As a longtime Bangkokian, I can honestly say BGC is nicer than any area in Bangkok. Food is just as good, too.

What I notice is that the whole of Metro Manila (and in fact, also other major cities in the Philippines) is improving. In about 10-15 yrs time, the skyline and even the feels from the ground of the Metro will be different compared to today.

agree 100%…..I always live in the nicest, walkable neighborhoods and the money you save in transportation almost always makes up for the extra cost

Well said. BGC is unmatched when it comes to the ambience. The vibes are immaculate

BGC no floods, no brownout, clean streets, no homeless, no shoplifters. 24hours CCTV monitors

Air pollution in Philippines is so much lower than elsewhere in SEA (except for Singapore by a slim margin according to IQAir 2023 report). I like the way Philippines does it's business districts aswell, but of course more quality public transit is needed, luckily that is under way

BGC is improving. Strolling around the city is therapeutic. It gives me relief from work related stress. The ambience is world class. ❤️👏👏

Thanks Sir Mergim for promoting our country since you arrived here, a lot of foreign tourist now coming to the Philippines especially BGC...

As a Filipino...I am so proud of u living in our country...Love all ur blogs,Mergim.Just continue...you will be blessed.♥️🙏

Good topic Mergim. Just wondering why you weren’t invited at the Pusong Pinoy? I’m Fil/Am and lives in a gated private village with 24 hour security. I moved from 🇺🇸 to here. I got tired of the rat race. I had my minimalist modern style house built in 2018, 2 floors open concept with a garage. I don’t have any mortgage and bills except for utilities. I’m spending between $600-700/month for 2 including everything. I’m 30-45 minutes away to MOA, NAIA, Makati and BGC. So yeah I can go anywhere no problem driving my car without all the hassles living in Makati and BGC. I bought a used car. It doesn’t make sense to buy a new one coz Filipinos drive insane 😂 but I got used to it. Thanks Mergim for loving BGC 🇵🇭.

My family met him in Uptown 1 lobby in Nov last year, he's a very nice young fellow & accommodating, took some photos with him, hopefully he'll continue to create vids in BGC.

Let's support Mergim for he's one of the loyal vlogger who stayed trying to promote our country Philippines.

All good points, last time I was there BGC wasn’t even a conception lol. But I’m familiar with Makati, Passi and now the new BGC. We’ll be living in the city for our first few months for our plans to head there in October. Myself heading towards retirement with my Filipina wife. We’re looking for peace and quiet and I believe the outskirts ,province life is more preferable especially on cost of living, foods, and immersion into the culture. I need to be closer to beaches and palm trees, preferably in the foothills where it’s cooler. Anyway, to each his own. ✌🏻

I totally agree with your observation. I think that the variety of indoor local and international restaurants in BGC make up the shortage in inexpensive street food available in bangkok

I’m gonna brag and say I’ve been to many cities and business districts around the world. Your assessment is spot on except for the food part. I just don’t understand what the issue is comparing food availability between Bangkok and Manila/Bonifacio. I think what’s available in Bangkok can be found in Bonifacio as well. WHAT EXACTLY ARE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR TO EAT? Monkey’s brain like in The Temple of Doom? Seriously? People would use food to choose Bangkok over BGC? BGC is the prime example of a modern city. It’s not too big nor small, just the perfect size to not need a car, simply walk. It is safe. The demographic is perfect thus far, majority Filipinos who know how to behave. (I do get annoyed seeing vloggers who behave obnoxiously like those 3 middle eastern looking guys who started rapping at the Jollibee along High Street rapping about a Filipina marrying them, IT WAS DISGUSTING AND I WOULD HAVE YELLED AT THEM AND PUT THEM IN THEIR PLACE, this happened maybe 2 years ago.). Anyway, back to Bonifacio, there are no homeless encampments, no leftist BLM protesters nor looters…IT’S JUST THE PERFECT MASTERPLANNED AREA. I love lamp posts throughout the city, IT IS UNIQUE TO BONIFACIO, once you see it u know it’s Bonifacio. I love the type of trees all over that actually give you shade and these trees look good. (BGC minimized the use of palm trees which is great because palm trees in an urban setting cheapens the area, these trees do not look good next to modern buildings like what you see in Makati or Cubao…palm trees belong in resorts or beaches, not the city.) Bonifacio is really something to be proud of…it was a concept or plan that was concocted i the late 1990s and nobody knew how it was going to turn out. About 30 years later, we have a CBD that is about 60% developed and still going, not to mention the subway stops. The only thing missing in Bonifacio is that showcase landmark which I am hoping will happen. Oh just an fyi to everyone, the locals (AS IN THE FIRST PEOPLE WHO MOVED IN THOSE EXPENSIVE UNITS) do not use the term “BGC” “the Fort” or whatever…the original locals refer to BGC as simply “Bonifacio.”. It sounds more unpretentious and dignified.

