Relocating to Singapore - where to live?

[Fukuyama123]

I will be relocating to Singapore from Hong Kong in early June. My office is somewhere near Raffles Place.

I'm a single female and don't have much idea about Singapore. Any suggested neighborhood to live in?

1. around 30 minutes commute
2. budget is around S$2 - 2.5K
3. close to MRT

Also, what's the difference between a HDB apartment and a condo? Looks like HDB apartments are a lot cheaper.

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance!

[pochari]

I would look at the area between the yellow MRTs Botanic Gardens, Holland Vilage and the red MRTs Orchard Rd, Newton.
Look in the square between those 4 MRT stations.

It's close to Raffles by MRT (even the bus is very convenient). The area is safe, multicultural with lots of little places to eat and get drinks. Of course this describes almost all of Singapore, but maybe in the beginning, if you don't know your way around, go there. It's a good starting point

Once here, you'll start seeing what suits you better. People change places constantly.

HDB is public housing (VERY safe, unlike Europe or the US). condos may offer a pool and usually other stuff like guards, tennis/squash courts, gym. You can chose either one, you'll be fine. But look at both if you can.

[zzm9980]

Unless you're looking for roommates, your budget will not get you a condo in the areas mentioned. It probably won't get you a condo nearly anywhere within walking distance of an MRT station.

[Fukuyama123]

Thank you very much for the advices. Appreciate it!

[zzm9980]

Actually, let me amend reply.

I do know someone who recently rented a condo in City Plaza right next to Paya Lebar MRT for a small amount more than your budget. So it might be doable if you look really hard.

[Norfa]

Hi, I would like to know a few things from expats renting out a HDB flat.

What do you prefer in the house?

Do you need the house to be furnished or empty?

My house is 5 room executive. Very spacious, 4 rooms, 1 hall and 1 dining room.

Do you all bring your whole family here or just you and your partner?

I need information because we are leaving Singapore soon in about 3 months before renting it out to people.

Thank you!

[zzm9980]

Hi, I would like to know a few things from expats renting out a HDB flat.

What do you prefer in the house?

Do you need the house to be furnished or empty?

My house is 5 room executive. Very spacious, 4 rooms, 1 hall and 1 dining room.

Do you all bring your whole family here or just you and your partner?

I need information because we are leaving Singapore soon in about 3 months before renting it out to people.

Thank you!

For me, I rent an HDB:

1) For me the only reason I chose HDB was location.

2) My unit was almost completely unfurnished, and then the landlord bought what I requested. This was ideal, as I don't want someone else's tacky furniture.

3) Generally family.

How recently has your interior been re-done? Some HDBs have modern interiors, others look like original 80s interior. Western Expats will be particularly picky about the kitchen and bathrooms, as the ones in Singapore are generally as nice as those they're used to. So if you can freshen either up, that will go a long way.

[napsus]

Hi,

my first post here, looking for help with condos.

My gf and I are moving to Singapore in September. I have been trying to browse through the condos. It seems rather pricey, but S$3k still fits in our budget.

She will start her PhD studies at NUS and I would be staying with her as a visitor, so location close to NUS campus is preferable.

Are these types of condos (links below) our only option or is there something else? I checked HDB but we are not eligible since we are Europeans.

Are these types of condos frequently available, or should we except trouble finding a condo? They seem to be priced between S$2.5-3.1k

Many thanks for your help.

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... egency.htm

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... s-view.htm

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... e-park.htm

[Nailah]

I will be relocating to Singapore from Hong Kong in early June. My office is somewhere near Raffles Place.

I'm a single female and don't have much idea about Singapore. Any suggested neighborhood to live in?

1. around 30 minutes commute
2. budget is around S$2 - 2.5K
3. close to MRT

Also, what's the difference between a HDB apartment and a condo? Looks like HDB apartments are a lot cheaper.

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks in advance!

2.5K can get you decent places. 30 mins is enough to travel about half of Singapore by MRT.

I work in Raffles Place too. My advice: Pick a home along the RED and GREEN line so that you'll get to work DIRECTLY via Raffles Place MRT. Singapore mornings can get VERY HOT, and the trains are extremely crowded... Changing trains during the morning rush hour is a nightmare. You may end up feeling TOO exhausted to start any work when you get to the office.

[napsus]

...and furthermore, can my gf and I rent HDB flats from Singaporeans? I'm a bit lost here...
we are looking to stay 3-4 years, so could sign up for a longterm lease when i find the right flat.

[nakatago]

Yes.

Theoretically, yes, but bloody agents would suddenly say "owners need to sell the flat" waaaay before the lease ends. Throw a dice. Normal is one to two years, agent will convince you to go for two, with an option to renew. If you're unlucky, the owner will suddenly "need to sell the flat" partway through your lease.

Fortunately, you can rent a flat without dealing with agents

[napsus]

thanks!

something like this would be perfect for us http://singapore.roomsdb.net/display_de ... _id=165051

i don't mind taking the risk of having to move, if i can stay in HDB flat for almost half the price.

for the "owner needs to sell", is that like a coinflip or do you need to get really unlucky for that to happen?
and what does it usually depend on that they suddenly wanna sell? bad tenants somehow or he wants higher rent or what is it?

[the lynx]

You can still rent HDB rooms and since you mentioned NUS, renting from Dover, Buona Vista and Clementi will be your best best. In fact it is popular among NUS students to rent around that area.

HDB restrictions only apply if you are renting short-term without valid residential pass (probably those are the ones you mistakenly looked at). So don't worry, your GF is eligible to rent a HDB room as she will have her student pass to do so. But what about you?

And those condos you looked at (Hillview Regency, Hume Park) are terribly inconvenient and far from NUS area. These are located at Hillview area (east of Bukit Batok) and transportation is limited for now (until the new Downtown line is completed).

Nak is sharing his 'bad agents' story. So it is a hit-and-miss, so it's just bad luck if you come across bad agents. Make sure you read the tenancy agreement (TA) carefully to prevent the agents (or landlords) from using it against you. Better still, go without agent and look for landlords directly yourself.

[sundaymorningstaple]

napsus,

One thing comes to mind. What type of pass will you be on? As your gf will be on a student's pass, there is no way you will get a dependent's pass OR LTVP sponsored by a Student. This will mean, you will only be here on an SVP and therefore cannot stay in a HDB flat at all as you will not have a valid residency permit. You might want to rethink your scenario as at the moment, I seen trouble on the horizon. Especially if you plan on gambling for a living as well.

[the lynx]

napsus,

One thing comes to mind. What type of pass will you be on? As your gf will be on a student's pass, there is no way you will get a dependent's pass OR LTVP sponsored by a Student. This will mean, you will only be here on an SVP and therefore cannot stay in a HDB flat at all as you will not have a valid residency permit. You might want to rethink your scenario as at the moment, I seen trouble on the horizon. Especially if you plan on gambling for a living as well.

Really? I thought he was really joking when he said he's gonna play poker for living