Young Aussie family relocating to Singapore - where to live?

[jpatokal]

I think our max budget will be $4000 per month but the relocation company is going to show us places $4000 - $6000 per month - will be interesting to see how this pans out.

My crystall ball says "badly". Tell them your absolute maximum rent limit is $3500, and then you'll get shown sub-$4000 condos...

I also have a question - what is the common lease on condo's because if you got something at a reasonable rent, when could they put the price up - is it generally a one year lease or longer?

Standard rental is one year, with a (near-meaningless) option to renew for one more year. Given the way rents are falling, some landlords might be amenable to two-year contracts though...

[littlegreenman]

My crystall ball says "badly". Tell them your absolute maximum rent limit is $3500, and then you'll get shown sub-$4000 condos...

Yeah good point. Tell them 80% of what you want to pay and you get shown what you actually want to pay.

[polarkitten]

Very interesting about the rental market and being shown places costing much more than you intend to spend. We will definitely keep that in mind in our reseaching

I certainly do appreciate all your replies, and any others who have time to offer their opinion.

Polarkitten x

[June Eleanna]

hi, not sure if you have found a place near amk.

just sharing with you, my cousin is living at a nice condominium-Grandeur 8- next to Ang Mo Kio mrt station.
The demographics of the residents are like your yourself. My cousin is in her thirties with 2 beautiful and active kids below 8.
So you may find a yourself a nice social community for your family!

Go check out Grandeur 8


quote="polarkitten"]Hi all,

This is my 1st post but I'm hoping you can help.

My husband has been posted to Singapore, working in the Ang Mo Kio district, and we will be moving there in a few months.

We are both early 30's with a 2 month old son.

We are wondering what districts we should be looking at for rental properties? My husband would like to be fairly close to work, and I'd like to be close to shopping malls. I have only been to Singapore once, so am not sure where is best.

We are very open to any suggestions you may have.

Thanks! [/quote]

[Nath21]

I just moved from Melbourne to Singapore with family including 3 month old baby and have spent the last four weeks looking for a property. First consideration for us is we dont want a car so that took out all the suburb areas with poor MRT access and my wifes prams will not fit on a bus. Second consideration was near a park, third was price. My range was upto $4.5k per month. from look that got me 3 bdr further out or 2 bedroom further in. We eneded up choosing Keppel at the Carribean which is close to water, sentosa island, parks, Vivo City, Mrt. etc. and got a 2 bdr place. Places I liked but couldnt afford were Clark Quay, river Valley.

Holland has poor MRT access and the pavement walking to the closest MRT was not good. East Coast was in the price range but not close to MRT (it does have a direct shuttle bus though).

[mychal]

hi everyone.. in terms of condo that are near to MRT, u might want to refer to my list as below for info :

1. Yio Chu kang mrt - Castle green, season park (both less than 10mins walk to MRT station)

2. Ang Mo Kio MRT - Grandeur 8

3. Bishan MRT - Bishan 8

4. Novena MRT - Novena suites, The Huntington, Newton suites

5. Newton MRT - Newton 18, Amaryills ville, Residences @ evelyn

6. Kovan MRT - Kovan melody

7. Serangoon MRT - Sunglades

8. Farrer Pk MRT - City Square

9. Harbourfront - Carribean

10. Raffles place MRT - Sail @ Marina (Sea view & also Formula 1 view for free if higher floor) rental is not cheap.. at least SG$3,500 for a 2 bed rm unit

this is just a sample list for ur info which are very near to MRT & all less than 10mins walk from/to the MRT stations..

do let me know which mrt station u looking at then i can let u know what are the good condo available..

most of the condos come with full facilities like swimming pool / bbq / car park / 24hr security / clubhouse etc..

hope this help ya..

MRT map for your reference, tk note that the circle line (certain stations), bukit timah line & eastern region line are not in operation yet :

[courtmesue]

We live in Serangoon gardens near the Australian school. We love it here as it is not far from Orchard or even downtown, but is away from the hubub and close to the kids' school. It is a a $5 cab ride to AMK, and the same to the Australian school. If you want to stay below $4000K, there are two condos with lots of Aussie's, one called The Chuan and one called GoldenHill Park condo, both of which have places around $4000K per month. With the cirlce line coming soon in 2010, you will also be a short MRT ride everyone.

[polarkitten]

Thanks for that fab info, Mychal.

Great, great stuff. We're generally looking around Novena and surrounds, so any other condo suggestions you have in that area would be great.

[jolonicc]

My wife and I just signed a deal for Novelis @ Novena. Grocery store, MRT and even a hospital within 2-3 blocks. We have two small dogs and the place has some decent green area on the property for us to allow the dogs some play time. She is 5 month pregnant so she is really looking forward to not living in a hotel again.

[Lulu Mee Lah]

Hi, I'm at Newton Gems (near Novena) which is a really friendly condo. Lots of Aussies (but not just Aussies). Lovely families. Good prices. Close to all the shopping malls. In terms of Grandeur 8 - it's a long way out and the walk from the station seems a long way. I think its a better lifestyle closer in. Good luck. After the fifth apartment block house hunting ceases to be fun!