The Safest (and Most Dangerous) Neighborhoods in Makati City
so, you're thinking about moving to Makati City? good luck with that. it's like the new york of the philippines but with more malls and less jaywalking tickets. let me break it down for you, straight from someone who's spent way too much time here trying to figure out where not to get mugged.
*the safest spots
- salcedo village - this is where the money lives. fancy condos, fancy cars, and fancy people who look at you weird if you're not wearing designer shoes. crime rate? almost zero. boredom level? also almost zero.
- legazpi village - a bit more chill than salcedo, but still safe. lots of expats, lots of dogs, and lots of weekend markets that'll drain your wallet faster than a taxi driver on payday.
- rockwell center - if you can afford to live here, congrats, you're basically untouchable. gated community, private security, and a power plant that looks like it belongs in a dystopian movie.
the not-so-safe spots
- poblacion - oh, pobla, pobla, pobla. you're either going to love it or lose your phone here. great for nightlife, sketchy for solo walks at 2am. i once saw a guy chase a thief down the street and it was like watching an action movie, except everyone was drunk.
- makati avenue - during the day, it's fine. at night, it's a crapshoot. lots of bars, lots of drunk people, and lots of opportunities for someone to bump into you and "accidentally" steal your wallet.
- guadalupe - this area's a mixed bag. some parts are fine, others... not so much. i heard a story about a guy who got his motorcycle stolen while he was literally standing next to it. true story.
random facts because why not
- rent in salcedo village? expect to pay around php 40,000-60,000 a month for a decent 1-bedroom. yeah, i know, it's wild.
- makati's unemployment rate is around 5%, which is pretty good compared to other cities in the philippines. so if you're looking for a job, you might actually find one here.
- the weather? hot. always hot. bring sunscreen or become a walking tomato.
overheard gossip
"dude, i saw this guy in rockwell wearing a shirt that cost more than my entire wardrobe. i felt poor just breathing the same air."
"poblacion at 3am is either the best decision you'll ever make or the worst. there's no in-between."
"if you're gonna jaywalk in makati, at least do it with confidence. the security guards respect that."
pro tips for surviving makati
- always carry a power bank. your phone will die faster than your hopes of finding cheap rent.
- learn to say "no" to street vendors. they're persistent, like mosquitos but with better sales pitches.
- if you're gonna party in pobla, keep your valuables in your front pocket. or better yet, don't bring them at all.
final thoughts
makati's a weird place. it's safe, it's dangerous, it's expensive, it's exciting. it's like that friend who's always inviting you to crazy adventures but also might get you arrested. but hey, if you're gonna live here, might as well embrace the chaos.
external links for the curious*
- tripadvisor: things to do in makati
- yelp: best restaurants in makati
- reddit: r/makati
- local subreddit: r/Philippines
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