Rental queries

Posssing · Post by **Posssing** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:24 pm

Been offered $2500 rental allowance which from looking on this site seems pretty low.

1. Am I right in thinking that it isn't possible to get something fairly decent for that? Not looking for luxury but I have two kids in tow - so will need at least 3 beds and 2 baths and I'd like a shared pool. Doesn't have to be close to the CBD - in fact my job will be well outside.

2. If not, how much do you think I'll have to dip into my salary to get the above? (I might need to re-evaluate whether I accept the job) and...

3. I'm used to living in houses. The last time I lived in a flat/apartment I was about 22 and I heard everything those above did (and I mean everything). Are Singapore condos as bad or do you get more privacy?

Thanks

durain · Post by **durain** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:31 pm

it is possible to get something decent for S$2500 further out from the city. if not, you can always top it up if you see something more expensive that you like, probably from S$500 to S$1000. high rise flat/apt is a way of life in singapore. it is just a small island and everyone need housing.

Posssing · Post by **Posssing** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:36 pm

durain wrote:it is possible to get something decent for S$2500 further out from the city. if not, you can always top it up if you see something more expensive that you like, probably from S$500 to S$1000. high rise flat/apt is a way of life in singapore. it is just a small island and everyone need housing.

Thanks for this. But from looking at this site $3500 seems the absolute minimum to pay - are the prices on here not quite the full story? (i.e. negotiation is possible and the condos on here are particularly expensive?)

aussiemeg · Post by **aussiemeg** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:37 pm

I am lucky enough to no live in a house and yes it is possible to get a terrace for low rates out of town BUT condo living is a way of life here. It sems to me that the kids love the amazing facilities even the most basic condo complexs have the socialisation.

Honestly it is not the norm to live in a house and many things are catered towards condo living rather than separate residences.

You probably will have to dip into your salary to get something you like though. Where are you coming from? Remember also that it is on 40 mins end to end so you can never be far away from anything

Hope this helps
Megan

durain · Post by **durain** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:45 pm

it is essential to go for viewing before you decide. you can look all you want on a property website but nothing beats viewing it in person. once you have a few viewing under your belt, you can make a better decision which one you will go for and how much you are willing to pay. there are lots and lots of properties dotted around singapore and they are pretty much unique to the development.

btw, this is singapore, so haggle for the price.

Posssing · Post by **Posssing** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:46 pm

aussiemeg wrote:I am lucky enough to no live in a house and yes it is possible to get a terrace for low rates out of town BUT condo living is a way of life here. It sems to me that the kids love the amazing facilities even the most basic condo complexs have the socialisation.

Honestly it is not the norm to live in a house and many things are catered towards condo living rather than separate residences.

You probably will have to dip into your salary to get something you like though. Where are you coming from? Remember also that it is on 40 mins end to end so you can never be far away from anything

Hope this helps
Megan

Australia!
Yes - looking forward to the socialisation bit for the kids.
By dipping do you agree between 500 and 1000?
And what about the other aspect - noisy living. Is it bad - neighbours-wise?

durain · Post by **durain** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 4:54 pm

Posssing wrote: And what about the other aspect - noisy living. Is it bad - neighbours-wise?

no difference to any other cities. condos are usually done in brick and not plaster board partition, so sound insulation is pretty good. dont think you will notice ron jeremy is your neighbour thru the walls.

aussiemeg · Post by **aussiemeg** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 5:03 pm

He he Durian. Are you just testing to see who knows who Ron Jeremy is.

The biggest problem re noise that I have consistently heard is local tenants on the weekend who have the extended family around and the kids stay up very very late. I have only heard this in complexes that are newish and have very little expat tenants. Although I am sure there are a plethora of horror stories if you hunt for them and also a lot of good tales too but they usually don't get told as often.

As you can tell I am from Aus too and so to be brutally honest most of my friends here are payig between 5000 and 10000 rent per month. There are some that pay a lot more but not many that pay less. Given room sizes are significantly smaller you may want to have a chat with your employer. Singapore is just wonderful to live and great for kids BUT maybe ask work for a change in the rental allowance as rents have gone up astronomically in the last few years and maybe they are using their old relocation analysis.

Where is the office and how old are the kids and what about school fees

Posssing · Post by **Posssing** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 5:03 pm

durain wrote:
Posssing wrote: And what about the other aspect - noisy living. Is it bad - neighbours-wise?
no difference to any other cities. condos are usually done in brick and not plaster board partition, so sound insulation is pretty good. dont think you will notice ron jeremy is your neighbour thru the walls.

Thanks for this and for the earlier response which I somehow missed.

Nice to know that I can haggle - we've lived in SE Asia before for quite an extended period and know Singapore reasonably well but I've never got involved in the Singapore condo scene. All bits of info are valuable!

Posssing · Post by **Posssing** » Sat, 13 Sep 2008 5:10 pm

aussiemeg wrote:He he Durian. Are you just testing to see who knows who Ron Jeremy is.

The biggest problem re noise that I have consistently heard is local tenants on the weekend who have the extended family around and the kids stay up very very late. I have only heard this in complexes that are newish and have very little expat tenants. Although I am sure there are a plethora of horror stories if you hunt for them and also a lot of good tales too but they usually don't get told as often.

As you can tell I am from Aus too and so to be brutally honest most of my friends here are payig between 5000 and 10000 rent per month. There are some that pay a lot more but not many that pay less. Given room sizes are significantly smaller you may want to have a chat with your employer. Singapore is just wonderful to live and great for kids BUT maybe ask work for a change in the rental allowance as rents have gone up astronomically in the last few years and maybe they are using their old relocation analysis.

Where is the office and how old are the kids and what about school fees

School fees are included. Office near Serangoon (bit nervous of giving too much away).

Jesus - 5000 to 10000 - that really is outrageous however you view it.
Hmmm - I don't want to rent a pit with my paltry allowance. I'd be pretty annoyed if I dragged the family over from a relatively comfortable existence to live in a flea infested, mould-covered apt. And to add another couple of grand from my salary would make it uneconomic.

I think I need to do a bit more thinking...

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