Renting: what to expect when relocating?

[joeyatsingapore]

Hi all!

I'm planning to relocate to Singapore (hopefully) this October and I have started to research the accomedations options over there. I want to consult with renting experts so that I know what to expect when I get deep in reseaching.

Here are my search criteria:

1. Location:
Basically, I'll work in Broadcom which is located in Woodlands. To my knoweldge Woodland is in the northern part of Singapore. Ideally, I'd like to live within a walking distance to my workplace (1mile is the average walking distance for me) or a couple of MRT stations at most. I also like it to be close to the basic services (supermarkets, food places and banks.)

2. Size:
Since I'm moving in alone without a lot of stuff, I'd rahter have a small half-furnished place with all the aminites included. It will be easier for me to clean and maintain. I don't mind sharing a flat with someone as well.

3. Price:
I'm aiming for $600-$800 a month, inclusive. Of course since I don't have any experiance so I don't know if this is a resonable price or not. What is important for me is to have a six month lease. I don't want to be tied to that place for a long time since I might be relocated again with a year or so.

Any advice on where to look will be really appreciated. Also, I want to know if my timing (end of October / begining of Novemeber) is considered a good session for finding a rental.

[jpatokal]

Your budget is very much on the low side, but fortunately Woodlands is one of the cheaper places to live in Singapore if you're happy with HDB apartments or flat-sharing.

For more detailed advice, you'll want to contact the guys who run this board:
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... rvices.htm

[Matney]

A tent, might do the trick!

[joeyatsingapore]

A tent, might do the trick!

Doesn't sound very practical to me!!

In that case what would be a reasonable budget for my requirements. Again, I'm not looking for something spacious. The largest I'd be looking at is a one bedroom + one living room.

[Karl]

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

[joeyatsingapore]

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

This what I'm actually looking in to, I'd prefer to share a place with one or two persons.

In general, is it easy to find a place like what I specified. My company will accomedate me for the first 4 weeks of my stay. So will that be enough to find a place to rent.

[ksl]

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

This what I'm actually looking in to, I'd prefer to share a place with one or two persons.

In general, is it easy to find a place like what I specified. My company will accomedate me for the first 4 weeks of my stay. So will that be enough to find a place to rent.

<b> Even though rents are going up, I can almost guarantee you can get a reasonable sized apartment for 800 a month.
I have a very large 3 bedroom private, half furnished apartment in a block of 3 in private grounds with security for 800 a month on the east side, and the apartment next door had been empty 3 years, because they were asking for 1,200 a month, and it was really worth that much, newly decorated, new kitchen ect, but hey, 300$ is 300$. anyway, it went last week for 1000 a month.

There are loads of cheap apartments, but if your looking at a condo with pool and facilities, then the minimum is 1,400 upwards.

There are quite a few on this forum that talk utter bullshit, and live in another world, simply because they believe they are superior to others. a little like the british class system, there are biggots around, just ignore there wise cracks! and to be truethful how the hell would these high flyers, paying 2000$ a month rent and up, ever have a clue what goes on at ground zero, they are pampered with perks! But seem to forget that their companies are still using them, for their own benefits.

Now i think that, is where the class gets seperated, there's those that can make it alone, and those that can't!

I'm sure the tent issue was just a little sarcastic jibe, about your 800$ for rent, to make Matney feel better and justified for spending what she does on rent! but hey there are suckers in every walks of life.

[joeyatsingapore]

Whew ksl, strong reply you have there...

But many thanks, I'm just hoping to find a cheap place easily within the first two or three weeks of my stay. Glad to know it is not that difficult.

[diana_eng]

1. Location:
Basically, I'll work in Broadcom which is located in Woodlands. (1mile is the average walking distance for me) or a couple of MRT stations at most. I also like it to be close to the basic services (supermarkets, food places and banks.)

U can try getting a HDB(public housing, no facilities, no security guard, no fences etc) or a condo (with facilites and guards) at Woodlands, Admiratly , Yishun or Sembawang estates.

3. Price:
I'm aiming for $600-$800 a month, inclusive. Of course since I don't have any experiance so I don't know if this is a resonable price or not. What is important for me is to have a six month lease. I don't want to be tied to that place for a long time since I might be relocated again with a year or so.

Usually lease agreement is either 1yr, or two year. 6mths is very very rare.
HDB (public housing) 1bedroom with whole house to urself, around SGD650-900 (depending on location, interior furnishing, whether air conditioned or not etc)
Apartment (condo) - 1bedroom with whole house to urself, around SGD1k-1.2k

Pls note, all 1+1 units are rented out VERY VERY FAST once on the market. So if u view want u like, better get the paper work done fast.

Also, I want to know if my timing (end of October / begining of Novemeber) is considered a good session for finding a rental

Anytime is a good time for rental in singapore.

[joeyatsingapore]

Thanks Diana, that should be very helpful.