Cost of Living in BGC | Full Breakdown Manila Philippines 🇵🇭 (2023)

[@MattReardonVlogs]

I think some of the most important aspects of renting when it comes to electricity are: a) avoiding units in the direct path of sunlight, b) don't choose units with wrap-around windows [unless you plan to run AC all day], c) choose units with modern AC equipment like you've mentioned, d) get used to fan culture during the day. Your video is super insightful for those looking to relocate there. We appreciate your breakdown and guide to living there! Thanks and keep the videos coming!

[@slainteron4027]

I have a condo over at Ridgewood towers. Much cheaper and not far. Plus I brew my own coffee because I refuse to pay for crappy Starbucks

[@Pcbdude82]

Can you get those Krueger coffee pods there? Way better then Starbucks. Cheaper option also

[@slainteron4027]

@@Pcbdude82 they have them at SnR/Costco. Anything is better than Starbucks

[@Badger345]

Never liked Starbucks

[@BaboyTraveI]

@slainteron4027 how much are the running costs for the condo?

[@estebancinco8572]

preach!!

[@lindadorman2869]

Dude, you nailed it! I've been looking at moving to BGC and Uptown in particular. I think I had most of the costs figured out and your video confirmed my estimates. I've rented an Airbnb for Dec/Jan and, if all goes well, I'll be leaving Chicago for BGC in 2024. Really enjoy your content - keep up the good work!

[@snowtyboy]

Check the savy expats. His from Chicago but moved to BGC

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

I don’t blame you for leaving Chi-town 😂

[@earlofbgc]

I hope you’re excited to move to BGC. 😊

[@freyafoxmusic]

Did you move

[@mickiteoxon]

Goodmorning Mergim😊 You are always updated to post new vlog every single day man that’s why you are my favorite vlogger of all time.

[@Marc-tq6hm]

Thanks from the USA 🇺🇸. I’m an American Filipino that grew up here in the USA, but lived there for 4 yrs (18-22yrs old) and was lucky to live in a rich neighborhood (grandfathers US dollars World Bank pension) but I miss the lifestyle there. USA sucks now. You answered a lot of money questions I had. Thank you.

[@bodyloverz30]

I am thinking, if you like Miami's new developments, you would like BGC. Same money as Miami until, you get into the multimillion dollar unites, then the pricing is much better than Miami.

[@carlTis]

Great video and very informative . I love how you get right to the point .

[@steelcitytv]

Very nice video brother cheers

[@ela111961]

❤ Excellent vlog. Was really entertaining to learn more about BGC. Greetings from California ❤

[@MS-ow6ed]

I really wanna move to BGC bec I love the convenience and walkability. Hope to sell my condo in IloIlo first then I plan to stay here in Manila for good. Haven’t been living in IloIlo for a while now but still paying for crazy high association dues haha. Btw, any chance on a fan meet soon? Lol it’s an excuse for me to hopefully find friends here. Thanks for sharing the cost of living in BGC.

[@Amen.22]

I’ve been thinking about moving to Iloilo. Some Vloggers live there. It’s supposedly very nice.

[@MS-ow6ed]

@@Amen.22It sure is, I find it really peaceful there. Just want to move to Manila for my career and overall it’s just more suited to my lifestyle

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

@@Amen.22There’s nothing there. You’ll be bored in a month since you’ll have seen everything 😂

[@MS-ow6ed]

@@sfrealestatedealmaker6001 Also true tbh 😂

[@Pcbdude82]

I want to move to BGC. But I also want to be close to nature. Which iloilo seems to offer. I still have time to decide. But really torn between the two. And cebu city looks nice.

[@ßhopkins]

again, you always make vlogging look so easy.... love how your brain works

[@sallytetreault2955]

Very informative and enlightening video. Thanks for sharing. Be well and stay safe. 😊

[@helensangalang6191]

Excellent vlog! Be there one day..just keep on going we Mergimians always here supporting you. God bless us all.

[@QuebecoisSti]

Save 19mins: cost summary at 19:37

[@michaellim1606]

Love the way Mergim Represents BGC ! & Specific on his expenses living

[@Amen.22]

If you are selling food or coffee, never cut the quality. It’s better to raise the price.

[@estebancinco8572]

quality??? starbucks?????

