Where to stay if you're an Expat in Singapore?

In collaboration with PropertyGuru.my

Did you know that Singapore is ranked as Asia’s most developed city, offering the highest quality of life and has arguably the best infrastructure globally? The survey took into consideration other critical factors such as health care, political stability, quality of education, the cost of a room for rent in Singapore, crime rates as well as recreational facilities.

If you are currently considering the prospect of residing in Singapore, then you are definitely on the right page. In this post, we want to discuss in detail, some of the best places you can live in, while in another country that's you plan to call your home- in particular Singapore.

Living abroad allows professionals to realize a whole range of ambitions. You’ll learn new skills, learn different culture and grow closer to your loved ones through shared experiences and adventures. Most expats agree that these are some of the rewards they get through their time in a foreign country as a large amount of them are away f

Deciding where to live in Singapore can sometimes prove to be a daunting task. There is a broad range of appealing locations across the island, with every location having its unique appeal and attractions. Before we proceed, let take a look at the parameters that are likely to influence your options even as you look for a room for rent in Singapore.

• Your budget

First and foremost, you’ll have to determine how much you are willing to spend. Are you paying for it on your own or is your company covering your accommodation expenses? This will allow you to evaluate the areas that will suit your needs and preferences. If you have allocated a budget of $3,000 to $5,000 for your monthly rental, you’ll probably be able to get a decent and a luxurious apartment equipped with facilities such as a modern gym, a tennis court as well as a swimming pool. However, if lesser than you'd have to be prepared for something that is not as luxurious.

• Location

This is perhaps the most crucial aspect which determines the flexibility as well as the convenience of your family and yourself. Pay close attention to where you and your partner work and where you intend to take your children to study (if you are a parent). This is important as it will be able to help you minimize travel time or avoid peak hours. Singapore's MRT system is pretty good and working people have opted to take the MRT compared to driving to work.

• Amenities and the facilities

What types of activities do you prefer? Whether it is a gym, a basketball court, a lap pool or a tennis court in your apartment or facilities around your neighborhood. This will help in deciding if that place suits your lifestyle. A location with the minimum basic amenities would be good as no amenities would mean that it would be troublesome to always travel to get something or have activities.

Making a decision.. 

Taking everything into consideration to help make your decision making process a little bit easier, here's the perfect guide when it comes to choosing location and considering cost factor when you become and expat in Singapore.

The East Coast Zone

This particular area runs from Kallang, covering a distance of 18 kilometers to Loyang and Changi Airport. It has long been popular with Singaporeans and expats alike, thanks to its breezy, spacious and reasonably priced apartments and condominiums. The area is lively, and you’ll never get bored whether you are a fan of leisurely activities or an enthusiast of sport. Windsurfing, fishing, canoeing, sailboarding, cycling as well as bowling are just some of the activities are available. East Coast Park, which boasts of sandy and palm-fringed beaches is also full of high-quality seafood restaurants. What’s more, the PIE and the KPE/ECP motorways offer easy access to the north, the city and the airport.

The popular East Coast neighbourhoods such as Tampines, Siglap, Pasir Ris and Bedok have a village feel. The housing options in these regions may vary from spacious, detached bungalows to new apartments and townhouses.The welcoming east-coast suburb of Katong, which at one time served as the hub of Peranakan culture still has a lot to offer. The place is now full of pocket-friendly kid’s antiques and clothes. As you move off the main road closer to Geylang Road, you’ll find exclusive shops that deal with baby clothes, Chinese kitchenware, antiques plus a wide range of exciting products. By walking a few miles down the Joo Chiat Road, you access another modern complex shopping mall known as Parkway Parade filled with latest trends and a variety of shops.

Regarding the approximate cost of renting a house in this region, you’ll pay something close to $3,500 for older condos and about $5,000 for relatively new ones, which have the size of 1,100 square feet. It is imperative to note that this area has become a favourite among the visiting professionals due to its proximity to the airport, which is just about ten minutes away.

