Second homes outside Metro Manila expected to be the new trend

Filipinos are increasingly looking beyond the bustling confines of Metro Manila for second homes, joining a growing movement toward the more serene charm of suburban life. This significant trend, particularly among the middle and upper-middle classes, highlights a desire for a different pace of life, often just a short drive from the capital.

Data from real estate experts Santos Knight Frank reveals a notable spike in interest for residential leisure condominiums in scenic areas like Tagaytay, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna.

"As one of the key economic centers in the Philippines, Metro Manila remained the homestead of CBDs in Luzon," Santos Knight Frank notes. "To keep work and life balance seamlessly, more and more people are living on the outskirts of Metro Manila." This sentiment encapsulates the drive behind this exodus: to maintain a fulfilling work-life balance without sacrificing accessibility to the city's core.

Tagaytay remains the top choice for second homes, boasting an impressive inventory of 8,669 units by the third quarter of 2023, according to Santos Knight Frank. Its enduring appeal stems from its proximity to Taal Lake, its consistently pleasant climate and a growing array of lifestyle hubs. Travel time has also been significantly reduced thanks to the new Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Silang-Aguinaldo Interchange, cutting the journey from Mamplasan Rotonda to Tagaytay from an hour to roughly 30 minutes.

This surge in demand is clearly reflected in property prices. The average price per square meter in Tagaytay jumped from 92,411 pesos in 2020 to 110,276 pesos in 2023, underscoring its escalating desirability.

Following closely behind Tagaytay, Batangas is emerging as another prime location, especially its laid-back coastal areas such as Laiya and Nasugbu. This region has played a crucial role in the broader expansion of the Metro Luzon housing market, contributing substantially to new housing stock. Its popularity is evident in the tourism numbers alone; in April 2023, San Juan, Batangas, recorded 688,569 domestic travelers. This influx of visitors often translates into a desire for a more permanent leisure residence.