[@hemeranyx4441]

@@estebancinco8572 Starbucks coffee is genuinely overpriced and lacks quality. It's no exaggeration-you're much better off getting your coffee from local cafes, where the drinks are not only more affordable but also taste significantly better.

[@masipag6]

Very informative at naka-kaaliw panoorin. Subscriber from Florida, USA.

[@ChinkyGarcia-e8s]

Very informative thankyou very much for sharing this I must agree this not onlyjust about luxury it's about safety and convenience of my family I don't mind the tag price because the safety and convenience is my priority and very important that's why we are planning to buy our own property there in uptown ❤

[@get2riz]

Mergim -- Thank you for showing that. It's more fun to have someone else doing the figuring. I'm making furtive glances at my retirement calculator.

[@kennyadvocat]

Nice video. Wow $2,000 usd a month. Ya if you wanted to I bet you can get that down to $900 in Makati. And making your coffee and breakfast at home. hehe

[@bodyloverz30]

Miami Beach would be $2,500 for the studio condo (new Ultra Lux building, like shown) alone, with total expenses at least double 2X-3X monthly.

[@kennyadvocat]

@@bodyloverz30 that's way too expensive for the Philippines. Might as well move to nyc and pay $3k

[@bodyloverz30]

@@kennyadvocat But BGC 3+ bedroom condos, easily go for $3.5-$6.5 million US Dollars for Aurea, Shangra-La at the Fort, Grand Hyatt, and others.

[@kennyadvocat]

@@bodyloverz30 wow. Insane how expensive it's gotten in the last 20 years. 😭😭😔

[@bodyloverz30]

@@kennyadvocat Major problems in South Florida, my own personal condo unit, insurance company, wants $45,000 annually, for 2024 hurricane coverage! This is for a 1,050 sqft, ocean view condo, $625,000 total value. Florida is no long a affordable place to live.

[@aaronjapan2323]

Awesome brother. ❤

[@mikeealtiveros137]

bgc is very pretty. ❤ Love your vlogs very artistic, your background, the uptown area is very beautiful.

[@theAnxiousChristian]

You're a great storyteller! I enjoyed watching 😊

[@ravince]

If you want same mall accessibility, renting in an SMDC condo in Makati that has a mall right below it like Jazz or Air, you would still have the similar lifestyle with way way way lower living expenses.

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

Still not as safe as BGC and you get the nasty pollution from the jeepneys & tricycles.

[@boyoorm.7966]

Their units are too small.

[@brentotski]

@@sfrealestatedealmaker6001whoever told you that BGC is safer than Makati doesn’t know how news gets blocked by BGC community because of the real estate developers. I have lived in Makati for 13 Years now and I know that this city is safer than anywhere in Metro Manila!I walk around any time of the day and never felt as safe as I have lived in Manila most of my life.

[@gabriela_04B]

A very informative, entertaining and a bit fast-paced video. We saw how you enjoyed this even though it is tiring, and as always it's nice to see you give your best. BGC is incomplete without any sighting of MERGIM! Mergim is a trend-setter... what an influencer indeed!😊 Congrats on 130k subs.. road to 200k let's go! 🎉😊❤

[@kianakan96826]

Wow your electric is super cheap!!! In Honolulu, Hawaii, we pay 43 cents per kilowatt hour - almost twice as much as you! Lucky you!

[@FairhairedBoy25]

thanks bro. learned a lot. we going to chugged that Starbucks like water. brilliant 👍🏽

[@carlTis]

You have got the best vlog of all in the Philippines . You get right to the point . Keep up the good work.

[@seanberdan4576]

appreciate the time and content. hopefully to make this move from the states in late 2025 - early 2026. stay safe

[@ReyvenBergado-tf2sc]

You should continue the north Luzon loop tour it is better to do it now because the amihan season is coming it is getting cooler now in the North by this coming November.

[@royignacio6922]

Good cost breakdown for BGC lifestyle, Mergim!

[@Ryuria]

Bro, off topic, dammm, we appreciate the grind with these contents. Don't forget to rest and take care of your self man.

[@vereyafrequency]

The Chairman back to his daily grind. What a Legend.

[@Mary-zd8xo]

@@vereyafrequencyMy admiration to him.

