from the beach for 400 US. Nice place. I was in Vietnam a few months earlier this year and a couple of months last year I paid 240 for a studio apartment on the sixth floor. Nice place I could walk to everything Gym restaurants. Everything.. I am home for the holidays now, but I will be heading to the Philippines, ironically Cebu city where you are. I have a couple of friends there from America one in the city one on Mactan Island. I will go 500 or six a month but I don’t think more. I don’t want to be too far outside the city. I travel a lot within these countries. It seems to me it may be getting expensive there, but I must come and see myself. Thanks for the information. Absolutely I would like to see the provinces, of course who wouldn’t but I must be honest with myself. I don’t want to be too far from the city. There is absolutely something to be said for walking to coffee walking to gym and maybe getting a grab or a ferry to go anywhere further. Thanks again.

[@BuffertheTourist]

Great info. Thanks.

[@marcgoldbergdogtrainer]

Is this business park or IT park?

[@fashionfgurl18]

Ayala Mall is in Business Park

[@mikeb9189]

I agree big city Mall life not for me too Prefer my wife’s province Negros Oriental where there is only one traffic light in the whole province. So true about the women hitting on ExPats there...I hear a lot of “one night stand?” question there from the girls. LoL look forward to your future Philippine adventure videos

[@BuffertheTourist]

I would see the same women everyday following men around 😂

[@mikeb9189]

Guess she good at working giving the guys a good hard time. 🙀

[@rfisher7199]

🇺🇸🇵🇭I find that those American men who don’t prefer Condominium/Mall living, can’t afford it anyway. I’ve lived on top of the Ayala Mall for two years. If I want to see The Provincial Life, I have the Concierge call a taxi to take me to the International Airport . And yes, I don’t need to leave the AC to do it😂 Also, Mall Condos are not as expensive as you would think…One bedroom, 69 sqm…Php 80,000.00 monthly. Two bedrooms, 105 to 135 sqm. Php 120,000.00 to Php 180,000.00 per month. You can purchase a two bedroom unit for approximately Php 35,000,000.00.

[@lenseofanomad]

youre a sucker, php80k? for 1 bedroom? i live in IT park php25000 with internet all in and utilities.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

I would love to get a small CORNER apartment like yours. What is the name of your building? Does it have a pool? thanks for the vid

[@BuffertheTourist]

It’s called Horizon 101. It’s ago for short stays, but you could probably do way better somewhere else for longer. Some of the units in the building are pretty bad.

[@BuffertheTourist]

And yes, there’s a pool.

[@tman46544]

I've gone there to eat since theres a lot of restaurants but not my kinda place to hang out to meet people.

[@BuffertheTourist]

I agree 100%

[@chrishughes887]

We're where the condo you suppose to show

[@BuffertheTourist]

More videos are coming.

[@TXAgileBear]

Feels like you are implying that if you live there you can’t go on day junkets just like someone who doesn’t live there. Also kept waiting to see the condos. You know for condo living. Lol.

[@BuffertheTourist]

I’m sure a lot of people do exactly that. I was focusing on the same crowd at the same restaurants everyday I kept seeing everyday. There’s definitely both types of people living there. Thanks for your comment also.

[@accountontheinternet7747]

Thank you for going to TGIF to report so that we never have to go there.

[@BuffertheTourist]

It’s hard, but that’s the sacrifices I’m willing to make for content.

[@strizza]

If you weren’t able to tour a condo at least the name and prices would have been nice.

[@BuffertheTourist]

I’m surprised how well received this video is. I had no idea so many people were interested in the topic and would have done a much deeper dive if I did. Unfortunately, I left the Philippines already.

[@fashionfgurl18]

@@BuffertheTourist you can always return for Sinulog 2025, its celebrated every 3rd sunday of January. its the Biggest Mardi Gras in Southeast Asia and a celebration of Cebuano Culture

[@rodrodriguez2430]

Hello, thanks for featuring the condo. Im the owner of the condo, I am trilled that you had a wonderful experience during your stay. Hope you come back again.

[@Simpleliving88]

They want your money so they approached the expat.😅😅

[@BuffertheTourist]

Facts!

[@Simpleliving88]

Manila is better .lots of great cities bgc taguig , makati , ortigas , Mandaluyong, and many more.lots of choices .you're not gonna be bored.

[@BuffertheTourist]

I don’t know Manila that well but I’m sure you’re right.

[@wps3023]

Can't help but be OC with That protruding AC enclosure! Bad architecture design and takes up a lot of space that should have been balcony space.

[@BuffertheTourist]

Even worse, the balcony door automatically locks behind you if it closes.

[@rfisher7199]

They use the Box Style AC compressors, because it’s cheaper, to purchase, than the Split, Inverter style AC units. The WIndow Box compressors are much more expensive to operate also. You find the box style compressors in lower-end condominiums.

[@fashionfgurl18]

even twonhosues have those boxes ready, we bought a townhosue in cebu and ask the property to incldue it in the wall, we always prefer the split AC those AC Boxes look outdated and ugly

[@garolstipock]

in the words of the dads of my bike buddies in my dirt biking days, "run what ya brung." Yeah, there might be bigger/better/faster/slimmer/more awesome out there, but this is what the place has. So, whachagonnado?

[@deon9513]

No thanks. This is like living in America

[@BuffertheTourist]

I’m a pass too.

[@lenseofanomad]

blame, the western dudes who dont care and spend as much money as their bank holds.

[@matrices3987]

"the food is amazing" begging for views 😅