The Muntinlupa City is divided into six main areas, bounded on the North by Taguig, on the Northwest by Parañaque, on the West by Las Piñas, on the Southwest by Cavite, on the South by Laguna, and the East by Laguna de Bay. The South and the East are consist more of residential areas and only have of two major establishments namely the Pepsi Products Philippines, Inc. and SM Muntinlupa, both in Barangay Tunasan – southern area. On the North are factories and companies such as Uratext and Amkor Technology Phils., located in the East Service Road, and Fresh N Famous, Inc. (Formerly Chowking Food Corporation) located in the West Service Road. The rest of the areas are where call centers, hotels, car dealers, malls, condominiums, country clubs, and executive villages can be found. It can be clearly seen that there is unequal development as regards to establishments in the City of Muntinlupa. Residents from South and East have to travel to the other end of the City in order to reach places that are essential to them from household needs, to their workplace, and even recreational spots. It is also a common misconception to non-residents that Alabang is different from Muntinlupa, when the former is a Barangay in the latter. .
Residents find it difficult, especially the commuters, to go back and forth from their home to establishments. Malls are all in Alabang area, except for SM Muntinlupa which is located in the Southern part. The City's official public market, which sells goods at a much cheaper cost than that of other small wet and dry markets in each Barangays, is also located in Alabang. It is also a problem to some call center agents and other employees within the vicinity of Alabang, who are not a resident of Muntinlupa, to find their apartments since the area is surrounded with hotels and condominiums and their only option for a more affordable apartment is those which are located in slum areas.