Many buyers ask: how do you balance livability, accessibility, and true investment potential in a city known for its traffic and density? You want a home close to work or school, near hospitals and transit, and ideally one that can appreciate in value over time.
In this article, we offer a curated roundup of some of the best condo in Manila — targeting professionals, families, and investors — and provide guidance for those asking: is condo a good investment? We’ll also explore practicalities like how much condo you can afford, and whether condo or house is a better fit for your needs.
As of mid-2025, Metro Manila has surpassed 14 million residents — underscoring why demand for vertical living remains strong. Meanwhile, a recent market review shows that although vacancy rates have risen to 24–26% across some segments, rental yields in major business districts remain moderately favorable.
With this backdrop, a Metro Manila condo can become a smart base for urban living, a commute-friendly home, or even a stable investment asset. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate your options and show how you can start your search with confidence using Condo Arena.
Top Condo Developments in Manila
Manila’s condo market is a striking blend of heritage neighborhoods and modern developments. For buyers, developers’ reputation, building amenities, and especially location are key — these factors often determine livability, convenience, and long-term value.
Below is a curated selection of some of the best condo developments in Manila — representing options for families, professionals, and investors. Each has unique strengths in terms of amenity mix, access to transport or commerce, and potential for appreciation.
1. The Residences at Commonwealth
A high-rise community located in Quezon City, The Residences at Commonwealth appeals especially to families. It offers a suite of family-friendly amenities (playgrounds, green spaces, security features) and benefits from proximity to schools and public transit — making commutes and daily life easier for working parents.
2. Victoria De Manila
Situated in the Ermita-Manila area, Victoria De Manila is ideally located for professionals seeking access to hospitals, commercial centers, and cultural landmarks. Its central location means residents are close to workplaces, entertainment options, and essential services — offering convenience rarely matched by suburban houses. For investors or long-term renters, this development benefits from steady demand due to its strategic location.
3. DMCI Homes’ Tivoli Garden Residences
This mid-range condominium offers a more budget-friendly entry point for buyers. Tivoli Garden Residences provides good transport links and leisure facilities, making it suitable for working professionals or small families. Given current pricing trends and market conditions, mid-range units like this have become increasingly attractive.
According to recent data, the mid-income Metro Manila condo market saw a big rebound in 2025, with take-up rising sharply as developers offered discounts and flexible payment terms. For buyers wondering how much condo they can afford, projects like Tivoli strike a balance between manageable price points and urban convenience.
4. Shore Residences by SMDC
Located along Roxas Boulevard, Shore Residences offers a modern, urban-living experience with access to Manila’s waterfront attractions, cultural landmarks, and business hubs. The convenience of city life — combined with amenities typical of a contemporary condo — makes it ideal for professionals and investors seeking rental demand or long-term value. Given the historically high demand for centrally located condos in Manila, this development stands as a viable option for those looking for both lifestyle and investment potential.
5. Avida Towers Manila Bay
Avida Towers Manila Bay merges mid-market affordability with attractive seaside or bay-area views and proximity to work hubs. For buyers comparing “condo or house,” this development offers the advantage of lower entry cost compared with houses, while still delivering urban convenience and a desirable location.
Understanding the broader market helps put these condos in context. As of Q3 2025, average gross rental yields for Metro Manila condos hover around 5.5%–6%, making condo ownership a plausible path for rental income or passive earnings.
That said, the market is not without challenges. Oversupply remains a key concern: according to a 2025 report, unsold condominium inventory across Metro Manila has surged, with the backlog expected to take over eight years to absorb at current demand levels. Vacancy rates have climbed — though some experts forecast improvement starting 2026 as supply slows and demand recovers.
Recent data also points to a rebound in the mid-income segment of the condo market: Q3 2025 saw a 108% quarter-on-quarter increase in net take-up, driven by affordability, developer promotions, and renewed buyer confidence. These trends indicate that well-located, mid-market units may offer the most balanced mix of investment potential and livability right now.
In summary, the Manila condo landscape offers a variety of viable choices — from family-friendly high-rises to centrally located urban towers and mid-range condominiums that balance cost with convenience. Key factors for smart buyers remain location, developer reputation, amenities, and current market conditions. Whether you’re evaluating condo or house or wondering how much condo you can afford, these options provide concrete starting points before buying a condo in the Philippines.
Practical Considerations When Choosing a Condo in Manila
Beyond amenities and aesthetics, there are several practical factors that can make or break your experience when buying a condo in the Philippines. For example: a unit might look great on paper, but if it's far from hospitals, schools, or public transport, your daily life could become a burden rather than a convenience. Likewise, legal issues, financing options, or neighborhood safety may affect whether a Metro Manila condo becomes a sound long-term decision.
