House Hunting Saga - part 2

  After 2 tiring weeks of daily inspections, we finally got a place! I wouldn't call it a palace but very decent 3-bedroom apartment in a very convenient central location. We had an agent who contacted landlords' agents and arranged inspections for us. As a common practice, there are 2 agents here, the landlord pays them 1-month rent commision which is normally split 50/50. The tenants do not have to pay the agents though I heard some stories about naive expats who paid quite a big dollar to the agent just for showing them around!

  A wide range of housing options is available in Singapore, depending on your budget and preferences.
  Though a tiny island, Singapore is home to about five million people.
  Singapore boasts of one of the best public housing schemes in the world, with almost 80 per cent of the country's population living in affordable and quality public Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats within safe and self-contained estates. Many public flats have been given face-lifts with landscaped gardens and quality finishings and are comparable to private condominiums. Expats can rent but cannot buy HDB flats. It's a good option for those who have limited budget, want to experience living among locals and do not mind remote locations.

 

  A popular choice among foreigners, private housing can either be in the form of private apartments or condominiums as there are no restrictions on foreign ownership.

 

   Most private condominiums (condos) come with facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, gyms and allocated parking spaces. Well-located, many private residences are within reach of several modes of public transport. The Management usually takes good care of the building and facilities and there is 24-hour security. All condos have a small room at the back of the kitchen behind the laundry - this is a maid's room, as live-in maids are very common in Singapore. The maid usually has her own small bathroom with a shower next to her room and sometimes a separate back door.

 

  Another choice available to foreigners is the renting of landed properties in Singapore.  The regulations governing such properties do not allow foreigners to buy landed properties in land-scarce Singapore. However, Permanent Residents can seek state approval  to be allowed to buy bungalows, semi-detached and terrace houses.

   Depending on your budget, you can rent private landed properties in many areas in Singapore, from the swanky shopping district of Orchard Road, to trendy places such as Holland Village and other quaint locales such as Mount Sophia, Little India, Chinatown. Many private residential estates from Pasir Panjang in the west to Katong in the east also offer a good variety of private residential properties outside the city.

 

  After comparing different options, we went for a private condominium in central location just 5 minites off Orchard Road. This is the most expensive area in Singapore and we had to go for an older building to save costs. Our condo was completed 9 years ago which is considered quite old in hot and humid climate of Singapore. However, the condo is well maintained and the apartment has been thoroughly renovated. Brand new condos are also widely available in most locations. The problem with most new condos is that I didn't find them child- friendly. They are high-rise building with 30-40 storeys and have fragile glass balconies and doors from floor to ceiling. I guess it makes the place look lighter and more spacious but one look down made me extremely dizzy and uncomfortable and I refused to consider such apartments. Infinity pool on level 4 also looked nice but I couldnt imagine Sophie playing there - there is only a narrow flower bed protecting anyone from falling 10 meters down on the concrete! Might look modern and fancy, but no, thanks! Would be a good option for singles and couples, though..

  Anyway, hopefully we will sign a standard 2-year lease this week and can relax a bit then!