Taguig City: Can You Actually Afford to Live Here Without Selling Your Soul?
so here's the deal with Taguig City-it's like that hot friend everyone wants to hang out with but can't afford the cover charge. i moved here last year thinking, "sure, i'll make it work," and spoiler alert: i'm still figuring it out. the average salary in taguig hovers around php 40,000 a month, which sounds decent until you realize a shoebox studio in fort bonifacio will eat up half of that. and don't even get me started on the coffee prices-i once paid php 200 for a latte that tasted like regret.
but hey, it's not all bad. taguig's got this weird energy-part corporate grind, part artsy vibe. you'll see suited execs rushing past street performers in BGC, and somehow it works. the safety here is legit; i've walked home at 2am without feeling like i'm in a horror movie. and the food scene? chef's kiss. from hole-in-the-wall ramen joints to fancy rooftop bars, there's something for every budget-or lack thereof.
now, let's talk numbers. rent in taguig can range from php 15,000 for a tiny condo to php 50,000+ for something that doesn't feel like a prison cell. utilities? add another php 3,000. groceries? let's say php 5,000 if you're not living on instant noodles. and transportation? php 100 a day if you're brave enough to deal with grab during rush hour. so yeah, that php 40,000 salary? it disappears faster than free pizza at an office meeting.
i asked a few locals what they thought, and the answers were... mixed. one guy said, "it's worth it if you're into the hustle." another muttered, "i'm just here for the paycheck." and my favorite was from a barista who said, "taguig is like a relationship-exciting at first, but the bills will make you question everything."
so, is taguig worth it? honestly, it depends on what you're willing to sacrifice. if you're cool with living paycheck to paycheck for the sake of being in the "it" city, go for it. but if you value things like savings, sleep, or mental health, maybe reconsider. or just move to makati-it's cheaper and they have better sunsets.
check out these links for more intel:
- TripAdvisor: Things to Do in Taguig
- Reddit: Taguig Living Tips
- Yelp: Best Cafes in BGC
- Local Blog: Taguig Rent Prices
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