Housing advice needed: moving from New Delhi to Singapore

[pronab]

Hi All,

My wife and I will be moving to Singapore in September third week. I am planning to rent a 2BHK apartment (anything above 600 sqft will work). Though I don't have a strict restriction on budget, I would prefer to look for something below SGD 2500/month in my first year.

My new office is at Raffles Place and don't mind 45mins to 1 hr MRT/Bus ride to office daily. Given we are a young couple, we would love to stay close to places with good nightlife.

I would love to get your advice on the following:
1) Which areas should I target for house hunting?
2) Any suggestions on housing units (HBD/Condominiums)?
3) Any suggestions on initial cost (advance rent and security, broakrage, etc.)?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Pronab

[zzm9980]

Hi All,

My wife and I will be moving to Singapore in September third week. I am planning to rent a 2BHK apartment (anything above 600 sqft will work). Though I don't have a strict restriction on budget, I would prefer to look for something below SGD 2500/month in my first year.

My new office is at Raffles Place and don't mind 45mins to 1 hr MRT/Bus ride to office daily. Given we are a young couple, we would love to stay close to places with good nightlife.

I would love to get your advice on the following:
1) Which areas should I target for house hunting?
2) Any suggestions on housing units (HBD/Condominiums)?
3) Any suggestions on initial cost (advance rent and security, broakrage, etc.)?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Pronab

Your budget will limit you to 3 Room (2Bedroom) HDBs. condos are out. Look at HDB Estates near MRT stations along the red or green line. You'll have an easier time meeting your budget looking west of Clementi on the Red Green line, or North of Yio Chu Kang on the Red line. You can probably find something closer, but they'll be longer walks to the train.

[zzm9980]

If you can up your budget another $500 a month, ask WD40 about his favorite condo in Singapore, Melville Park. I hear it is like India.

[Wd40]

If you can up your budget another $500 a month, ask WD40 about his favorite condo in Singapore, Melville Park. I hear it is like India.

From OP's post he doesnt sound like the typical Indian couple. He is asking about close to the nightlife, so Melville park is ruled out

I would suggest something in Toa Payoh/Novena. Rents are reasonable and it isnt too far from the city, where all the nightlife is.

[bloodhound123]

Melville park - yes a 'little india' within a gated community. I happened to vist that condo 2 years ago when I was looking for accommodation. Until then I did not know that it is a self contained little India. I did not even bother to view the apartment after the scene that I witnessed at the swimming pool within the complex. It was swamped by people with a few actual swimmers trying hard to carve out a lane to pursue their true interests with the rest just splashing around and doing nothing. Reminds me of the swimming pools maintained by the municipal corporations in India.
No offense to Melville Park residents. I am a regular and a serious swimmer and would not pay an extra buck for a condo experience in the name of Melville Park. For Indians who want to socialize and form a clan with other Indian families Melville Park is a great choice.

[Wd40]

You are also a different league from the typical Indians, from your posts so
far The majority of the Indians would give an arm and leg to get into Melville park if they could at the right rent

[bloodhound123]

Melville park - yes a 'little india' within a gated community. I happened to vist that condo 2 years ago when I was looking for accommodation. Until then I did not know that it is a self contained little India. I did not even bother to view the apartment after the scene that I witnessed at the swimming pool within the complex. It was swamped by people with a few actual swimmers trying hard to carve out a lane to pursue their true interests with the rest just splashing around and doing nothing. Reminds me of the swimming pools maintained by the municipal corporations in India.
No offense to Melville Park residents. I am a regular and a serious swimmer and would not pay an extra buck for a condo experience in the name of Melville Park. For Indians who want to socialize and form a clan with other Indian families Melville Park is a great choice.

You are also a different league from the typical Indians, from your posts so
far The majority of the Indians would give an arm and leg to get into Melville park if they could at the right rent

Yes I know My Indian PR friend fought real hard to buy an apartment in Melville Park. it's just not my cup of tea. I like to interact with people from different countries and like to learn about their culture, food and what their countries are upto. I have tried this with Singaporeans too but with little luck except for the cabbies. I invariably strike a conversation with the cabbies and pull them into a discussion and many of them seem open minded and very knowledgeable.
I am single and so do as I wish. May be the equations could undergo a change once my better half enters my life

[bloodhound123]

Hi All,

My wife and I will be moving to Singapore in September third week. I am planning to rent a 2BHK apartment (anything above 600 sqft will work). Though I don't have a strict restriction on budget, I would prefer to look for something below SGD 2500/month in my first year.

My new office is at Raffles Place and don't mind 45mins to 1 hr MRT/Bus ride to office daily. Given we are a young couple, we would love to stay close to places with good nightlife.

I would love to get your advice on the following:
1) Which areas should I target for house hunting?
2) Any suggestions on housing units (HBD/Condominiums)?
3) Any suggestions on initial cost (advance rent and security, broakrage,
etc.)?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Pronab

OP. As WD40 says Tao Payoh/Novena are the best to enjoy the nightlife without paying a bomb. You should be able to secure a 2 BHK HDB for 2.5/2.6 .
You might want to consider buona vista as well.

Condos in these areas would add ~$500 to these rentals.

1 month initial deposit, 1/2 month rent as brokerage fees for a 1 year contract and
2 months initial deposit and 1 month rent as brokerage fees for a 2 yr contract.

Brokerage fees is apparently negotiable ( which I didnt know until recently even thought I have been here for 3 yrs now ).
Monthly rent is paid at the start of every month.

[zzm9980]

I'm skeptical of HDBs at that price within a reasonable walking distance of Novena. But if you can find one, awesome. Toa Payoh, and north is an option, but you'll have better selection the farther north you go (and thus my original suggestion).