Young Banker Moving to Singapore - Where to Live

[harrison_allan]

Hi All,

I'm a young professional in the financial industry moving to Singapore from Sydney next year.

I'll be working in the Marina Bay district and was hoping to rent and live in the same area - either the Marina Bay Residences, Icon or Sail. I would be looking for a 1 bedroom apartment.

A budget of $4,000 per month (which seems standard in this area) is manageable for me. I'd like to live close to nightlife, restaurants etc.. is the Marina Bay area appropriate for this?

I was wondering what living in this area is like, if there are any issues / concerns I should be aware of, and if there are any other suggestions of potentially preferable living locations.

Also, was wondering if anyone could recommend any real estate agents who specialise in Western relocation perhaps.

Thanks in advance!

[The Ref]

Almost nothing happening there on the weekends and everything is expensive.

Better to stay between Newton and Dhoby Ghaut and catch the train each morning. The Downtown line is open for a few stations and it might be worth checking around Bugis also. Downtown line will in future go from Newton to MBFC without any outside walking so I would look there first.

1 bed apartments are hard to find, but a 2 bed near the MRT will be under $4K

[harrison_allan]

Almost nothing happening there on the weekends and everything is expensive.

Better to stay between Newton and Dhoby Ghaut and catch the train each morning. The Downtown line is open for a few stations and it might be worth checking around Bugis also. Downtown line will in future go from Newton to MBFC without any outside walking so I would look there first.

1 bed apartments are hard to find, but a 2 bed near the MRT will be under $4K

Would prefer to live close to work and gets cabs in and out of nightclub district on weekends, is Marina Bay appropriate for this? It seems a little like the glamorous / upper class area (close to the bay / casino etc), was hoping to get an idea of what the area is like and who is there

[zzm9980]

Almost nothing happening there on the weekends and everything is expensive.

Better to stay between Newton and Dhoby Ghaut and catch the train each morning. The Downtown line is open for a few stations and it might be worth checking around Bugis also. Downtown line will in future go from Newton to MBFC without any outside walking so I would look there first.

1 bed apartments are hard to find, but a 2 bed near the MRT will be under $4K

Would prefer to live close to work and gets cabs in and out of nightclub district on weekends, is Marina Bay appropriate for this? It seems a little like the glamorous / upper class area (close to the bay / casino etc), was hoping to get an idea of what the area is like and who is there

How close to work is your requirement? Walking distance? If so, then stick to Marina Bay. If not, River Valley may be better.

Not sure what you mean by "glamorous / upper class". Do you mean old money, or nouveau riche? If the later, Marina Bay is all for you.

[harrison_allan]

Almost nothing happening there on the weekends and everything is expensive.

Better to stay between Newton and Dhoby Ghaut and catch the train each morning. The Downtown line is open for a few stations and it might be worth checking around Bugis also. Downtown line will in future go from Newton to MBFC without any outside walking so I would look there first.

1 bed apartments are hard to find, but a 2 bed near the MRT will be under $4K

Would prefer to live close to work and gets cabs in and out of nightclub district on weekends, is Marina Bay appropriate for this? It seems a little like the glamorous / upper class area (close to the bay / casino etc), was hoping to get an idea of what the area is like and who is there

How close to work is your requirement? Walking distance? If so, then stick to Marina Bay. If not, River Valley may be better.

Not sure what you mean by "glamorous / upper class". Do you mean old money, or nouveau riche? If the later, Marina Bay is all for you.

Walking distance would be ideal. Sounds like Marina Bay is where I'd want to be. Will also check out River Valley - thanks!

[JR8]

I'll be working in the Marina Bay district and was hoping to rent and live in the same area - either the Marina Bay Residences, Icon or Sail. I would be looking for a 1 bedroom apartment.

A budget of $4,000 per month (which seems standard in this area) is manageable for me. I'd like to live close to nightlife, restaurants etc.. is the Marina Bay area appropriate for this?

I was wondering what living in this area is like, if there are any issues / concerns I should be aware of, and if there are any other suggestions of potentially preferable living locations.

That budget/area might get you a say 500ft (gross/GFA) 1-bed place. But once you take off any internal ledges, external air-con ledges, the bomb-shelter, any balcony, you might find the habitable space 20% less than that.

