Top Liveable Cities Outside Metro Manila
Metro Manila presently stands as one of the most densely populated areas in the Philippines at 21,765 persons per square kilometer (sq km).
Present and prospective homeowners looking to relocate will face more challenges finding their ideal house and lot properties in the Philippines’ key areas and city centers. However, cities outside Metro Manila are slowly building their own residential real estate portfolio that may be attractive to investors or those who are considering relocating outside of the metro.
Here are the top cities outside the metro homeowners can consider moving into:
Cebu City
Cebu City is hailed as the Queen City of the South. It is the first capital established in the nation during the Spanish colonial times, with its ports serving as gateways for international commerce. Experiencing a boom in economic growth in the 1990s, it has remained as one of the central business hubs in the Visayan region.
The Cebu City Government also spearheaded green initiatives to sustain its economic growth and overall resilience in the coming years.
Cagayan De Oro City
Cagayan De Oro City (CDO) ranked 2nd in the Mindanao Economic Boom (MEB) survey that evaluated the most liveable cities in the region. The city takes pride in its natural environment, frequently drawing local and foreign tourists for its whitewater rafting and kayaking adventures.
CDO, acclaimed as the City of Golden Opportunities, has more to offer for people willing to relocate. With more investments pouring into the region, it is strategically positioned to become a thriving center of business, trade, and IT innovations.
Iloilo City
Iloilo City is another frontrunner in one of the most liveable cities outside Metro Manila. With only 447,992 in its 2019 total population, this progressive city stays rooted in its local heritage while proudly advancing towards the future. In 2018, the Iloilo City Government expanded its urban renewal program, focusing on the development of parks and increasing safe open spaces.
The preservation of the natural environment and greeneries within the city allows residents to enjoy better living conditions in sustainable communities.
Davao City
Ranking first in the MEB survey, Davao City is considered one of the safest cities in the Philippines. Highly urbanized and modern, this city takes pride in its economic and urban activities. Davao is the educational center in Mindanao, having a literacy rate of 98.7%.
It is the first 100 percent smoke-free metropolitan in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region recognized by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).
The Demand for Liveable Cities
Internal migration is the leading cause of the increasing population in Metro Manila with Filipinos, located in provinces, looking for better livelihood in high-growth areas. Working towards inclusive growth and opportunities in different regions will prevent the need for relocation.
The good news is more local government units in different parts of the country are aiming to transform their cities into resilient hubs of economic growth and technological innovation. They are also directing efforts to provide equal development opportunities and essential services for their communities. With these initiatives, real estate in the Philippines is poised for further growth and expansion in the future.
