Need help to find affordable accommodation

**majimekun** · 06-08-2009, 05:23 PM

Hello everyone

I'm a French tourist planning to stay between 1 to 3 months in Singapore
in order to discover the place.

But the problem is that I don't manage to find a private place (no dorm) to
stay that would cost no more than S$1600/month

Is it impossible to find something for this budget?

I only need to have a clean tiny room (20m2 OK) with bed, private shower and internet access.
No need for anything fancy. No kitchen needed since I plan to eat outside.

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

**specialk78** · 06-08-2009, 10:07 PM

For that period of time u can rent a HDB room which will cost way less than that. Its flats owned by the government & u can just rent 1 room for like 500-700 depending on the location of cuz..u can try googlin for HDB rental..u will prob wanna look for a flat closer to town (Orchard Road) for example areas like Lower Delta/Toa Payoh/Tiong Bahru

All the best!

**wildswans** · 06-08-2009, 10:26 PM

try looking up hotel 81 and fragrance hotel. But stay away from geylang area, that's the red light district, unless its up your alley.

**majimekun** · 06-08-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialk78

For that period of time u can rent a HDB room which will cost way less than that. Its flats owned by the government & u can just rent 1 room for like 500-700 depending on the location of cuz..u can try googlin for HDB rental..u will prob wanna look for a flat closer to town (Orchard Road) for example areas like Lower Delta/Toa Payoh/Tiong Bahru

All the best!

Thanks a lot!

Never heard of HDB rooms before so I went for more info but even on http://askhdb.hdb.gov.sg/ they don't tell whether or not tourists are
allowed to rent such accommodations.

Could you certify that tourist are allowed to rent them?

Also, by any chance, do you know a good site that can show only the rentals that offer internet access?

Lastly, are there nice and cheaper remotely located areas that you could recommend?
(I don't mind taking the public transportation very often)

Thanks +1000

**majimekun** · 06-08-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialk78

For that period of time u can rent a HDB room which will cost way less than that. Its flats owned by the government & u can just rent 1 room for like 500-700 depending on the location of cuz..u can try googlin for HDB rental..u will prob wanna look for a flat closer to town (Orchard Road) for example areas like Lower Delta/Toa Payoh/Tiong Bahru

All the best!

Thanks a lot!

Never heard of HDB rooms before so I went for more info but even on
HDB's official website (faqs), they don't tell whether or not tourists are
allowed to rent such accommodations.

Could you certify that tourist are allowed to rent them?

Also, by any chance, do you know a good site that can show only the rentals that offer internet access?

Lastly, are there nice and cheaper remotely located areas that you could recommend?
(I don't mind taking the public transportation very often)

Thanks +1000

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildswans

try looking up hotel 81 and fragrance hotel.

Thanks

Yeah I've already found those but that would be great if I could find even less expensive options. Hopefully, HDB rooms seem to be the best option so far.

And spending 3 months in a hotel room might be a little bit challenging ...

**specialk78** · 06-08-2009, 11:52 PM

haha hotel 81 will burn a huge huge hole in yr pocket if u r gonna stay for that long..

u got 2 options, 1 will be to search in google for hdb rooms for rent or the second is to post a new posting in the forum entitled something like "looking to rent a hdb room for 3 months"...i m sure there r quite a number of property agents lurking in this forum..yes the easiest way is to look for property agents to help u find 1 thats within yr expectation...let them know u wish to stay near the MRT station (thats like the subway), relatively convenient/near town which is like the areas i mentioned b4, tell them u wan to have room with your own toilet which is called a master bedroom n internet facilities..yes foreigners can rent it...most tourist stay in hotels only cuz they only stay here for a few days but no worries theres no restriction for u to rent a flat...let them them know u r stayin for 3 months n u can ask them to send u some pics of e room, surrounding etc...do ask how are the other pple stayin in the flat as in are the owners living there or are other tenants staying there..if there are other tenants, what race are they...i dont think u will wish to stay in e same flat with some pple from China who cant communicate in English etc..let the agent know your budget is around 500-700 for a HDB room..1600 is too much budget to rent a HDB room, u can get the entire unit for tat price..but if u r more willing to spend more say 700-1k or so u can consider looking for a condominum which is private pty & it has facilities like swimming pool/tennis court/gym etc..also take note in spore there is more supply than demand now, so its a tenant's market..if the guy is trying to charge u 1k or more for a hdb master bedroom he is tryin to con u

