Have you ever daydreamed about getting up-close-and-personal with nature? Do you imagine what it would be like to wake up to a symphony of chirping birds, greens outside your window, and butterflies fluttering about? Do you wonder how it would feel to let your kids play outside for hours on end without worrying about their safety and them having the chance to dance in the rain?
I was a city girl, born and raised in Quezon City, Philippines. And no, I never thought such things were possible for me.
Picture this: You wake up to the smell of freshly cut grass and the rustling of leaves as the trees sway to the soft brushing of the wind. And every day, even if you walk the same path back and forth, you see a peculiar mushroom or take a moment to tickle a makahiya. And don’t get me started on the sunsets—the pinkish purplish skies! Forgive the humble brag, but the sunsets here are breathtakingly Instagrammable.
Yes, I ended up living this unimaginable life. Don’t get me wrong, I still grieve over the end of my hustle and the bustle in the metro, especially the night life and one-call-away emergency “one bottle” calls. I guess that’s what adulting does to you: Working hard and partying harder loses its appeal and you begin to consider a more laid-back life.
The big move
My partner and I were born and raised in Quezon City (QC), deeply rooted in its hustle and bustle. We were so used to the blaring sound of honking horns, and we found our Zen in finding ways to quiet our minds (or wear ear plugs) every time the neighbors belted out on videoke Fridays. We had our businesses there and our high school children all went to school in the city. Our families and friends mostly lived in QC as well. As freelancers, we relished spending quality time with our young children if we weren’t stuck in traffic, chasing after the next side hustle.
One day, a once-in-a-lifetime job offer came to me and we had to stop and re-evaluate our ways of working…or more like, way of living. This job required me to commute to the business district of Makati every single workday. I was a tricycle, jeep, bus, or MRT (train) kind of girl before having kids, but commuting from Tandang Sora to Makati was no longer appealing if I had to be in the office for a presentation or board meeting. The traffic congestion was unbearable, and spending hours on the road each day would have been a significant sacrifice of precious time with our children. Hiring a driver or booking a Grab or an Uber everyday would have eaten up most of my salary, and unfortunately, I had never learned to drive nor did we have the luxury of an extra car.
Determined to find a solution that wouldn’t compromise the quality of our family life, my partner and I explored the idea of finding a halfway home. We decided to rent out our Quezon City apartment to help offset the expenses. Little did we know that this decision would lead us to an unexpected gem: Nuvali.
Yes, it was also far from Makati and, at the time, was not at the top of our list. However, when we saw rental prices in Makati, we were taken aback. We needed at least three rooms to accommodate our two children and seven beloved cats. I was desperate and asked a very good friend of mine for suggestions. She said, “If you’re willing to look in the South, why don’t you check out the Nuvali area?”
Intrigued, we embarked on two trips to explore Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna, where the villages within Nuvali are located, with the assistance of several real estate agents. Alongside our search for suitable schools in the area, we stumbled upon a modest home—the fifth property we visited. I didn’t even notice it at first, but we were told this house was more expensive than the others because it was right behind what they called a greenway.
I remember when we first visited, at least five butterflies welcomed us in the backyard. I was actually surprised that my partner Paolo chose it because I didn’t think much of the size of the house. I was content with any of the houses we saw because they all looked the same and were fairly spaced apart. I trusted Pao’s intuition and within two weeks, we had packed our bags, bid farewell to Quezon City, and never looked back.
Why moving South is the best thing for us
It was a big move. My best friend lived all the way in Novaliches. My parents were sad. But, we invited them over and won them over, convincing them that it was the best thing we could have done for the smaller kids because of the following reasons:
Proximity to Makati: Despite being farther from Makati in terms of kilometers, the improvements in infrastructure and the Skyway system made the commute surprisingly quick. The P2P bus also simplified my daily commute. I would hop on, get comfy in their leather seats, take a nap, and find myself in the city 45 minutes later. After work, I’d walk from my office to the bus stop, logging in a few steps on my Fitbit for good measure. It was easy-peasy! The serene view along the way was an upgrade to the billboards and congested side streets of Metro Manila.
