Why I chose Quezon City over BGC—and how an unexpected purchase became part of my retirement plan.
Every time someone finds out I own a condo in the Philippines, they usually ask me the same question.
“Why didn’t you buy in BGC?”
The answer is actually pretty simple.
I couldn’t afford it.
Back in 2016, I was living and working in South Korea. I wasn’t comparing neighborhoods across Metro Manila or trying to predict which area would appreciate the most.
I simply wanted a place of my own in the Philippines.
I’m Filipino American, born and raised in the United States, and the Philippines was only a short flight from Korea. I visited whenever I could, and I liked the idea of having somewhere that was actually mine.
Not a hotel.
Not a spare bedroom at a relative’s house.
Just my own place whenever I came back.
I wasn’t buying my retirement home.
Honestly, retirement in the Philippines wasn’t even on my radar yet.
I just wanted somewhere comfortable to stay.
Why Quezon City?
I wish I could tell you I spent months researching every neighborhood in Metro Manila.
I didn’t.
BGC was outside my budget.
Makati was too.
So I looked at places I could actually afford.
That’s how I ended up at Fern Residences in Quezon City.
A few of my cousins lived nearby, which was a nice bonus, but it wasn’t the reason I bought there. Most of my close family was still living in the United States.
What sold me was the condo itself.
It fit my budget.
It had private access to SM North EDSA.
And because I bought directly from the developer during construction, I could choose the exact unit I wanted.
I wanted a high floor.
I wanted a south-facing view.
There was a unit available on the 35th floor.
Decision made.
The Feature That Sold Me
The biggest selling point wasn’t the swimming pool or the gym.
It was the mall.
Private access to SM North EDSA might sound like an odd reason to buy a condo, but it made perfect sense to me.
Restaurants.
Coffee shops.
Groceries.
A movie theater.
Banks.
Almost everything I needed was just a short walk away.
When you’re only visiting the Philippines for a few weeks at a time, that convenience matters.
I remember thinking,
“This would be a really comfortable place to stay.”
That’s all I wanted.
Buying My First Property
The condo cost about ₱2.8 million.
The payment plan made it possible.
During construction, I paid roughly the equivalent of $300 a month toward the down payment over about three years. Once the building was completed, I financed the remaining balance with a five-year loan.
People sometimes ask if I was nervous signing all the paperwork.
Honestly…
No.
I was excited.
The representative kept sliding documents across the table.
I kept signing them.
Looking back, I probably should’ve slowed down and read everything a little more carefully.
Instead, I couldn’t stop thinking,
I own a condo in the Philippines.
Ten Years Changes Your Perspective
If I had today’s income back in 2016?
I’d probably buy in BGC.
There’s no point pretending otherwise.
It’s an incredible neighborhood, and property values have done very well.
But that’s not a fair comparison.
I’m comparing 2026 me with 2016 me.
Those are two completely different people.
Today, I think about retirement.
Walkability.
Healthcare.
What daily life might look like twenty years from now.
Back then?
I just wanted somewhere comfortable to stay whenever I visited.
That’s it.
Looking Back
One thing surprises me the most.
I never bought this condo thinking I’d eventually live there.
In fact, I didn’t picture myself living in the Philippines at all.
That idea came years later.
Today, I’m renovating the condo.
I’m planning a retirement that will likely include spending much more time in the Philippines.
The condo I originally bought as a convenient place to stay has slowly become something much bigger.
I never planned that.
Would I Change Anything?
Honestly…
Probably not.
Sure, I wonder what would’ve happened if I’d somehow been able to afford BGC.
Who wouldn’t?
But I also genuinely enjoy Quezon City.
It’s busy.
It’s noisy.
It’s a little chaotic.
It feels like Manila.
BGC is beautiful.
But sometimes it reminds me a little too much of newer neighborhoods in the United States.
When I’m in the Philippines, I actually enjoy being somewhere that feels unmistakably Filipino.
And because Quezon City is generally more affordable, my money goes further.
That’s a trade-off I’m happy to make.
Coming Home
Every trip starts almost exactly the same way.
I land in Manila.
Book a Grab.
Head to Quezon City.
When we arrive, the security guard asks where I’m going.
“Tower 5.”
I show my resident pass.
A few minutes later, I’m unlocking my front door.
I put my suitcase down.
Look around.
And smile.
Back in 2016, I thought I was buying a comfortable place to stay whenever I visited the Philippines.
I never imagined it might one day become part of my retirement plan.
Funny how life works sometimes.
What Do You Think?
If you could own one place anywhere in the world, where would it be—and what would make it feel like home?
I’d love to hear your answer.
What’s Next
In my next post, I’ll give you a tour of the retirement accounts and savings buckets I’m using today, explain why each one has a different job, and share how they all fit together as part of my long-term plan.
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