Singapore Expats

I currently live in the CBD area but I am looking to move out of town - mainly to save $$$. I am thinking of moving to a condo around Lorong 25 Geylang which will cut my rent by half.

I've heard a lot of bad things about Geylang but Lorong 25 seems ok. Has anyone lived in that area and is it that bad? is it safe? I did see some ladies of the night during the day but that's about it. I don't mind it that much.

I would strongly suggest going there multiple times before you make your decision. Ladies of the night are called that for a reason; they'll be a lot more at night. Go there sunday by day also, when all of the foreign workers are off. And obviously at night. Try 7pm, 10pm, later.

I don't recall exactly where L25 is (the even and odds don't line up perfectly) but I'm pretty sure it's a bad spot. I know L24 is as packed as an MRT station with ladies (of both sexes). I've tried driving down it on a Sunday afternoon and it was ridiculous. I think if you want "safe" Geylang, look in the Lorongs in the 30s and higher, especially 40+. The ones closest to Paya Lebar MRT. They'll be quieter, and you'll be closer to two MRT lines and some shopping.

Also, someone I know rented in City Plaza (Right across from Paya Lebar MRT) for under $3k a month. It's old, but it's a great location. The only vice activities you'll see are all of the working girls buying their skanky outfits at the cheap shops in there.

And slightly off-topic, I've considered buying a condo in this exact area, L40+. They're shoeboxes, but they're brand new, a few hundred meters to MRT, and freeholds.

zzm9980 wrote: Also, someone I know rented in City Plaza (Right across from Paya Lebar MRT) for under $3k a month. It's old, but it's a great location. The only vice activities you'll see are all of the working girls buying their skanky outfits at the cheap shops in there.

Don't forget the Karaoke on the 5th floor (I think this is the place where a guy took a young Viet gal who turned out to be under-aged) and Indonesian maid hangout on Sunday ...

Hah didn't know about the kareoke on the fifth floor.

I too wanted to live in Geyland - it's a bargain. My wife; and my bank - would not agree. You cannot get (or at least a few years back) mortgages for the odd numbered lorongs in Geylang.

offshoreoildude wrote: You cannot get (or at least a few years back) mortgages for the odd numbered lorongs in Geylang.

I guess it depends on what cheap is. You don't say what rent you are paying now.

I pay just under 3k per month for a three bedroon, two bathroom place in Lorong 2. It's 5 minutes walk from the MRT, supermarket, shops and wet market.

Of course it's HDB housing not a condo but I am close to the city centre, have a big apartment and am not paying a fortune in rent

Steve1960 wrote:I guess it depends on what cheap is. You don't say what rent you are paying now.

I pay just under 3k per month for a three bedroon, two bathroom place in Lorong 2. It's 5 minutes walk from the MRT, supermarket, shops and wet market.

Of course it's HDB housing not a condo but I am close to the city centre, have a big apartment and am not paying a fortune in rent

Ouch man - 3k for a HDB? Man I'm glad I got out of renting.

offshoreoildude wrote:

Steve1960 wrote:I guess it depends on what cheap is. You don't say what rent you are paying now.

I pay just under 3k per month for a three bedroon, two bathroom place in Lorong 2. It's 5 minutes walk from the MRT, supermarket, shops and wet market.

Of course it's HDB housing not a condo but I am close to the city centre, have a big apartment and am not paying a fortune in rent

Ouch man - 3k for a HDB? Man I'm glad I got out of renting.

That apparently is the norm now for any modicum of convenience "on the cheap." Renting used to be 2400 max for a 3 bedder in a nice location. Now, that same 2400 will just get you a 2 bedder somewhere where it takes 3 transfers to where you work.

offshoreoildude wrote:

Steve1960 wrote:I guess it depends on what cheap is. You don't say what rent you are paying now.

I pay just under 3k per month for a three bedroon, two bathroom place in Lorong 2. It's 5 minutes walk from the MRT, supermarket, shops and wet market.

Of course it's HDB housing not a condo but I am close to the city centre, have a big apartment and am not paying a fortune in rent

Ouch man - 3k for a HDB? Man I'm glad I got out of renting.

I have no idea where Lorong 2 is (and neither does Google Maps), but i assume it is right next to Kallang MRT. That seems like a pretty decent price honestly. You'd pay more for something within 5 minutes of any other MRT station that close to CBD, and even some further out.

I have friends, now in Australia, who lived in Geylang close to the No Signboard Seafood Restaurant. Nice place. They really enjoyed living there.

I have no idea where Lorong 2 is (and neither does Google Maps), but i assume it is right next to Kallang MRT. That seems like a pretty decent price honestly. You'd pay more for something within 5 minutes of any other MRT station that close to CBD, and even some further out.[/quote]

We are 5 mins walk from Toa Payoh MRT station.

Steve1960 wrote: We are 5 mins walk from Toa Payoh MRT station.

Oh, that's no where near Geylang, the area this thread was about. No wonder I'm so blur

Apologies, I was trying to introduce the idea that it might be possible to get reasonably priced (by today's standards) accomodation without being knee deep in ladies of the night.

If I am too far off topic burn me