Moving to Singapore in 45-60 days!

[JR8]

A more interesting question to me might be - What would you think of a person who said they rented at Reflections/Caribbean and paid say $10k a month?

I'd think.... ermmm....

- Lucky bar-steward
[- No seriously...]
- Why there
- Out on a limb
- Harbourfront... what's there
- An invite.... oh ok, how do I get there, I have no idea. They have public transport down that way? Better leave by 10.30pm... don't want to get stuck there.
- 5000 people but no one recognises each other or says hello

A sort of sense of rich mega-urban isolation, detached from others, detached from Singapore, detached from Asia... everything bar the poor-man's Mercedes in the underground car-park to whisk you to and fro your air-con daylight 12 hour purpose...

[JR8]

@USMom ... ps
If you're staying down that way, I can recommend popping over the road to the Ritz-Carlton for their high-tea (and revving it up with a couple of Long Island Iced Teas is optional but fun )

Yeah there are malls just about everywhere. To linger longer, SGns need air-con, and malls provide that.

The $5k bags/shoes... well, not least the Indonesian (etc) tax exiles who live over on Sentosa.

[maneo]

Who are all these rich people buying $5000 purses and shoes?

In regards to the comment about bags (bolded above); while quite a few people in Singapore are rich (I believe it was 18% of the population has at least $1million in net worth not counting primary residence?), most are not.

Wasn't that ~16% of households (i.e. not "of the population")?
Even so, yes there are a lot with at least $1M in net worth, enough to keep quite a few financial advisers and wealth managers employed.

[Usmom]

We are leaving after looking at about 15 properties all over the island. We rode the mrts all to properties we considered and walking stores from the property. Thank you again to all for providing advice. There was only one property we liked and are having our agent write up the loi. The second choice was also at the same property. There really wasn't a third choice, but if we "had to" there is a new property in the orchard area we thought was ok. Hopefully the landlord will proceed with the loi. Cheers and again thanks everyone.

[zzm9980]

We are leaving after looking at about 15 properties all over the island. We rode the mrts all to properties we considered and walking stores from the property. Thank you again to all for providing advice. There was only one property we liked and are having our agent write up the loi. The second choice was also at the same property. There really wasn't a third choice, but if we "had to" there is a new property in the orchard area we thought was ok. Hopefully the landlord will proceed with the loi. Cheers and again thanks everyone.

Would you mind sharing the property name and general reasons you prefered it (after you secure your unit if you prefer)? This will help future posters with recommendations on properties.

[Usmom]

Sure I will share once things are finalized and reasons why.

[gailwynand]

Local Fairprice/NTUC stores sometimes have alcohol on special. I've bought a bottle or two of cab sauv at very competitive prices at a small store just below a community center. Beer goes on sale every festive holiday.

There's also the pro strategy, make friends with a diplomat - they can all import unlimited duty free alcohol through their embassy.

[JR8]

Local Fairprice/NTUC stores sometimes have alcohol on special. I've bought a bottle or two of cab sauv at very competitive prices at a small store just below a community center. Beer goes on sale every festive holiday.

There's also the pro strategy, make friends with a diplomat - they can all import unlimited duty free alcohol through their embassy.

Oh yah good plan, be known as the junior bringing in 6 cases of wine a month under your national banner/flag, to avoid tax and sell to your friends hehe.... not a good plan unless you're from bongo-land!

P-taking on the diplomatic-duty-free is really frowned upon. I was momentarily bereft to get a full-on diplomatic ID/waiver card, and then be told, that er, I was sort of EXPECTED not to be so cheap to go and buy duty free stuff with it...

[icegoh]

Maybe you would want to consider Hillcrest Villa? The units there are all above 3000sqf. Mainly expat community.

[Usmom]

Packers and movers are here and should finish today! We fly out in a few days and will have to stay in Service Apartment in Orchard/Holland area til shipment arrives. The place we chose last time visiting, the landlord has decided not to rent but only sell when old tenets leave, so back to the drawing board, but at least I have an idea where we want to be. It's strange that we are having a hard time finding a 4 bed. in our budget available. You would think with sales sinking, that there would be more inventory and lower rent prices. Not looking forward to the long flight, but excited to get the adventure started in Singapore.

[Brah]

Wow, some fantastic advice above!

I had to chuckle at the conflicting desires - '$15k/mo budget, condo with private lift, plus proximity to wet market' Sorry

It's a toughie, wanting to live somewhere that's likely very central, but then family friendly, and the bread-winner having to commute by public transport to West Jurong. The latter is going to be putting in a lot of loooong days!

Just revisiting this thread, hadn't been reading it, must admit, it made this come to mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6Hgdic5jls
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous lyrics

Good excuse to revisit this one, it's been a while, and somehow I think JR at the least would appreciate it.

[JR8]

Packers and movers are here and should finish today! We fly out in a few days and will have to stay in Service Apartment in Orchard/Holland area til shipment arrives. The place we chose last time visiting, the landlord has decided not to rent but only sell when old tenets leave, so back to the drawing board, but at least I have an idea where we want to be. It's strange that we are having a hard time finding a 4 bed. in our budget available. You would think with sales sinking, that there would be more inventory and lower rent prices. Not looking forward to the long flight, but excited to get the adventure started in Singapore.

Good stuff Usmom, and best of luck with the journey. I have found that things are tumultuous during a relo, but there seems to be a noticeable change at the point you get into your seat on the plane. That is when, often after months, you FINALLY get to exhale.

Don't worry too much about the previous place going off-market. Odds on you'll find similar, or just as likely you'll find something you like even more. Rental property doesn't stay empty long here, but despite the uncertainty it creates, odds-on this is a positive.

4-beds, don't know what kind of supply there might be in that market. I don't think many people require that kind of scale. It'd be interesting to look at a sample condo/development in roughly the target market you're in and break down the unit count/bedrooms... hmmm.

[JR8]

To the mods/admins:

I note that the forum has recently started turning simple text, like

Service apartment
property
condo*

... into highlighted hot-links.

I'm finding this a confusing distraction, as I'm assuming that a writer is posting/embedding a URL, of their choice, to illustrate a specific point. I think the routes here into the property search functions were clear enough as they were...



* p.s. just not always it seems hehehe...

[Primrose Hill]

There are quite a few cluster houses that around Bukit Timah/Tanglin/Holland areas that have 4beds, some of them reasonably decent size.
Holland Hill, Sommerville, Barker Terrace, Illoura, Allsworth, to name a few

[uscate]

I just started reading this thread today….Good luck with your move, Usmom! I look forward to reading of your adventures in settling in!