how much should i ask for housing allowance

franklinfox · Post by **franklinfox** » Mon, 22 Jun 2009 8:27 pm

hi, just negotiating a move to singapore -part of my package will be a housing alowance, i have 3 children so need a 3 bed condo/apartment poss with use of a pool -not fussed about closeness to centre just close to mrt will be fine - how much should i budget for broadly speaking ?? -this is my forst posting abroad so am a little daunted about getting it wrong and ending up in a not nice place ! any help would be greatly appreciated

Zeenit · Post by **Zeenit** » Mon, 22 Jun 2009 9:11 pm

You can get a decent condo with swimming pool and gym etc for $4k.

franklinfox · Post by **franklinfox** » Mon, 22 Jun 2009 9:15 pm

thanks zeenit, would you know what sort of deposit is normally required as in uk its 3 months rental up front etc -im just trying to work out my budget etc !

durain · Post by **durain** » Mon, 22 Jun 2009 9:33 pm

2 months deposit for a 2 years contract and 1 month deposit for a 1 year contract.

Nath21 · Post by **Nath21** » Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:07 pm

I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Tue, 23 Jun 2009 1:28 pm

Nath21 wrote:I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.

There are plenty of decent 3 bed condos, close to MRT/Bus for $4k and even less

AndyD · Post by **AndyD** » Tue, 23 Jun 2009 1:35 pm

East Coast, I just got a nice 3 bed condo with full facilities for 3.3K… It’s a bit out from the city mind – but that’s where my work is so perfect for me, plus it gets me and my family away from the dreaded malls...

franklinfox · Post by **franklinfox** » Tue, 23 Jun 2009 3:37 pm

thanks for the info -much appreciated -guess i'll have to got to work on that alowance !

Nath21 · Post by **Nath21** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 3:55 pm

Saint wrote:
Nath21 wrote:I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.
There are plenty of decent 3 bed condos, close to MRT/Bus for $4k and even less

Are they 30-45 mins away from the city or government housing? If they are closer and not HGB I would love you to point some out I will try and swap leases! The thing about expats and family's is they will expect a certain standard of housing and furniture which the level your suggesting will not fit their requirements therefore I think its slightly misleading to say yes thats enough when I have looked extensiving over the last two months at the level and it aint there. I no tastes will differ but I upon discussion with all the expat family at my work or friends that level is not going to provide them what they want.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 4:33 pm

Nath21 wrote:
Saint wrote:
Nath21 wrote:I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.
There are plenty of decent 3 bed condos, close to MRT/Bus for $4k and even less
Are they 30-45 mins away from the city or government housing? If they are closer and not HGB I would love you to point some out I will try and swap leases! The thing about expats and family's is they will expect a certain standard of housing and furniture which the level your suggesting will not fit their requirements therefore I think its slightly misleading to say yes thats enough when I have looked extensiving over the last two months at the level and it aint there. I no tastes will differ but I upon discussion with all the expat family at my work or friends that level is not going to provide them what they want.

The Bayshore, Bayshore Park, Villa Marina, Costa Del Sol, Mandarin Gardens, Landbay, Casafina etc, even where I stay.

As you say, it depends what your expectations are but all these are perfectly decent places. To say you can only get 2 bed for $5k is rather rash and misleading to be honest.

Addadude · Post by **Addadude** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 4:48 pm

Franklinfox, depending on the ages of your kids, what may be more important for your allowances could be schooling. Expatriate schools here are NOT cheap. And honestly, $3k and above per month should get you a perfectly nice place.

ScoobyDoes · Post by **ScoobyDoes** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 5:37 pm

Nath21 wrote:
Saint wrote:
Nath21 wrote:I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.
There are plenty of decent 3 bed condos, close to MRT/Bus for $4k and even less
Are they 30-45 mins away from the city or government housing? If they are closer and not HGB I would love you to point some out I will try and swap leases! The thing about expats and family's is they will expect a certain standard of housing and furniture which the level your suggesting will not fit their requirements therefore I think its slightly misleading to say yes thats enough when I have looked extensiving over the last two months at the level and it aint there. I no tastes will differ but I upon discussion with all the expat family at my work or friends that level is not going to provide them what they want.

I am a 2-min walk away from MRT and Bus Interchange, bus taking 30-40min to Orchard, in a nice 5-yr old condo with three pools, tennis courts, BBQ and blah, blah, blah.

4-Bedrooms...... S$3000/month and 10-months left on my lease.

jolonicc · Post by **jolonicc** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 7:04 pm

Nath21 wrote:I just moved here and found a $5k 2 bedroom apartment. $4k for three bedrooms sounds very cheap. If you check out this site - condos close to MRT you will find very little that is not 30-45 minutes away from town that is $4k for a three bedroom unless its a governemnt housing. On the allowance get as much as you can get. I could only get a partial allowance but it still helps greatly. I would suggest asking for $4-5k at least and see where you get from that.

You didnt look hard enough.

I got a 2.5 + 1(bomb shelter) for 3300 in Novena.

I had gotten it to 3000, but i wanted some additional items like a bed in the master, washer/dryer, fridge and convection oven.

sierra2469alpha · Post by **sierra2469alpha** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 7:39 pm

$5K for a 2 BR - but you love slagging people off here??!!!

What the ??

Nath21, get a grip, have a nice rest. You got ripped buddy. You started to give some good ideas in these parts but you're sorely lacking in quality of posts - especially after this one!

Rule #1 - stick to what you know. A simple "I don't know" usually works here. In other words, don't advise on what you don't know.

When we knew we were moving here we ASKED questions, sought advice, and now we try to give it back. We give back by spending time looking at each individual question rather than shooting from the hip. That's why this board is good. The regulars stay - the fly-by-nighters go.

I do hope you'll become a good regular.

Mr. P

cbavasi · Post by **cbavasi** » Thu, 25 Jun 2009 8:54 pm

To Nath21's defense - I don't think he is that far off in terms of the expectations for a lot of expats. Who knows what type of accommodation they are living in now - plus with 3 kids there are other things to factor - schools, transport, activities...etc. There are definitely deals out there - you just have to look at a lot of places and don't get discouraged when they show you a lot of garbage and then throw in a place out of your budget knowing you will like it.

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how much should i ask for housing allowance

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