A taste of the beautiful country life

Philippine Daily Inquirer

19 Jun 2021

By Vaughn Alviar @INQ_Property

 

What seemed impossible a few years ago is possible now: People can work for offices in Manila without showing up there.

Because of decisive gamechangers like road networks getting us to certain places faster and the pandemic setup allowing us to continue delivering work for our companies from home, workers can now buy a house outside Metro Manila and really live in it, not just go home to it occasionally. These factors have allowed us to look at options north and south of the metropolis with a fresh perspective.

Mulling over a big migration out of the capital? It does come with advantages like bigger properties for less, a lower cost of living and bigger spaces to move about. If you aren’t familiar with the homebuying terrain where you plan to settle, limit your search to options built by developers with an unimpeachable track record.

In Bulacan and Quezon provinces, you can look for developments by Sta. Lucia Land, whose 250-plus projects in 10 regions nationwide prove its trustworthiness.

COLINAS VERDES RESIDENTIAL ESTATE & COUNTRY CLUB

Live in exclusive suburban villages at Colinas Verdes, an expansive masterplanned development in the progressive Tungkong Mangga area of San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. Buy a house-and-lot or lot-only property at the foot of the mighty Sierra Madre, perhaps in a spot overlooking Manila Bay.

The features of the project signify a grand life. It is secured by a perimeter fence and a guardhouse at the gate. The wide concrete roads are framed with curbs and gutters and paved sidewalks. Open spaces are also landscaped. The country club, a first in the city, has swimming pools, courts and jogging paths, a game room, a gym and even bowling lanes.

While it offers a stylish country life, the place is just outside North Caloocan. In about two hours, you are already on Edsa. Even nearer are malls, schools, hospitals, civic buildings and places of worship.

VISTA VERDE RESIDENTIAL ESTATE

If south of Metro Manila is your choice, look at the offerings at the 61-ha Vista Verde in Tayabas, Quezon. Find a home with sweeping views of Mount Banahaw on one side and the Lamon and Tayabas Bays on the other.

The fine Spanish-Mediterranean homes and great amenities await new residents. Like Colinas Verdes and other Sta. Lucia residential projects, this one promises quality site development that includes concrete roads, manicured lawns and tree-lined paths. Dwellers will enjoy an equally grand clubhouse with its own swimming pool and courts for sports like basketball, tennis and badminton.

Another assurance that comes with the Sta. Lucia brand is the project’s strategic location. It is just a few minutes’ drive northwest from Lucena, the provincial capital. Kids can enroll in nearby schools. On weekends, families can worship at the churches or head over to any of the many resorts and heritage sites in the area. Take advantage of this pivot to the provinces before these Sta. Lucia lots and units run out. Now that distance is an issue of the past, get yourself that beautiful country life.