how much should i ask for housing allowance

[Nath21]

$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

I wasnt slagging anyone off. I just thought it wasnt good advice without some evidence which the Saint then provided and I checked a couple and they are near the airport a bit away from town, have a shuttle bus to the MRT because they are 1.5km away. As an example Cost Del sol had 3 brns ranging from 3.5-4.8k.

Your the one looking for a fight and shooting frrom the hip. If I was negotiating an allowance I would want some good advice. I got told there was heaps of apartments close to MRT for that price when I arrived and I went and visted over 20 in that price range and some were dumps and some were not what I would expect a young expat family would want (they reminded me of university days), so I was trying to be helpful and they included some that the saint mentioned although some mentioned I visited were good also.

Prices have dropped and continue to so 3-4k might be realistic when I looked last June the one I chose was $7k and Im sure many other place were similarly priced. Many expats also get maids also (although Im not a fan) and that requires another room.

I didnt get ripped i chose the best family condo as advised by this site. Then price can avary whether you get direct sunlight (which many people on this site complain about), have a breeze, the standard to which they are furnished and many other factors. For instance som 2 bdrm in my condo went for $4k but they were the worst of the bunch. Other "Family condos recommended by this site include:

Caribbean @ Keppel Bay Location;
Costa Rhu Location:
Cote D'Azur Location:
Draycott 8 Location:
Duchess Crest Location:
Glentrees Location:
Pebble Bay Location:
Regency Park Location:
Savannah Condo Park Location:
Spring Grove Location:
The Shaughnessy Location:
The Teneriffe Location:
Twin Regency Location:
Valley Park Location:
River Valley Road,
Water Place Location:

I would suggest checking out the prices for three bedrooms in these place compare the ones the saint mentioned and make an informed decision.

Also im sure the person I replied to is a big enough to enagage in discussion they dont need you popping if for your two pence worth just because you have an issue with me. As a "regular" you should be able to offer some advice? What did you pay, what were your experiences?

Follow your own rules and add some value to the conversation - play the ball not the man is an australian term you should choose to learn.

[Zeenit]

I did alot of homework via this forum and websites and found a NEW 3+ 1
all new and high end lounge and diningroom furniture., including a plamsa tv. We 2 mins from MRT and 8 mins into the CBD. All for $4k

I knew what I wanted and what I wanted to pay. We had two agents and one was the low life that I was warned of. He said that there was nothing in our price range but way out of town and also showed us places that was DIRTY and I would not keep an animal in it. Then showed us a last one and surprise surprise it was new and clean. he wanted us to sign there and then before we loose it but $1k more.
But we had another agent and he had none of that dirty tricks.
So we got what we wanted in an area that was suitable for my husband and me. For the price I knew was not overpriced.

It paid to do my research. And that was last August.
So with that in mind I quoted $4k believing that with the climate it is a very real price.

[cbavasi]

The renter also has to factor in size. Yes, it's definitely possible to find a new place for a decent budget but it may not be the appropriate size for a large family who is not used to living in city dwellings. Definitely pays to do the research - ask questions about certain condos and even within the condo building itself the difference in each unit can be staggering!

[franklinfox]

thanks all for the helpful advice ! i guess its time to work out schooling costs next !

[notsogoodman]

I did alot of homework via this forum and websites and found a NEW 3+ 1
all new and high end lounge and diningroom furniture., including a plamsa tv. We 2 mins from MRT and 8 mins into the CBD. All for $4k

I knew what I wanted and what I wanted to pay. We had two agents and one was the low life that I was warned of. He said that there was nothing in our price range but way out of town and also showed us places that was DIRTY and I would not keep an animal in it. Then showed us a last one and surprise surprise it was new and clean. he wanted us to sign there and then before we loose it but $1k more.
But we had another agent and he had none of that dirty tricks.
So we got what we wanted in an area that was suitable for my husband and me. For the price I knew was not overpriced.

It paid to do my research. And that was last August.
So with that in mind I quoted $4k believing that with the climate it is a very real price.

let me guess, u found a place at Citysquare?