Singapore Expats

...Well sort, arriving on Saturday morning to be precise.

This forum has been an excellent research tool for explaining how the rental market works and the property pictures function is great.

Sadly, there is always a 'however' involved...

What I am failing to achieve is finding a locals perspective as to how appropriate each district is for living in.

I am going to be in a Serviced Apartment for the first month but after that I'm on my own as such.

I'm pretty young at 24 and I am bringing my finacee with me so sharing with others is kind of out of the question and we have been eyeing up the condo's.

I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

Really not keen on paying the exorbiturant rents of Orchard or other expat hotspots and would likely be happier near university accomodation/younger areas/cheaper areas.

Can anyone offer some locals advice?

matt1984 wrote:
I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

I wouldn't recommend it and you'll soon find out why!

Hi there

I looked 4 mths back for an apartment away from prime districts as my budget was limited.

Have settled with Kerrisdale in District 8, although I would have loved City Square Residences near it (as it is next to MRT and soon-to-be built mall), but that is still being constructed. I think it will be ready early 2009, according to the agent.

Nice area, very near town and cultural Little India. I highly recommend! Cheers

matt1984 wrote:I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

Don't limit to having to be near a MRT station as buses are just as good and easy to take.

matt1984 wrote:Really not keen on paying the exorbiturant rents of Orchard or other expat hotspots and would likely be happier near university accomodation/younger areas/cheaper areas.

If you don't mind slumming it you could alway try renting a HDB flat. It's becoming a lot more common for expats to do this as it's a hell of a lot cheaper. Ok the downside is you don't get the condo pool/gym etc.

I would recommend East Coast every time as there's so much going on and you'd be able to ride your bike safely at the ECP!

Saint wrote: If you don't mind slumming it you could alway try renting a HDB flat. It's becoming a lot more common for expats to do this as it's a hell of a lot cheaper. Ok the downside is you don't get the condo pool/gym etc.

I guess the upside it the fact that the locals pee in the condo lifts as well as the pool at the condo. Looking at the lack of crowds I would say that very few people in a condo us the facilities with any regularity. Spending a half to 3/4's of a million on an HDB flat doesn't seem much like slumming to me. I think you need to actually go look at the newer HDB's out in the outlying areas. The finishes are as good if not better that most of the condo's I've seen being built recently.

Now that you are getting your PR, heaven forbid, you might have to buy an HDB as well....... oh the shame & irony!

sundaymorningstaple wrote:

Saint wrote: If you don't mind slumming it you could alway try renting a HDB flat. It's becoming a lot more common for expats to do this as it's a hell of a lot cheaper. Ok the downside is you don't get the condo pool/gym etc.

I guess the upside it the fact that the locals pee in the condo lifts as well as the pool at the condo. Looking at the lack of crowds I would say that very few people in a condo us the facilities with any regularity. Spending a half to 3/4's of a million on an HDB flat doesn't seem much like slumming to me. I think you need to actually go look at the newer HDB's out in the outlying areas. The finishes are as good if not better that most of the condo's I've seen being built recently.

Now that you are getting your PR, heaven forbid, you might have to buy an HDB as well....... oh the shame & irony!

I only said "slumming it" as that's what a lot of expats would see it as I personally think HDB flats are great, we always stay MIL when visiting in Marine Drive and it's so convenient. We've got a couple friends who live in the new Punggol HDB and they are top notch.

And yes SMS, the plan is to buy a HDB flat within a year of arriving and I'n quite looking forward to it! Unfortunately we're going to have to rent for the 1st year.

AAAhhhh! I think I know to whom you refer........

I've got rellies out in Pongol Fields as well. Really nice flats and grounds there but the units are very much like newer condo units as I find them rather small (the new ones). Mine is an older 5-room flat and at 121 sq/m (4 BR) is quite nice.

What's really good about HDB units is usually you are very, very near to almost any amenities you could want and transport links (if you don't want a car - like me).

Saint wrote:

matt1984 wrote:
I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

I wouldn't recommend it and you'll soon find out why!

Hi Saint,

I would be leaving for work in the morning at about 6am and leaving work about 6.30-7pm I should imagine - is the sun seriously hot even that early/late?!?!! 20-25c?

sundaymorningstaple wrote:AAAhhhh! I think I know to whom you refer........

