paolo12345

Dear all,
I have recevied a relocation offering but need to understand how good it is based on cost of real estate.

I'll move with my wife and a 2,5 year old baby.

my wish are:
- an European style house (1000 Sq. f. , or 100 Sq. M.) in a good area
- 3 Bedrooms
- near internation kinden garden / hospital school
- if possible some green would be great

my job will be:
- Airport for Shanghai / Tokio / HK /....
- office in North Bridge Road Raffles City Tower ,Singapore

I'd like to know witch area is the best, and how much I'll gone pay.
Due to the fact that rent cost will be part of the job offering, I'm considering free to have no compromize (ok.. not 50.000 $ per month..)

thanks
Paolo

hong_konger

You have posted an almost identical post on the Hong Kong Forum

paolo12345

Yes, becouse destination could be hi or Singapore . I have to decide and cost of living and house is critical.
If you could give me hints.
Thanks

Paolo

ex reg

A recent survey showed Singapore to be the most expensive city in the world.
But all these surveys are flawed.

For me you get more for your money in Singapore in the housing market.

Can't say one area in Singapore is better than another if you compare properties of the same rent.
Areas are better generally because the rent is that much higer.

Although there is haze in both Singapore and HK perhaps it is worse in HK.

I've always though HK is better for singles. Singapore for families but that can be a very personal opinion.

REally your queries are too difficult to answer

paolo12345

thanks a lot,
If you would need to put a budget for that how much would you consider?

ex reg

1000 sq ft would be considered on the small side for 3 beds 1300 more usual and easier to find. That's for apartments. Houses at that size might be few and far between.
Of course you can get much larger.
You could be looking at anything from S$3000 pm at the low and to S$5000 for average to well up to S$20,000pm or higher for the top end.
Personally I'd budget S$6000pm if the company was paying and you'd be happy, I expect.
Will the company pay the tax on the accomodation because it is taxed as part of your overall package no matter who pays for it.

I see hong_konger has answered you for that country and he is much more up to date than I am.

StevenH72

I don't know what the situation is like in HK, but I'd imagine a big factor contributing to Singapore's expensive status would be the cost of owning a car.

I'm moving over in January, and am not planning to own a car. Rent is obviously a lot more than most parts of the UK, but other than that I don't think the cost of living looks to be too outrageous (from what i've read anyway).

We're looking for a 2 bed apartment 750-1000 SQF in a central location and am budgeting S$5K. I know that isn't what you're looking to get, but might give you an indication.

MickG24

You will be doing amazingly well to get that sort of house in SG, no matter who is paying. Foreigners aren't even allowed to own one and the rental prices are sky-high. Much better chance of a condo, 3 bed, near kindergarten and somewhere green which will all be very easy. Hospitals are mainly in the centre of SG - Raffles, KKK, etc, but as its so small travel will not be an issue there, same with access to the airport.

Working at Raffles City Tower your main concern will be getting there at peak periods - the public transport will be packed. Great area for lunch and dinner options though!

bakedbean

Is that true that foreigners are no longer allowed to buy houses in Singapore? When did that change? No wonder folks are buying across the border then.

ex reg

As I understand it on Sentosa anyone can buy anything.

On 'the mailand' then to buy landed you have to get special dispensation.

bakedbean

Yes that's what I understood exReg, that you have to get permission but IS possible. Not that I am thinking about it.

Had to chuckle a bit when you said Mainland.

MickG24

Yes, only on Sentosa. But who can afford to live there?

Inselaffen

as a foreigner you cannot buy landed property (houses) except on sentosa.
You can buy apartments.