Work in Singapore

[aren.a]

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?

I can find them myself. Thank you for the help!

[aren.a]

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!

Hey so you were right! I arrived a couple of days ago, and although the condo at the lakefront residences is very nice and new, I don't feel the European vibe at all, as wherever I went in this area was mostly full of locals.

So I asked a few people around on suggested locations where I will be able to feel the western vibe more intensely. Holland village and Buono Vista were two regions mentioned. What do you guys think? Do you have any other suggestions?

[zzm9980]

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!

Hey so you were right! I arrived a couple of days ago, and although the condo at the lakefront residences is very nice and new, I don't feel the European vibe at all, as wherever I went in this area was mostly full of locals.

So I asked a few people around on suggested locations where I will be able to feel the western vibe more intensely. Holland village and Buono Vista were two regions mentioned. What do you guys think? Do you have any other suggestions?

you're in Singapore, so don't expect to feel a true 'western' vibe anywhere. If what you really mean is just more white faces, then yes try those areas. If you mean more of a western hipster/young vibe, try Tanjong Pagar or Tiong Bahru. But with your budget, you're not likely to find anything in any of those areas unless you're willing to have a roommate.

[Strong Eagle]

you're in Singapore, so don't expect to feel a true 'western' vibe anywhere. If what you really mean is just more white faces, then yes try those areas. If you mean more of a western hipster/young vibe, try Tanjong Pagar or Tiong Bahru. But with your budget, you're not likely to find anything in any of those areas unless you're willing to have a roommate.

To add to zzm's comments... my life was immensely enriched by engaging with the local population. I'm a handy man... going to all sorts of shops all over the island was great... I met so many local fellows interested in what I was making... and generally surprised to see an ang mo in their shop.

Also great to engage in volunteer activities that put you with local people... otherwise, you're choosing to live in a bubble that insulates you from the real Singapore... both good and bad.

[JR8]

So I asked a few people around on suggested locations where I will be able to feel the western vibe more intensely. Holland village and Buono Vista were two regions mentioned. What do you guys think? Do you have any other suggestions?

I'd suggested D21 as it appears a reasonable compromise, neither right by your work, and not right into town which can be $$$-expat ghetto.

I don't think I'd looked at BV, perhaps expecting it to be out of your budget. Don't know, have a look yourself (search function) and see what you think. A word of caution though: I remember one time I moved here and I'd set my sights on moving to Novena. Some of the units I saw were shocking. Like where a two-bed unit had been split in half (a front door, vestibule, then two further 'front doors' side by side, to 2*1/2 units) to what I'd describe as 'corridor flats'. What with listings here not coming with floorplans, be careful of suspiciously 'reasonably' priced listings.

'Western vibe'. Hmm one could have a very long discussion about what that is and to what extent it exists There might be some corners where you momentarily feel a little like you're having a 'western experience'. They tend to be very expensive (Holland Village, Jones the Grocer, Swiss Butcher, high-tea at a 5* hotel etc). The other 'Western vibe' is that such as is put on to cater to the tourists... an evening spent F+B/partying etc down at Clarke Quay comes to mind. Of course it's still majority locals, but the western food, pubs, places with live music and so on feel rather like home, well, after a few weeks out in the pub-free suburbs they do

So this leads back to...
- IIRC your budget won't fund a place in HV, and I think that is probably a good thing (when considered in the round).
- Check out Bueno Vista as suggested, and see how it compares to Clementi.
- I don't think living amongst a western vibe matters, even if you can afford to. Having the ability to occasionally access it seems to be enough to feed any back-home-blues.

[the lynx]

Yes BV, Rochester and HV will fit your requirements (if you really want to see more white people) but you have to rent a room, not a whole unit. All condo units there normally start from $3.5 and above. Even HDBs (the government housing unit) start around $2.6k and above.

Good luck.

[Barnsley]

So I asked a few people around on suggested locations where I will be able to feel the western vibe more intensely. Holland village and Buono Vista were two regions mentioned. What do you guys think? Do you have any other suggestions?

Whilst I dont frequent Holland Village often, I must be going on the wrong nights to " see more white folk" as the it looks to me like its the preserve of the local.under 25s.

I guess it depends where you are from for the vibe you require as nowhere in Singapore gives me the vibe of "home"

[Akimbo]

Last night I was having dinner at Holland V, and as I went to the train to go home around 10 pm, a horde of expat kids perhaps from International Schools (and by horde, around like 40-60 people in a group), went towards the main HV area...what was going on there last night?

[Barnsley]

Last night I was having dinner at Holland V, and as I went to the train to go home around 10 pm, a horde of expat kids perhaps from International Schools (and by horde, around like 40-60 people in a group), went towards the main HV area...what was going on there last night?

[x9200]

Whilst I dont frequent Holland Village often, I must be going on the wrong nights to " see more white folk" as the it looks to me like its the preserve of the local.under 25s.

I guess it depends where you are from for the vibe you require as nowhere in Singapore gives me the vibe of "home"

Definitely the mall and its direct surrounding are mostly locals with the exception of Lim's and the floor directly above where there are tourists. White folks are frequent in the streets between the condos up to Jelita CS (20-50% white folks in average) and the Queensway on the other side. These, plus the end of the bar bay (Wala-wala and such), but not that many and around Jln Merah Saga.

[aren.a]

Thank a lot everyone for the comments! I contacted a real estate agent today, explained to him about my budget, preferences etc and hopefully soon I'll find something decent for my standards