Urgent housing advice needed from those with young kids

[Mapleleaf]

We are just about to begin our search for a place to stay and were just wondering if it's better to rent a terrace house with no facilities or condo w/facilities seeing as we have 2 kids under 4. Our budget is pretty conservative until I start working so will likely not be able to afford a cluster house with pool complex nor a spectacularly huge enough condo so that 3 adults + 2 kids don't go crazy. (Plus husband will be taking up valuable real estate working from home!) Other concerns are whether to live near the kids' school so we/our helper can walk the kids to and fro, or to live closer to "civilization" but then have to chauffeur them around or pay extra for bus service.

What are you staying in, where, what do you like about it, and if you could change anything about where you live, what would it be? Any "must-have" recommendations with kids? Thanks!

[henry]

I chose to live in a condo for the facilities, tennis and swimming.  Although we are near one childs school, we found that it is just too hot midday to walk, so use school bus service.  Thus, for us, being near to school is not requirement.  Also, with young kids, it is not fun to drag them around Orchard Rd., so being there is probably not a priority.

As you noted, a house provides way more space, but no facilities and more than 3x the price.  Thus, I would recommend a very large, newer condo, e.g., 4 BR+1.  Can be found East Coast, West Coast, Central districts for reasonable prices.

[CathyK]

We moved from a condo to a terracehouse some 4 mths ago. My kids are 4 and 6 yrs old. When looking for a new place I was in doubt what to do. Stay in a condo or move to a terrace house (as our budget isn't that genereous). Now, though the kids ask for the swimmingpool, the garden makes up the loss of it.

We used to live in a new 4+1 with about 2100sqf (which is large for newer condo's). Now our house is 5+1 on 3100sqf not including front and back garden.

Pro's of condo: social contact with other people/kids, facilities. Con's: unless you trust your maid, you always have to go down with them (or get a ground floor unit). Still when going to the swimmingpool you have to accompany them.

Terracehouse pro's: just open the door and let them play. We are fortunate to have a long paved driveway which allows them to cycle, while you still can do whether you want to do. More space. Con's: where we live no interaction with neighbours. You have to take care of garden, straycats, pestcontrol. Also have a lookout whether there are many dogs living in "your" street. Their owners leave them in the front garden every evening/night when they go to bed, so the whole street starts barking around 10pm, 3am (someone returning home from night shift), 6am (pick up of local schoolbus).

It matters a lot whether your kids are going to school or not. My kids have playdates almost every day. Usually when they are invited over to someone who has a pool, they will bring their gear. While we lived in the condo, we used it 3-4 times/week. By the way, we do not have a clubmembership either. I noticed that the kids who live in a condo, love to cycle and do ballgames. But I guess it depends on your condo. Our old one did not have the space, but I have been to others (mainly the older ones) which offer good grounds to cycle and play.

All in all, I do not regret moving to a house. What I noticed in the school is, that once you arrive and you only have 7-10 days to find a house, you fall for the facilities. But after two years, the majority with kids all moved to houses as the garden and more living space make up so much for the loss of the pool. Though some classmates managed to find houses with above the ground pools for the same rent as what I am paying now.

Good luck.

[Denise]

A month ago we faced the same dilemma, our children slightly older but all the issues are the same.  I chose terrace house of 3000ft instead of 1600 ft of condo.  We have a lot of stairs which might pose a problem with your smaller ones.  But I love the space we have.  I also chose to live where it's green but 15 mins-20 mins by bus to chns. school   that is a drawback.  Didn't know it then but know now that almost all real estate in Singapore is close to bus, MRT line so while I won't give up my green belt and choose to go the distance time wise, I would think seriously about the public transport trek to and from schools once you get outside the 10 minute-15 minute range (on the bus) because there will be walking and waiting as well.  Choose closer to them if you can meet the budget requirements.  I'm not a high rise/condo lover even though I usually play tennis or gym on a daily basis.  Joined a club for those purposes or on a budget, they can be accomodated through ANZA and other organisations depending on your nationality.  You questions show real thought to how you like to live, mostly the transport is the issue for us and you.  If possible get close to the bus/mrt line for work/school and leisure if possible.

[Mary]

We decided to move into a condo (2,700 sqf) and I do not regret it for a moment.  So the living space may be smaller but do you really want a lot of stairs with young children.  At least in a condo you can potter about and keep an eye on them.  Also, I could not be bothered with the hassle of bundling 2 small children into a car/taxi to take them for a swim or to a playground, most condos offer these facilities.  Condos are also a good way for mums to meet other mums.

