Singapore Expats

Hi all,

My partner and I are relocating to Singapore from Cairo - former expat community, and will soon be searching for a place in Singapore.

I am new to this forum, and will appreciate all the help I can get:o)

Are there any areas particular suitable for a young professional couple without children, situated in, or close to, the city centre - business district?! we are looking at flats in the line of four seasons park, ladyhill etc. High-end, non-family oriented - close to the best bars and restaurants...!

Any Danes out there with info about the Danish community in Singapore?

Thanks:o)

/Allegra

I would suggest you stay in these areas:

Bukit Timah, Cairnhil, Holland Village, Newton, Orchard Road, River Valley and Rochor

Singapore cost of living is quite high compared to its neighboring countries. Renting Apartments in Singapore will cost you from US$1,000 to US$6,000, but of course this will depend on the size and number of bedrooms. Rents tend to increase as you get nearer the city centre. You can find apartments with lower rents if you know someone in Singapore.

i'm no expert for places to live without children - but i did know someone who lived in the ladyhill (with 2 kids) and they are lovely apts (20k+ mo) but not near bars/restaurants (like if you were in boat quay/clarke quay). also, know several families who live in four seasons park - (all with 2+ children) so wouldn't say it caters to professionals only.

Thanks - the areas and monthly rent is very helpful. I have just learnt that the cost can be max. USD$ 5,000.00 a month, which leaves out the Ladyhill - I guess that it would be possible to sacrifice space for location in order to get a better place. Does anyone know the cost of the four seasons park?

As far as the no family criteria, then I know that it can be hard to come by - however, its not meant to rule it out completely, we have just had really bad experiences with it in the past...perhaps Singapore is different and neighbours more considerate here..!

In relation to getting a place and then moving in, does anyone have great experiences with interiour design teams in Singapore - or furniture stores worth checking out?

Thanks in advance.

/Allegra

Four Seasons Park will run you at least $15k+. Although 5K(USD) seems like a good budget in most parts of the world - you'll be surprised when you start to look here at what 7k(SGD) will get compared to your expectations. I've seen a lot of new builds over on near Cairnhill that look like more 'professional' housing (modern & minimalist) but even those are quite high rentals. Hope someone on this board can provide some more help

I'll have to agree with the previous post. $7K/month won't get far in the sought after areas of Singapore. But since you don't have kids and are willing to go for a small place, you'll definitely have options. I suggest you contact a real estate agent with your requirements and take it from there.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you won't know what's available until 60 days or less prior to your lease start date. Landlords aren't interested in showing condos to those looking farther out.

Good luck!

Thanks,

It's good to know what is within reach in terms of location and lease.

We were actually estimating that our allowance would translate into SGD 8,000.00 (USD 5,000.00) - knowing that it's only SGD 7,000.00 does make it more critical. However, we are indeed prepared to go for a small place - say 2 bedroom (even 1 bedroom place if need be), in order to prioritise location- which we consider the most important variable.

Thanks to you all for the great advice - you have been very helpfull:o)

/Allegra

Here's what you may like:

ICON - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... o/icon.htm

Arris - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... -arris.htm

8 @ Mt Sophia - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... sophia.htm

Visioncrest Residence - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... idence.htm

Cornwall - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... rnwall.htm

Levelz - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... levelz.htm

Newton Gems - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... n-gems.htm

Please call us at (65) 61000300 to view, or you could email us at [email protected]

May I suggest you take the service of several agents, just to make a comparison, as service offered varies tremendously.

Hi,

I just read your post, and hope that I'm not loo late in replying. I live down Leonie Hill Road, and have seen the most wondeful condo, meeting up with most of your requirements. It's called Leonie Hill Residences, and have seen it being advertised under classifieds in this website. Try trackng it down, I live opposite, and fnd that it's great for singles or for couples. Btw, this is just a hop away from the eateries as well as the night spots in Singapore.

We live near orchard and not too far from Clarke quay, I wont mention any real estate agents that I used...strict advertising laws apply here
There are many places that would suit you and one in particular springs to mind as we looked at it, but it did not suit us as a family,but would be great for young couples and was brand new and immaculate.

Allegra wrote: Any Danes out there with info about the Danish community in Singapore?

What kinda info are you looking for? The Danish community in Singapore is one of the biggest if not the biggest outside Denmark - last I heard there were about 1400 danes here give or take.

Good way to socialise and build your network is to show up in the Danish Seamens Church for their various events.

The Danish Embassy here has a mailing list you can join so you will get info about above + other various stuff. You can sign up online.

You have to be very careful what you write on here otherwise they edit it and dont say nothing....passing good information to others sometimes is not allowed as it contravenes fair advertising laws.

I am not Danish but work for a large Danish company and we have many danish people here....so I know they would help you.
I wont advertise the company but they are the biggest danish company...so maybe you know them?

I spoke to one of the guys I know within the company and he wrote a nice welcome message in your native language I think, but it seems to mysteriously have disappeared.strange eh??