Most expats planning a move to the Philippines ask the same question early on.

What can I actually get for my money?

So we took one of our clients, Randy from Texas, on a full day of property viewings in BGC with a budget of around $1,000 per month. Here's exactly what we found.

Serendra is one of the largest condo complexes in BGC, spanning an entire block. This particular unit was listed at 65,000 pesos per month but is highly negotiable.

Inside you get a six-person dining table, full living room, balcony, master bedroom, and a kitchen with a four-burner stove, oven, microwave, and range hood. The view overlooks the rest of the Serendra complex with Market Market straight ahead.

What makes Serendra stand out is the amenities. Multiple pools, basketball courts, four separate gym facilities, beautiful landscaped gardens with fountains, and an outdoor mall built right into the complex with restaurants ranging from American breakfast spots to ramen to Filipino food to Cold Stone Creamery.

One negotiation tip worth knowing. If you don't plan on driving, which most expats don't since Grab covers everything here, you can remove parking from the lease and knock another 5,000 pesos off the monthly rate immediately.

The one thing to keep in mind with Serendra is that it is one of the older buildings in BGC, so the quality of furnishings can vary unit to unit. Some are beautifully renovated. Others need work. Knowing which is which before you sign anything matters.

A 50 square meter unit in a quieter part of BGC close to Forbestown Road. Simply furnished but a solid size for the price.

This is where having someone in your corner becomes very obvious. The broker on site told us the unit was 50,000 to 55,000 pesos per month on a three month advance, three month deposit terms. Our team member immediately verified the actual rate with the owner. It was 45,000 pesos per month, two months advance, two months deposit.

That one conversation saved Randy thousands of pesos before he even signed anything. This is the skin tax in real time. The moment some brokers see a foreigner from the States, the numbers shift. Having someone there who knows the real market rate is not optional. It is the difference between a fair deal and an expensive mistake.

The location itself is excellent. Forbestown Road is lined with restaurants directly below, including some of the best dining in BGC. A three-course meal at Dr. Wine, considered one of the top restaurants in the area, runs about 890 pesos, roughly $16 to $17. The same meal in the States would cost $40 or more.

Listed at 55,000 pesos per month without parking, meaning with the right negotiation this comes down to 45,000 to 50,000 pesos comfortably. Decent sized master bedroom, living room, dining area, and standard furnishings.

A solid option with room to move on price.

Randy made an interesting point during the viewings. He had visited the Philippines several times before. But there is a very big difference between visiting and actually moving.

Visiting means looking at neighborhoods. Moving means signing leases, avoiding getting overcharged, vetting landlords, making sure the deposit terms are fair, and knowing which buildings have issues that won't show up on a viewing.

By the end of just one day of viewings, our team had already caught one broker inflating the price, identified which units were worth a second look, and had more viewings lined up for the following day.

That is what a smooth transition actually looks like.

If you want the same experience Randy had and want to make your move to the Philippines without the guesswork, the overcharging, and the stress, we can help.

Click here to start your move to the Philippines the right way

Travel Well,

Evan Lorezca

The Savvy Expat