Housing and rent
What a place costs, what a landlord will ask for, which neighbourhood suits which life, and the months when the city is cheap to move into.
Rent by type of place
| Type | Per month (₱) | Per month (~€) |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared house | 3,000–6,000 | 42–85 |
| Studio or bedspace with aircon | 6,000–12,000 | 85–170 |
| One-bedroom apartment | 8,000–18,000 | 113–254 |
| Two- or three-bedroom house | 15,000–40,000 | 212–565 |
A room at the bottom of the first band means a bed, a fan, and a bathroom and kitchen shared with the house.
Utilities on top
| Bill | Per month (₱) | Per month (~€) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1,500–6,000 | 21–85 |
| Water | 200–600 | 3–8 |
| Internet | 1,500–3,000 | 21–42 |
Aircon is the whole difference in the electricity bill. Nothing else on the list moves as much.
Deposit and lease
- Two months' deposit plus one month in advance is the normal ask.
- It is negotiable, especially for foreigners.
- A 12-month lease costs less per month than a 6-month one.
Five neighbourhoods
- Near Silliman
- Walkable and student-heavy. Noisier, and prices spike in June when the academic year starts.
- Boulevard and Piapi
- The seafront: restaurants and the sea on your doorstep, and more exposure when a storm comes in.
- Daro and Bantayan
- Quieter and better value for the space. You will want a motorbike or a tricycle.
- Valencia, uphill
- Cooler, greener, more space for the money, 15–20 minutes out of town.
- Sibulan and Dauin
- Coastal, next to the airport and the diving. Cheaper and calmer, and you drive for everything.
When to look
- March to May is the best window: places stand empty and landlords negotiate.
- June is the worst month, because the academic year starts and prices spike.
- Streets flood in heavy rain and usually clear within about an hour; the seafront feels a storm most.