Cagayan de Oro (CDO) nicknamed the 'City of Golden Friendship' is a highly urbanized city located in Southern Philippines and is the country's 10th most populated city. Located North of the Mindanao region, facing the Macajalar Bay, Cagayan de Oro is very popular with tourists, not only for the numerous activities that are available there, such as rafting, kayaking, etc. but also for its infrastructure that includes shopping malls, hospitals, golf courses, as well as its beaches.
By moving to Cagayan de Oro, you are likely to enjoy mild weather, sumptuous beaches, modern infrastructure, and a low cost of living. Indeed, the city is described by expatriates as the ideal place to live, retire, and even set up a business in the Philippines.
The city offers expats/ foreigners a wide range of accommodation choices depending on your specific budget. Cagayan de Oro is also known for its culinary flair and is rated as having the best restaurants, ostrich, pigok fish and steaks in Mindanao.
Here are a few favourites:
Types of accommodation in Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro consists of 80 villages called barangays, and has a population of 803,000. These villages make up two districts, one in the West and the other in the East, which is naturally bordered by a river. Moreover, 57 villages have been urbanized, while the remaining 23 have preserved their rural looks.
As with other places in the world, it is important to always be vigilant while wandering around at night. It's likely that most expatriates live in the area of Upper Carmen and in uptown CDO, but here are some of the condominiums and subdivisions in the city you can consider moving into:
Condominiums
Ayala Centrio Tower: This is the first high-rise condominium and the tallest residential building in Cagayan de Oro. The 23-story condominium tower is located within walking distance of restaurants, leisure facilities and malls. It has everything a young (or young at heart) professional expat needs.
Primavera City and Primavera Residences: Located in Upper Cagayan de Oro, this building with Italian architectural influence is 10-story high and is the first green building in the city.
Smart condominium
This is another type of condo in Cagayan de Oro with the latest technology and modern architecture. The home automation features in this building include full high-definition cable television capacity, 100% LED lighting for common areas and solar lamps for outdoor areas, video intercom and ultra high-speed data transmission capabilities, and state-of-the-art technology for home and kitchen automation.
Granvia Residences and Granvia Suites: Located 1.6km from the city center, this seven-floor condo boasts eighty-two semi-furnished residential units composed of studio and one-bedroom residences with commercial units on the ground floor. With only fifteen units per floor to create more space and car parking below, this condo is ideal for expats working in Concentrix, in Cagayan de Oro, for example.
One Oasis: This is a seven-story building boasting and combining an urban feel with an oasis of greenery! These furnished apartments are equipped with a balcony offering city views, flat-screen TV, a dining area, and a kitchen with all goods and appliances. The apartment offers a children's playground.
Gated communities
Bellevue Subdivision: Located in Carmen, CDO, Bellevue is conveniently positioned near schools, churches, malls, offices and restaurants. This is an exclusive residential neighborhood, perfect for expats who want to experience upmarket living with inexpensive prices. This gated community has 24-hour security (security guards) and is a safe place to live.
Xavier Estates: This premier residential gated community lies overlooking Cagayan de Oro. With 24-hour security and equipped with swimming pools, gyms, a bowling alley and basketball courts, Xavier Estates could be mistaken for an upmarket gated community in Dubai rather than Cagayan de Oro!
Morning Mist: Morning Mist Village is Pueblo de Oro's (a barangay/division of CDO) first residential subdivision located in front of Xavier University High-School in Uptown Cagayan de Oro. With attractive two-story villas with their own private gardens and fences for privacy, the location is right in the heart of what's happening with malls and restaurants aplenty nearby.
Philam Life Village: Philam Life Village is an upscale division, also in the Uptown of Cagayan de Oro. The beautiful two-story houses are located within this gated community which has a tennis court, a swimming pool, gardens and childrens areas. All local amenities are only two minutes away, and the impressive buildings boast of air conditioning, balconies, parking, equipped and integrated kitchens and built in wardrobes in the bedrooms.
Good to know:
In 2023, MEB (Mindanao Economic Boom) conducted a survey to check which cities in Mindanao are most livable. Cagayan de Oro ranked 2nd as the region's most liveable city thanks to its rich cultural heritage, infrastructure and lifestyle such as the shopping malls, parks and resorts and watersports on offer. Parks and resorts of note are G Resort and Nature Park, Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort and also Colonia Hidden Valley Park.
