condo with full facilities in fun part of city-help needed

[mamimal]

Hi all, looking to move to singapore - just myself and my wife & really want to live in OR close to the happening part of the city - close to a good restaurant and bar scene. Also close to public transport as well.

And of course want a condo with good facilities 2+1 or 3 bedroom condo - preferably modern.

Would this be easy to get at $5k-$6k a month?

Otherwise whats a good amount for something like this. Thanks all in advance!

I assume that house is biggest cost here (and car which I can not afford)

Anything else I need to really worry about for someone coming from North America?

[Girl_Next_Door]

With $5-6K as a budget, you have ample of choices. You can check out Robertson Quay area, whereby there are a good selection of restaurants/bars. At the same time, its within walking distance to Clarke Quay.

Do note that Singapore do not exactly have a "happening" bar scene compared to NYC, London, Tokyo & HK.

In fact, you can budget $4K for rental, and $2K for a fairly decent car (including loan installment, road tax, insurance, etc).

[mamimal]

a couple of comments

1) really wrt bar scene? I m not asking for NYC or HK but are there not a lot of fun bars to go out and enjoy an evening out?

2) $4k? That surpises me as cost seem a lot more expensive online? Places close to MRT with all facilities looks to be around $8k-9k?


Thnaks!

[Girl_Next_Door]

a) There are definitely bars around. Popular areas is boat quay (weekdays after work), clarke quay, robertson quay (more food & wine area), dempsey hill area (more food & wine area), holland village area and emerald hill area (pub food). There are random bars around the island as well but the bar scenes are the above.

For the above, you should look at properties around Raffles Place MRT, Clarke Quay MRT and Sommerset MRT. The rest of the areas mentioned above, is not within 5 minutes walking distance from an MRT. In any case, cabs are cheap in SG (of course, it also depends where you are coming from, but definitely cheaper than OZ & Europe).

b) You can pay $4K for a 3 bedroom but you can also pay $10K for a 3 bedroom. Everyone have their personal preference on what form an acceptable accommodation. If you do a search on condos between $3K - $5K, I am pretty sure you will be spoilt with choices. I have been looking at the rental rates and I noticed that some of the rents are coming down. Of course, a lot also depends on how strong is your negotiating skills.

Like everyone on this forum will recommend, use the 1 month stay in Serviced Apartment to find your "ideal" condo. Don't make an offer on the first thing you view, and don't believe everything the property agent say.

[aster]

Do note that Singapore do not exactly have a "happening" bar scene compared to NYC, London, Tokyo & HK.

Bar scene or club scene?

Because when it comes to bars I think Singapore does quite well, absolutely plenty of places to choose from, of all sorts too. Spoilt for choise we are.

Now I do enjoy the UK pub atmosphere more, but London will never give you such a choice of various places as Singapore IMO.

Dunno about Tokyo - never been. Where's the bar (not club) scene over there?

[aster]

Hi all, looking to move to singapore - just myself and my wife & really want to live in OR close to the happening part of the city - close to a good restaurant and bar scene. Also close to public transport as well.

I'd say Robertson Quay area. You'll have Clarke Quay MRT within a short stroll, and a 10-12 min walk to Dhoby Ghaut MRT. And you will definitely be in the "happening part" of the city with Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay all lined up. Easy to get home as well after drinking for hours as you can basically walk along the river on "autopilot"...

Best Supermarket in Singapore at Liang Court too IMO.

Three places that come to mind in the are are Fraser Suites Robertson Walk, Park Avenue Suites and Somerset Liang Court.

[mamimal]

Thanks guys for all the info thus far. What I am also looking for is a place equipped with good amount of facilities and I would prefer sleek/modern minimal style such as the Lincoln (from what I have seen online), except close to an mrt and with good facilities.


PS I always thought from reading online that orchard road are was the happening nightlife spot in the city??

[aster]

Orchard Road is more for shopping, and it's the prime "touristy" destination as well. It's not the happening place at night, unless you're into stuff like Orchard Towers...

Clarke Quay is also very "touristy", but it's where people go in the evening to party and have a good time. And right next to it is Robertson Quay, which is not targeted by tourists but rather by expats who flock there on evenings, especially at weekends.

If you're on a decent budget I would definitely prefer to live by the river than somewhere next to Orchard Road. Plus, Orchard Rd is a short stroll (15 mins) away anyway from Robertson Quay...

[mamimal]

Again thanks all for comments thus far.

clarification time.

I definitely do not want to be in the middle or shopping all the time. does this mean Orchard Road area is not woth living in?


I do want to be in an area that is cool/fun place to be - up and coming are for ages mid to late 30's - good amount of bars/pubs/restaurants/watering holes.

No need for clubs


so what I think I am hearing thus far is

Roberston quay area
Boat quay area
Clarke Quay
Holland Village area

Pls let me know if anywhere else as am coming for a look/see in the near future.

Also def want close to mrt. and if possible grocery etc

Remember a up and coming trendy spot is totaly great so long as it meets above.

Thanks thanks! and corresponding District #'s would also be of great help