Sentosa; Marina Bay and Raffles Place

For those individuals who have a generous relocation package, these are beautiful, high-quality options. Regarded as Singapore’s resort island, Sentosa, in particular, boasts of homes right on the water, both in some landed house as well beautiful condominiums. If quiet and breezy places that are filled with fabulous beaches sound too good to pass up, then ultimately Sentosa will suit you, provided you are willing to meet the price tag. There are numerous new condos in the Sentosa Cove with the most popular ones being the Coast at Sentosa Cove, the Berth by the Cove and the Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove.

Additionally, you can find a couple of waterfront condos overlooking the waterway just a few distances from VivoCity Mall. These include Reflections at Keppel Bay and the Caribbean at Keppel Bay. As you move further up north, you’ll find the Singapore River. Along with this river, there are lots condominiums worth your time and money. Most expats prefer to live in this region because it boasts of numerous pubs, restaurants, and clubs especially along the Muhamed Sultan Road and the river itself. It should be noted that this place offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle and excellent access to almost everything. As such, housing is a bit costly.

The Upper Bukit Timah; The Holland Village; and the Orchard areas.

Holland Village is one of the most loved areas by expats majorly because of its central location. It is close to the Orchard and the downtown areas, as well as the beautiful space offered by the MacRitchie Reservoir and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Even though currently a home to lots of families, Holland Village still guarantees a very electric feel and boasts of a variety of high-quality shops, bars, shops local, restaurants and other vital social amenities. Dempsey Hill, an enclave of dining and arts, is located a few distance from Holland Village. Again, the area has some of the biggest hawker centres where you can find the hidden gems. Finally, Holland Village will put in proximity to some of the highest quality learning institutions as well as a wide range of decent condos, bungalows, HDB and landed houses. All you’ll have to do is to choose the one which is right for you.

Regarding the cost of rentals in this region, you should know that rentals begin at $4,500 for a new condominium. However, for a unit that is ten years old, you may pay as little as $3,000. Despite its relatively high price tag, the area remains a favourite to expats mainly because of its bohemian appeal and the presence of many other fellow expatriates.

Orchard Road features attractive and more than enough shopping malls, health clubs, cinemas and a huge choice of modern restaurants to keep you busy for years. It is near to both the Tanglin and the American Clubs and has incredible public transportation links it being so close to the Orchard MRT and the Central Island Expressway. It is imperative to note that the Orchard Road is typically one of the most expensive areas of Singapore to reside in, especially for rent. Besides being full of expats, this region is also popular with tourists.

Located just beyond the Central Bukit Timah, Upper Bukit Timah boasts an enormous selection of semi-detached houses and good value condos as well as several shopping centres. What’s more, the area is conveniently close to the American School of Singapore and with easy access to Malaysia. Bearing in mind that it is located just at the edge of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, some buildings have forest views. This area provides greater access to amenities such as entertainment, shopping malls and restaurants. Numerous international schools are equally available. Housing is predominantly found in high-rise apartments as well as condominiums, most of which are serviced or fully furnished. Again, these houses are equipped with shared amenities such as gyms and pools. Bukit Timah is equally expensive, and a new three-bedroom condominium often goes for around between $6,500 to $10,000.

Bottom line is...

Your decision as an expat of choosing a particular area in Singapore as your temporary home will depend on your financial and family situation, lifestyle priorities, personal preferences and the location of your workplace among others. If your job requires you to be in Singapore for a long period of time, investing in a nice and comfortable place that is a slightly more expensive may be something that you'd like to take into consideration. However, if otherwise, I believe that you will still be able to find something to cater to your needs when finding a temprorary place to call your home. Singapore is an attractive country with beautiful housing estates and it’s not surprised to see HSBC dubbed Singapore as best place for expats.

So , guys, hopefully this was helpful,
Till next time, 

xx

Note: This post is in collaboration with PropertyGuru.my. 

Please see disclaimer notes for more information.