If you're a renter in Singapore, you might as well face it: you would sooner come across a dancing leprechaun than dirt-cheap rent in Singapore. This is one of the most expensive cities in the world after all, and also one of the most expensive property markets.
But for budget conscious expats who are looking to rent in a central location, fret not. There are bargains to be found if you look hard enough. Assuming you have a budget of $3,000 per month, and are comfortable with a two-bedroom setup, you can quite easily take up residence in a prime district (9, 10, 11) property. Here are five such condos to consider.
1) Robertson Edge - D9 (River Valley)
Image source: robertsonquay.com
Robertson Quay is positively buzzing these days. The new InterContinental Hotel just opened its doors in October. Members-only Club 1880 will have its soft launch this month. Making the area more accessible is the new Fort Canning MRT station, which also began operations in October. Robertson Edge, which lies just off Mohamed Sultan Road, is perfectly positioned to take advantage of these amenities. This is great, since the condo doesn’t have much in the way of facilities besides a pool and jacuzzi. You can rent a 474 sq. ft. two-bedder here for $3,000, based on current listings on EdgeProp.sg.
2) Parc Sophia - D9 (Rochor)
Midway between Orchard Road and Little India, but tucked away in a quiet nook: that’s the appeal of Mount Sophia. And, by extension, Parc Sophia, a 152-unit development nestled on the hill. Nearby conveniences include a FairPrice Xpress supermarket in Peace Centre and a cineplex in The Cathay. The condo is also served by two MRT stations – Dhoby Ghaut and Bencoolen – each about a 10-minute stroll away. Facilities here are quite standard. They include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, BBQ pits and gym. Listings on EdgeProp.sg show that a 667 sq. ft. two-bedder goes for around $2,700 to $3,000.
3) Suites @ Newton - D11 (Novena)
The Newton-Novena district is one of the most popular residential areas in Singapore, for good reason. It’s well-served by schools, hospitals, places of worship, shopping malls, eateries, and by the MRT, CTE and PIE. Suites @ Newton is a relatively new development, having only received its TOP in 2016. The 67-unit condo comes with facilities such as a gym and swimming pool. Units currently available on EdgeProp.sg come in right around the $3,000 mark for 603 sq. ft. two-bedders.
4) Stellar RV - D10 (Tanglin)
Stellar RV is one of River Valley’s newer residences. The 120-unit development received its TOP in 2015, and is equipped with facilities such as a swimming pool, sun deck, BBQ area and gym. Nearby malls like Great World City and Valley Point provide conveniences such as banks/ATMs, dry-cleaning services, supermarkets and money changers. Meanwhile, foodies will be spoilt for choice with the neighbourhood’s wealth of dining options, from local delights to international (particularly Indonesian, Japanese, French and Italian) fare. Here, a $3,000 budget gets you a 500-plus sq. ft. two-bedder apartment, as listed on EdgeProp.sg.
5) Adam Green - D11 (Newton)
Adam Green is located within prime district 11, yet is a bit further out than the other condos we’ve highlighted. That said, there’s a huge upside to living away from the city centre: space. You can easily rent a 900 sq. ft. two-bedder here on a $3,000 budget, according to the latest listings on EdgeProp.sg. Besides the ample living space, there’s also the lush natural environment of the Botanic Gardens virtually at your doorstep. And the Botanic Gardens MRT whisks you to the CBD in about 15 minutes. Do note that there are no facilities, however, as this is a boutique development with only 16 units.