Questions about renting

Hello, currently looking into housing options and thinking if I should continue to rent here in Makati or move to a condo-sharing setup in Mandaluyong. Which area generally gives you more bang for your buck?

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Wanted to look for a condo with a decent gym. Preferrably weights over 24kg dumbbells to skip paying for a commercial gym membership.

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​Would love to get your insights on a few things:

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​The 6k Budget Reality Check: Is a true ₱6,000 "all-in" budget realistic, or usually a surprise with massive Meralco/AC splits at the end of the month? Would it be safer to look for a ₱4.5k to ₱5k base rent slot to give myself a utility buffer?

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​Gym Recommendations: Which specific condos in these areas actually have good lifting setups included in the rent? I’ve looked into SMDC Light, Axis Residences, and Flair, but not sure if they are within budget (might need a reality check). I’m highly open to other suggestions.

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​PMO & Admin Gatekeeping: Are there hidden amenity fees I should look out for? Also, do operators actually register bedspacers with the Property Management Office (PMO) for a tenant ID, or do security guards usually give condo-sharers a hard time when accessing the gym?

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Would it just be better to find a good apartment sharing and find a bakal gym instead?

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Grateful for any suggestionss

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