Your experience with the weather is actually surprising and is a point in my book versus living in Cebu.

Different business districts in Metro Manila have their own identity. Bangkok or Kungthep has just one big identity. Don’t get me wrong, Bangkok is amazing!

BGC is the best spot in the metro to date! Thanks Mergim! Hoping to meet and get a picture together with you soon!

Actually I stayed in Makati( Pablacion) near Rockwell. The rent is very affordable and there were plenty of taxis,jeepneys available. Not to mention that I can walk to Makati centre and also shop in Rockwell. Everything is and will always be assable in Makati.

There are also other ongoing future business district development projects such as the Arca South, Bridgetowne, Vertis North, Ayala Cloverleaf Estates. Hopefully, they're done within the next 10 years together with the subway system. Then after that, there will be expansions & reclamaion projects such as the SM Manila Bay Ocean City, Pasay Harbor City, Solar City, Manila Waterfront City, Manila Harbour Centre, etc.

When we went to BGC, we all fell in love with it. Fr Davao City

Yeah BGC is where you can find everything, shops, etc. My place (Pasig) is near to that place. ❤ Watching from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Mergim always provide insightful commentaries

Yes, housing and transportation are linked. If you live walking distance where you work, study, shop, and have fun then you don't need a private vehicle. A private vehicle cost money in terms of the vehicle itself, fuel, maintenance, parking/storage, registration and fines. What is very much needed in Manila, Cebu and the rest is fast reliable high capacity transportation that links walkable areas together like BGC, Makati, Ortigas etc. Link the malls together with the universities, hospitals, business districts, and other large job centers. Then replace all the slums with high rise government subsidized public housing.

You are right - BGC is a more convenient place to live in.

nice one Mergim, thanks for the infos, will be staying in BGC area next week, excited to explore the area, the last time i went there was back in 2008, and so much has changed now since then, :-). Hopefully will see you on the BGC roads during our walk hehehe (Coming from Herefordshire, England).

Legaspi Park is also a good option. Very near Ayala Center, Ayala Triangle, Makati CBD, Malls, Hospitals. There are also pocket parks.

Living first class in a developing country > living impoverished in a first world country

Few years from now BGC may have a stiff competitions from other bussiness districts like in the Bay areas with more than 4× the size of BGC are now having àn ongoing developments. Phils 🇵🇭 is really soaring high. ❤

Thanks Mergim! You are love by filipino as you so dedicated on promoting philippines to rhe world. I never missed your vlog & i even watched it twice in tv & in my mobile😁live it always.

Great video. Can you make a video of places to have a nice drink/bars or watch a local band play in BGC?

Grab Hack: Choose 6 seater car, immediately like magic!

honestly, BGC is super nice

Agree. Wide sidewalks... Pedestrian-friendly. I lived in Pembo (just across SM Aura) for 12 years.