[@mboxphil9906]

It seems like yesterday i first watch you ranting about your low views in thailand with 5-6k subsribers, and now you have 130 k subscibers and living in bgc, ph for 1 and 1/2year

[@Patriotic545]

When i retire ill be in this place bec. its cheap and safe to walk daily in all areas esp. at Bonifacio high street. Ill cook my own food much more healthy and cheaper. Will try all restaurants weekends only.

[@armandtablan8224]

Prepare your own coffee and your food'. I brewed my own coffee by buying Starbucks medium dark ground coffee or sometimes I brewed Folgers Columbian ground coffee I consumed it for a month(just imagine the saving you did). This way you save money. Buy your own organic produce- in this way you can sav money too. Just my opinion. Thanks for sharing this INFO. Really helpful.

[@ringovski1980]

Love to see a video comparing living in BGC and Makati.

[@lucillegil5306]

Thank you Mergim this is helpful

[@orlyuson4307]

I really like your blog. It’s very informative especially to people like us not living in the Philippines. Thank you so much for all these information.

[@Mickeyyy0909]

Mergim, why not visit south area like alabang town center, filinvest mall, west gate area alabang check that place.

[@docscubin]

Price ranges are pretty accurate. Good content, and very informative.

[@apoloestrada2908]

Thanks for the video and sharing, it's way more than tripled and expensive living in BGC, compare to the other places in Manila like Cubao, Mandaluyong and Muntinlupa city which where I currently live right now.

[@gina_borrman]

I subscribe finally after watching this particular post. You almost explained pretty much what the expectation be if you happen to be in BGC. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience or insight how life is at BGC. Watching here in Jacksonville Florida USA 🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@amaliahightower]

Mergim you can buy a nice coffee machine and make your own coffee 😊 I use the 🇮🇹 Moka Pot.

[@epi_diet023]

Thank you Mergim for the job well done.

[@batibot1]

How about a vlog about the digital nomad villages or co-working spaces around BGC?

[@earlofbgc]

Hmmm this looks like something I could do 🤔

[@KNEIGHT88]

Yo thx appreciate the info 🙏 I'm from Seattle left the Philippines 2007 don't really remember alot of stuff lol didn't really get to explore just school... appreciate the content 👌

[@jonhv]

Standard Starbucks price in Bangkok: Grande : 145 baht x 1.6 = 232 pesos Venti: 160 baht x 1.6 = 256 pesos

[@rodcabas]

Mergim, our idol, has released another new video. It's a nice video, so thanks for vlogging for BGC.

[@bodyloverz30]

The Shangra La at the Fort, has built in air-conditioning, the same type of built in system as here in Miami Beach. I wonder what a three bedroom unit would cost monthly for electricity in those units?

[@KeonPH]

Mergim's monthly expense is equivalent to a brand new iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB version. Wow! 😮

[@annehernandez8982]

Mergin why you are not mentioning the Avida Montane?

[@nightwing4065]

Overtime the value of real estate in BGC will increase, because there are at least 2 Subway stations that are going to be build there. The first one is the Kalayaan station, which is location along 11th corner 38th Avenue near Uptown. The second one is the BGC station, which is located along McKinley Parkway right beside Market Market Mall. 👍

[@LarryfromPH]

This is really unfortunate for the locals. You actually need to be rich to buy properties in BGC. As a middle class, you can only rent. So unfortunate!

[@rjpantinople]

Mergim eat vegestables also😅

[@sfrealestatedealmaker6001]

@@LarryfromPHThat’s pretty much everywhere in the world. If everyone wants to live in a nice area, it will obviously become expensive. Basic supply and demand.

[@noeminoemi1350]

I doubt it , it'[s already way overpriced.

[@patrick5729]

You live in BGC and rode the MRT, so now you know how the two classes of Filipinos live (sort of).

[@JEgkt]

To combat the heat in the Philippines homes need to have high ceiling and have plenty of vents it works like similar to rocket stove concept and helps if your surrounded by trees. Ever since we upgraded our homes the temperature inside the house are much cooler and there is no need of aircon and ambient through out the day.

[@JEgkt]

@@QuicknStraight Its up to the landlord to make that changes obviously, i'm just suggesting that the more vents you have home or apartment hot air wont be trapped. We made that change in our home and made a difference.

[@chrisk7118]

Correct, that's smart design

[@JEgkt]

@@QuicknStraight All i can say is there is people that "make things happen or watch things happen" its for you to decide.

