Many aspiring middle class Filipinos have to be practical when it comes to their living situation. Urban living does have its advantages. Staying in a condominium within a business district means that you’re near most of the places you need to go to. Your office might just be a short walk away. So are groceries, malls, and shops.
But there comes a point in any burgis person’s life when you have to reevaluate things. Eventually, you will think about a life away from the hustle and bustle. Private subdivisions can offer you this respite. You might have thought about buying a subdivision lot in hopes of finally living there. And yes, you can experience better living in a subdivision.
Here are seven reasons why:
1 – Security
RA 9904 (Magna Carta for Homeowners) allow homeowners associations (HOAs) to regulate access to and passage through subdivision roads for security purposes. This is why most subdivisions are gated and have security guards posted at entrances. Developers also build perimeter walls around their developments to create a better sense of security.
Well-organized HOAs also have other security measures in place like CCTVs for surveillance and monitoring of streets and common spaces. They would also have security personnel roving the community 24/7. Construction rules would also suggest individual homes to have fences around their properties.
Communities in subdivisions are often close-knit where people know everybody, allowing them to identify suspicious strangers.
2 – Cleanliness
Let’s be honest. Filipinos can be very particular about personal hygiene but we can be dugyot with everything else. We’re not particular about where we throw our trash or even piss or crap. If you’re ever been in some spots in Manila like Quiapo, you’d probably notice the panghi that hangs in the air. Homes that are along major thoroughfares are exposed to this urban filth. Compound that with the exhaust gasses from vehicles, you’d wonder if living in such areas would take years off of your life.
HOAs would typically have strict policies in cleanliness, requiring proper garbage bins and penalizing open dumping. Most would also have reliable garbage collection schemes (though garbage collection really depends on the local government) that ensure that garbage is collected and prevent trash from accumulating. Residents also typically exercise proper hygiene and etiquette, making them less dugyot.
3 – Neighbors and Community
Speaking of proper etiquette, you can expect people living in subdivisions to at least have a bit more class and taste. You’d most likely have fellow burgis neighbors who are typically from better backgrounds and had better education. So, you can expect people to be more civil and not confrontational.
If you’re lucky, you might even find that communities within subdivisions are warm and have more positive interactions. HOAs often have programs for socialization like yearend parties, fiestas, and clubs for residents.
That said, money doesn’t really buy people class and heavens forbid that you get to live among classless neighbors. You also have to be wary of middle class entitlement and nouveau riche attitudes that people living in gated communities can exhibit.
4 – Peace and Quiet
Subdivision life often offers more peace and quiet. Crime is often low in lower-density communities like subdivision. Such areas are often more secluded, have less foot traffic, and fewer opportunities for criminal activity. Combine this with the security protocols that most subdivisions have, and you can expect a lot more peaceful environment compared to urban residential spaces.
Many homes within subdivisions have a bit of distance from major thoroughfares. Traffic noise is often kept to a minimum. HOAs can also enforce noise discipline, limiting the use of noisy power tools and even shut down parties or videoke sessions that go past 10PM. Construction work can be prohibited during Sundays and holidays, allowing people to get well-needed rest.
5 – Amenities
Subdivision developers also typically provide amenities that residents can enjoy. In fact, these are among the key selling points for many developments. Here in the Philippines, no community is considered complete without a basketball court. Parks and playgrounds are also common amenities.
More upscale subdivisions would have clubhouses, function halls, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities that residents can rent or use. Having these amenities increase quality of life. Fitness facilities promote health and wellness. Recreational facilities and parks promote socialization.
6 – Space
Subdivisions also provide you with space in a variety of ways. First, there’s the living space. Homes in subdivisions often offer at least 100 sqm of living space. Farther from the metro, some developments even have at least 200 sqm lot cuts where you can easily fit a two-storey house with at least 4 bedrooms. Even if some newer subdivision developments only offer smaller lot cuts these days (70 sqm), they still offer bigger spaces than, say, studio-type units in most condominiums that are less than 25 sqm.
Next, there are the open spaces. Lower density residential areas are less cramped. Depending on the zoning and restrictions, subdivisions can impose rules mandating that homes follow the proper setback distance, creating more space in between structures. This makes. This also means that you can probably have enough yard space for a small garden which is a big plus if you’re a plantito or plantita. Amenities like parks and open spaces can also be good for mental health.
7 – Property Value
Another good thing about living in a subdivision is the fact that your property often just appreciates. Over the course of thirty years, it isn’t uncommon for property values to go up at least ten times. It is nice to know that your net worth can just go up even if you do nothing extra than just owning the property and living in it.
A More Relaxed and Laid Back Lifestyle
Living in a subdivision can offer numerous benefits and these are just seven of the most obvious one. Subdivisions in the Philippines offer cleaner, safer, and peaceful environments to live. Amenities and open spaces also contribute to better quality of life compared to more cramped urban alternatives.
These said, your experience can vary. Your actual neighbors will have a tremendous impact on whether or not you’ll enjoy your stay within the community. Still, considering the odds, life within a subdivision is considered to be better by most who are looking for a more relaxed and laid back lifestyle.