If you're somewhere in Ortigas, anywhere along EDSA, just ride an MRT to (Telus) Makati - 5am - 10pm

What do you exactly mean about lack of food in BGC or in Manila? What kind of food do tourists in Bangkok are looking for? Thai cuisines? What foods do they prefer? There are a lot of restaurants outside of BGC all around Metro Manija like Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Thai Korean, Indian, Mediterrane, Spanish or American, etc Asian or European cuisine.

I agree that BGC almost has everything, whether as a resident living in rent or owned, or as an employee working there, and the sidewalks are pretty wide on most areas that makes it walkable, making it an organized and planned city. They should even lengthen the time to cross the pedestrian crossings since there are areas where crossing only takes 10-15 seconds. On how quiet it is, it's somewhat true if not living or working in major roads. But BGC isn't complete without its cons. One is public transport that is limited. Most PUVs are concentrated in Market Market, while the remaining is only covered by BGC Bus where the number of units are sorely lacking, the buses are always full during weekdays at rush hour, and headway/waiting time is too long because BGC Bus only use one road, McKinley Road as ingress and egress to Ayala in Makati which is another major transport hub, and it gets congested at rush hour, particularly at night where it takes 30 minutes at least to 1 hour at worst to get to BGC from Ayala. Tl;dr, BGC is car-centric. But with the additional bus routes plying C-5 like coming from SM North, Alabang, Laguna, and Cavite and the upcoming subway which will open in like 5 to 6 years, it kind of showed its improvements. I just hope the private developer allows other PUVs to enter portions of BGC so that BGC Bus won't be overburdened. Also, a monorail or a light rail would also help going in and out of BGC to Makati, Ortigas, and NAIA. The variety of food options is noticeable, like they don't even have cheap canteens similar to the ones found in Makati CBD, since BGC serves all classes and not everyone affords to eat at expensive restaurants or eateries. Anyway, good observations, Mergim.

🇬🇧🇵🇭❤🙏🏻 Cheers, Chairman Mergim!

Thanks Mergim for explaining the whole thing in terms of renting because were planning to rent condo or may be to owning someday thanks for sharing

Ran Into you at landers. Definitely agree that bgc is the place most convenient for foreigners. Especially when I was living in palazzo! I just really hated the elevator set up in that bbuilding on either side. So I opt for Mandaluyong twin oaks. It's like a mix of bgc and makati which is right up my alley

Your observations are spot on.

By 2029 that problim may be solved when subway operates and also elivated PNR from Clark Metro Manila to calamba train.

Yes! BGC is the place to be😊

I'm currently living in Makati, looking to move to BGC later this year, would love to see more building, apt visits, reviews.. or can anyone recommend a vlogger who does these? 🙏

why don't you do a vlog on your hometown in UK? Pls tour us there where you grow, your school, places you've been to, the foods, views, etc... :)

Keepsafe mergim❤

Thank you for sharing your experience about BGC it’s very helpful

I like your points made. 👍🏼

Nice and honest observation chairman👍😊

Enjoying your vlogs about the Philippines!

Love this content..thanks dude.Have a great day.God bless.

Thanks for your honest opinion.

Mergim after 5 years will be easy for everybody to travel from Quezon City. Ortigas. BGC to Terminal 3 airport once Manila Subway completed.

very good observation chairman 👍

Go to Eastwood city at night there are many foods and sights there.. the last time you went there I guess it was post pandemic and every stores were close so this time is better.

Well said chairman! I love living in BGC too! We’re actually neighbours! 😊

Public transportation in Metro-Manila is below par compared to other major Southeast Asian cities. But it may improve with the subway being built, albeit with only one line. Great subways should have a "spider-web" network system, not just one line that runs north to south.

