Venomrush wrote:Hello all,
I'm not a SG citizen nor have PR status and will be starting my job in Singapore in September (moving from the UK).
I would like your help on the housing situation. I'm a little confuse with the terms used. I don't understand the differences between a normal flat/apartment and a HDB. Is HDB only available to SG citizen & PR?
HDB are Government subsidized housing and are only available to SG citizens & PR for purchase. Anybody can rent one from the owners if all the relevant qualifications are met (budget, a visa that has residency, and whether the flat is eligible to be rented out (Owners have to registered renters with the HDB). Normal Flats/apartments are called condos. An last are the landed/cluster/hudc properties.
I'll be moving to Singapore by myself. My budget is 1,200SGD willing to go up to 1,500SGD if the area is nice. It has to be close to MRT (stations on the Red and Green lines) to travel to work. Area can be 30mins away from central.
I can't seem to find any place that is suitable for 1 person fit. They all seems to have 2-3 bedrooms and the price ranges above 3500SGD. I'm new to Singapore and don't really know anyone so it's not possible to find a mate to share with and I prefer to live alone.
You will be hard pressed to find anyplace (in livable condition) for 1200-1500, HDB or anything else. You will be able to rent a master bedroom (in-suite bathroom) in an HDB for around 500-800 depending on how far out from the Central Business District you go. You can rent a room in a condominium (condo) for around 1000-1500, again depending on where you are on the island. 1 bedroom or studio apartments are rare as hen's teeth and as you have noted, start in the vicinity of 3K up.
In terms of getting Internet access, how easy is it for a foreign to sign up? How long would it take? Easy if you have an employment pass. Couple of days.
What are your recommendations?
I need your advice on location and property types.
Many thanks
Yes, at the lowest level an HDB is basically the same as a council flat in the UK. However, HDB estates are much safer and cleaner than most council estates in the UK, and 80% of the population in Singapore live in them so it's not something to be looked down upon if you live in one (at least it shouldn't be, Singaporeans who live in condos/houses still look down their nose at others who don't though)Venomrush wrote:I'm still confuse of the differences between HDB and normal condo.
Are they the same? Especially in terms of quality. I some how have a feeling that HDB is the same as council house in the UK?
No, the standard of the build and facilities are far superior to a UK council estate house or flat. That is a major insult to the quality of housing and the demographics of Singapore.Venomrush wrote:I'm still confuse of the differences between HDB and normal condo.
Are they the same? Especially in terms of quality. I some how have a feeling that HDB is the same as council house in the UK?
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