arriving summer. Best month to view/ sign lease for good $

[TravelingCircusof5]

Hello, we will be relocating to Sg from Shanghai this summer. We will be bringing our 3 kids and will be interested in typical expat areas since we want the kids to live near kids from their school. We can start the lease in either June, July or August. I know that many expats come and go during this time period. What will that do to the rents? Should we come early Spring and try and choose one early or wait til the schools get out and expats have left?
Thanks.

[x9200]

Hello, we will be relocating to Sg from Shanghai this summer. We will be bringing our 3 kids and will be interested in typical expat areas since we want the kids to live near kids from their school. We can start the lease in either June, July or August. I know that many expats come and go during this time period. What will that do to the rents?

Nothing. It's a different rental market.

[durain]

and there's no one place designated for expat living only (dont even have it in zimbabwe anymore!). expats are everywhere on the island and kids can be near and far away from their schools.

[TravelingCircusof5]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. Allow me to clarify: While it may be true that there are no expat-only areas, it is also certainly true that there are areas where families with children at certain International Schools or certain nationalities tend to live in greater numbers than in other areas. This is what I was referring to. I don't know about Zimbabwe, but in Beijing and Shanghai these areas still exist too.

Well then, what about viewing availability? In Sg, do the show occupied apartments / houses or is only after residents have moved away?

[Girl_Next_Door]

Do you have a budget and which International School do you plan to put your kids in? Do you want your kids to be attending school for specific nationality? It might be easier to make a recommendation instead of posting a generic question.

Ref to: In Sg, do the show occupied apartments / houses or is only after residents have moved away?
It can happen both ways depending on the landlord (LL). Some LLs will want to find an immediate tenant upon the expiry of the current tenant. While some LLs cannot find a tenant, hence you might be viewing an empty unit.

[newRays]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. Allow me to clarify: While it may be true that there are no expat-only areas, it is also certainly true that there are areas where families with children at certain International Schools or certain nationalities tend to live in greater numbers than in other areas. This is what I was referring to. I don't know about Zimbabwe, but in Beijing and Shanghai these areas still exist too.

Well then, what about viewing availability? In Sg, do the show occupied apartments / houses or is only after residents have moved away?

Apart from what's already mentioned I would like to add

If you are looking to commence your lease in June 2011 you are way too early to start hunting now. If it's a good unit, no landlord will be willing to commit an agreement with you because for each month they don't rent out it adds on to their opportunity cost and expenses, according to the market standard here even 2 months are considered so (but from the tenant perspective hunting 2 months prior to your projected move in date is just nice)

While it may be true that there are no expat-only areas, it is also certainly true that there are areas where families with children at certain International Schools or certain nationalities tend to live in greater numbers than in other areas

Most of our houses here are catered to families, be it public housing or private condos. 3 bedrooms units are very popular here, top up a couple hundred to a grand more you can get a 4 bedder or penthouse. Here's a quick and brief breakdown on the rental:

public housing (less expat, no facilities): 3bdrms (5rm flats) - $2000plus on average

condos (more expats, facilities): 3bdrms - $3000 plus onwards. (age of condo + accessibility + type of facilities = variables)

hope this helps, good luck

-newRays

[x9200]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. Allow me to clarify: While it may be true that there are no expat-only areas, it is also certainly true that there are areas where families with children at certain International Schools or certain nationalities tend to live in greater numbers than in other areas.

Unless you are from the lower social class and coming from one of the SEA countries there are no local national communities of this sort. Singapore is a small island and what ppl usually do they decide on the living area location such way they can send/pickup children to/from school on the way to/from work. Majority of the schools has also bus services.

[Strong Eagle]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. Allow me to clarify: While it may be true that there are no expat-only areas, it is also certainly true that there are areas where families with children at certain International Schools or certain nationalities tend to live in greater numbers than in other areas.

Unless you are from the lower social class and coming from one of the SEA countries there are no local national communities of this sort. Singapore is a small island and what ppl usually do they decide on the living area location such way they can send/pickup children to/from school on the way to/from work. Majority of the schools has also bus services.

Except maybe for the "Woodlands Ghetto" where all the American SAS parents live... Singapore American School. The school is way off the beaten path... ie... home to work... so a lot of people congregate here.

[durain]

most schools will have a school bus service. i read a while ago someone from this forum had to get their kid ready at 6.30am in the morning to get the school bus!

so it is important to choose where your kids school is and where you gonna live!

[TravelingCircusof5]

[quote="newRays"] according to the market standard here even 2 months are considered so (but from the tenant perspective hunting 2 months prior to your projected move in date is just nice)
[quote]

Thanks. This is really what I was asking. So, 2 months is too early? (Yes, obviously NOW is too early to commit to a certain unit.) So, a good plan is to Not try and lease a place before arriving? I like lots a choices, especially since we need a 4 bedroom at least, so I don't want to be stuck with only what is available that week. That's what worries me. I know you all have managed it somehow. We have a wonderful house in Shanghai, and it is starting to look better and better.... I'd better go open the door and slap myself in the face with the pollution.

[durain]

your best bet is to come to singapore and check out the place, then do as much viewing as possible. you will get a better feel of the place and it's surrounding.

[TravelingCircusof5]

Actually, we have spent 6 separate week-long holidays there in the couple years, so while we are not 'locals', we are fairly familiar. Thanks for the kind suggestion however. It does make me think that maybe I could view some potential apartments next time I'm there, even if it is not quite time to choose one and sign a lease. My main objective is to not move the kids twice when we arrive, but if it must be done, it must.

[newRays]

according to the market standard here even 2 months are considered so (but from the tenant perspective hunting 2 months prior to your projected move in date is just nice)

...So, 2 months is too early?...

Nope, 2 months should be just nice for you. Use the 1st month to get a better market feel (unless you chance upon something you really would like to grab on the spot). By the 2nd month you should have a good sense of the market price and availability, and most important of all, your readiness to commit to your dream home

[cbavasi]

We are in the process of our 4th move within Singapore. My suggestion would be to look 6 weeks out. Most landlords will not sign a lease 2 months out - if they can fill a desirable unit earlier.

Start having a look online for your budget/size requirements. Also decide on what is important for your family - near transportation? playground? facilities? a condo? a house? near school? storage?

If you can move in June that would be best - b/c a lot of families with children will move out to be home in the summer - or get the kids settled into a new place. There will ALWAYS be apartments/houses available in Singapore - definitely no shortage - but what you consider desirable may not be available at the time.

I'm not sure what your budget it - but for us - we need to decide between old and bigger unit - or small and newer unit.... unfortunately with the smaller units that come with with all the bells and whistles they are missing storage!

I've also found in all of my moves here to get a list from my agent before - and really go through what they want to show me - b/c we've been here awhile I know exactly what buildings I want to look at and don't want to waste my time on things that are not suitable (or beyond budget). It's well worth it to source yourself too - there are often several units available in the same place and every one can be laid out or renovated differently on the inside. So if you find a condo/area you really like but the unit is horrible - make sure you inquire about others available.

Also, in re: to "expat" areas - even though expats live everywhere - there are areas I've found most of my children's friends/classmates live:

Orchard/Tanglin - more expensive - but can find older bigger units
Newton - apts all close together, transportation very accessible
Bukit Timah - best if you have a car for now while MRT finishing
Serangoon (mostly the Australian/French school kids)
East Coast - beach, close to CBD, schools have campuses out here (Canadian, UWC)

Hope this helps.

[TravelingCircusof5]

Thank you. That is very helpful information.