I've only been to 'Marina Bay' (as in D1) once and wasn't surprised to find it soulless, given even the land was sea just 20 years ago. We wanted to visit a restaurant there, but when we arrived they said they'd stopped serving lunch at something like 2pm (it was like 2.10pm). There was nothing else apparently on offer so we left back for town. I can't say I registered any shops there either. All in all it's a very unusual district. You imagine the apartments being owned by tax exiles and short-term business visitors (like a more transient version of Sentosa?). We've never had reason to go back ...

[harrison_allan]

I'll be working in the Marina Bay district and was hoping to rent and live in the same area - either the Marina Bay Residences, Icon or Sail. I would be looking for a 1 bedroom apartment.

A budget of $4,000 per month (which seems standard in this area) is manageable for me. I'd like to live close to nightlife, restaurants etc.. is the Marina Bay area appropriate for this?

I was wondering what living in this area is like, if there are any issues / concerns I should be aware of, and if there are any other suggestions of potentially preferable living locations.

That budget/area might get you a say 500ft (gross/GFA) 1-bed place. But once you take off any internal ledges, external air-con ledges, the bomb-shelter, any balcony, you might find the habitable space 20% less than that.

I've only been to 'Marina Bay' (as in D1) once and wasn't surprised to find it soulless, given even the land was sea just 20 years ago. We wanted to visit a restaurant there, but when we arrived they said they'd stopped serving lunch at something like 2pm (it was like 2.10pm). There was nothing else apparently on offer so we left back for town. I can't say I registered any shops there either. All in all it's a very unusual district. You imagine the apartments being owned by tax exiles and short-term business visitors (like a more transient version of Sentosa?). We've never had reason to go back ...

Interesting, thankyou for the perspective. The designer stores at the Marina Bay Sands seem particularly exciting... although I'm not sure if they're just an overpriced pin-up for the Casino

[JR8]

Interesting, thankyou for the perspective. The designer stores at the Marina Bay Sands seem particularly exciting... although I'm not sure if they're just an overpriced pin-up for the Casino

Every mall in central Singapore is largely occupied by the same designer stores, so you won't have any problems finding such goods.

Have you been to MBS? It's the SE Asian interpretation of 'ultra-high class' which translates as 'expensive but all a bit vulgar' to many people. It's an 'all-in-one' resort destination pitched at rich foreigners (locals are not even allowed into the casino there), modelled on similar schemes in places such as Dubai.

It IS interesting to visit and experience, but again I have reason to return. By all accounts I've heard the top-deck restaurant Ku-de-ta is about as shocking as it's cliched name.

- I thought I'd been to that chunk of land just once, not remembering that MBS is there too. So actually I've been 3 times. Once for the failed lunch, once to gawp at the then newly opened MBS, and a second time to collect a gift someone had got me.

[vsasks]

Sail and Icon are good choices in Tanjong Pagar area. There is nightlife in that area.

[the lynx]

If you stay at MBFC and The Sail, you can literally walk to the pubs and bars like The Bank, The Exchange, Kyo, Level 33 etc.

For party quays (Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay), taxis can manage that for you.

Icon is further down but it will put you closer to Club Street and Duxton Hill for more pubs, bars and restaurants.

All three are expensive. Depending on which floor you're getting, your $4k budget might not work.

River Valley is good for balanced environment (good food, quiet, lovely neighbourhood, cheaper than Marina area).

[zzm9980]

All three are expensive. Depending on which floor you're getting, your $4k budget might not work.
.

Indeed. I have a friend on a high floor in the Sail with a view, he was paying almost $3k with three roommates.

[Strong Eagle]

Why am I seeing a young, snotty nosed. "young professional" in the middle of all these threads?

[zzm9980]

Why am I seeing a young, snotty nosed. "young professional" in the middle of all these threads?

I get a 'Boiler Room' impression from this guy myself.

[nakatago]

Why am I seeing a young, snotty nosed. "young professional" in the middle of all these threads?

I thought it was only me.

[nutnut]

Harrison, if you want to find a vulgar soulless place that SPGs will be impressed by when you take them back then MBFC may be the area for you. If you are looking for a vibrant area then I'd avoid it and look at river valley area which is much closer to party areas which are filled with women looking for flashy guys too. I guess it depends where you are going to spend most of your time and is totally your choice.

Personally, at $4K rental in those areas, you will be at the bottom of the market there, $4K gets you not very much in SG anywhere near the CBD. Living in a 1 bed apartment in MBFC is a bit "fur coat, no knickers" IMO.

Good luck.