A ‘game-changer' is that Metro Cagayan de Oro is aimed to be established by 2025, joining Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, according to the National Economic Development Authority's Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
Cagayan de Oro is on the cusp of becoming the newest “metropolitan center” due to its projected population growth, its strategic location as gateway and logistics hub for northern Mindanao and its status as an education center in the south.
Finding accomodation in Cagayan de Oro
Although many real estate projects are currently underway in Cagayan de Oro, it can be quite difficult to find accommodation there from abroad. In fact, it is best to be on the spot so that you can roam around different neighborhoods and villages and inquire about vacant housing. You should seek the assistance of a relocation agency, which will take all the related responsibilities on your behalf, including that of finding accommodation. However, this can be expensive.
There are, of course, other ways of looking for accommodation in Cagayan de Oro. Word of mouth may snag a bargain rather than incurring realtor fees but make sure to examine the property, take an inventory of the furniture (if furnished), and get a contract. Ask your company representatives, if you're working in Cagayan de Oro, if they can help or your work peers.
Taking a property or rooms from the stickers and posters on the signposts in Cagayan de Oro is not advisable. They can be substandard accommodation, and there's a potential risk that these are scams.
This is why you are advised to register with a real estate agency, even from abroad. The latter will take care of finding the ideal accommodation according to your criteria and will even assist you in signing the lease contract.
There are a few reputable and well-known estate agents and websites that regularly deal with expats in Cagayan de Oro and can assist:
Lease agreements in Cagayan do Oro
Your lease agreement in Cagayan de Oro will have a shelf- life of one year and can be renewed if agreed by both parties- the lessor and lessee (property owner and rentor). A lease agreement is highly advised as it protects your rights and is required as per Philippine law. The lease does not grant the rentor any ownership rights.
Good to know:
To proceed a deposit is normally required which equated to two months rent but this can be discussed with the owner or realtor (if necessary).
Included in your lease agreement will be:
- Names of both parties
- Witnesses
- Terms and conditions
- Rental rate
- Tenure, force majure and judicial relief information in the event of an issue.
A deposit, valid ID, valid visa and at times your work contract will be needed to be produced before signing the lease agreement. The lease agreement will also need to be notarized at a notary public in Cagayan de Oro .
In the event that you want to move before the end of your contract, then a letter of cancellation must be provided to the property owner one month in advance to appease the property owner.
Rent prices in Cagayan de Oro
Rent prices in Cagayan de Oro are much lower compared to other major cities such as Manila. A monthly rent of php27650/ USD 500 can get you a fully furnished one-bedroom unit at the city center in an upscale condo, while a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in a chic residence like Primavera will cost you around php41450/ USD 750. A fully furnished house for rent in a gated community in Cagayan de Oro will set you back php 47500 / USD 860.
Buying property in Cagayan de Oro
The Philippines property market is showing signs of growth post COVID-19 which is exciting news for home buyers and investors. The same can be said for Cagayan de Oro anf there has been exponential advancements in new apartments, condos and gated communities in this city and surrounding areas.
It is important to know that a foreigner can purchase property in the Philippines but not the land on which it is built. Land purchases are on a 40% ownership for the expat and 60% to a local. These rules are subject to certain exceptions, such as buying land through a corporation. If you want to explore these options, you would have to obtain local legal advice to help you.
Before any of the above can occur, the expat potential buyer must have a valid visa in order to purchase property. Find out more in our article Visas for the Philippine.
Safety in Cagayan de Oro
Some government websites, such as the US and UK, advise against travel in certain parts of Mindanao unless it is essential (Cagayan de Oro is located along the north-central coast of Mindanao island facing Macajalar Bay and is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the region of Northern Mindanao). This is because there have been terrorism, kidnapping, and drug activity across the Mindanao area over the years.
However, most expats have had trouble-free time in Cagayan de Oro, and they recommend staying within the city and, if traveling to more rural areas, going with a partner or a group.
Most condominiums and gated communities in Cagayan de Oro have a 24-hour security service in case there are any issues. This is beneficial for expats in such a big city. Install CCTV if you feel the need to. Always lock your doors and close your windows when going outside. Only allow people you trust into your home. If you are going abroad for a long period of time, tell only your trusted friend and ask them to keep an eye on the property.
Although the Mindanao region has a reputation for terrorism, the city of Cagayan de Oro is relatively peaceful and is home to many beautiful apartment blocks and gated communities.
Crime statistics are lower than in other cities (dropping to 45%, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO)), and Cagayan de Oro locals are friendly and welcoming. A world away from the hustle and bustle of Manila, Cagayan de Oro may be the place for you!
Useful links:
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