What area to live in Singapore?

[crelfma]

Hi everyone,

My husband just got accepted to business school (INSEAD) in Singapore and we're looking to move to Singapore from US the beginning of next year. I think INSEAD is located in Queenstown (?) near the National University of Singapore. We'll be on a budget and hoping to spend less than $S2000 a month on housing. What area should I be searching? We prefer the area to be close to school, MRT, and family friendly (we have a toddler). Please advise.

Thanks!

[x9200]

$2k is a pretty low budget. If you are looking for a condo then perhaps 3 or 2+1 in an older one somewhere to the West.
You should be able to get 2+1 HDB in Queenstown area.

Google: hdb rent

[revhappy]

Hi everyone,

My husband just got accepted to business school (INSEAD) in Singapore and we're looking to move to Singapore from US the beginning of next year. I think INSEAD is located in Queenstown (?) near the National University of Singapore. We'll be on a budget and hoping to spend less than $S2000 a month on housing. What area should I be searching? We prefer the area to be close to school, MRT, and family friendly (we have a toddler). Please advise.

Thanks!

Just curious, why did your husband choose a B-School in SG when the best B-Schools are in US?

For $2000 you would be looking at HDB flats only. Nothing wrong with them, in fact the only advantages of condo over HDB are the facilities like Gym, Swimming pool, BBQ etc and free car parking. But if you dont use these facilities then its better to stay in HDB. HDBs are normally closer to public transport, grocery stores and parks. While you are looking for flats make sure they are renovated or else you will be in for a shock, some of the HDB flats were built some 40-50 years ago and if they are not renovated they can look like 3rd world slum dwellings.

In terms of areas, make your self familiar with Singapore map. Queenstown is in the west and you should be looking at Redhill, Commonwealth, Holland Village Buona Vista, Tiong Bahru, tanjong pagar.

Cheers!

[crelfma]

Thanks for the info. We don't need anything real nice, so I think a HDB flat will be fine. Anyone knows a good agent?

revhappy - Yes, many of the top B-schools are in US, INSEAD is one of the top B-schools globally. My husband wants to focus on international business and management consulting, which INSEAD is probably the best in the world for that.

[kwy]

Hi Crelfma,
INSEAD is located in the Dover area and most of the students rent in one of two condos called Dover Parkview and Heritage View (walking distance). Both are great, you can take it from us as we have lived the INSEAD life and stayed in both Dover and Heritage View. There are also a smaller percentage of students who live further afield and commute, but you miss out on a lot of the action in that case.
In the months leading up to your move there will be a lot of activity on yahoo groups where you can chat to other students about to arrive. This is how you can line up flatmates to share with. In Dover and Heritage there would normally be 2 or 3 students sharing or up to 2 couples in any unit.
Both condos have great swimming pools and BBQ facilities where all the out of school sociallising takes place.
My advice is do not isolate yourself in a HDB or condo far away. Your husband will be working long and late on campus and you will be hanging out on campus a lot to. The social life for the partners and children is great.
Many partners who have quit jobs to hang out in Singapore find the transition hard so it helps to be around other partners and get involved in campus life.
In short, do not worry for now. Wait till later in the year and it will fall into place.
As most of the alum still tell us- Insead Singapore was the best days of their life. You are sure to love it too.

Cheers

[nisse]

I am going to INSEAD with my wife and toddler son as well this fall. Please email me. You can find my email under MBA connect "Patrik" as first name.

Thanks for the info. We don't need anything real nice, so I think a HDB flat will be fine. Anyone knows a good agent?

revhappy - Yes, many of the top B-schools are in US, INSEAD is one of the top B-schools globally. My husband wants to focus on international business and management consulting, which INSEAD is probably the best in the world for that.

[tutu26]

Hello,

We are a family of three ( husband, me and toddler) and we will be at INSEAD Singapore for the Jan 2011 intake too. Its nice to see a few people around who I will be meeting soon:) Do let me know if any of you have more inputs regarding housing. HDB apartments are ok with us too since there is a cost constraint. We are also open to sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with another family who is willing( if staying close to campus is going to be a lot better for my husband because of classes, team meetings etc). Waiting to hear back!

Thanks!

[taurus19]

Hello,

We are a family of three ( husband, me and toddler) and we will be at INSEAD Singapore for the Jan 2011 intake too. Its nice to see a few people around who I will be meeting soon:) Do let me know if any of you have more inputs regarding housing. HDB apartments are ok with us too since there is a cost constraint. We are also open to sharing a 3 bedroom apartment with another family who is willing( if staying close to campus is going to be a lot better for my husband because of classes, team meetings etc). Waiting to hear back!

Thanks!

hi tutu26

may i ask, where are your from?

[tutu26]

Hi Winnie,

Glad to hear from you!:) I am unable to PM you as I do not "qualify" by way of minimum posts. Can you email me at [email protected]? Look forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,

Tutu