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Muntinlupa City: Life Starts at the South
Being the southernmost city in the National Capital Region, Muntinlupa City has a reputation for its relative isolation. However, it lies at the crossroads between NCR and Calabarzon, making it a vital conduit for people and goods that pass between the two regions. Muntinlupa is also the center of a large industrial and commercial zone that encompasses both Metro Manila and Laguna.
Gateway to Industry
Muntinlupa City has varying topographies. To the west lies the Guadalupe Plateau, with its solid bedrock foundation and rolling hills; to the east lies the Laguna de Bay shoreline, crisscrossed by creeks. The old town of Muntinlupa was a fishing village; through this old town passed a railroad that connected the province of Laguna to the center of Manila. Manufacturing companies built massive factories near the lake, resulting in the rapid expansion of the municipality's economy.
To the west, another expansion was going on. In the 1970s, the Ayala Corporation started developing a large tract of land into what is now known as Ayala Alabang Village. The first residents moved to the village in the late 1970s; it soon became the preferred address for some of Manila's richest persons, many of whom held executive positions in Makati companies or owned the largest businesses in the country.
A second wave of expansion came with the opening of the Metro Manila Skyway in the 1990s. The Filinvest Corporate City, a mixed-use development with shopping malls, office buildings, and condominiums, slowly took shape. Because of the relatively low tax rates in the area, many companies chose to build their headquarters there. Now, Muntinlupa is home to business processing outsourcing companies, banks, insurance firms, and other financial institutions.
Buying a Condo in Muntinlupa City
For a city of its stature, condos in Muntinlupa City are actually reasonably priced. Many of these condos, such as Tribeca Private Residences, Urban Deca Homes Campville, Solano Hills, and Rhapsody Residences, are located beside major roads leading to the rest of Metro Manila, while Avida Towers Alabang and The Mondrian Residece are situated inside the Alabang financial district. With prices ranging from P900,000 to P15.9 million, these condominiums can be considered a safe investment, given the increased demand for residences in Muntinlupa City.
