which condo area should i rent?

wnyw · Post by **wnyw** » Thu, 30 Apr 2009 7:10 pm

Hi all, just moved into SG couple of month ago and now staying with a cousin...

I'm now looking for a 3 bedroom condo about 1500 sq ft. Don't have budget for those at distric 9-11 or east coast as I'm not on expat package. Any other good-class area which you can recommend?

As I have 2 kids, I hope to find family friendly area and safe.

chixchix · Post by **chixchix** » Fri, 01 May 2009 10:04 pm

I suppose you have an area in mind. I mean like which part of Singapore are you looking at ?

AngMoKio · Post by **AngMoKio** » Sun, 03 May 2009 1:54 am

As far as I can tell there are no unsafe areas. Might want to avoid Geylang however (and a few other small areas.) Not for the danger, more for the hassle

Family friendly is in the eye of the beholder... I would look at proximity to the schools I wanted and proximity to work. Nothing beats living on the train/bus line right to work IMHO.

Ingram · Post by **Ingram** » Mon, 04 May 2009 11:57 am

that's right. small as Singapore is, convenience is something you should consider as well.

JoeyLucius · Post by **JoeyLucius** » Mon, 04 May 2009 3:24 pm

i think tanah merah area is good

wnyw · Post by **wnyw** » Mon, 04 May 2009 3:46 pm

I don't really have an area that I can think of though I was thinking of Pasir Panjang area cos there's the International School that i think of enrolling my kid into.

Which area that you'd consider convenient?

Trying to narrow down to some recommended/popular town.

What's your view on staying at area where there are a lot of locals / heartlanders?

AngMoKio · Post by **AngMoKio** » Mon, 04 May 2009 6:02 pm

I may not be the typical expat on this board, but I would personally prefer to be in the heartlands. Better food, cheaper, community centers....

Its kind of hard to avoid the heartlands here however, so unless you are in some very specific areas, you will probably not be that far from them.

Tammy138 · Post by **Tammy138** » Tue, 05 May 2009 3:54 am

Sorry to be ignorant...but is district 1 to 8 more local and cheaper?

Addadude · Post by **Addadude** » Tue, 05 May 2009 12:04 pm

Tammy, the "Search For property" section of this website gives a complete breakdown of what and where are the various districts. Go to http://www.singaporeexpats.com/housing- ... operty.htm and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Referring to somewhere as more local and cheaper is confusing. EVERYWHERE in Singapore is local. There are no exclusively (or even mostly) expat districts.

If I had to say which areas would be cheapest, I would say the outer-lying districts of Tampines, Pasir Ris, Jurong, Woodlands, Bukit Batok, Yishun and so on. Notice that I am not referring to District numbers here as the numbering system is not really all that helpful. These district numbers used to refer to postal codes here but are no longer used as parts of addresses.

bluebucket · Post by **bluebucket** » Tue, 05 May 2009 4:25 pm

.....not sure what sort of lifestyle you're looking at but I've lived here (Thomson - Bishan) for the past year and a half and have no intention of moving away.

It's 20 mins away from Orchard (where I work), 10 mins away to a few good International Schools and perfect for walks, bike rides and picnics at MacRitchies, Pierce reservoirs and the Bishan Park...

wnyw · Post by **wnyw** » Tue, 05 May 2009 4:58 pm

I've heard and researched quite a bit on Bishan, seems mid range... an area I'm considering, but notice not many International School nearby except in braddel area.

No offence to the heartlanders here, but i do feel some cultural difference in terms of language, lifestyle, hygiene, etc. Feel not totally at ease, so feel more comfortable if i can find an area where I can socialise with more expats who can share with me their life experience in SG more, identifying some possible similar situation that i would be experiencing living in a new country...

kelsen83 · Post by **kelsen83** » Wed, 06 May 2009 10:56 am

East Coast area is nice- loadsa yummy food!! Or Bayshore. The latter is v popular among expats and there's a shuttle service to City Hall, if i'm not mistaken.

bluebucket · Post by **bluebucket** » Wed, 06 May 2009 12:56 pm

wnyw wrote:I've heard and researched quite a bit on Bishan, seems mid range... an area I'm considering, but notice not many International School nearby except in braddel area.

No offence to the heartlanders here, but i do feel some cultural difference in terms of language, lifestyle, hygiene, etc. Feel not totally at ease, so feel more comfortable if i can find an area where I can socialise with more expats who can share with me their life experience in SG more, identifying some possible similar situation that i would be experiencing living in a new country...

Ah well - I would think that Thomson area has a pretty strong expat crowd but then again, it depends on the definition of 'expat'.
Not sure which school you have in mind but I do know that the Australian International & St Josephs Institution International are very close.

If districts 8-11 and the east cost are out of your budget, you could look at the west coast, pasir ris, tampines etc which could also work for you. (and I think the rentals there are sometimes lower than the Thomson area as well)
Good luck with your search!

wnyw · Post by **wnyw** » Thu, 07 May 2009 10:45 am

Thanks all for your advice...

Saw a unit at Flora Rd near Pasir Ris 4 bedroom coming 2000sq ft. At $3500 per month. Do u think this is good deal? heard rental rate should be lower now since the economic crisis... Prefer the braddel area though, still hoping to find a unit in bishan, thomson area..

Goh Li Hsing · Post by **Goh Li Hsing** » Thu, 21 May 2009 11:48 am

Hi wnyw!

It will be wiser to factor in your lifestyle, likes and dislikes rather than the focusing on the rent.

A $3500 for 2000sqft may look like a good bargain but if you are out from home most of the time then I don't think you'll be enjoying the space. Another thing to consider will be location. Pasir Ris will be brilliant for people who loves the beach, however it can be annoying for those who doesn't like the "sticky" sensation everyday (due to costal winds).

Look at the value not the price

Hope it helps

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which condo area should i rent?

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