Living in HDB flats

[Imagine]

I've heard that in some private hold, some people pee in the swimming pool. (as I did in my younger days while swimming)  

[Slim Pickins]

I live in an HDB flat and in general its fine. Can get a bit noisy sometimes though - especially when the void deck function hall is in use for a wedding or such like, and there is loud music being played all day long - which happens wuite often actually.

One thing that I find curious about Singapore, and the heartlands especially is the lack of laundromats. You would think that there would be a big market for the sort of common coin operated laundromat you see back in Australia, but they are not to be found... Im told its because people here (literally) dont like to air their dirty linen in public, fair enough, but a pity, as I find it much cheaper and more efficient to use a laundromat (nice big industrial size washers & dryers) than having to fork out for your own small unreliable washing machine that takes up room in the kitchen :-(

[Apartments in SG]

Sounds like a golden business oportunity to me!

Set it up near those Condo's built for Expats..they all know how to use laundramats....

And given how SG ppl follow the trends (well, the SG ladies follow the white guys)
they will spread the word ..give it a couple or years!..corner the market now!

[celestar]

SLAY: have two electric water heaters in each of the bathrooms/ uttilities room. never heard of such a rule.

Can't imagine laudromat being cheaper - HDB are meant for families - won't make sense for them to do their laundry other than at home. The dryer doesn't really use that much electricity, far lower consumption than the air-con.

And 30 year old flats - In singapore, they get upgraded and revamped. Toa Payoh look totally different from what it used to be...

[to celestar]

There is such a rule, ur second heater will have to be taken out if u were to sell your flat. Unless u use a heated water tank, which can give u access to hot water from every tap.

[evehow]

As an HDB resident of more than 20 years, I have never heard of such a rule.  In fact, when I did a search on the HDB website, under "Electrical Guide for Your HDB Flat," it was specifically mentioned that there is "no restriction on number of water heater" (both instanteneous and storage) in both old and new flats.

See for yourself.

Please do not spread erroneous information irresponsibly.

[evehow]

Why would anyone need a dryer when the weather is at least 28 deg C?

We dry our clothes indoors on a pole and unless it's been raining 24 hours, the clothes are usually dry within 12 hours.

Of course you have to hang the clothes up and everything, but it takes only 10 minutes (less if you have some help) and it saves a ton in space and electricity (not to mention unecessary heat in the house!)

[eLmO]

This thread is hilarious !  But it was such a reasonable question to ask, wasn't it ? Perhaps HDB flats should not be called "government housing" anymore ?

Take a look at the cars in some HDB car parks. See that brand new BMW ?  How about that S-Class over there ? And the landscaping.  And the playgrounds.  These are no London council flats.

[stonie]

there is no restriction how many waterheaters you want to use. the confusion might come from the fact that older flats have a lower rated main fuse, 32Amps or 16Amps insteat of 63Amps.

[Hey eLmO]

London council flats also have BMW's and S-Class Mercs. in the car park. The only difference is that the owners are drug dealers in London!

[fifa]

Reasonable question to ask if 85% of the population had access to running water? I think not. The name of "government housing" is hardly a misnomer - they *are* government housing. It's not Singapore's problem if other countries can't keep theirs in good condition.

[cactus]

Relax Everyone,
Yes Virginia, HDB has internal toilets, usually 2 of them. Why, they are made of porcelain, just like in the west (see how high class it is)

But seriously, if you want to rent out an HDB flat, a decent one in a good area (eg. central near MRT) starts around S$1,000/month.

Don't go through SHIFT since their listings are usually SHI_T. Get an agent, look at him and the landlord in the eye for signs of pathological shiftiness and take your chances.

I think a well-kept up HDB flat is kuuul.

[Apartment in SG]

I think I had better clarify my position here.

The reason I asked my question in the beginning was because I am not yet in SG, altho I will be there later this year.

Thus, I am doing "my homework" looking up relevant websites and taking advantage of forums like this to ask for "real" people's knowledge and experiences!

Thanks for everyone's input..even the sarcastic ones!