Living in HDB flats

[Apartments In SG]

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyone lives in HDB flats and how you feel about them if you do....

Also anything else..like..do they have toilets?....internal laundry?.....

I don't have a big budget so I was thinking about the SHIFT option

[:P]

No there are no toilets. You will have to use the open latrine in the common area. The reason is that there is no running water provided to HDB flats....

[sieved]

HDB flats do have bathroom and internal toilet.

To buy a flat as a PR you must buy from the re-sale market and you need two PR's. Only Singaporeans can buy new HDB flats which are at a subsidised price (but they also pay a hefty levy I believe on sale). The advantage of buying resale is the former owner would already have renovated to install the flooring (marble or tiles usually) and painting, etc.

Sizes range from small three room (2 bedroom) to four room (3 bedrooms) to five-room (3 bedrooms also but bigger living area) to executive and maisonette (bigger still).

Most flats have an area where you can put a washing machine and some have overhead poles horizontally to hang clothes at a location in or near the kitchen or bathroom area to hang clothes. I think separate laundries as such are not too common unless the place is five-room or above.

The best way to get an idea what the inside of flats are like is to tell a property agent you are interested in buying a HDB flat and they will show you through some in areas you like. Close to MRT and with at least local shops and/or hawker centre is most convenient. You can ask to see a selection of different sizes to get an idea.

Average prices for various areas can be viewed on the hdb's website as well as recent transaction prices.

If renting JTC has a scheme for those who have come to S/pore recently (I think within 3 years) where you can rent hdb flats, check on jtc's website for prices.

[house-hunting]

3-ROOM FLAT
• Size: about 900 sqft
• 2 bedrooms + 1 hall +1 kitchen
• 1 or 2 bathroom(s)
• 1 utility room (some upgraded flats only)

4-ROOM FLAT
• Size: ranges from about 1100 sqft
• 3 bedrooms + 1 living room + 1 kitchen
• 1 or 2 bathroom(s)
• 1 balcony (some flats only)

5-ROOM FLAT
• Size: ranges from about 1200 sqft to 1500 sqft
• 3 bedrooms + 1 living room + 1 dining room + 1 kitchen
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 balcony (some are without)
• 1 study room (some flats only)

EXECUTIVE FLAT (apt or mansionettes)
• Size: ranges from about 1600 sqft to 1900 sqft  
• 3 bedrooms + 1 living room + 1 dining room + 1 study room + 1 balcony + 1 kitchen
• 2 or 3 bathrooms
• privacy, some are double storey HDB

For a comparision, most new condos are really small, we are talking about 1100sqft to 1250sqft for the norm (3 bed room). The bedrooms are tiny. If you are on a tight budget, you might to rent a 3 room HDB for about $600-$800 a month.

Personally, I love the HDB mansionettes, single storey or double. They are MASSIVE compared to the new condos. You can rent them for about $1200 - $1500.

You won't get any estate facilities, but you will be well serviced by the public amenities nearby, esp when it comes to public transportation.

Lack of privacy, unless you are staying in a corner unit of the flat. Lots of neighbours in HDB, can get quite noisy.

People go for HDB because of the accessibility (to public transport and amenities), and value for money.

Others go for Condos because of the privacy and private facilities (e.g. BBQ, Pool, Gym, Tennis Courts etc etc)

Can't speak for you, but since I need plenty of space, AND privacy, I opt for a private apt. Non-government housing that comes with parking, and security (usually). They are much bigger than most new condos, and most tend to be fairly easily accessible, but they don't have the private facilities of a condo. Think Novena/Orchard/Somerset/Grange Road type of low-rise housing. My friend just got a single bedroom private aprtment at Grange road for $900 (utilities included, 1 bedroom + 1 hall + 1 kitchen + 2 bathrooms). Then again, I've heard of studio condos going for about $800-$1000

CHECK Sat's (anyday really, but sat's the best) straits times under the classified section, there are COUNTLESS places available for rental. It's really the buyers' market right now.

Good luck!

[not shift]

With the Shift option, you don't get to see inside the flat before you take it. You might be lucky and get a good place, but then you might not and you'll be stuck with it. I think most are also unfurnished. And with falling rentals, the price is no longer so attractive. Better to look in the classifieds in the ST. Make sure your landlord has permission to let the HDB before handing over any deposit.

[apts back home]

lol ...  "shared open latrine?"
hey you are right abt no running water, now that i come to think of it, i think the HDB dwellers do their laundry by the neighbourhood drain ..
all by hand, of course with wooden buckets, and poles to beat those clothes clean ...

apts in SG:
seriously .. have you seen the new HDB 'condo' estates - they put some of the old and much pricier private condos to shame.
actually many HDB apartments put a lot of average and public housing back home to shame as well.

[:-(]

No toilets and no electricity - better stock up on your candles.

[:P]

And don't forget, uphill *both* ways to the nearest public bus stop (2 miles away).

[house-hunting]

Hehehee this is a pretty funny thread

[Apartments In SG]

So I gather that HDB   apartments are generally fine with normal amenities including internal laundry .......right?

[back in the old country]

no ... they have lurking cockroaches too which only make their appearances at midnight by flying in.

and don't forget the hissy snakes in the toilets, oops latrine ....

some old HDBs are simply glamourised treehouses.

[fifa]

Define "internal laundry"? If you're asking if they provide a washer/dryer - I haven't any clue since I do not know anything about the SHIFT option and what is included.

[Imagine]

Shift is a special program for expats coming to Singapore.
Shift will find an appartment for you.
However:
- You can only turn down an appartment twice. After that it is take it or leave it.
- They will try to find something according to your wishes. If nothing available they will offer you something else.
- You do not know how much time it will take.

[Polish]

Guys - this is so funny what I read here.
Thanks for all your jokes.

The disadvantage of HDB is that everyone has its main door open. (it's the culture here) The Indian and Chinese food is really great, but if you have to smell it all the time I tell you it's not what you want to get. I'm living next to an Indian family. They are OK, but it seems, they cook 24 hours a day watching TV for 24 hours.

By the way I even have western style toilet, running water and the nearest public bus stop is just 5 min. walk away.

[Apartment In SG]

what i mean by internal laundry is whether or not hose attachments are present for you to plug in a washing machine...you can buy one after you rent the aunit you see...

If there isn't, i guess it's a common laundry then??? or laundramat?