Is it just me or are studio units rare in Singapore?

corporateguy88 · Post by **corporateguy88** » Mon, 28 Jul 2008 4:11 pm

For foreign individuals, the most popular living arrangement here is either to rent a room and stay with the landlord or to gather a few friends and rent a flat together. I just noticed though, that unlike other cities such as NY or even HK, studio units arer very rare in Singapore. The only exception would be in the high-end condos where the going rate is around $2,000 for a studio.

At the other extreme, there are so-called studio units in HDB flats but these are usually meant for the elderly to stay.

Anyone here staying in a studio unit that is not in a high-end, luxury condo? How is it? How did you find the place?

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Mon, 28 Jul 2008 4:25 pm

There are hardly any Studio/One bed apartments in Singapore, there's just not enough call for them. I'm surprised that you said you've seen some for $2k a month as the ones I know of are a hell of a lot more than that. To be honest you can rent a 3 bed for about the same price.

Addadude · Post by **Addadude** » Mon, 28 Jul 2008 5:45 pm

When I last looked to rent a studio, I found quite a few. From personal experience I came across studio/1-bedroom apartments at:

East Coast: Bayshore Park (a bit dark, low floors only), Eastern Lagoon 2 (nice and bright), Mandarin Gardens...

Central: Burlington Square - next to Sim Lim Sq (where I stayed for 2 happy years), Sophia Court (now sold enblock but the developer is not going to knock them down anytime soon because of market conditions - so there should be some units available for rent), The Anchorage, Spanish Village...

Slightly further west: Central Green, Harbourview Towers (only a few), Fairways (again enblocked but not likely to be knocked down soon so probably available for rental), and The Village (at Pasir Panjang Road).

I am sure that there is quite a few more.

Price-wise, as Saint has mentioned the figure of $2k a month is pretty low for these current times. Look to upward of $2.5k per month now.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Mon, 28 Jul 2008 6:31 pm

LL are trying to rent out the new studio apartments at Seaview, Marine Parade, for anywhere between $3.5k to $4.5k!

Burlington Square are going for $3.5k plus
Bayshore Park $2.7k plus
The Anchorage $3k plus

Just gives you an idea what you will looking to pay for a studio at the moment

Addadude · Post by **Addadude** » Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:40 am

Owch! When i last rented a 2-bedroom unit at Bayshore Park (back in 1997) I was paying $2.7k - and I thought I was paying a lot! Around 2005, rentals were as low as $1.5k for a 2-bedroom flat there. When I stayed at a 1-bedroom flat in Burlington Square in 2002-2004, I was paying just $1.6k a month!

To the OP, you might want to also check out People's park Complex/Park in Chinatown, they have some studios there as well.

Also, if push comes to shove, some 'enterprising' landlords in private condos and apartments have converted their larger apartments into smaller studio/1 bedroom apartments by putting in partition walls.

corporateguy88 · Post by **corporateguy88** » Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:51 am

Those are ridiculous prices for studios!

That's much higher than even New York, where studios in midtown Manhattan (about 400 - 500sqf), which is right smack in the center of the city, can be rented for about US$1000 - 1200.

How can they justify paying like S$3,000 for a place in the East Coast or something? Well yeah, those places have gyms and a pool but having those amenities shouldn't mean that prices should go that high.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Tue, 29 Jul 2008 2:18 pm

Welcome to Singapore, where prices are only governed by audacity.

durain · Post by **durain** » Tue, 29 Jul 2008 5:05 pm

i'm sure singapore is still cheaper than rhodesia where a one bed dorm cost trillion!

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Tue, 29 Jul 2008 5:09 pm

durain wrote:i'm sure singapore is still cheaper than rhodesia where a one bed dorm cost trillion!

Probably 2 trillion now!

You're showing your age calling ir Rhodesia

frenzal · Post by **frenzal** » Wed, 30 Jul 2008 7:45 pm

haha i made this thread at one stage. you'd think studios would be more commonplace given the nature of the city. meanwhile, i'll dream about getting a studio for 1.5k :p

tulipe · Post by **tulipe** » Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:34 am

There is definitely one bedroom unit in singapore. but the price may not be cheap... normally this can be found in town area or party area. like in The Sail at Marina; the pier and the icon... first... think of your budget and the prefer location. You might be better off with a two bedroom actually

blue_123 · Post by **blue_123** » Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:31 pm

studios are expensive everywhere in the world... probably it goes the same way as a low volume bottle of a drink costs more (per ml) than a large 'value pack'

frenzal · Post by **frenzal** » Fri, 15 Aug 2008 7:46 am

blue_123 wrote:studios are expensive everywhere in the world... probably it goes the same way as a low volume bottle of a drink costs more (per ml) than a large 'value pack'

Studios are cheaper than 1BR apartments. Studios are also not that expensive in Australia, particularly compared to Singapore. I'm quite sure this is the case even in New York.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 15 Aug 2008 4:03 pm

Studio's in Singapore are inefficient as they can't double up as two bedroom flats! And land, being scarce here, the developers have to maximize their investments. Flat sharing is the way to go if you want to live close in.....

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