here is some sites i randomly surfed for that will be of use to u...
http://www.propertylink.sg/
http://www.easyroommate.com.sg/index.aspx
http://classifieds.singaporeexpats.c...at.php/cat/122
http://www.propertyhub.com.sg/

U can msg in pte if u need further help.

**majimekun** · 07-08-2009, 12:13 AM

Wow ... thanks a lot for your wonderful help!

**specialk78** · 07-08-2009, 08:28 AM

No worries. Enjoy yr stay..wat r u planning to do in Spore for 3 months anyway? Its pretty tiny & can b covered in a few days.

**majimekun** · 07-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Well, priority number one will be the making of friends (not the shallow type) and spend as much meaningful time as possible with them.

I understand that the place isn't too big but since the locals manage to live there for years, I don't see why I couldn't do the same during 3 months

And since I run my own online business, I will have to work too

**specialk78** · 07-08-2009, 11:49 AM

I see..enjoy both yr play n work in Spore then

**majimekun** · 07-08-2009, 05:11 PM

Ahaha ... I'm not sure what you mean by "play" but I will look for no more than friendships because ... well ... it's less troublesome than more intimate relationships

**specialk78** · 08-08-2009, 11:25 AM

hahaha by saying play I meant enjoy yr holiday..haa

**wildswans** · 17-08-2009, 12:54 AM

I think you can try to negotiate for a long term rate for the 3mth stay. I think there are a number of Hostels and HDB homestay available, i believe there are some websites on these, but I can't really recall.

There is YMCA and YWCA also. You can check out the YHA website for hostels or chalets participating in their programme. Think there is a long term rate negotiable too.

FlattenedCake · 17-08-2009, 01:36 AM

or find someone frm sgc to "rent" u a place for 3mths

come to think of it, how do i measure the size of a room?

**majimekun** · 17-08-2009, 02:47 AM

Thanks

I think I'll first try the search of a HDB master room because it looks like a good compromise between price and privacy. I'll put adds online a couple of months before my departure.

**limtata** · 17-08-2009, 02:50 AM

look for property agent to help u rent a masterbed room or something.

just name what facilities u need, where u want it and they will find it. =)

**majimekun** · 17-08-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limtata

look for property agent to help u rent a masterbed room or something.

just name what facilities u need, where u want it and they will find it. =)

You mean : online property agent? ... or a property agent's office once I'm arrived?
If by any chance you know a good serious online agent, that would be great

**limtata** · 17-08-2009, 03:04 AM

sometimes, online stuffs can be deceiving ok.

if u wanna get online agent online, i would rather u go rent hotel room where u can get served by someone. not only that,u can get whatever facilities u want there. if u're here to work, get sponsorship from your company. if u're the boss of the company, good luck. sometimes some money cannot be saved.

but if u want property agent, i can introduce one who i think did a very good job in locating flats for those work permit holders.

**wildswans** · 27-08-2009, 12:30 AM

Check out Hangout@emily and Re! too

**Squirrel<3Nuts** · 29-08-2009, 11:42 AM

Hi there~! Heard that you plan to stay for like 3 mths in Singapore. I myself work at a hostel which is called ServiceWorld, located at the heart of Chinatown.

The cost should be affordable, & you can contact the in charge, Mr Andrew Yip @ Andrewyip181@hotmail.com or Serviceworld@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

You can too check out the website, http://serviceworld.com.sg for the locations, places of interest nearby the area, pics of our hostels. You can definitely make new friends staying at a hostel, because that is where a lot of people from different countries/cultures come together.

Just another suggestion for you to look into, we will be glad to help you.

=)

Take care~!