[@antigraftandcorruption5849]

Paint your interior walls and ceiling of dark green 💚 color, it will cooler your room

[@spriteythesillyhuskytv9267]

​@@JEgktalso insulation on ceilings and walls.

[@jashansogi2641]

5:25 how about centralized aircon?

[@sbw89]

Great video! I'm gearing up to move over there. We were looking at Makati but we might start looking at BGC. From what I see, the only major difference in living expenses is the place you decide to live. I pay $2,000/mo in the US for a mortgage, so $1,000 is nothing for me. If you like to drink and party all the time, your expenses will go up quite a bit.

[@songs8619]

If your unit is renovated, why did they not install an inverter split type aircon? They have been available since at least 2017.

[@lesmisurbanite5306]

Ooh my British fiance would love that there's a good fish & chips there. 😱 thanks for the info!!

[@pad9x]

thanks for the info, Mergim. all very useful. cheers !

[@ZhanMiyong]

Bravoooo Mergim - very informative vlogs thanks for sharing 😮❤❤❤

[@ahvicremulla544]

Foreign vloggers,expat miss the bgc maybe bec everything is there and its convenient to them i wish mergin can experience the TAO expedition it will be a good promotion for tourist on island life

[@JulieWalmsley]

Super salamat to the Nth. I'm an American who was born in MNL and lived there off and on growing up. I never took advantage of dual citizenship to live there and work remotely and/or consult with my bicultural upbringing. I've been passively browsing Craigslist and this answered so much for me. Thank you ever so much!

[@rjfundales-santos1532]

Great breakdown!

[@adoraciondimaranan9975]

Thank you 👍👍👍👍

[@hareshmahibubaniepicfood2191]

Thank you for sharing

[@jettschenker]

A River Cobbler is a fish from Vietnam which is also called Basa. It's a type of catfish. I prefer my fish with chips to be Cod.

[@LeonGaban]

I lived there for a year, can't wait to go back

[@kennethpasia8928]

Good morning man you're a great storyteller! support

[@jesusaaragon8919]

Thanks for the info..😊

[@Nikolai_Hans]

Mergim you just need to change region in your phone settings so that you can install angkas and other apps in the PH

[@meta4kl237]

It seems the biggest cost is renting, and a world ofdifference if you are renting month to month versus long term ( 6 month or 1 year) lease. Correct?

[@Dividend-Shark90]

Its a high cost sure, but its relatively lower than cost of living in most western cities for the particular lifestyle you live. I think in current times that is mostly due to house prices/rent in the west, some of the other items could be more or less adjustable in many places.

[@ChimpsAI]

Great information. Honestly, I figured the eateries would be more expensive. I'm sure you can spend as much as you want, but it is good to see that you can eat there for about the cost of fast food in the states.

[@undefeated4479]

nice vids keep em coming

[@danekim4275]

This is what I’ve been looking for. Great content on what to expect to generally spend living in BGC.

[@nasayaoh]

You can rent a cheap apartment in Manila and go to BGC in the morning to save some money

[@Mickeyyy0909]

You have to see aseana city in parañaque

[@amaliahightower]

Thanks for the food restaurants tour 😂 Mergim you spend most on food n coffee than rent 😂 Wow Big Bird has Fish n Chips 💚 When I go2 Mitsukoshi Mall, I’m definitely gonna get that! I miss Ivar’s Fish n chips in Seattle. They have salmon, halibut n cod 💙 I also miss the world famous Ivar’s Clam chowder served in a Sourdough Bread Bowl 💜

[@paybacktime6788]

I will just say... "SANA ALL"

[@AgentBurgers]

I'm looking to do remote IT work from the US and live in BGC soon

[@alfredhitchcock45]

You will at either resto or fastfood there which runs at 500-1k per meal

[@ds5398]

12 peso per kwh - move to Clark... much nice area, international airport.... last year has been variable 2-5peso per kwh

[@BCC2490]

Man i suggest upload your videos between 6pm to 8pm. Im a bit suprised you upload this vlog at 7am. Filipino vloggers upload their vlogs at dinner time so you will have many viewers at that time.

