Singapore Expats

hi all...i shall be shifting to singapore next month and could really use some advice...My office shall be somewhere close to dhoby ghat ad i wanted to know what are the areas that i should be lookin to live in...i dont wanna spend too much on accommodation and could really use some info about the general rent rates there...

i would ideally prefer a 1 bedroom+living room apartment....do you think i could get something like that...and for how much...also pease keep in mind i would prefer something where i dont need to change trains while going to office...

also if someone could kindly provide me with a general idea about the monthly expense there and also some kind of breakdown, i would really appreciate that....

waiting to hear from you all....

thanks....sid

That's too easy. Give us something that's really hard......

First of all, it's almost impossible to find a 1 bedroom apartment (that you are allowed to rent).

Secondly, if you did find one downtown you would be paying probably way over your budget unless you are talk small number of only $3k/mo upwards.

Changing trains it easy and only entails a small walk in the station. You don't even have to come out in the heat or rain.

As far as monthly expenses, do a search of these forums, plenty of info on that already here. Course all the above info is already here as well......

well 3K is a lot...i dont mind living a little far away as long as it is a direct train...what do you suggest...how much should be reasonable...i was thinking something around 1K will be ok....or is it better to go for a master bedroom or shar aflat with someone....

how do i find out ppl who r looking to share flats...???

renting a room will be OK with S$1k.

only a measly room for 1K hehehehehe lol

what bout some kinda 1 bedroom apartment...ar'nt those common in singapore....

wassup wrote:what bout some kinda 1 bedroom apartment...ar'nt those common in singapore....

yes, for pensioner!

hahahahaha

ok..not what i had in mind...i guess very different interpretations there

it is pretty easy to share a condo and also more economical, but then no privacy...also need to be careful while choosing flatmates.....

A colleague of mine rents a one bedroom studio that's a few years old, 10-min walk from Orchard..... costs $4k per month.

i think orchard is very expensive....something a away from the centre would be more reasonable....

Rental market has gone up steeply in the last yr or so. I think the minimum for a studio/1 bedroom condo is along the lines of 2K/month and above. As per previous posts, it is possible to find a room, look at MRT map and start narrowing down the areas which you want to consider closer to DG.

ya i have been looking at the MRT map....and i think either close to Ang mo kio/yishun or sengkang/hougang....so that atleast i can get a direct MRT to Dhoby Ghaut....

wassup wrote:ya i have been looking at the MRT map....and i think either close to Ang mo kio/yishun or sengkang/hougang....so that atleast i can get a direct MRT to Dhoby Ghaut....

The Mrt from Kovan is direct to Dhoby Ghaut in 20 minutes. Rooms seem to have gone up a little, but I would think you can find one between 600 to 750 in the heartlands.. condo's used to be about 1k, but my mate moved out, because tthey put the rent up to 1500$ for the room, he was sharing with 3 others.

Although prices have dropped a little, but more and more people are moving into the heartlands, which is also seeing rents on the move. Although I know Kovan well, because we shop there and use the swimming facilities on hougang 3 I think it is. Lovely 2 X 50 meter pools and one for the kids and a community centre with lots of activities going on. It's a Cheaper area than most, but you haven't a chance on a 1 bedroom flat.

An apartment may knock you back 1800 in the heart lands

hmmm.....so i guess the best thing woul beto find myself a nice flatmate and rent a 2+1 HDB right....???

HDB (Govt subsidised housing) that are walking distance to MRT stations are renting for $750 to 1000 for a common room.

There are few 1Br + 1 HDB for rent, you will be staying among old grandpa and grandma.

At current market rate, common room in private apartment or condo are usually $1500 and above for those further away from the city or very old development.

Newer private 2Br condo are renting for $4500 to 6000, it'll be tough to rent a room with below $2000 budget even if you share with a flatmate.


If you are considering HDB in Ang mo kio/yishun or sengkang/hougang, you shouldbe able to get a common room under $1k, a master bedroom (maybe) but they'll be asking for $1200 and you need to negotiate.

ya i think what you are saying shud be correct...according to all the posts i have read till now, i guess i can reant a 2+1 HDB for around S$ 1500-1800 altho maybe not in the heart of the city....but that sud be ok....condo wud cost a little more i guess around 2.5K...but all these are subject to finding a decent flatmate....else i guess the best bet is to rent a master bedroom somewhere....