New American Expat coming in - advice on locations

[xernstx]

I'm moving to Singapore in November for work - will have a budget between 3000-5000 SGD (depending on final housing allowance).

Looking for a 2-bedroom apartment/condo with nice amenities - just my girlfriend and I.

I have a friend who lived here for about a year, and he recommended that I check out the following places:

Tanglin Road
Holland Village
Tanjong Pagar (Chinatown)
American Embassy area
New Bridge Road
Victoria Ave

Some of them are hard to find on a map (I'm using Google Maps).

Any advice on what's the best way to get the lay of the land and scope out possible apartments/areas?

Thanks!

-Mike

[humpbackwhale]

use the above link key in the name and the condo and you get a map of their location.

tanglin is too expensive
i personally prefer Holland village, you have to live there to know why
the rest of the area is too city for me.

good luck

[huggybear]

like everyone else who posts up here asking for help.

we know nothing of your personal perferences that would assist us in helping you better.

Nov is 6 months away. the market is very dynamic and check back in one month prior to your coming out here.

as for amenities. make a specific list of what you want.


one thing i'd consider is where your office is and how long a commute you want. If you work in downtown or CBD and are in Holland V. your commute is going to suck. express bus is your only option.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hey Huggy,

Guess you are starting to see why sometimes us mods get rather ascerbic yeah? They use google okay but just can't seem to get a handle on the forum search facility.



Oh, if you haven't guessed. I'm back! Went home as my Dad had some setbacks with his colon cancer operation and it was looking pretty grim. He on the road to recovery now but for a week I didn't have any internet connectivity down on my farm.

[huggybear]

hah. yep. had to fill in for your big shoes while you were away attending to your personal matters. usually i ignore the posts but wanted to help out a fellow americana. good to hear everything is ok and best of luck. surgery is never a pleasant experience but good to see they caught everything.

Mike,
some advice i would offer you is to talk with your american girlfriend on how she is going to react to living in a city where every woman on the island is rail thin and petite. i'd venture to throw a guess out there that there are more then a few women who don't take too well to this and end up becoming very bitter and leaving after a bit to go home.

unless of course your girlfriend is petite and heroin skinny, then she'll fit right in and be hunky dory...but honestly. Nip this in the bud now dude. it will save you some big time problems later.

[Dolph]

some advice i would offer you is to talk with your american girlfriend on how she is going to react to living in a city where every woman on the island is rail thin and petite. i'd venture to throw a guess out there that there are more then a few women who don't take too well to this and end up becoming very bitter and leaving after a bit to go home.

Expat men don't seem worried about their plentiful statures vis-a-vis their Asian counterparts' slim and healthy builds, so what on earth makes you think it would be any different for women?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Expat men don't seem worried about their plentiful statures vis-a-vis their Asian counterparts' slim and healthy builds, so what on earth makes you think it would be any different for women?

In my case, 25 years of Asian Experience and knowledge of literally dozens of failed marriages and so forth due to exactly those reasons. It is a unfortunate thing but statistically speaking a western male (regardless of his race) is more likely to have a fling with an asian woman than a Western female having an affair with an Asian Male. Unfair. Probably. But them's the facts bro. Take the advice as advice, not as a commandment. Always remember forewarned is forearmed.

Another thing, before just jumping on the plane, make sure you have enough legal documentation to cover your girlfriends requirements (unless she has an employment pass and job of her own). If you cannot document through your embassy or produce evidence of an existing cohabition arrangement prior to arriving here you will really have to jump through some hoops in order to ensure her ability to stay here with you. Visa's aren't usually granted to "girlfriends" and de facto common-law spouses need to provide what I have noted above (and it's still not a guarantee).

sms

[Asian_Geekette]

Oh, if you haven't guessed. I'm back! Went home as my Dad had some setbacks with his colon cancer operation and it was looking pretty grim. He on the road to recovery now but for a week I didn't have any internet connectivity down on my farm.

sms,

I hope your dad is doing ok now.

It's only now I got to check the forum. I've been busy packing my stuff for the relocation.

xernstx,

huggybear's right. Better just check out the places a month before you finally move here. I was supposed to relocate a few months ago and it was only this month that things have become a bit firm. And guess what? The rental has really gone up the roof!


If your gf has enough self-confidence and if your relationship is quite strong, then she wouldn't be threated with those lithe SPGs (Sarong Party Girls).

[Sydney C]

I'm moving to Singapore in November for work - will have a budget between 3000-5000 SGD (depending on final housing allowance).

Looking for a 2-bedroom apartment/condo with nice amenities - just my girlfriend and I.

I have a friend who lived here for about a year, and he recommended that I check out the following places:

Tanglin Road
Holland Village
Tanjong Pagar (Chinatown)
American Embassy area
New Bridge Road
Victoria Ave

Some of them are hard to find on a map (I'm using Google Maps).

Any advice on what's the best way to get the lay of the land and scope out possible apartments/areas?

Thanks!

-Mike

Hi Mike,

For a 2 bedroom apartment, your budget seems healthy.

For a more comprehensive map, you can try using .

Where you choose to reside may depend on your work location as i'm sure you'd like convenience. The best way to go about finding a place, would actually be engaging a professional agent. They would be able to provide you valuable information on all the different apt/condo and help you narrow down your search.

Cheers!
Syd

[sundaymorningstaple]

For a more comprehensive map, you can try using .

Cheers!
Syd

Hey Syd,

[sq009]

I would suggest river valley area. First of all, its cheaper than tanglin. And Since you mentioned girlfriend, most pubs and clubs are located a stone throw away. Environment is excellent with endless amenities. Surrounded by malls and supermarkets. Location is centralised and accessible.

Been staying here for the past 22 years. Absolutely no complaints.

[huggybear]

he wants a 2 br.
in that budget .... only options in RV / Orchard will be older buildings such as UE square or The Richmond (behind Paragon)
newer buildings oreddi well through 5k.

[EADG]

could be worse though, if he were heading to Japan there'd be a lot more reason for such concern than here!

huggy's advice is actually quite practical, although I do see a lot of attractive western women here, and, truer words never spoke from SMS as usual - best wishes for your dad's health

to the OP, remember to advise your company that moving to Singapore is no longer the bargain it was only a year ago- I'm paying Tokyo rent-levels now, you don't have to, but you probably will

I personally would not use 'RVR' and 'cheap' in the same sentence, it's where I live and it's not

Expat men don't seem worried about their plentiful statures vis-a-vis their Asian counterparts' slim and healthy builds, so what on earth makes you think it would be any different for women?

In my case, 25 years of Asian Experience and knowledge of literally dozens of failed marriages and so forth due to exactly those reasons. It is a unfortunate thing but statistically speaking a western male (regardless of his race) is more likely to have a fling with an asian woman than a Western female having an affair with an Asian Male. Unfair. Probably. But them's the facts bro. Take the advice as advice, not as a commandment. Always remember forewarned is forearmed.