Makati Area
Dasmariñas Village – Located in the central business district (CBD) and one of the most ideal location for expats to reside in due its accessibility to the business and commercial zones and proximity to the “Ayala Triangle” where you can find five star hotels, choice restaurants and fashionable shops. Considered as one of the exclusive gated residential community with tree-lined streets and sidewalks. Its perimeters run along EDSA, South Forbes Park, Fort Bonifacio and Ecology Village/Pasong Tamo Extension.
Houses in this area range in size from three to six and more bedrooms, mostly with swimming pools, landscaped gardens and surrounded by 6-8 cement block walls or iron fence.
Residents of the village can avail of the following amenities : 24-hr. security guard vehicle check points, playgrounds, post office facilities, tennis courts, small medical and dental clinics for domestic helpers, small fire dept., intra-village free jeepney service utilized by the domestic staff, several small, private English-speaking nursery schools. In the middle of this village is a local private school for elementary and high school called Colegio de San Augustin.
South Forbes Park – Also a gated community, with a breezy atmosphere, with wide roads, lined by beautifully, large old trees. Its perimeters run along Dasmariñas Village (connected through the Mahogany gate), Fort Bonifacio and McKinley Road.
Houses in this area have mostly huge lot sizes with three to seven and more bedrooms. Like Dasmariñas Village, the houses are mostly occupied by wealthy Filipinos and expats. The houses are generally surrounded by high walls and fences, mostly with swimming pools and large landscaped gardens.
There is no playground and central administration building in this community but like other exclusive villages, they have 24-hr. security guard vehicle check points.
North Forbes Park – Also a gated community with wide tree-lined streets. This Village is located just a few meters across Dasmariñas Village. Its perimeters run along EDSA, Kalayaan Ave. with a residential area called Pinagkaisahan, Manila Golf Club (private), and McKinley Road.
Houses in this area have mostly huge lot sizes with three to seven and more bedrooms. Mostly occupied by upper class Filipinos, expats and people employed by a variety of embassies. The houses are mostly surrounded by 8-10 ft. cinderblock walls, mostly with swimming pool and large landscaped gardens.
Residents of the village can avail of the following amenities : 24-hr. security guard vehicle check points, in the center of this village is the administrative office with a medical and dental clinic for domestic staff and a security office and mini fire engine, playground and covered outdoor basketball court.
Urdaneta Village – This Village is closest to the “Ayala Triangle”. Its perimeters run along EDSA, Paseo de Roxas, Buendia and Ayala Avenue. This residential community is also popular among expats. Residents can avail of the following amenities : 24-hr. security guard vehicle check points, large playground, soccer field, outdoor basketball court and a large covered assembly hall for gatherings. It also has its own association office and security station.
Bel-air Village – There are four separate villages called Bel-air 1,2,3 and 4 but managed by one association. Its perimeters run along EDSA, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Nicanor Garcia and Kalayaan Avenue. Between Bel-air Village 1 and 2 is Makati Avenue. What used to be residential units along the perimeter of these villages are slowly turning into commercial establishments. These Villages are the closest you can get to the International School and to one of the newest commercial establishment for the affluent shoppers, the Rockwell Center’s “Power Plant”. These villages are also home to many expatriates.
Magallanes Village – This gated village is located on the southern side of South Super Highway and EDSA and is not far from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The village is surrounded by large, mature trees. Sizes of houses in the village range from two to five bedrooms, some with swimming pools and small landscaped yards. There is a village association, playground and open tennis court. It is also a home to a great number of expats.
San Lorenzo Village – This village is located on the opposite side of EDSA. Its perimeters run along EDSA, Amorsolo St., Pasay Road and Antonio S. Arnaiz Avenues. This Village is nearest the Makati Cinema Square and Greenbelt Square area, a commercial establishment famous for its choice restaurants, shops and theaters.
Houses in the village have smaller lot sizes compared to those in Dasmariñas Village, North and South Forbes. Several houses are duplex type with 2 to 4 bedrooms while the single detached ones have 3 to 5 bedrooms. Some have swimming pools and small, landscaped gardens.
It is also a gated village with 24-hr. security guard vehicle checkpoints, a playground, an Association building, tennis courts and several nursery schools.
San Juan/Pasig/Ortigas Areas
Most expats who opt to stay in residential villages north of Makati may consider the following villages : Greenhills Villages (North, East, West, Northeast), Valle Verde 1 to 6, Corinthian Gardens, Arcadia and Green Meadows. These villages are also exclusive and gated communities.
Houses are mostly single detached with three to six bedrooms, with swimming pools and landscaped gardens. Most of these villages have their own Association office, playground, tennis courts and basketball courts. They also have 24 hr. security guard vehicle checkpoints. Lot sizes are mostly smaller than those in the Makati Villages except for those houses in Corinthian Gardens which are more or less of the same size as those in Dasmariñas Village, North and South Forbes.
Ayala Alabang
This exclusive, gated community is located South of Makati. To get to this village, you can take the South Luzon Tollway from either Makati or via C-5 from the Fort Bonifacio area, south to the Alabang or the Filinvest exits. If you are pressed for time and the tollway is congested you can use the Skyway. Entrance onto the Skyway south direction can now be accessed from Makati at Buendia or Pasay Road.
Many houses in Ayala Alabang are newer, bigger and have larger lot sizes than those in Makati Villages. They have wide roads and tree-lined sidewalks. House sizes range from 3 to 7 bedrooms, mostly with swimming pools and big landscaped gardens.
Residents of the village can avail of the following amenities: 24 hour security guard vehicle checkpoints, village association office (which offers services such as basic medical clinic, grounds crew, security etc.), Alabang Country Club (located in the middle of the village), playgrounds and parks, several nursery and elementary schools like La Salle Montessori and Woodrose, among others. There are also several malls situated near the village like: Festival Supermall, SM South Mall, Alabang Town Center and Metropolis.
