Irish- Relocating to Singapore in 3 weeks- HELP!! :o)

[Irish]

Hi there,

Just wanted to pop a post up here to get a bit of advice on my move to Singapore and maybe meet a few good people/drinking buddies along the way.

I am moving out with work in three weeks from Ireland and the move has come a little out of the blue, hence my panic and need of help!! hehe...

I have been looking over this site and have got some great advice, but reall would like to know the best places to live for a professional in my mid 20's. I will be working in town, one george street and would like to be in walking distance. I have been looking at condos like the Sail @ Marina Bay, The Icon, The Beacon, would I be right to think that they are within easy reach of the cbd? I have heard Robertson Quay is a great place for young people, would you reccommen any properties there?

I am also interested to hear if you can use uk electronics in Singapore, It looks like they use the same type of plugs, power, etc... but just want to be sure before shipping everything over.

lastly, (before this turns into an essay), I am really keen to meet a few new mates around my age (mid 20's) as I think it will really help the settling in period. What are the best ways to go about this, or can you recommend anything that worked for you?

Cheers!
Irish

[jfd]

I will be moving soon too, so I am replying as a another person flying in real soon, but I have also been doing some research of places.

Certainly those with much more experience of Singapore can correct me, but these would be my thoughts.

My guess would be that you have not been to Singapore before? Or, if you have, you have forgotten how hot it is walking about outside, even in the morning before work. The Icon and The Beacon are not really comfortable walking distance to your work, whereas The Sail @ Marina Bay would be. Of course with the other 2 you could get the MRT for just 1 stop, and then be fine.

Emerald Gardens, The Soho @ Central, The Riverwalk Apartments, Empire Lofts and The People's Park Centre all look like being close enough to your work to reasonably walk.

As for how these places fit into your age group, and/or are around clubs, pubs and whatever, I have no idea!

Good luck with it all! Wish me the same!

[fii0nn]

honestly i think all these condominiums r not going to allow u to walk to work with the kind of weather n roads in sg.. d only apartment within reasonable walkin distance to your wrkplace would be the riverwalk apartment.. diff btw riverwalk n those dat u haf mentioned, i guess those u listed out r d newer n higher end ones..

maybe u shld decide if u wanna live in a more luxurious/nicer apartment or would u rather save up on d transportation?

well, this is my point of view.. hope it does help.

[Irish]

I honestly don't mind having to get the mrt as long as I dont have too much travel to do.

I would like to get somewhere modern with good amenities, and I am a bit of a sucker for my comforts which is probably the reason why I have gone for a few high end places.


Really, I would like a place with 2 bedrooms, good space and close to a bit of the fun and nightlife. Im not asking much hehehe!

[sierra2469alpha]

Irish...ok my two bobs worth (but what would I know!)

Choices of places to live within walking distance to where you are going to work will bring you a few issues:

1. get some time out from the work environment?
2. some of the places you are talking about are under construction and aren't really walking distance
3. the MRT is very functional here - one of the best in Asia
4. remember the further you go out in terms of high level places, the more your money will buy (and hopefully, if you are a smart girl/boy - the more money you will save - you HAVE looked at your tax situation haven't you?)
5. taxis are cheap, but going out (esp. knowing the Irish!!!!) like a drink or four, and you should adjust your budget accordingly.

I am sure you will find this site is great for all intel on finding accommodation and places to go, people to meet. You won't have a problem with that.

HTH, Mr. P

[sundaymorningstaple]

honestly i think all these condominiums r not going to allow u to walk to work with the kind of weather n roads in sg.. d only apartment within reasonable walkin distance to your wrkplace would be the riverwalk apartment.. diff btw riverwalk n those dat u haf mentioned, i guess those u listed out r d newer n higher end ones..

maybe u shld decide if u wanna live in a more luxurious/nicer apartment or would u rather save up on d transportation?

well, this is my point of view.. hope it does help.

It might help if you could write in some semblance of a language that normal people could understand. Without having to resort to a texting dictionary to figure out what you were trying to say unsuccessfully.

[mizzdivine]

Hi All,

Hope everyone's doing well. This is my first post here...yay!!

I am in the same situation as Irish. I will be moving to Singapore in 3 weeks and will be looking for an apartment as well.

I would really like to know what price range I would need to budget to live in a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment with close access to metro, restaurant/bars, and food stores.

Thank you so much!!

[snowqueen]

Hi,

Just wondering if your company is paying your rent or if you are paying for this yourself - what is your monthly budget for rent as the brand new inner city condos are quite expensive.

We went to view The Sail when we first got here and although the ameneties are great and it's central for work/transport links they wanted over $5000 for what they classed as a 2 bed apartment. It was actually a 1 bedded apartment with a frosted glass partitian door to make up a 2nd bedroom - absolute rip off! They did lower the rent to $4500 but we've now got a 3 bed condo on the east coast for $4500 and can easily get into the CBD within 45 mins by MRT or 20 mins by shuttle bus which picks up directly outside.

Singapore is really small so you can get from one side to other really easily and taxis really are cheap as chips.

[nassaugirl]

I would take a temporary apartment here and spend some time looking at the different options before deciding.

We looked at the Sail and not only were the places tiny but the noise from the surrounding construction was deafening. In fact, I looked out the window and thought, hey I don't think I've ever seen so many cranes in the one place before...

We ended up getting something fairly central with a 1 year lease. This might be an idea for you as well. That way you'll have a year to figure out where you want to live longer term. Right now the property market is soft so haggle!

[Asian_Geekette]

Hi Irish,

If you really want to walk to One George Street, try looking at Empire Lofts. I'm currently staying here and I just walk over to One George for my gym classes.

Better get a one year lease because it seems that with a lot of new private places opening up for rentals and more expats moving out, there's going to be more choices and better prices for tenants.

Good luck with your move! Let me know if you have other questions about the vicinity of One George Street.

Cheers (from someone who has been MIA from this website for more than a year),
A_G

[Singleton]

Hey I am moving in 2 weeks and will be working in the CBD also. I am of irish decent, mid 20's and keen to find someone not from work to have a drink with and maybe some decent banter.

[blue_thunder]

Hey I am moving in 2 weeks and will be working in the CBD also. I am of irish decent, mid 20's and keen to find someone not from work to have a drink with and maybe some decent banter.

Welcome to SG.
I m sure that I wont be from your workplace..cos most of them in my co are locals/japanese..
I stay of the east coast, mid 20's , male..pm me if you would like to catch up for the drink after u get settled down..


Cheers.
VK

[Pint]

Hi all hope all going well in singapore its mayhem back in Ireland...stay there!

Did you lot get sorted out for apartments or still in the hunt?

I should be over again in Singapore end of next week to take possession of a new investment apartment in Vertis - a beauty. I'm happy to give guided tours!

Other than that would be interested to hear what is happening on the Irish social scene over the next 2 weeks in singsing..?