Love this vlog mergim! Keep safe always!♥️♥️♥️

Thumbs up 😊😊😊

I’m going to tell yall why you shouldn’t love to bgc.I mean first of all you can literally see the h&m in the background on the thumbnail I mean my god man I get enough of them corporate companies here in America hell no.The second thing is the traffic and everything being just to convenient in walkable distance.To me in my opinion when I observe foreigners in the Philippines from the distance sitting around in Manila,bgc,makati,angles,Cebu city and Cebu it park your not experiencing no culture at all.These are all capital cities and metro areas with corporations and all imported westernized establishments.Please tell me why would I travel thousands of miles to put myself around everything that I’m used to no thank you.Ill rather stay in cavite Philippines or Mindanao not bgc.

I love BGC, my second home! I miss it ❤

"Audition the building" and airbnb, great advice!"🎉

Great perspective! 👍😊

Nice vlog. Come one, u have lived here long enough to give up the rough riding pink scooters. By a Dualtron... I'll take you out anytime as I own 2. After 2 years I'd be happy to buy u lunch or dinner. Thanks for what you do. Your one of the best!!!

Where i live in canada,it will cost u about 2 grand or more for a average place plus most utilities.Nice place,upwards of 3 grand or more.

I agree with the assessment of BGC. But I must say you can find places in central Bangkok that are still quite chill , Phrom phong near the park is my favourite.

I'm hearing Eastwood is quite a nice little gem - and very affordable with what is needed right there in that area ? -- Small but very nice is the word ? -- You might try it on for size ? -- Might just be "right" for retired seniors and less expensive ? 🤔 I would really like not sweating so much - but could I afford to stay in that area (?) just to avoid sweating ???

I wonder what food they eat in Thailand because all I hear is Pad Thai and Pad Krapow or Tom Yum. None of which is top calibre compared to the food in Philippines. 😊

You made a very convincing vlog (for me anyway) on the benefits of having a home in BGC vs other city-scape environments. Clearly top PH big city in a fairly tranquil city/area with a lot less of the congestion, noise, and chaotic traffic, at a very reasonable added city cost. Remember, it's the city, so if you seek total isolation and quiet (like roosters blaring at 5am in the provinces) it's not city living that you actually want. I do seek having nearby tropical beaches, and BGC would require an exit to get to the more exclusive white sand beaches, and any city will also have less appealing beaches than the more remote beach towns and off shore islands, that's just common sense. Sure, other areas are less expensive, and may have more food options, but the vibe of BGC really outshines those more remote areas despite its less food variety limitations, especially for an expat looking for a relatively safe, or safer metro-Manilla location. Point is - with no sidewalk food stalls adding to the maniac chaos they bring, and all the scooters parked on them, walking, biking, driving, and moto-scooting seems far less dangerous. Add to that the well-maintained concrete, wider sidewalks and streets, and it wins hands down for ease and peace of mind. A recon-fact finding visit is mandatory regardless of where you think best to live because being there is the only true test.

bgc or makati would be a good home base,travel from there.To many vlogs about cheap places and poor expats.If i can convince my wife to go,we will be living on about 7 to 8 grand a month,not every one going there is broke,on the contrary.

Perfect calculation❤❤❤

Maganda nman tlga s BGC and other commercial/business areas as well in different cities in NCR. Pansin ko s nppnood ko walk tours kung meron 1 or 2 lng. BKK and Vietnam din kahit s mga simpleng lugar lng nila common n lng mkikita mraming westerners.

Hasn’t rained hardly at all in the last 2 weeks in Bangkok/Pattaya. Last year September was the wettest period. So it’s always hard to predict! BGC is a bubble, yes it’s nice, but living in a high rise condo isn’t for everyone imo! One big negative is the value for money, quality accommodation and restaurants are much cheaper in Bangkok and especially Pattaya!

i been to Bangkok and they dont have single area that looks similar to BGC or MAKATI there modern part called One Bangkok is just around 20 hectares its just 22times smaller to BGC. and 90times smaller to MAKATI CBD.

Hey Mergim, where could I search for condos? Facebook? Rentpad? Where would you find those needle-in-a-haystack you mentioned?

