Singapore Expats

Hi all!

I'm planning to relocate to Singapore (hopefully) this October and I have started to research the accomedations options over there. I want to consult with renting experts so that I know what to expect when I get deep in reseaching.

Here are my search criteria:

1. Location:
Basically, I'll work in Broadcom which is located in Woodlands. To my knoweldge Woodland is in the northern part of Singapore. Ideally, I'd like to live within a walking distance to my workplace (1mile is the average walking distance for me) or a couple of MRT stations at most. I also like it to be close to the basic services (supermarkets, food places and banks.)

2. Size:
Since I'm moving in alone without a lot of stuff, I'd rahter have a small half-furnished place with all the aminites included. It will be easier for me to clean and maintain. I don't mind sharing a flat with someone as well.

3. Price:
I'm aiming for $600-$800 a month, inclusive. Of course since I don't have any experiance so I don't know if this is a resonable price or not. What is important for me is to have a six month lease. I don't want to be tied to that place for a long time since I might be relocated again with a year or so.

Any advice on where to look will be really appreciated. Also, I want to know if my timing (end of October / begining of Novemeber) is considered a good session for finding a rental.

Your budget is very much on the low side, but fortunately Woodlands is one of the cheaper places to live in Singapore if you're happy with HDB apartments or flat-sharing.

For more detailed advice, you'll want to contact the guys who run this board:
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... rvices.htm

A tent, might do the trick!

Matney wrote:A tent, might do the trick!

Doesn't sound very practical to me!!

In that case what would be a reasonable budget for my requirements. Again, I'm not looking for something spacious. The largest I'd be looking at is a one bedroom + one living room.

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

This what I'm actually looking in to, I'd prefer to share a place with one or two persons.

In general, is it easy to find a place like what I specified. My company will accomedate me for the first 4 weeks of my stay. So will that be enough to find a place to rent.

joeyatsingapore wrote:

Hi - based on your budget I think you would need to share a place but there are definitely some rooms available within your budget. If you want to rent a place on your own you would probably need to increase it to 1,500-2,000 for a small apartment...best of luck

This what I'm actually looking in to, I'd prefer to share a place with one or two persons.

In general, is it easy to find a place like what I specified. My company will accomedate me for the first 4 weeks of my stay. So will that be enough to find a place to rent.

<b> Even though rents are going up, I can almost guarantee you can get a reasonable sized apartment for 800 a month.
I have a very large 3 bedroom private, half furnished apartment in a block of 3 in private grounds with security for 800 a month on the east side, and the apartment next door had been empty 3 years, because they were asking for 1,200 a month, and it was really worth that much, newly decorated, new kitchen ect, but hey, 300$ is 300$. anyway, it went last week for 1000 a month.

There are loads of cheap apartments, but if your looking at a condo with pool and facilities, then the minimum is 1,400 upwards.

There are quite a few on this forum that talk utter bullshit, and live in another world, simply because they believe they are superior to others. a little like the british class system, there are biggots around, just ignore there wise cracks! and to be truethful how the hell would these high flyers, paying 2000$ a month rent and up, ever have a clue what goes on at ground zero, they are pampered with perks! But seem to forget that their companies are still using them, for their own benefits.

Now i think that, is where the class gets seperated, there's those that can make it alone, and those that can't!

I'm sure the tent issue was just a little sarcastic jibe, about your 800$ for rent, to make Matney feel better and justified for spending what she does on rent! but hey there are suckers in every walks of life.

Whew ksl, strong reply you have there...

But many thanks, I'm just hoping to find a cheap place easily within the first two or three weeks of my stay. Glad to know it is not that difficult.

joeyatsingapore wrote:1. Location:
Basically, I'll work in Broadcom which is located in Woodlands. (1mile is the average walking distance for me) or a couple of MRT stations at most. I also like it to be close to the basic services (supermarkets, food places and banks.)

U can try getting a HDB(public housing, no facilities, no security guard, no fences etc) or a condo (with facilites and guards) at Woodlands, Admiratly , Yishun or Sembawang estates.

3. Price:
I'm aiming for $600-$800 a month, inclusive. Of course since I don't have any experiance so I don't know if this is a resonable price or not. What is important for me is to have a six month lease. I don't want to be tied to that place for a long time since I might be relocated again with a year or so.

Usually lease agreement is either 1yr, or two year. 6mths is very very rare.
HDB (public housing) 1bedroom with whole house to urself, around SGD650-900 (depending on location, interior furnishing, whether air conditioned or not etc)
Apartment (condo) - 1bedroom with whole house to urself, around SGD1k-1.2k

Pls note, all 1+1 units are rented out VERY VERY FAST once on the market. So if u view want u like, better get the paper work done fast.

Also, I want to know if my timing (end of October / begining of Novemeber) is considered a good session for finding a rental

Anytime is a good time for rental in singapore.

Thanks Diana, that should be very helpful.