PhD student - Moving in Singapore

[evelyne]

Hello people!

I know, I know: this question has been asked already a thousand times! I did also "google" everything I could to help me have an idea on "where the hell i am going to live in singapore!?"

here you go: I will be starting my phD at NTU in september '09. my salary will be less than 3'000 USG. Thus I guess no more than 700USG for a room will be ok with me (i am not planning to have a car). Now, NTU is around Jurong West area. So I was wondering if I need to live near that area (which areas by the way) or the public transport is so efficient that living further is a possibility? what about the areas where you can party, go out and all? Another personal issue is that I hate living alone ^^ I will be over happy if I have at least 2 or more housemates, but well you probably cant help me out with that

what the hell is a condo?... =P I think that i will anyway come to singapore and then decide there. But I really want to have an idea first before going there ^^

sorry guys, but i will appreciate any help!

thanks for any tips!

Evelyne

[moto]

hi evelyne,

Why are you not applying for graduate student housing at NTU? The link is http://www.ntu.edu.sg/fpm/aboutus/sga/P ... fault.aspx

I suppose you can email the SGA staff and say you want to live with others, too. Perhaps they have some people in their database who are looking for housemates as well.

Staying on campus might be a bore (which it can be), but it is not like everyone's partying in the middle of the week. You can save some money by living in the university where food etc are cheaper, then you'll have more money to spend on weekends.

Jurong West is big. There are a couple of condominiums here as well. 700 for a room sounds reasonable; I think you are referring to USD as I dont know of a USG currency. For a better idea of real estate here (like "what is a condo"), just use the "search property" function at the upper right section of the page.

Public transport is efficient but remember the campus is already 15-20 minutes by bus from the nearest MRT station so if you need to be in the university every day and decide to live outside, that's already an hour of your time each day.

By the way, when do you arrive in Singapore? You might want to arrive a couple of weeks earlier so you can have more choices of where to stay. Otherwise, there's a mad rush of new arrivals as the semester's opening approaches.

Regards,

Moto

[evelyne]

eh thanks a lot Moto!

well I was afraid of that case specifically: campus too far from the city and boring during the week...lol So I guess I will try to live on the campus then (1h is just too much).

the problem is i will finish my Ms degree in september and then fly right away to singapore. Thus, I wont be able to come earlier to find a cosy place...I will have to stay in a cheap hotel i guess...

[hei guess what]

Well eve

Why not connect with fellow foreign students through the various groups available online such as the following:

INTERANTIONAL STUDENTS IN SINGAPORE 2008-09
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22192371452

Singapore Exchange Students Club
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2226636276

NTU International Students 09
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39532474132

Enjoy . . .

[playhere]

Hi there,

I visit NTU for some work often. Mm I guess... housing on campus is limited and mostly for foreigners for good reasons....

Student hostages in NTU are often in demand.. because student wanted the convenience of going to classes.. Yes, NTU is really off town area, but if you get used to the public transport routes, it isn't too bad. NTU campus is in fact far from excitements in town.. but it has a life of its own.. Students living in ntu have their own hang-outs, activities,..

If you wanted the privacy of having your own room, check with NTU to see if they have single rooms for students. NTU hostages are mostly shared.Boon Lay is the town next to NTU. If you want to rent a room, take a look there.

[vbelle]

hey there..


first option will be to try apply for student housing..as have been said
if you dont get one..you try websites like http://singapore.gumtree.sg/
they also post housing ad in the public folder of your NTU email (which obviously you cant access until you become a student)
I can help you later on when the time is near..
I would say that is better you live in Jurong West or Boon Lay..
as much as you will enjoy city life...i dont think you want to spend 2hours every day for commuting..especially since you are doing phd..which means you will spend almost..if not every day in the uni..

700SGD (not USD) is definitely more than you need to rent one room..unless you want a whole unit for yourself than its a different story..