Condo ideas please help

[angieh]

Hi there, I know this forum gets asks endless (probably tedious) questions re accomodation, but I do need some help.
We are Australians and my partner has taken up role in Singapore which sees him working across 3 locations, River Valley, Holland Village and Marine parade. He is in temporary accom paid by employer in River Valley but does need to find own place by end of May.

I am visiting him at present and have the task of finding him a condo to live in. (If I can get a dependent pass, I will also relocate).

Initially we were thinking River Valley because it is most central but also seems to be very expensive. He has a car with his job so it seems that he could live in any of the 3 locations.

He is working here to save money (keen for early retirement) and really we are both people of simple tastes. We don't need or want extravagance but do want comfort and a bit of space. He likes to walk and swim for exercise. I like to run in late evenings (flat ground preferred!)

Budget - ideally $3000 at most.
Furnished is preferred.
Bathtub is seriously desired!
Decent kitchen because we need to be able to cook decent meals.
Pool is needed.
Car parking needed
Two bed preferred (for visiting family and friends) but one bed ok if only option.

I like the idea of bring out marine parade way - seems quieter and more laid back (but that is only an initial perception).

So many condos that if anyone can provide suggestions, it would be hugely appreciated.
Many many thanks
Angie

[the lynx]

Bath tub, good location and $3000 rental per month does not exist sorry.

It is a norm for two-bedder condos to be small and bath tub-less, and that's not even in three locations you mentioned. Actually you should be able to get $3000 (+- $500) rental per month around River Valley and Joo Chiat area (close to Marine Parade area) but it would be a pigeon-hole (with kitchen and hall combined into one room right after you enter through your door, plus two bedrooms) and no bath tub. Pools in cheap condos is not usually meant for swimming. These tend to be small and crowded, trying to cater to hundreds of residents in that tiny condo block. Serious swimmers would benefit from large (expensive) condos or public/private swimming complexes.

Your option is HDB in Marine Parade and using the amazing park connector network for running and cycling. Swimming can be done in Olympic-size pools in public swimming complex in Katong Swimming Complex. I don't know any other public swimming pools within that area other than that one.

Good luck. Drop more questions if you need.

[angieh]

Thank you for dose of reality and for the tip on the park connector for running and the public pool (yes he is a serious swimmer).
If we focus on the area Marine Parade/ Parkway parade, forget about bathtub and raise our rent to $3500, then any recommendations for a nice place?

Can anyone rent HDB? I thought must have been only for Singaporeans?

Cheers
Angie

[Steve1960]

Can anyone rent HDB? I thought must have been only for Singaporeans?

Cheers
Angie

The Government has introduced quotas such that there is a limit on the number of foreigners allowed to live in one location. The intention is to stop ghettos forming. Subject to those rules yes you can rent an HDB I do with my family.

[bgd]

Look at Siglap, Telok Kurau and Joo Chiat. $3,500 will get you something reasonable around there. Older places will have more space and probably a bath but they will be tired. A good kitchen can be hard to find here. Basically it's a trade off. Have a look at a few places and see what you can live with.

[Addadude]

$3000 - $3500 will get you a 2-bedroom apartment in Bayshore Park which will tick most of your boxes minus the bathtub. Since you have a car, the fact that, although very close to Marine Parade, it is quite a distance from Holland V and River Valley Road won't be a big hindrance.

Alternatively, if you don't mind a smaller 1-bedroom apartment, circa 600 sq ft, you can look at Burlington Square on Bencoolen Street. Burlington Sq ticks every box including having a bath tub and a very large bathroom. (I know from personal experience.) The pricing should be in the $3k - $3.5k range easily. You might even get a 2-bed in that price range.

(Prices have come down a LOT recently. So negotiate hard - 20% off the asking price.)

[rarkins]

There are some condos in the Little India - Novena - Tao Payoh areas that have a lap pool (I think) and under $3500/month: Bliss Loft, Woodsville 28, City Square Residences, The Springbloom, Beacon Heights, 8 @ Woodleigh. From these locations it's not too bad to drive to the three locations you mentioned.

Otherwise I agree with the idea of Marine Parade area, particularly because of proximity to East Coast Parkway for outdoors and exercise.