Condo Investing | Baguio City: The Journey and What Awaits

As the rainy season draws in and the summer heat finally subsides, the Philippines finally welcomes some cold and drizzle back into the lives of its people. After all, the country just saw record highs on its heat index; it is about time the Filipino people get a taste of that sweater weather that we’ve all been missing.

After the long-awaited end to the scorching heat of the summer, now would be the perfect time for a quick getaway trip, but the question remains: where to? The beach may be susceptible to the rain; camping may be ruined by the mud; how about a road trip to Baguio? Perfect.

Also known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City acquired this name through its unusually cooler weather compared to the rest of the tropical archipelago, even during the summer! It is for this reason that so many people flock to it during the “tag-init” season of the Philippines, but alas, even during the colder season of the nation, the City of Pines is still very much a much sought-after destination. This being the case, with the Philippines lying in its transitional period between its hot and rainy season, a trip to Baguio is the perfect choice for a quick getaway, not to mention the its location that captivates the interests of investors to invest in real estate or condo in Baguio.

The Much-Awaited Journey After some heavy decision-making regarding the plan for the trip, you finally decide on Baguio City, an exceptional choice given the city’s unique weather and its one-of-a-kind aesthetic. To make matters even better, the trip to Baguio is only a 4-6-hour drive from Metro Manila, making it easily accessible from the National Capital Region. This trip however is not without its own treasures as within this 4 to 6-hour time-frame come the various highways and expressways, each with their own stories and personalities.

As you exit Metro Manila, you will find yourself going up north through the North Luzon Expressway, better known as NLEX. The entrance to NLEX is no other than at the Balintawak Interchange of EDSA, an iconic exit (or in this case, entrance) that for many, symbolizes the beginning of a road trip at hand. As you ride the NLEX trail and zoom past the cities of Valenzuela and Caloocan, you officially exit Metro Manila and enter the region of Central Luzon, home to no other than the iconic provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga. For many, these two provinces would contain the destination of their road trip, whether it be returning to the hometown or perhaps visiting Clark Pampanga for a quick getaway. In this case, the journey continues onto Exit 85 where you will be greeted by another iconic expressway in the form of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, more commonly referred to as SCTEX.

Once you reach SCTEX, more options begin to arise other than simply which gas stations and restaurants to hop off in. These options come in the form of choosing between two more iconic routes, namely, the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) or the McArthur Highway. Both of which will allow you to end up at your destination all the same.

The Dream Destination Whether you take TPLEX or McArthur Highway, a trip to Baguio City will inevitably lead you to the iconic Zig-Zag road. While literally an uphill battle, the climb up to Baguio City will undoubtedly be worth it.

Finally, after a long drive and some quick turns, you arrive at the destination, Baguio City itself. As you are greeted by the fresh chill air, the thicker and foggier atmosphere, and of course, the pine trees located all around the city, it would seem that the long travel has finally come to an end, but the arrival merely signals a new chapter in the journey.

An Inevitable Return As the trip inevitably comes to an end and the time comes for you to return home through the many highways and expressways that previously brought you to the City of Pines, Baguio City will await your next visit where it will undoubtedly continue to offer more one-of-a-kind experiences. Alas, as you plan your next trip, do consider the exceptional choice that is Baguio City, because much more than simply offering you a homey feeling, it will inevitably act as a home awaiting your next visit.

A Homey Feeling The activities available in Baguio City are too many to count, but regardless, these opportunities are all still worth a try. Whether it be horseback riding, playing mini-golf, shopping in the Baguio Night Market, picking strawberries, eating in one-of-a-kind restaurants, or even just sharing ghost stories in your chosen place to stay, the possibilities are endless in the City of Pines. On the topic of places to stay in, as one trip will surely not be enough for you to be able to experience all that Baguio has to offer, a viable option would surely be to invest in a home in no other than the Summer Capital of the Philippines itself.

If there is one attribute of Baguio that other local destinations cannot replicate, it is the unique homey feeling that you can find only in Baguio City. This feeling may be caused by a variety of factors such as the lovely people, the down-to-Earth activities, or even the stand-out chilly atmosphere. Fortunately enough, this homey feeling can be found in no other than the three Vista Residences condominium properties in the area, all three of which are pre selling condo properties and investment-ready.

The three Vista Residences include Brenthill, a ten-storey tower taking a more vintage approach to the iconic "Baguio architecture," Canyon Hill, a collection of two-bedroom units located near famous academic institutions and landmarks, and lastly, Pinehill, a 12-storey vertical village offering a stunning view as it is surrounded by an “only-in-Baguio-Esque” pine forest. All three of which boast amenities that are necessities in a lovely location such as Baguio City, including 24-hour security, fitness and wellness gyms, swimming pools, and function rooms. With all these benefits, these condos in Baguio City are perfect choices for families or even students who aim to live in the esteemed City of Pines or plan on visiting regularly due to the many experiences that the Summer Capital has to offer.

Vista Residences is the condominium arm of Vista Land. Since its launch in 2003, it has become a formidable player in the fast-growing vertical development sector of the real estate industry. It continues to address the rising demand for condominium living with over 50 projects across the country’s key cities and business districts.

For more information on Brenthill, Canyon Hill, and Pinehill, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.