Here are key considerations to weigh — whether your priority is livability, investment potential, or both.
1. Proximity to Schools, Hospitals, and Daily Needs
Imagine living just a short ride or walk away from top-tier schools or major hospitals: that convenience can be a huge advantage for families or professionals. For instance, a condo located near University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) or Philippine General Hospital (PGH) offers easy access to education and healthcare, reducing commute stress and adding to quality of life. Similarly, if you’re raising kids or have elders in the family, proximity to reliable hospitals or schools can heavily influence whether a condo feels like “home.”
2. Accessibility: Transport Hubs and Commute-Friendly Location
Because traffic and commuting remain key challenges in Metro Manila, ease of access to public transport — such as train stations, bus terminals, or major highways — is often a deciding factor. Research shows that property values and demand tend to increase for condos close to rail lines or MRT/LRT access. When considering a condo or house, a well-located condo can save time, money, and stress for daily commuters — which also helps if you plan to rent it out in the future.
3. Amenities and Lifestyle Facilities
Amenities like swimming pools, gyms, retail spaces, and communal areas add real value — especially if you want a balanced lifestyle without needing to travel far. Shared amenities can also make a condo more attractive to renters, boosting its rental or resale value over time. As many guides on purchasing a condo recommend: location matters greatly, but so does the overall living environment.
3. Developer Reputation and Track Record
When you’re buying a condo in the Philippines, it’s essential to consider who built it. A developer with many completed, high-quality projects delivers more trust: better construction quality, timely turnover, and reliable maintenance. A reputed developer also helps reduce risks around delays, structural issues, or poor management — common pitfalls in less established projects. This is particularly important for long-term investors or those weighing condo or house options.
4. Pricing Trends, Investment Potential, and Rental Yield
For many buyers — especially investors — two big questions are: Is condo a good investment? and how much condo can I afford? According to a recent 2025 market review, average gross rental yields for many Metro Manila condos fall in the 4.5%–6% range. Smaller units (studios or 1-bedrooms) in high-demand areas tend to yield the highest returns due to strong demand from young professionals, BPO employees, and students.
However — and this is critical — the overall market is currently experiencing oversupply. As of mid-2025, many units remain unsold or vacant, particularly outside major central business districts. Rental rates in certain bay-area submarkets have dropped significantly compared to pre-pandemic levels.
This oversupply can affect both rental yields and long-term appreciation. Still, for well-located units built by reputable developers, a condo can remain a viable investment — especially if you plan to live in it for several years, or if you pick smaller units that suit urban renters’ needs.
5. Condo Association Rules, Fees, and Legal / Financial Considerations
Owning a condo isn’t just about the unit: you become part of a community governed by a condo association, which means paying monthly dues, following community rules, and bearing shared maintenance costs. These fees and regulations can vary widely depending on the project, and could impact your net returns or quality of life.
It’s wise to read the association’s by-laws, get a sense of monthly maintenance costs, and factor these into your budget. Furthermore, recent market shifts — including rising interest rates and tighter borrowing conditions — have affected affordability and buying decisions in Manila.
Given these complexities, it’s always advisable to consult with a property lawyer, reputable agent, or financial adviser who understands local regulations, taxes, maintenance costs, and market dynamics. This step helps ensure you make informed decisions aligned with your goals and financial capacity.
Choosing a condo in Manila is about practical aspects, and they all come together to determine whether a Metro Manila condo is truly worth it. Especially when evaluating is condo a good investment, these factors matter just as much as the unit itself.
Key takeaways
Choosing the best condo in Manila is about aligning a home or investment with your financial readiness, your lifestyle rhythms, and the way you move through the city every day. Manila’s condo market offers variety — but that same variety can make the decision feel risky without the right framework and tools.
Informed decision-making gives you the advantage. Manila will continue to evolve. What matters is choosing a property that can evolve with you. Here are three key takeaways you can act on today:
- Start with the essentials, not the façade. Compare locations first — commute time, access to daily essentials, school and hospital proximity — then evaluate amenities and developer quality.
- Plan for financial stability beyond the sale. Check realistic affordability (how much condo you can sustain long-term), rental yield expectations, association dues, and future appreciation before deciding condo or house.
- Use trusted platforms and professional guidance. Explore listings, compare units side-by-side, and consult a lawyer or adviser early to ensure you’re confident in every step of the purchase journey — tools like Condo Arena help you make those choices clearly.
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