Work in Singapore

[aren.a]

Hi,

In a few days time I am moving to Singapore for my first graduate job. I am 24 years old from Cyprus. The company is located at the International Business Park. My maximum budget for rent is $2500-$2600 including the main utilities. Is it possible to find a studio or 1 bedroom apartment in a condo close to Jurong, Lakeside MRT or the IBP?

Thank you

Aren Armenagian

[Akimbo]

There is (almost) no such thing as a studio or a 1-bedroom apartment in Singapore. The closest you can get is a 2-bedroom apartment, with utilities.

I don't live around the area, but I think your budget of 2500-2600 is more than enough to get a condominium unit.

[local lad]

Another possibility is to rent a room from HDB estate. Since you will be working at IBP, your nearest HDB estate is Toh Guan area. Walkling distance from IBP and the estate is behind IMM Mall.

Of course, living in the rented room means living among the locals, if you are comfortable with the idea. You can search through ST classified ads or google rooms for rent in SG, Jurong East area.

Cheers

[aren.a]

Thank you for the replies.

To be honest I am still a bit unsure on where to live. My company will provide me accommodation in the first month at the Lakefront residences. From what I saw through the Internet, they seem very nice.

Is it possible to live in a condo with the budget I have, or do I need to share one or rent an HDB?

[zzm9980]

I see units available in your budget around where your temporary housing is.

The Mayfair, Lakeside Apartments, even the Lakefront Residences which is where you'll be staying.

[aren.a]

Thanks a lot I'm arriving on Wednesday afternoon, hope everything goes well!

[JR8]

I was looking at a map and pondering D21/Clementi. There's no requirement for you to live 'above the shop', i.e. right near your office. Since you're young and single, some added proximity to downtown might be a bonus. A quick search brings up dozens of offerings...

Keep in mind asking rents are negotiable.
1 bed units are scarce, so don't limit yourself to searching on that criteria (on the search function above). Search for 2 beds, and see what comes up - a lot more!

[aren.a]

If I decide to go closer to downtown, then I guess I would be looking for a 2 bedroom HDB or apartment, rather than a condo? By the way, what districts would you suggest me to look at?

[zzm9980]

If I decide to go closer to downtown, then I guess I would be looking for a 2 bedroom HDB or apartment, rather than a condo? By the way, what districts would you suggest me to look at?

While I normally agree with JR8, on this issue it will be harder for you to live closer to downtown. Small budgets like yours go farther in the outskirts. Anything that is significantly closer to downtown will be much more money. Other items in your range can be found, but they may be found in the outskirts on the other half of the island, making for a crappy commute.

Do try though. Good luck.

[JR8]

If I decide to go closer to downtown, then I guess I would be looking for a 2 bedroom HDB or apartment, rather than a condo? By the way, what districts would you suggest me to look at?

No, condo. Did you even try looking?
I get 180 results for a search to $2600pcm on D21/Clementi. How many do you get?
What districts, anywhere within what the public transport maps suggest is within acceptable distance from your expected loci of operation.

[x9200]

If I decide to go closer to downtown, then I guess I would be looking for a 2 bedroom HDB or apartment, rather than a condo? By the way, what districts would you suggest me to look at?

No, condo. Did you even try looking?
I get 180 results for a search to $2600pcm on D21/Clementi. How many do you get?
What districts, anywhere within what the public transport maps suggest is within acceptable distance from your expected loci of operation.

OP mentioned 2k6 should be utility inclusive and further away he gets more time and money it costs to commute to his work. Lakeside location in the walking distance to the MRT station is really a good suggestion. Yes, pub life sucks in this area but to have such places easily accessible on daily basis he would need to live very central or still commute.

For drinking beer with colleagues/friends after work there is no bad place in Singapore, Lakeside included. Plenty of coffee shops around the condos zzm mentioned and 3 huge malls 5-10min by MRT.

[JR8]

For drinking beer with colleagues/friends after work there is no bad place in Singapore, Lakeside included. Plenty of coffee shops around the condos zzm mentioned and 3 huge malls 5-10min by MRT.

Well there's a thought. I would not know where to go in this neighbourhood to get a beer, either in a bar, or with food. I have never drunk a single beer out in this neighbourhood in c5 years.

I suspect a 20-something is going to want to have weekends 'giving it large' downtown rather than 'hanging out' with colleagues in desolate geriatric-filled Zone-3b suburban foodcourts where people go quiet and point if a white face shows up.

[x9200]

Nothing preventing OP to go out downtown during weekends. What difference Lakeside or Clementi (for example) would make it to her/him? 10 min travel time via MRT? And believe me, you would know, its an area packed with coffee shops unless you, after all these years, still suffer from "do you really eat in places like this?" syndrome.

A good friend of mine (an American if it matters) lived in Mayfair. He was in his late 20s that time and enjoyed very much the surrounding. Not sure why it has to be geriatric just because is not central.

[aren.a]

If I decide to go closer to downtown, then I guess I would be looking for a 2 bedroom HDB or apartment, rather than a condo? By the way, what districts would you suggest me to look at?

No, condo. Did you even try looking?
I get 180 results for a search to $2600pcm on D21/Clementi. How many do you get?
What districts, anywhere within what the public transport maps suggest is within acceptable distance from your expected loci of operation.

I did try looking. But when I mentioned $2600, I meant including my main utilities. So I guess I'm looking closer to the $2300-2400 (?) range for the actual rent, which I couldn't find any in the search option.

Anyway, my company provided me the contact of info of a few real estate advisors and agents to talk to, but I thought it would be good if I had a general idea of what prices/locations/facilities to expect with my budget.

[JR8]

I did try looking. But when I mentioned $2600, I meant including my main utilities. So I guess I'm looking closer to the $2300-2400 (?) range for the actual rent, which I couldn't find any in the search option.

Anyway, my company provided me the contact of info of a few real estate advisors and agents to talk to, but I thought it would be good if I had a general idea of what prices/locations/facilities to expect with my budget.

Rent, as in most places, does not include utilities.
$2300-2400?
I see 8 at $2500/2600/mo in D21.
You do know you can negotiate the rent don't you, esp in this pressured market?
Would you like me to post the individual listings for you, or can you find them yourself?