Need info regarding "living cheap in Singapore"

[MarcusX]

I am contemplating a relocation to Singapore, but need more info. The office in the Central Mall area.

Q1. Does ShiFT provide assistance with roommate referals (or cheap appartments)?

Q2. How can I locate a roomate (or apartment)
in convenient location?

Q3. Can I survive "living single" in Singapore?

Regards,

[URL]

Sorry don't know much about SHiFT, but you can find out more from this link:
http://www.contactsingapore.org.sg/settle/accom.htm#Renting  an HDB Flat under SHIFT

[lindah]

Hi,
Yes it can be cheaper living single, you don't ever need to cook again. There are food courts everywhere you look.

[MarcusX]

Are the HDB flats any good? Are they considered "run-down" public housing?

I've notice that some can be had for as little as S$500 - S$700.  Are these worth their while for a single western male?

[Lily Aritama]

The HDB flats are pretty respectable.

The price is right. Of course some are really classy and other a little dumpy. You get what you pay for. $500 sounds a little to hopeful for a whole apartment.

[arnot]

Shift is unfurnished.  Therefore you have to look hard at whether it's really worth it because unfurnished private appartments ra enot necessarily that expensive.  I'm trying to get one just now and over the weekend saw a few 3+1 condos away from the city centre and they were only asking 1.3K a month -- very new with swimming pool and all that stuff, maintenance charges included.  So given a 3 bedroom flat under shift is still 1K plus, you really have to consider if it's worth it.  Especially if you found a flatmate to split the rent.  I visited a few HDB's over the weekend as well and although not bad they seemed run down compared to the condos -- i'd certainly be prepared to find 2 or 3 hundred bucks extra a month.

[evehow]

HDB is "run-down"??  How dare you!!  I paid a BOMB for my HDB flat okay!!!

Just kidding okay.

It really depends on which estate you're looking at.  The newer estates look really good on the outside - landscaping, colours, etc.  Places like Tampines will appeal to you if you're looking for "modern-looking" environment.

However, don't write-off older estates as well.  Often, these older estates have an advantage over the newer estates in that the amenities are more or less established.  The one I'm staying at (Ang Mo Kio) has a well-established Town Centre, with sub-centres around each neighbourhood.  I'm not sure if the new estates have such "nodes."  Also, the estate tends to be more spacious between flats.  The flats in new estates are more cramped together.

Also, MRT stations tend to be built where the housing estates are.

The govt has been and is building new flats in the old estates to replace the really run-down flats, so you may actually stay in a rather old part of Singapore and yet live in a new flat.  One thing I don't like abt these new flats is the layout is really odd, but if you're only renting not buying (and subjecting yourself to a 25/30-year mortgage), I don't think it really matters.

$500 for a whole flat sounds suspicious, unless it's a really small flat, it doesn't come with furniture, appliances (like washing machine), and a functional kitchen, and it's in some really, REALLY old part of town which is not serviced by public transport.

[Opinion]

Many HDB flats also have:
1.  Urine detectors in the lifts (they are obviously there for a reason)
2.  The lift stops at every 3rd floor only, then you use the stairs
3.  People sleeping around the "void deck" on the ground level, giving a less than optimal image
4.  No facilities

There's nothing wrong with any of the above per se, but it might not be what you're expecting, depending on where you come from.
200-300 extra for a private apartment may be well worth it, in my opinion.

[evehow]

I wonder...

Aren't there urine detectors in the lifts of private housing estates as well?  Or at least a camera?

In new flats the lifts stop at all floors.  In older flats like mine (20-year-old) the lift stops every 4 floors or so.

As for people sleeping at void decks, that doesn't happen everywhere.  I think it helps that we have a police post just 2 blocks away.

No facilities, well that's quite true.  Depends on whether you're really hard-up for such facilities.  There're public facilities such as gyms and tennis courts available but it's a distance away.  So if you MUST play tennis every evening, an HDB flat may be out unless you happen to stay near the tennis centre.

[chantelle]

I came to Singapore as a single female and had a budget of no more than S$800 as I am paid a local salary. If you check out the local newspaper (Straits Times) under the accomodation section, then you will occassionally have an add requesting for foreign/expat flatmates.  I found a great place sharing with a Swedish guy & Aussie and pay only $600 per month for our 3-bedroom place.  Look around and I am sure you will find something that suits your requirements.