I've got rellies out in Pongol Fields as well. Really nice flats and grounds there but the units are very much like newer condo units as I find them rather small (the new ones). Mine is an older 5-room flat and at 121 sq/m (4 BR) is quite nice.

What's really good about HDB units is usually you are very, very near to almost any amenities you could want and transport links (if you don't want a car - like me).

Thank you all for your advice - I will be sure to look into HBD options.

Does anyone know of any websites that profile each of the districts?

matt1984 wrote:

Saint wrote:

matt1984 wrote:
I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

I wouldn't recommend it and you'll soon find out why!

Hi Saint,

I would be leaving for work in the morning at about 6am and leaving work about 6.30-7pm I should imagine - is the sun seriously hot even that early/late?!?!! 20-25c?

Hi Matt,

It's not really the Sun you need to be worried about but the humidity, 6am probably not too bad.

Worse will be trying to get to your destination in one piece! Singapore drivers are the worse you will ever come across and have absolutely zero consideration to other road users!

At 6 am it is still dark. Singaporean cannot drive in daylight. I'm an avid cyclist but won't ride here after dark. You don't value your life too much if you do. It's okay though, you will learn in a hurry.

looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work

I do most of my mountain biking on the pavement, it can be a little dangerous,

Singaporeans are really not good drivers, they appear to be more involved with their mobile phones, sending SMS while driving and just pointing the damn car, anything gets in the way, its just bad luck.

You can find some areas for training however! It's hot and humid, but I still cycle for 2 hours every other day, cutting down on the running due to knee problems.
Take plenty of drinking vinegar, you'll never be fatigued Just had to get that in for SMS!

In fact it has been known for drivers, to run motor cyclists off the road, killing them on purpose, and injuring the passengers. several have jumped on bonnets of cars, and been killed over parking spaces, its a real problem. School buses is the latest, no seat belts, and a child killed, no supervisor, and over 21 kids in a 16 seater, sitting on the floor of all places.

The laws really need enforcing here on drivers, they are a hazard to everyone, and will even park on zebra crossings! I've seen it when the kids come out of school.

aiya... cycling for leisure and cycling to work different la. gonna be sweating like a pig. even after shower at work oso still sweating. then with air-con, wanna sleep already.

car is king in singapore. the way drivers see it is they got right of way all the way. you can beat the car in build up area but once on the open road, they will run you down!

matt1984 wrote:...Well sort, arriving on Saturday morning to be precise.

This forum has been an excellent research tool for explaining how the rental market works and the property pictures function is great.

Sadly, there is always a 'however' involved...

What I am failing to achieve is finding a locals perspective as to how appropriate each district is for living in.

I am going to be in a Serviced Apartment for the first month but after that I'm on my own as such.

I'm pretty young at 24 and I am bringing my finacee with me so sharing with others is kind of out of the question and we have been eyeing up the condo's.

I will be working in the financial district and would be looking for a 30-40min cycle ride to work, whereas the misses will need access to the MRT system...

Really not keen on paying the exorbiturant rents of Orchard or other expat hotspots and would likely be happier near university accomodation/younger areas/cheaper areas.

Can anyone offer some locals advice?

You could try Novena area. Not those near the infamous Newton Circus food centre but somewhere near Tan Tock Seng Hospital. There are a lot of them around that area but they are not appealing as most thought they are near the hospital. A short walk could lead you to Novena Sq ( shopping mall ) and Novena MRT station. Eatries are found along Thomson road , which is also where Novena Sq is located. It is a bit of a distance to Newton Food Centre , about 20mins slow walk, I assumed. Further down would be Balestier Rd , which I think there are a couple more condo units. There is no train station running through the area but there are ample buses to go to CBD/Orchard area. Nearest shopping mall would be Shaw Plaza and there are alot of eatries along Balestier road, if you are comfortable with local food.

Hi Matt1984, you may open for some condo options in District 14 - where i'm staying.

I've been staying there for 4 years since I arrived in Singapore. I work in CBD and really enjoy the convenience - you just need to take a bus no.70 and it'll take you there in 15min's time via Nicoll Highway.

And it's very convenient for me to explore the city area as it only takes me less than an hour to China Town, Orchard, Bugis and City Hall - I can shop around when I feel bored.

What's more, the condo rental is comparatively lower, say $3K+ I can get a nice unit with condo facilities. Sometimes when I don't want to go out, I can simply go swimming or gym downstairs.