Just about when school started last June 14, My husband Gerry and I started talking about getting a small condo for our kids, one that’s walking distance to Ateneo, UP or UA & P (or if fate would lead us to it, to get an apartment somewhere in Manila).
And this, when my kids still have at least four years more to go before entering college.
My thirteen-year-old daughter just entered her first year high school in Alabang. Seeing that she’s growing up much faster than I realized (her skirts of last year’s are now just above her knee), and hearing her talk about university and possible careers here or abroad, my mind fast-forwarded to the time when she’ll finally need to go for college in one of those esteemed universities in Quezon City.
I envisioned the long drive twice a day for her to get there from our home in the South of Metro Manila. I don’t want to give her the option to take public transportation–I think of all the pollutants that will weaken her lungs, and if she’ll be safe if she commutes on her own. Even if she’ll want to drive her own car, then I think of her fatigue after a challenging class and the long drive back, and the extra expense of taking the Skyway at least twice a day if she wants to get back sooner. The joy of school’s extra-curricular activities, poring over projects and study circles with her classmates, researching at the library til late afternoon; or the need to go out for dinner or drinks with her college and old high school friends after a mind-twisting final exam, and allowing her to come home to us sooner so WE can spend quality time with her. . .
All these thoughts played thru my head one June morning as I viewed condos for my clients’ own apartments in BGC. I daresay I looked a bit distracted.
If living near my kids’ school would allow them to make the most of college and teen life, then I’ll seriously think about not only investing in a condo or townhouse, but perhaps moving ourselves.
These were the issues that we considered:
- How will the kids feel about living away from the mother house? We may assume that they’re ecstatic to be living independently at age 17 or 18, but I’d like to ask my two daughters what are their thoughts and feelings about coming home only on weekends.For that part, I’ll probably ask them that two years before entering college. But we as parents are preparing ourselves for that eventuality that we may need to invest in either rental or a purchase. I can already see Gerry cheering them on to be the achievers that they are (or can still be); and me as the protective Mom making sure that we’ll still have time together growing as a family; that they won’t wear themselves out, get hungry, grow too tired, or get disorganized trying to make the most of their academic formation and growing-up experiences! If you’re close, perhaps you’d like to consider moving the entire family to the new place near school, until your children are fully prepared to live on their own. Or until you as parents are ready to live with the idea. . . .
- How practical is it to live nearer to where the kids study? Do a cost-benefit analysis. If you live in the province, it’s a no-brainer to get the semestral on-campus dorm accommodation or stay in the serviced university or townhouses near school. But if you’re living only an hour or two from their university, will you really be saving significantly if you take a tiny condo nearby, given the depreciation on your car, the gas expense, toll & parking fees, the maintenance costs for a condo (think of the dues!) and other expenses? Consider that you’ll be maintaining two homes, and that you’ll need to furnish your new pad adequately with creature comforts.
- What locations best suit your university condo housing needs? When we did the drive-by along Katipunan Road fronting Ateneo de Manila University and UP, we saw rows of pre-selling condos from SM and the old apartments. That was a convenient option, but then I thought of nearby Eastwood City and like the vibe. But I thought we would all be happier in Bonifacio Global City. Much as it seems farther from their future colleges, my girls love going to the hip & green Serendra and Boni Hi-Street shops . It saves us a good thirty-minute drive from Alabang going to the University area. Rockwell is nice and hip too, if you’re going to Mapua, Assumption College, Centro Escolar University or even if you have to cross over to the International School areas where you find Enderrun Colleges.
- What are the ammenties in the condo, dorm or community nearby? A nearby mall may be a distraction to studies and discipline. On the other hand, having the necessary facilities conveniently nearby will make you feel more settled that your kids have access to a sundries store, fast food stalls, a clinic, or drugstore in case they’ll need anything.
- Rent or buy? Rental looks attractive if it’s only going to be your children staying in the unit. The college dorm seems rather exciting. Your kids will get to enjoy the freedom (and the big responsibility) of living on their own, with their peers. But consider if the rental fees for a dingy college dorm bed will be just about the same as buying one of those old, big condos; or the smaller but spanking new ones near the universities. If you have money to pour into equity, consider it as an investment. If you think buying is for you, weigh the options of getting a place that’s within a 2-5 km radius of the university, as against getting a condo a bit further from school, but nearer to or within the central business districts. After four years of use, you’ll be thinking if your kids or you would like to continue maintaining that condo for yourselves, or if you’ll be willing to manage the rental of the place when your kids no longer need or want it.If you think rental is the way to go, consider too other nuances such as how cooperative and supportive will your future landlord be in case something goes wrong with the unit. There are many dorms and hostel type of condos outside of the leading universities, some of them quite well-appointed. Renting relieves you too of thinking of what to do with an apartment if you don’t need it anymore after your kids’ college years.In all cases, consider too the issues of living with a big bunch of teenagers and young adults in a co-ed place. Believe that your kids are responsible individuals, but don’t forget that they’ll be with others from diverse backgrounds, influences and habits more often than with you.
- Live with them, or let them live alone? That’s a tough decision for me to make. I choose to live with my kids, I just don’t know if it’s practical for me to move to a tiny space for weeks, with my practice all the way in Alabang or the Fort.
- Carpooling may be a good alternative while you’re still deciding. If you’re not convinced just yet that you should get a half-way home, consider joining a carpool. There are several, organized carpool groups in your area.
When looking for condos or townhouses near universities , ask a professional real estate broker who specializes in the areas or can represent your home search needs to a wider broker’s network.
