GUIDES FOR EXPATS WHEN CHOOSING A HOUSE TO STAY IN SINGAPORE

Singapore is ranked the most livable city for expats in the world recently with high salary, multi-cultural, amazing food and safe environment. However, Singapore is also known to have the most expensive houses in the world beside Hong Kong and new expats are faced with issues to looking for a house to stay in Singapore. They wouldn’t know whether if they are going to work and stay in Singapore for long term and buying house in Singapore has limitations and expensive. Getting the right home is an important factor during their entire stay as expats may relocate their family or children to live with them in another country. Hence, types of houses are important for them to live in so that they can live the lifestyle the way they want. Some may prefer to stay in landed house in Bukit Timah or High Park Residences in Sengkang.

Housing Development Board (HDB) flats

The most common residential property in Singapore and for most Singaporeans, the public housing. Expats would have to get use how common is public housing in this red dot city because unlike many countries the public housing are meant for the poor but even the middle and upper income level. 80% of Singaporeans own HDB flat as their first residential property and only Singaporeans allowed to buy HDB flat.  

Most HDB flats usually have about 2 to 4 bedrooms that also come with a living room, dining area, kitchen and two toilets where one is attached to the master bedroom. The size of the HDB flats are usually in 700 square feet to 1,300 square feet.

HDB flats are everywhere in Singapore except for the prime or busy districts like Orchard road or Central Business District (CBD). But if you’re looking for houses nearer to the city, you can look into Tiong Bahru, Kallang or Queenstown, the rental rates are usually higher than Outer Central Region (OCR). The HDB flat is usually located near the MRT stations or bus stops which is walking distance away where most residents would commute using MRT to everywhere.

However, these HDB flats are a type of public housing which homeowners are required to fulfill minimum occupancy (MOP) of 5 years before being let out their entire rent. It is consider illegal if you rent out the whole unit during MOP but it is exceptional when it is rent out individual room. Only Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) are allowed to own HDB flats. Expats are not allow to buy any HDB flats.

Condominiums

Physically similar to HDB flats, condominiums are privately owned properties that is for exclusive and enjoy communal activities such as swimming pool, gym, tennis court, BBQ pit and others for residents to enjoy. Because of the exclusivity and luxury status, these condominiums can usually be found along the Orchard Raod area or even the CBD area. But prices for condominiums are usually higher than HDB flats.

Over the years, the newer condominium developments are focusing more on smaller units like studio apartments or 1 bedroom studio. Most of the units size are below 500 square feet in size something that cannot be found I HDB. Plus, if there’s only two person together under the  same roof while enjoying the communal facilities provided at the condominium. Besides, foreigners are allowed to buy and own a condominium.

Landed properties

What happens if you want ample space to remind you of your true love. Unlike many other bigger or developed countries, Singapore’s land size does not allow for many landed properties to be built even in mixed projects. Few years ago, there are some projects with mixed developments which inclusive of townhouse, similarly like landed property but together with condominiums. However, the idea of townhouse in the condominium land is stopped and banned by Singapore government making landed property in Singapore is rare and exclusive Thus, as estimated, there are only 5% are the owners of the landed properties in Singapore.

Terrace houses are the common features or type of the middle or upper level income followed by semi-detached homes and then bungalows. The most prestige and exclusive type of bungalow is called Good Class Bungalow (GCB) where these bungalows have a land area of at least 15,000 square feet and within the prime areas designated for GCBs. Notably they are situated on the island of Sentosa. Only Singapore citizens can own the landed property except those landed properties in Sentosa island. In this case, the expat has to have a high level annual income of at least S$500,000 onwards to be able to afford bungalows in Sentosa island.