To help address the daily challenge of commuting, MyTown, the largest and most prominent co-living and dormitories brand in the Philippines under the SM group, is building dormitories in key business districts in Metro Manila.
MyTown, which offers co-living dormitories near Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Makati is the company’s response to more urban workers choosing to live closer to their offices.
MyTown chief executive officer Jogee Arellano, sees this trends as a smart choice for many young professionals.
“The cost of commuting to work has become quite expensive. If one considers time as money, then the economic loss is not only felt in the pocket, but on your well-being as well,” he said. “These days, a two-hour commute during rush hour is almost normal even for people living in nearby cities within Metro Manila.”
A recent report from the TomTom traffic index ranked Metro Manila as having the worst traffic congestion in the world. Filipino commuters are losing an average of 117 hours per year stuck in traffic, which is about five days.
MyTown is part of the growing trend of 15-minute cities. This urban planning concept aims to make everything a person needs – work, leisure, and services – accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.
MyTown’s locations in BGC and Makati allow residents to easily walk to their offices, with many only taking 10-15 minutes to get to work. Mr. Arellano says,
“All the major offices, leisure, and entertainment establishments are within reasonable distance from our dormitories,” Arellano said.
A recent survey by MyTown found that nearly half of their residents prefer walking as their main mode of transport. Others use motorbikes, public transport, e-scooters, or bicycles. Many of them enjoy the short commute times, with 36 percent saying it takes just 10-15 minutes to get to work or school.
As traffic continues to worsen, living near work seems to be a practical solution for young professionals seeking a better work-life balance. For many, it’s not just about saving time; it’s also about improving overall well-being.
The movement towards creating the 15-minute city complements well with SM’s push to build the “Integrated Lifestyle City”, as seen in developments like the Mall of Asia complex and SM Clark where condominiums, office buildings, MICE facilities, and even a school (National University) are built around SM malls that function as the modern community center.