Where to live - active lifestyle

[no-one]

Hi,

New here, have been reading up a lot on the forum and trying not to open new topics.
However, need some advice on choosing a neighborhood to move too

My girlfriend and I are moving to Singapore Mid September. We are both active and outdoorsy so the need to be able to have a healthy outdoors life is important (I know it will be limited as it IS Singapore...hot, humid, city, busy). But that's the life we have here and we'd love to keep as much as that as we can.

We were thinking somewhere in East Coast put open for all suggestions. We both haven't been to East Coast so it's a wild guess. We're open for all suggestions!! All help is welcome.

Priorities:
- Budget would be up to $6k.
- Work will be in Marina Bay area.
- Preferably easy access with MRT/buses. Cycling may also be option or scooter.
- preferably 2-3 bedrooms, Little courtyard or backyard would be huge plus.
- not too far from water/beach/park (running, stand up paddle, sailing)

Nice to have:
- close to supermarket / market
- close to local and/or international eating opportunities.
- close to swimming pool (50m) / (Tennis courts)

No Maid, No Car, No Kids

Thanks

[sundaymorningstaple]

East Coast would be my suggestion as well. Should be able to tick all the boxes with a little searching.

[tenhaaf.wouter]

Your requirements are quite generic. Travel time to the office should be important as well. Advice you to ask a housing agent to show you around in different area's.


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[Strong Eagle]

Your requirements are quite generic. Travel time to the office should be important as well. Advice you to ask a housing agent to show you around in different area's.


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Another wannabee agent trying to drum up business. Unless you are inherently a terminal cretin, look for properties, deal with LL agent, refuse any offers to have to pay extra commission to tenant agent, read these threads.

[tenhaaf.wouter]

"Another wannabee agent trying to drum up business."

Actually I'm not, just a fellow citizen who has been through the same process 4 month ago and and I appreciated support from guys with some experience.

[x9200]

"Another wannabee agent trying to drum up business."

Actually I'm not, just a fellow citizen who has been through the same process 4 month ago and and I appreciated support from guys with some experience.

Good for you. Unfortunately for many too many the agents' support is of a self type. Sure they will help you but the deal may be (for you) far from optimal. Besides, most of the regulars helping on this forum are foreigners with years of experience in Singapore and they do not want your money for the help.
If your instincts tell you to trust a group people infamous (as of general and in Singapore) for their reputation rather than some impartial opinion coming from other tenants than of course be my guest.

[rarkins]

I agree that near East Coast Park definitely sounds like the best bet, so long as you can find a condo with decent commute times (MRT stops are a little sparse). If you check out this Strava heatmap: http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#12/103. ... 4/blue/run then you can see that both Marina Bay as well as East Coast Park are two of the most popular jogging areas, although Marina Bay isn't otherwise "outdoorsy".

A second option I can think of is the Keppel Bay condos down south, although they also might be >30 mins commute depending on exact locations. The upside of them is they're essentially "on" the water (unlike East Coast condos which are usually on the otherwise of the expressway) and you can walk/jog to Labrador nature reserve. But again, not as "outdoorsy" as ECP.

[bgd]

Definately East Coast.

Ideal for an active lifestyle. Quite a choice of accommodtion in your price range. Supermarkets are scattered along the coast but Siglap and Parkway have the most options. Bus service into town is good and frequent. Cycing is a great option now that the Park Connector has been extended to Gardens By The Bay. Scooter is a good option for commuting but a great idea for personal transport. Understand the rules on licence conversion if you are going to get something over 200cc.

[the lynx]

Agree. East Coast is great. You've got the best Park Connector Network that runs more than 78km in distance and is jogger-, cyclist- and rollerblade-friendly. And probably the best variety of supermarkets and restaurants.

[no-one]

thanks everyone!!!
I think East Coast is the main contender, with Keppel Bay second and maybe Tiong Bahru.
The hunt for an appartment/shophouse is on soon!
I feel the general opinion here is to not work with agents? Is that because taking care of it yourself is just as easy? Or do you get better deals?

Thanks!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Neither. They work for commission, the more you pay, the more they make. They don't work in your interest normally and tend to be magicians (they seem to disappear) after the contract is signed and they've gotten their money, only to show up again when the contract it due to be renewed.

[no-one]

Thanks sundaymorningstaple, very valuable info!
That's the idea we got as well as we have been in contact with one. He also showed us things that were very far off from what we asked for.
We have also been told that rents can be negotiated pretty hard is that correct?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Currently, yes. Start off with 20% less than the asking price. You probably won't get it, but you will have room to maneuver. If they won't budge, look elsewhere. Try to find out what recent rentals went for in that particular condo if possible using the URA site before you view the property as once you have seen it, the agent/LL will end up giving you the hard sell unless you know your facts.

https://www.ura.gov.sg/realEstateIIWeb/ ... rch.action

[JR8]

Then assume that the agent you paid for will take your money and once they've banked it you'll never hear from them again, barring if you threaten action when you'll get the odd text-speak SMS absolving themselves of any involvement: 'i dun know'. 'I loss all my record'. 'sorry can help', and so on.

[Yeah, I'm still considering how to shaft for maximum effect an agent that's just done precisely this to me... because this lazy couldn't give a F 2-fingers just invites an answer...]

[zzm9980]

Hi,

New here, have been reading up a lot on the forum and trying not to open new topics.
However, need some advice on choosing a neighborhood to move too

My girlfriend and I are moving to Singapore Mid September. We are both active and outdoorsy so the need to be able to have a healthy outdoors life is important (I know it will be limited as it IS Singapore...hot, humid, city, busy). But that's the life we have here and we'd love to keep as much as that as we can.

We were thinking somewhere in East Coast put open for all suggestions. We both haven't been to East Coast so it's a wild guess. We're open for all suggestions!! All help is welcome.

Priorities:
- Budget would be up to $6k.
- Work will be in Marina Bay area.
- Preferably easy access with MRT/buses. Cycling may also be option or scooter.
- preferably 2-3 bedrooms, Little courtyard or backyard would be huge plus.
- not too far from water/beach/park (running, stand up paddle, sailing)

Nice to have:
- close to supermarket / market
- close to local and/or international eating opportunities.
- close to swimming pool (50m) / (Tennis courts)

No Maid, No Car, No Kids

Thanks

I live on the east coast and pay slightly more than half your budget for a brand new place (3bed, including private outdoor space) that ticks all of the checkboxes. Definitely do-able. You have a number of bus options into the city, including MRT from Dakota depending on where exactly you stay.