Looking for a Bachelor Apartment

[rhino6vx]

Hi all,
I desperately need some help/advice. I have recently moved to Singapore and am looking for a bachelor apartment to move into. Nothing fancy, preferably in the East Coast as I work there for about s$1000. Not looking for it to be furnished or with a pool etc. Just a nice clean place. If anyone has any info please help. Are my expectations too unrealistic?
Thanks a lot.

[Addadude]

Unrealistic I'm afraid. You are looking at paying a minimum of $1500 for a 3-room (2-bedroom) HDB flat in the East Coast. A private apartment will be in the region of $2k plus.

Another alternative would be to rent a room in a flat share with other expats. Your $1000 will get you an okay room in aprivate apartment/condo.

[durain]

search the forum as this has been asked a few times recently.

[rhino6vx]

Unrealistic I'm afraid. You are looking at paying a minimum of $1500 for a 3-room (2-bedroom) HDB flat in the East Coast. A private apartment will be in the region of $2k plus.

Another alternative would be to rent a room in a flat share with other expats. Your $1000 will get you an okay room in aprivate apartment/condo.

Thanks for the reply. Is this because its the east coast? or in in general? Housing here seems to be crazy expensive....

[frenzal]

Unrealistic I'm afraid. You are looking at paying a minimum of $1500 for a 3-room (2-bedroom) HDB flat in the East Coast. A private apartment will be in the region of $2k plus.

Another alternative would be to rent a room in a flat share with other expats. Your $1000 will get you an okay room in aprivate apartment/condo.

lol? $1500 is too low. Looking at singapore roomsdb, you'd be looking for $1,000-$1,700 per month for a master room in Singapore (more for CBD)

[Addadude]

lol? $1500 is too low. Looking at singapore roomsdb, you'd be looking for $1,000-$1,700 per month for a master room in Singapore (more for CBD)

Nope. You CAN get a 3 room flat for $1500. i know of at least two people who have done just that recently.

[rhino6vx]

thanks guys all this is helpful...disheartning but helpful! So I guess the bachelor apt idea is out.....I dont want to spend more than a grand on the apartment right now. Any suggestions for a guy with a grand to spend on accomodation?? The only issue with the room is that I really would like to avoid sharing a bathroom and living with a land lord would not be far removed from living with parents (the way I see it at least). Room mates....havent really considered that....Any advise is appreciated!

thanks.

[frenzal]

lol? $1500 is too low. Looking at singapore roomsdb, you'd be looking for $1,000-$1,700 per month for a master room in Singapore (more for CBD)

Nope. You CAN get a 3 room flat for $1500. i know of at least two people who have done just that recently.

Were they expats or locals? That price seems like it'd be very rare, or in a bad area (e.g. construction noise, next to a community centre, airplane noise, run down, etc.). Although I'm not moving until next year, at present I really can't find a 'decent' master bedroom + attached bathroom in the area that I'm after (around ang mo kio and as far out as yishun, so not as nice as east coast) for under $1k.

[frenzal]

thanks guys all this is helpful...disheartning but helpful! So I guess the bachelor apt idea is out.....I dont want to spend more than a grand on the apartment right now. Any suggestions for a guy with a grand to spend on accomodation?? The only issue with the room is that I really would like to avoid sharing a bathroom and living with a land lord would not be far removed from living with parents (the way I see it at least). Room mates....havent really considered that....Any advise is appreciated!

thanks.

Yeah, the most common option in singpaore for ppl with similar accom. budgets to you (like me) is to share an apartment (flatmates, not room mates). You could find a master bedroom with an attached bathroom for your price range, depending on location.

http://singapore.roomsdb.net/display_offers.php is a good site to search for rooms. I think there's a field which tells you if you're living with the land lord or not.

[Addadude]

The people I know were both expats but have been in Singapore some time and know the ropes. ie. they bargained HARD. Their places were in Commonwealth and Pasir Ris and they rented them unfurnished.

To the OP, if you check ST classified every Saturday you will see flat sharing ads. Flat shares are actually quite a good idea if you are moving over here for the first time. if you click with your flat mates you have an instant social life!

[rhino6vx]

thanks....yeah this sounds like a better idea....any one know of the approximate price I should be paying for a master bedroom in the East Coast?

[frenzal]

thanks....yeah this sounds like a better idea....any one know of the approximate price I should be paying for a master bedroom in the East Coast?

It does really depend, though.

Furnished/unfurnished?
Close to the water or further away?
Close to the MRT?
Which suburb?
Closer to Changi?

etc, etc.

The people I know were both expats but have been in Singapore some time and know the ropes. ie. they bargained HARD. Their places were in Commonwealth and Pasir Ris and they rented them unfurnished.

To the OP, if you check ST classified every Saturday you will see flat sharing ads. Flat shares are actually quite a good idea if you are moving over here for the first time. if you click with your flat mates you have an instant social life!

I guess it makes more sense if it's unfurnished. I should prob use your friends to bargain for me and pay them an 'agent's fee' :p

[rhino6vx]

Absolutely basic I think. Unfurnished (Hooray for IKEA)/ Dont really mind the water but not necessary/ MRT, yes because I will not be driving...really basic...any ideas? Also can anyone tell me anything about the SHift plan?? is it true that you dont qualify if you are a single?? just when I though I caught a break!!!

Anways,
Thanks!

thanks....yeah this sounds like a better idea....any one know of the approximate price I should be paying for a master bedroom in the East Coast?

It does really depend, though.

Furnished/unfurnished?
Close to the water or further away?
Close to the MRT?
Which suburb?
Closer to Changi?

etc, etc.

The people I know were both expats but have been in Singapore some time and know the ropes. ie. they bargained HARD. Their places were in Commonwealth and Pasir Ris and they rented them unfurnished.

To the OP, if you check ST classified every Saturday you will see flat sharing ads. Flat shares are actually quite a good idea if you are moving over here for the first time. if you click with your flat mates you have an instant social life!

I guess it makes more sense if it's unfurnished. I should prob use your friends to bargain for me and pay them an 'agent's fee' :p

[sundaymorningstaple]

JTC's Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talent (SHiFT) can be rented by singles as well but from what I have been given to understand there is about an 18 waiting period for availabilities. The sole/single can only rent a 3 room flat (HDB)

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

To qualify for SHiFT:

* The main applicant must be at least 21 years of age; not an undischarge bankrupt; and do not own any local residential property.
* The main applicant must be an Employment Pass Holder* or a Permanent Resident* with a minimum fixed monthly income of S$2,500.
* The main applicant must be an employee of a registered business / company at the point of application (letter from the business / company will be required).
* Main applicant who is married and whose family is in Singapore must apply together with the spouse and children as a family unit.
* Sole / single applicant can only apply for a 3-room HDB flat.