Babysitters watching you 24/7 Too many rules and restrictions Cramped living space No backyard Slow elevators Association dues Overpriced Doesn't hold value No return on investment Basically unsellable down the road. Neighbors on the other side of a thin wall.

I bought a new one-bedroom unit in cash for the price of a new car in the US. I use it now while living part-time in the Philippines. It'll be my landing spot when I fully retire and move there permanently. I also wanted to prepay my rent for retirement. Buying while I'm still working takes rent out of my retirement budget. I plan to explore the country and rent other places for 6–12 months at a time, but I'll always have this place as my home base to fall back on. I don't expect to sell it or make a profit, but I could rent it out if I decide to live somewhere else long term. It's basically a security blanket for my retirement in the Philippines. I'll always have a place to live for about $60 a month (currently) in condo dues and about $100 a year in property taxes. I've willed it to my son (in the US).

I haven't bought yet. Rents are so low that I can't make the numbers work in favor of buying. But buying would let me customize my home in ways renting might not. It would also let me rent the place out when I'm away. So I keep looking, but I haven't gotten comfortable enough to pull the trigger.

Pre-completion: I'd never consider it. From everything you've seen living here, do you expect construction to match the promises, on time and on budget?

I bought one for its ideal location and easy access to public transport.

Bought through a bank foreclosure because I was seeing someone at the bank lol. Great deal — 4 million cash for what's worth 12–15 million+ in BGC, prime location. Happy with it, bought more than one but should've bought more. One-bedroom layouts are 45 sqm+ Great location, great management, no issues, though it was built before 2016. Ten years in, no developer issues, no special assessments, really high-end for the Philippines Taxes are also very cheap for what it is, and if you pay early you get a discount. Lots of foreign owners who are rooted in the community long term, no issues. Honestly, for the Philippines it's great Just sad what's out there nowadays