Where to Live in Manila (Infographic)

Location, location, location! They say that this should be first on your list when looking for the best living space option for your lifestyle and other needs. For the best places to live in Metro Manila, we've come up with a list recommendations based on convenience, accessibility, and other features.

Makati
Population: 529,039 (as of 2010, from NSO)
Area: 27.36 km squared (from Makati gov't website)
Population density: 24,493 (as of 2010, from NSO)
Landmarks and attractions: Ayala Center, Rockwell Center, Ayala Triangle, Greenbelt Park, Ayala Museum, The Manila Golf Club, The Manila Polo Club, Sta. Ana Race Track, Philippine Army Museum & Library, Guadalupe Ruins

Accessibility:
• 20 minutes away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• EDSA, SLEX, and Skyway connect the city to different parts of Metro Manila
• Major roads include Buendia Avenue, Ayala Avenue, and Makati Avenue
• Accessible by buses plying EDSA; by MRT-3 with 4 stations located at Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala, and Magallanes and by PNR with stations at Buendia, EDSA, and Pasay Road; by hybrid buses through the Buendia-Kalayaan (C5) route; by shuttles (FXs) with various terminals in the city; and by jeepneys traveling through the inner roads, nearby towns, and other cities

What makes Makati a great place to live in:
• High property value in the area (specifically in Makati CBD)
• Largest, most active CBD in the metropolis, home to 40% of PH's top multinational and local corporations
• Lifestyle malls and major shopping centers in the city (Glorietta, Greenbelt, Rustan's, The Landmark, SM Makati, The Link, Park Square), with over 60,000 retail and commercial outlets
• Weekend markets (Salcedo Weekend Market and Legaspi Sunday Organic Market) at Makati's business villages
• Numerous art galleries, concert venues, museums, auditoriums, and cultural centers in the city
• The most exciting nightlife in the metro with the hippest bars and clubs and upscale restaurants
• Prestigious educational institutions (DLSU School of Business, Ateneo de Manila Professional Schools, AIM, School of Fashion and Arts)
• Best city healthcare program (Makati Health Plus Program) and top medical care provider (Makati Medical Center)
• Finest police and fire departments for safety and security
• New York-style cosmopolitan lifestyle at lower cost compared to expensive cities in the world

Residential developments: Discovery Primea, Trump Tower, Amorsolo Square, One Rockwell, The Gramercy Residences

Taguig (Bonifacio Global City)
Population: 613,343 (as of 2007 by United Nations Data)
Area: 45.21 km squared (as of 2007 by NSO)
Population density: 14,201 (as of 2010 by NSO)
Landmarks and attractions: Bonifacio High Street, Arca South, Fort Bonifacio, The Mind Museum, Mercato Centrale Food and Organic Weekend Market, St. Michael the Archangel Church, Veteran's Museum
Accessibility:
• In south-eastern part of Metro Manila, bordered by Muntinlupa to the south, Pasay to the west, Parañaque to the southwest, Makati, Pateros, and Pasig to the north, and Cainta and Taytay to the northeast
• Strategically located near major cities in the metropolis, Main highways (C-5 and SLEX) pass through Taguig
• Near international and domestic airports, Close to other business districts, located next to Makati and just 30 minutes away from Ortigas CBD, From MRT-3 Ayala Avenue station, the BGC shuttle bus system (East and West route) will take commuters to various destination stops around the business district

What makes Taguig (BGC) a great place to live in:
• Large number of residential developments (specifically in BGC), from luxury condominiums and upscale apartments to residential villages and communities of high-end standards
• Ideal residential and business address with BGC's wide-scale mixed-use urban development
• High investment value of BGC properties
• Highly organized and well-managed road and building plan in BGC with efficient road network and traffic system
• First-class cosmopolitan lifestyle options (bars, restaurants, entertainment centers) in different urban blocks of BGC
• Various shopping areas in the city (Market! Market!, SM Aura, Shangri-La Mall, Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, The Fort Strip, The Forum, Venice Piazza, Burgos Circle, The Big Apple, Uptown Mall)
• Top educational institutions in the area (Leaders International Christian School of Manila, Treston International Collge, British School Manila, International School Manila)
• Convenient access to world-class medical care through St. Luke's Medical Center in BGC
• Eco-friendly environment integrated into modern living designs (with public parks and green development in BGC)
• Different cultural stations and public arts in the city

Residential developments: Arya Residences, One McKinley Place, Regent Parkway, Essensa, One and Two Serendra, Bellagio, Infinity Tower, Avant at The Fort

San Juan (Greenhills)
Population: 121,430 (as of 2010, NSO database)
Area: 5.94 km squared (per San Juan City gov't website)
Population density: 21,063 (as of 2007, per San Juan City gov't website)
Landmarks and attractions: Greenhills Shopping Center, Pinaglabanan Shrine, San Juan River Bridge, El Polvorin, Museo ng Katipunan, Pinaglabanan Church

Accessibility:

• Located at the heart of the metropolis, bordered by Quezon City to the north and east, Manila to the west, and Mandaluyong to the south
• Major roads passing through San Juan includes Radial Road 6 (R-6), Aurora Boulevard, and C-3 (Araneta Avenue)
• Other routes (N. Domingo and Pinaglabanan/Santolan) head towards other locations such as Cubao and Ortigas
• Accessible by MRT (Ortigas and Santolan stations) and by LRT (J. Ruiz, V. Mapa, and Gilmore stations); by buses (Cainta-Quiapo and Ortigas-EDSA route); and by jeepneys (San Juan-Divisoria, San Juan-Kalentong)
What makes San Juan (Greenhills) a great place to live in:
• Easy access to other cities and towns in the metro and various places of interest, given its central location
• Business centers (specifically Ortigas Center) are within easy reach
• Bargain shopping at Greenhills Shopping Center with great options for lower-priced electronics, clothing, jewelry, and home furniture
• Over 100 specialty stores (including international retail brands) and dining options available at The Mall at Green Hills
• Top universities and educational institutions in the city (Xavier School, Community of Learners, OB Montessori Center, Immaculate Conception Academy-Greenhills, La Salle Greenhills, PUP-San Juan Campus, Dominican College, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication)
• Near the best hospitals in the metro (St. Luke's Medical Center, Medical City, Cardinal Santos Medical Center)
• Cultural and historical sites in the city (old churches, museums, famous landmarks)
• Upscale residential communities and luxury living options in Greenhills
• Filipino, Chinese, and Western restaurants at Wilson Street and other local flavors at the side streets
• Home of Philippine presidents (Diosdado Macapagal, Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, Ferdinand Marcos), famous personalities, and renowned business icons

Residential developments: 81 Xavier Residences, Viridian at Greenhills, One Wilson Square