BGC has much of what you need on a daily basis without all the travel. The situation outside BGC with traffic, Grab/taxis, Jeepneys, mixed with the poor/outdated/diverse zoning make travel difficult. Sidewalks outside BGC can be uneven, different widths or levels or non-existent. You can probably save 1.5 hours per day easy by not traveling around the rest of metro Manila. The BGC community prohibiting certain mass transit vehicles, loud vehicles, panhandling, etc. make BGC a much more pleasant environment in which to live or work. Hopefully all the new developments will adopt similar zoning and laws that have made BGC popular and successful. Manila should look at the way Singapore has built some of their large Piazzas (near Clarke Quay) with the very large steel/plexiglass umbrella/awnings that provide some shade and shelter from the rain for the entire piazza containing multiple restaurants/bars, outdoor stages, music etc.

thats a good take mate!

From a cost per square meter perspective is most higher end condominiums in Cebu i'm looking at are more expensive than condos in BGC.

I agree and BGC is cleaner compared to other cities in Metro ManilA

Hi Mergim, if you want to explore more like divisoria, try to visit baclaran, specially near baclaran there are many store selling clothes more on overruns stuff and more.

❤ BGC my favorite area in Manila, with Cebu being my close second area.

Hey Mergim you forgot to consider trying to get a Grab around rushhour. Last year I was stranded in Cubao for about 2 hrs in the middle of rush hour. Also in my opinion Eastwood City is just as good as BGC.

Charman can you vlog information this place P3PM+C6G Palogtoc Falls, Irosin, Sorsogon, Philippines❤

Thailand is hotter with less English speakers than the Philippines. BGC wins hands down.

I totally agree with everything you've just said. You have a knack of telling things so accurately, deliberately and spontaneously. Keep it up! P.S. I still prefer KL than Manila tho

Thailand there is no view around the places of city is not much greeneries and lots of motorcycles and noisy and no beaty the city so boring that only you can see is The building that it 😂 I been thai so noisy

I think Mergim, it is time for you to get your own vehicle. Like a Pickup so you can go to lots of places. You haven't seen Region 2 and 5 yet, if im not mistaken?😊

I like BGC for a short stay but found myself getting bored after a couple of weeks. Maybe I need to explore it more.

1. Mandaluyong 1/3 the price rent and cost of living, just get a motorcycle ( you can park in first class parking in BGC, Ortigas, Araneta, Eastwood, Greenhills, Makati, Bridgetown), so you have more diversity in places to go. BGC can get boring. My fave place to ride to is Binondo and Salcedo Makati and BGC ( park at Landers, 3Parkade, Forbes town depending on where you want your walk) 2. BGC ambiance is also in Greenfield- Shang, Megamall- Podium, Eastwood, Greenhills, Bridgetown, Araneta, Greenbelt. Shang- Megamall-Podium -and Glorietta-Greenbelt restos are even more superior. 3. Mandaluyong food game radius 10km ( it is the center) beats BGC hands down ( as BGC is within that radius).

Ill Go for The Philippines… English is a must.. The beauty may be Tie ?..and balance to other SEA. Countries even to Da Nang may be included .. k..

Kind of an embarrassing question but is it safe to drink the (tap) water in the condo units in BGC or would you advise against doing this? I'm just wondering how other people handle this issue or if they simply purchase bottled water for drinking only. Appreciate your response and enjoy your informative vids. Peace.

Hi mergim ❤

Greenhills is cheaper and has everything

BGC is nice but i also like Pasay area

damnit Mergim, missed my chance to say hi when we passed you at the Mitsukoshi escalators the other day lol next time!

Well said Chairman Mergim...

Hi thanks for the great content! Thinking of going to BGC soon but I am a little apprehensive about the Wifi. Can you attest that the wifi is fast and reliable? What is your honest take?

Hi Mergim, always your vlog i Philipppines but your Thailand background temples, why you change that mix background, viewers composed,

Have you heard about a 12% VAT on apartment rentals? I found that some buildings are asking for it.

Condo tour of your place Q&A video