Settling in Makati: a practical first month
From finding a condo to getting a Globe SIM and your first grocery run — what the first 30 days in Makati actually look like, written by someone who just did it.
Sofía Ruiz
Makati · September 20, 2024
Community article, editorially reviewed. Opinions are the author's, not ArchipelagoExpat's.
Makati is where many newcomers land, and for good reason: it is walkable in parts, full of condos, and dense with everything you need to set up a life.
Week one: shelter and SIM
Most expats start in a short-term Airbnb or serviced apartment while hunting for a longer lease. Get a Globe or Smart SIM on day one — you will need a local number for almost every account.
Week two: documents
If you are staying long, start your ACR I-Card process now. The Bureau of Immigration will not speed up because your landlord wants proof of status.
Week three: banking and money
Open a local account once your ACR I-Card is in progress. Until then, GCash handles bills and most daily payments elegantly.
Week four: routine
By week four you will have a favorite sari-sari, a go-to laundromat, and a sense of which streets flood in the rain. That is when Makati starts to feel like home.
Sofía Ruiz
TrustedEspañola en Makati. Traduce guías y escribe sobre cultura filipina.
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