Community and convenience: Nuvali offered the best of both worlds—a city-like access to malls and banks, and the security and amenities of exclusive villages. At first, we would padlock our gates and shut our windows until we noticed that hardly any of our neighbors did. It seemed like everyone felt safe, and our neighbors were so nice—no one was exceedingly noisy belting out songs during videoke at night or honking their horns because someone was blocking their driveway. The wide-open spaces provided our children with ample room to play and explore, while top-notch schools in the area—such as Xavier School, Miriam College, Waldorf, and Everest, to name a few—ensured their education remained a priority (this was before we decided to homeschool, which is a whole different story and was made possible because of this move!).
Rest and relaxation: When it came to finding a place to unwind and enjoy quality family time, Nuvali had it all. From renowned restaurants to popular destinations in nearby Tagaytay and Batangas, we were spoiled for choice. Coming home truly felt like a retreat, with nature’s beauty and exotic birds welcoming us with open wings.
Pandemic haven: Little did we know that our decision to move to Nuvali would prove to be a blessing during the pandemic. Quarantining in a secure, safe, and spacious neighborhood brought us a sense of calm and peace during uncertain times. We counted our blessings daily as we navigated the challenges with a greater appreciation for our surroundings.
Don’t get me wrong, being far from the metro can get depressing sometimes. I find that the choice of where to live would always be a toss-up between what you’re willing to let go of and what truly matters. It required careful scheduling, logistical planning, and additional expenses. The toll prices associated with traveling to and from the city were undeniably expensive. This meant that our city trips had to be carefully planned and maximized. Taking the kids to see cousins and grandparents was a complete production number! And don’t get me started on the critters. In spite of the bountiful nature and the call of the wild, the insects here drive me crazy! I even have a hashtag for this quirk: #NuvaliNatGeo 😛
But the chirping crickets, the crawling ants, and the swarm of gamu-gamo (moth) only meant we were closer to nature than we’ve ever been. And whenever we would travel back from city, we find that the trek and effort were well worth it for the life we were creating for ourselves and our children.
When it comes down to it, the benefits of moving South of the city far outweigh the cons. Our shift to a less chaotic and slower environment transformed us in ways we never anticipated. We became more intentional about our choices, cherishing every moment we spent together as a family. Our energy was redirected toward meaningful experiences, and our list of must-visit places shrank because our everyday life felt like a continuous vacation.
Paolo often remarks that our rented home in Nuvali feels like a resort farm, providing us a sanctuary to enjoy everyday without the stress of checking out. Even during the financial difficulties brought about by the pandemic, we consider it money well spent.
We loved it here so much that we decided to plant our roots and purchase a small parcel of land further south. It may only be a modest farm lot, just eight minutes away from our current home, but it feels right. Perhaps someday, we will fully embrace the homesteading lifestyle, living sustainably and off the grid. Or maybe we will enroll our children in exceptional schools nearby, knowing that Nuvali will always be within reach. Who knows? All we know is that being in the South brings a sense of peace and simplicity.
In this side of town, life takes on a different rhythm. Gone are the hurried footsteps and blaring car horns of the concrete jungle. On most days, we find ourselves embraced by tranquility—a respite from the chaos and noise. Here, time slows down, allowing us to savor the present moment, to truly connect with the world around us.
So, is it time for you to move South of the city? I’d often joke that if we were realtors or were allowed to make commissions off the handful of friends and acquaintances we’ve influenced to move here, we’d probably eventually afford to stay in one of the fancier villages here. Seriously, though, if you’re seeking a bit of adventure or are considering raising a family, weigh the pros and cons, and consider a more laid-back but still-close-enough-to-stay-connected kind of life here in the South. Who knows, you might just find yourself falling in love with the charm, convenience, and tranquility that it has to offer—just like we did.