[@charlesetienne6037]

How of I have a mobility problem. I thinking of living for six months in Philippines. I have a leg problem and some difficulty to move around. If all goes right my budget will be around 2k. I am a professional chef, that means I will do must of my cooking at home, maybe only two or three times out eating per week. I love simple living. My main expense will be rent, I love in the tropics so the hot climate and humidity does not bothered me. I am retired so I do not need to work, just for the convenience and good life. I see that Philippines I can live better life in a good city compare to a small Island on Seychelles.

[@slainteron4027]

2k will not be enough in bgc or Makati etc in my opinion. But I have seen people make it work

[@Re3iRtH]

Want to be my personal chef? I'll pay you $350/mo. to come once a week and cook my meals

[@charlesetienne6037]

@@Re3iRtH I will not charge you if I come. You just have to have everything thing there. That is just fun for me now.

[@charlesetienne6037]

@@slainteron4027 I just need the convenience, rent, utilities and internet. The rest i can do with. I can even live in the province, I do not need Aircon. Seychelles have the same climate like Philippines and I have no Ac. Now temperature is 27 degrees 4 am and I am just using a ceiling fan. I live a simple life buy all my groceries for a year and never eat or drink out. I can even do my own laundry, cleaning etc. When I was 16 years old we have a dictatorship president here and it was mandatory for all adolescent to do the national youth service for two years. You left your family for two years and isolate on an island where you are educated, discipline, etc. It was not easy but today that made me what I am.

[@Reason4Termination]

n my opinion, and as a Filipino, living on an island in Seychelles is way better imo. BGC is very concrete covered, no way to connect to nature. Being connected to nature and soaking all that ions can provide a longer and happier life. BGC is a hyperconsumeristic neighborhood, a goldsink. You can technically live off 10k php a month on food and utility in Ph. Then another 20k php for a decent house for rent in non-BGC area. Luckily, I completed my mortgage payment on my house (i have my own house now), so that made me live off 10k - 15k php a month here in Ph. I plan to downsize, and sell this house later on, then live off of it, far away from the hyperconsumerist lifestyle of Metro Manila.

[@MrRawUK]

Great video mate. $740 for rent, wow it is not cheap over there is it? lol I always thought it would be like £300 pm easy. Think I will stick to Thailand for now :). Always thought Manila was unsafe, so i've learnt something new today.

[@earlofbgc]

BGC really is the perfect example of the price of progress in the Philippines

[@palerskie156]

Very imformative nice c😊ntent

[@louis20122]

$2,000 usd a month is reasonable and realistic. If you live in the State, probably at least $4,000 usd for the same lifestyle you currently have in the Philippines.

[@jjhere2311]

Exactly

[@lzu2860]

Hi, Mergim, what real estate agency or agent would be good to contact? Thank you.

[@darlingdenez116]

Makati is a nice place to live too❤

[@Amen.22]

Isn’t split inverter AC the cheapest to run?

[@lcfnyc2007]

Please explain to me why one should choose BGC over cities like KL and Bangkok as both of the latter cities offer all the same amenities but for half of the prices you will find in BGC.

[@keyboardwarrior5315]

I don't see you doing groceries and cooking at home or maybe because you are too busy vlogging and editing to do those things. But it can also be a simple content for your vlog to cook something and save a bit.

[@lzu2860]

This gives me more confidence that I can live comfortably with my retirement income. Thanks, Mergim.

[@emersonmorales2983]

Thank You for all your informative videos especially in the Manila areas. We're planning to spend the Holidays in Manila. I'm now in the process of looking for nice resorts to book during this holidays. Can you or your viewers recommend nice resorts to stay there in Manila and where's a great place to stay for New Year's Eve? We would like to experience at least 3 different resorts to experience the nice resorts in BGC, Makati, etc. Thank You in advance.

[@eyeseeyu]

You can fly cheaper and closer to El Nido ...via San Vicente Palawan airport.

[@winduncan9818]

How long would it take to get out of the city on a motorcycle to get to some motorcycle roads? Is BGC right next to a toll road or something? Thanks

[@markbelcher580]

Hi sir, do you know of a condo building in BGC that has two bedroom condos, pool and gym, that i can rent on a month to month basis for 40k/month? Not including electric.

[@BajanLifestyles]

Can you work on a tourist visa?

[@magnataurlaudeyt9502]

Those are some cute doggies in the 1st few minutes of the video

[@sarinapradhan1323]

I’m moving to BGC this summer for 2 years