For several months now, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle for many of us. From our jobs to our homes, various aspects of our lives have been rattled by the deadly and infectious new coronavirus. Amid the challenges however, the communities we live in helped us to fight back.
Neighborhoods have been vital during the implemented quarantines. Many of us have realized the benefits of living near essential providers such as groceries and supermarkets. Others discovered the joy of tending their own gardens or viewing Metro Manila from the safety of their balconies.
Besides comfort and convenience, our communities have provided us assistance through acts of care and support. All these benefits tell us that the right communities can actually help us grow and thrive even in the worst times. But where do these neighborhoods abound in our cities today? Let us take a look at the elements that make up the best communities to live in during and beyond a pandemic.
Proximity to essentials
When the community quarantine was first enforced in Metro Manila last March, many of us became worried about the supply of our resources. Groceries and other essential providers were allowed to operate, but due to the suspended public transportation and strict checkpoints, buying our daily needs have remained a difficult task.
Thankfully, several communities around the metro had their own essential providers within their vicinities. These shops allowed people to get their weekly groceries without having to travel far or risk being in crowded areas.
For example, Unimart and the Estancia Mall at Capitol Commons provided residents in nearby condominiums with their basic necessities even throughout the lockdown. This surely helped people to stay at home and flatten the curve. By living in a place that offers easy access to your essentials, you don’t have to venture far to get what you need for everyday living.
The Empress at Capitol Commons features contactless technology which helps prevent the spread of viruses in your home.
Presence of natural spaces
As many of us were confined to our homes during the quarantine, green and natural spaces became our means of escape. Herb gardens and communal gardens allowed us a break from the indoors, and even provided us food supply in some cases. For those who lived in the cities, small spaces limited our areas for greenery.
Thus, communal spaces became the next best thing as they gave us a breath of fresh air amid the pandemic.
Recognizing our need for these natural spaces, property developers are now seeking to provide us more green spaces in future developments.
To exemplify, Ortigas Land offers several new projects that feature more elements of the natural environment. In particular, its ongoing development, the Maple at Verdant Towers, offers bi-level townhouses that come with private gardens. This project also offers more green spaces than the average condominium. The Gardenwalk, the Landscape and The Gardens are areas in their communal amenity floor that offer residents a lush environment to relax and recharge in.
The Maple at Verdant Towers offers various green spaces.
Provision of home technology
Our days of fiddling with the remote controls and switches are numbered. With the need for contactless living, motion sensors, cloud-based appliances and smart devices are now becoming in demand.
Fortunately, several up and coming projects in the Philippines today have been designed to feature these same elements in their units.
The Empress at Capitol Commons, for one, will be fitted with smart home features such as contact sensors, temperature regulators and smart plugs.Each unit will help you carry out your daily tasks without having to worry about the spread of diseases through commonly-touched surfaces. Beyond the convenience, these features can also help put your mind at ease when it comes to safety and cleanliness.
The Galleon is a mixed-use development that allows you to pursue your passions under one roof.
Promotion of mixed-use spaces
While in the past it has been difficult to withstand traffic to go to your favorite hangouts, today it is almost impossible to reach these places. Due to the enforced quarantines, some of our favorite gyms, parks and even swimming pools are now inaccessible. If you live in the right community though, all these amenities can be found just outside your door.
Nowadays, the best places to live in are those that enable you to easily pursue your desired lifestyle. Mixed-use developments, in particular, provide you the opportunity to live, work and play all under one roof.
For example, The Galleon, a project set to rise in the heart of the Ortigas Center, offers easy access to office, residential and retail spaces. A high-end luxury project consisting of two towers, The Galleon allows you to pursue your passions without having to leave the confines of the development. This setup enables you to accomplish your tasks in a day without having to deal with traffic, pollution and other challenges of the urban jungle.
Finding the one
If you’re planning to invest in a new home in the new normal era, make sure you look for it in the right community. Beyond comfort and convenience, the right community will allow you to pursue your passions without having to compromise your safety, security or your time. A seasoned developer such as Ortigas Land can provide you with such a community that molds you into your best version, whether in a pandemic or on a regular day. With a partner like Ortigas Land on your side, you can be sure to survive any challenge that life will throw in your way.
Source: www.ortigas.com.ph