Difference between HDB Flat and a condo

[jaroenr]

Hi, what's the difference between a HDB Flat and a condo in Singapore? Thanks.

[Super_Star]

A HDB flat is government subsidized housing. You must have certain criterias to qualify to be able to buy a HDB flat. For example (out of many criterias), you must be a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident and belong to a certain income bracket. This is how the government "takes care" of the lower income groups in the country so that they can afford to own an apartment. The HDB flats do not have facilities such as swimming pools or their own gyms. Usually, just a neighborhood playground for the kids, and a small garden or park where there are benches.

Condominiums on the other hand, are private developments of property companies and cost a lot more than HDB flats. They all have private swimming pools and gyms, security guards round the clock around the apartment complex, BBQ facilities, playgrounds for the kids, and more recently, spas in the condo complex itself.

[local lad]

Condos are not restricted to foreigners

[sundaymorningstaple]

A condo is the same here as in the US.

An HDB flat is like project housing without the connotations of "Projects" in the US. 95% of all Singaporean live in HBD Flats. The newest generation of HDB flats can just about compete with condo and in a number of instances are better with more floor space for a given type of unit.

See HDB for more info. Also see this Wiki

[durain]

LOL! i cant believe wiki will have info on HDB!

[time]

Anyone know if all condos have studio units? As in studio apartments...?

[sundaymorningstaple]

very few to almost none

[time]

If studio apts are not common here, then what's the nearest substitute?

[durain]

rent a master bedroom with ensuite toilet in a condo. you will have to share the kitchen, etc.

[boffenl]

I LOVE our HDB apt. in Clementi. We're close to the swimming complex, great food, good shopping and the "real" Singapore. HDB's are NOTHING like the "projects" back in Baltimore. We have beautifully renovated open spaces and great neighbors. We're sold on HDB's since they're at least half the price and twice the "experience" of living in a condo.

[sundaymorningstaple]

boffenl,

A merry Xmas to you. My old man was from Balmer! He grew up in Highlandtown to be exact in the old rowhouses!

Glad you are enjoying you stay in Clementi. I work not far from there on Toh Guan Road East which is actually nearer to IMM. But sure wish I was down on the Chesterpeak right now!

[hedgehunter]

SMS - I thought this forum was your work?

[batgirl_cdn]

Can you have pets in HDB apartments?

[ScoobyDoes]

Glad you are enjoying you stay in Clementi. I work not far from there on Toh Guan Road East which is actually nearer to IMM.

Wow, i'm working just around the corner

[sundaymorningstaple]

Scooby,

Yeah, it's the land of Hub's out here. Enterprise Hub, Water Hub, Eating Hub, Hubcaps, and last but not least Dormatory Hub! right back at ya!

Pretty ulu sometimes after 8 @ night as well when I work late. Bit uneasy to say the least.

hedgehunter,

Cute! But it's just a hobby. With several LCD monitors across my desk it's easy to stay logged in all day (FF 2.0) with several forums that I like to contribute to on tabs. With 25 years of experience here, I often feel I should give something back so if I can help with information I do. Course as you know I don't suffer fools either.