There is also the upkeep of gardens and ensuring they are reptile free before children can play.  The few houses we have seen have tiny back gardens with a concrete area at the front.  

I have never met anyone who has moved from a condo to a house.  

A couple of my friends do have fantastic houses but their budget is extremely generous.

Hope this helps.

[Denise]

I was so unsure of what prices were before I started looking and became quite quickly overwhelmed by the advertisements.  I think I found an exceptional house for the money asked.We are certainly happy with what we have .  Please  contact me and we can discuss further as you can be underwhelmed with the real estate shown to you for a conservative budget.  Can you post your email please and I will reply.

[Mapleleaf]

Hmmm. Looks like we're leaning more towards a condo or townhouse complex as we prefer to have faciities and lots of neighbours. Plus after reading your helpful posts, we just remembered how much we dislike gardening, pest control, geckos, etc. not to mention barking dogs,loud motorcycles, loud clanging gates and sometimes chanting at 5am.  ;-)

Greenery, playground and outdoor space would be nice for the kids so likely have to go for older development? Access to transit is not too important as we will have a car but having the option of walking to school would still be nice (once we figure out which school! Still grappling with either intl school or a local school.)

East Coast is our favourite area but far from intl schools. Next favoured area is Tanglin/Botanic Garden/Bt Timah/Dunearn/Toh Tuck corridor. Any suggestions for developments with larger, affordable condos?

[This message has been edited by BoardManager (edited 20-04-2001).]

[expat]

If it is a place you need with lots of space but near to international schools or local schools, I suggest you take a look at these condos which have very many expat families: (They're "older" so cheaper to rent but have some units which are more spacious, all near Holland village & bus/MRT routes). I don't know the current rental prices though, and they're all negotiable anyway, so the "asking" price isn't necessarily what you'll have to pay:

Ridgewood Condo, Mount Sinai area, just off Holland Road, toward the Clementi end: big condo but has some 4 bedroom apts & also townhouses - with v.small private gardens. Condo has a v.large pool, tennis courts, squash, barbeque pits, small cafe for snacks, playground, mini-mart, excellent butchers, dry-cleaners, doctor, nursery school etc. Very close (walking distance) to the Australian school and a short journey to Tanglin Trust, United World College & Dover Court Schools. A local school, Henry Park is walking distance too, but it is v. popular with the Singaporeans so I don't know if you would have any chance of getting your offspring in.

Next door to Ridgewood is Himiko Court condo. I've never been there but an acquaintance does and loves it there - apparently it is fairly spacious and rentals are cheap. It doesn't look very pretty from outside but my friend lives in an "upgraded" unit which she says is lovely. Might be worthwhile making enquiries about it.  

Also in this vicinity is Pandan Valley Condo. Also large with spacious grounds and units are in a variety of combinations of size (although I haven't been inside any, but the condo has recently been "upgraded" and I'm fairly certain there are some 4 bedroom units). I used to take my son to Speech & Drama in one of the shop units there - there is also a cafe, mini-mart, photo-processing shop etc. and all the usual condo facilities.

[Mary]

Our condo is on the east coast.  My 6 year old daughter has about a 15/20 minute bus journey to OFS school which is no big deal.  If you find an area you like you can always speak to the school bus company to see where it figures regards pick up and drop off times.

[clara]

We have 2 children (2 and 5) and live in a condo on the East Coast.  Love the condo life with the pool, playground (indoor and outdoor), playmates for the kids in the complex etc. My older child also attended OFS but got on the bus before 8 every morning and was dropped off at 4:25 in the afternoon. Basically, he was spending 2 hours on the bus every day, which we couldn't stand and which really tired him out. So we moved him to Rosemount kindergarten (an international kindergarten and preschool in the area) and now have no need of the school buses. If you are thinking of going the school bus route - I would be wary and investigate it with the bus company (as per the earlier suggestion). How long your child would be in the bus doesn't only depend on how far away you live - it really depends on how many other children are on the route and how many stops the bus will be making. We live only 15 - 20 mins from OFS by car but the hour long school bus trip was really long for a 5 year old. Only the bus company can tell you pick up/drop off times  - beware the real estate agent who tells you it will only take 15-20 minutes for your child to get to school ! Good luck !