MANILA, Philippines ? During these unstable times, cautious home buyers would rather choose to be located near work, restaurants and probably, nightlife. In part, escalating fuel prices are driving these buyers back to the city as people tire of long commutes and the related expenses.

As a result, condominiums near Metro Manila?s major business districts have been gaining popularity of late.

?Virtually all real estate analysts agree that condo purchases and the popularity of condo living are on the rise in Metro Manila,? said Romarico Alvarez, chairman of PA Metro Residence Builders Inc., whose project in Pasig City is experiencing brisk sales despite a slight slowdown in the housing sector.

In fact, Alvarez reported that East Residences-Ortigas? first of four five-story buildings, the Amethyst, was already sold out and was expected to be turned over in two month.

Few units

With few units remaining at Topaz, the second building, Alvarez said they have started selling the Jade, both of which would expect completion this December.

With the completion of the fourth and final building (Ivory) in March next year, East Residences-Ortigas will have a total of 438 units sold.

?As with any real estate purchase, condos have some specific feature that a home buyer would rather prefer for their new or next home,? said Gary de Guzman, PAMRBI head of Strategic Sales and Marketing Department.

Location will be the biggest appeal because this means far less time taken out of the day just driving to get necessary tasks done not to mention a lot less stress by staying out of heavy traffic.

?If you need to buy groceries, East Residences-Ortigas is just across Ever Gotesco Ortigas. Need to shop for more items? The place is just a ride away from the Ortigas Center,? De Guzman explained.

Place of work will be another important matter: ?A lot of our homebuyers are working within the Ortigas Central Business District. And even if they work in Quezon City or Makati, East Residences-Ortigas? location is still strategic,? Alvarez said.

Near workplace or school

Considering that majority of their homebuyers are single professionals, active retirees and small families wanting a house near their workplace or school, PAMRBI made sure that the 8,146-square-meter land where East Residences-Ortigas sits has all the necessary amenities.

?Each modern designed 30-sq-m unit comes with a balcony, ceramic tiled flooring, modular kitchen counter with base cabinet, provisions for phone line, cable and window type air-conditioning,? described De Guzman.

Other amenities include a multi-purpose hall, swimming pool, playground park, and a building devoted for parking.

?The fact that each floor will only have a maximum of six units, ensures that residents will never experience that feeling of being crowded,? De Guzman said.

Units at East Residences-Ortigas are priced from P960,500 to P1.1 million depending on the unit?s location.