Phuket

White Nancy · #1 19-02-2008, 13:33

I'm looking for a bit of help here.

This morning, I've received a permenant job offer in Singapore. Now apart from a little haggling (isn't there always?) I'm minded to accept the position.

The next issue is accommodation. If it was BKK or KL, I already know which areas I'd choose to look at to live in, but the most I know of Singapore is the airport, which I currently transit through with monotonous regularity.

So the question is, what district should I initially start looking for accommodation? The office is on Hoe Chiang Road, so a reasonable commute (taxi or MRT) would be good, I don't have kids of school age, so that's not a consideration. The wife doesn't drive so near MRT is probably a must. A few bars in the area would also be handy for those early doors sessions after work. Budget isn't too much of an issue, so just a few suggested areas with their pros (not a pun) and cons from those who know Singapore would be really useful.

I get 1 month in a serviced apartment fully funded by the company, so there is no real rush. Longer term, I may look at the 2HM scheme and commute.

Thanks in advance

WN.

Nautilus · #2 19-02-2008, 14:14

You can stay at Tiong Bahru or Geylang/Kallang Condos, about SGD 4k montly. . .

Nautilus · #3 19-02-2008, 14:15

EW15 is the area you work.

Tanjung Pagar

Nautilus · #4 19-02-2008, 14:18

Oops, sorry the map is too big.

White Nancy · #5 20-02-2008, 11:33

Thanks Nautilus.

Now why the hell didn't I think of using the MRT map as a starting point?

Nautilus · #6 20-02-2008, 15:25

5555555 you're welcome.

Rental prices have went double to nearly triple in the last year. !!!

Captain · #7 20-02-2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

5555555 you're welcome.

Rental prices have went double to nearly triple in the last year. !!!

Play often golf with a Belgian pilot of Singapore Airlines (guy owns a bungalow alongside holes 8/9 on Loch Palm. He says rents are so high in Singapore that the airline intervenes for paying the rent in S'pore.

charlie5005 · #8 21-02-2008, 14:09

the preferred areas for most expats are either the orchard/holland rd or east
coast area. 2-bedroom condo apartments are in the region of S$4000.00 in
the east coast area and also the fringe of holland/orchard. within the orchard
belt it would be higher.

the nearest mrt station to hoe chiang rd would be the tg pagar station,
along the east/west line. take it from there and maybe pm me should you
need further help. cheers.

les1999 · #9 21-02-2008, 19:41

I live in the Tiong Barhu area and it seems to be very convenient for most places, mind you my company supplies my Apartment - 2 bedroom, living room and ameneties etc at around S$4500 - however the kitchen is very basic which as I eat out is not really a problem for me but your wife might like cooking....???????
Plenty of places around between S$3000 to $5000 so you shouldn't have too much of a problem, it just depends how much expenses you get.....!!!!!!!

White Nancy · #10 26-02-2008, 15:12

Thanks for the responses. I should be out there around the first week in April so I'll have a look round the suggested areas.

Nautilus · #11 26-02-2008, 15:27

Have a good life in Singapore. If you're stil there in September, we can meet up during the F#1

White Nancy · #12 28-02-2008, 12:23

Just halfway through the visa process at the moment so another week until pre-approval. If that's OK I'll put my notice into my current company, so looking at the around the second/third week in April to get out there.

Longer term, I'm also looking at the second home Malaysia scheme with a view to buying there and commuting to the office. Mainly so I don't have to go through the car owning hoops in Singapore. Anyone know if the commute's sensible? It wouldn't be daily as I'll still be spending a lot of time away. Other things will have a bearing on this such as the bank deposit required, tax rates etc.

Singapore GP has definately got potential. The annoying thing is that the whole process has taken longer than it should and I was offered two 3 day tickets to the HK 7's but can't be there early enough. Oh well.

charlie5005 · #13 28-02-2008, 13:51

why buy when the company provides for accommodation in singapore.
buying is easy but to sell in malaysia is another question. i would say
investing in property in singapore being the better option, although the
prices are much, much higher. there are also other social considerations.

having a car in singapore isn't that a complicated process. having a
malaysian registered car and coming into singapore is more of a problem.
if i am not wrong, malaysian registered cars would need to pay a surcharge
when they come over to singapore in excess of a certain number of days
each year. then there is also the toll fees to use the causeway and the
second link. take a look at Land Transport Authority for more info. cheers.

White Nancy · #14 29-02-2008, 13:07

Thanks for that Charlie. These are all things I need to weigh up after I've been there a while.