Job Discussion Forums

[wailing_imam]

I worked in Sinagpore between 2003-2005 and paid 750SGD for a 2 bedroom HDB flat all to myself. I wish to return this year, but it seems that housing prices have doubled and rental of a HDB flat starts at 1600SGD a month. This seems a tad ambitious given that a mortgage for an executive HDB flat costs around 1200 a month. What's the story?

Also, I note that the few ESL jobs advertising are paying the same salaries as 2003-2005(Tyndale, Premier Language Centre, Linguaphone) , at around the 3200 mark, the notable change is Shines, now paying 3800 a month (Still way short given the housing price increase). Now, how do you TEFLers survive?

[Pinchy]

Salaries in even the better paying schools have failed to keep up with the cost of living in Singapore. I know many teachers that have left the island, others are sharing accommodation.

From what I've seen, the profile of TEFLers has changed in the past few years; more couples and expat partners working as teachers in Singapore. Low salary and high cost of housing is less of an issue for these.

[sheepshead]

I have just done a run down on rental costs in Singapore for apartments.

I perused about 30 adverts and there was only one below S$2K p/m.

The 30 adverts were just a small collection of a multitude of offers for rent.

Most apartments are now aroung S$3K p/m or better and most of these are out of the action area (Orchard Road) some distance.

I hope that this enlightens all readers just a little.

[wailing_imam]

But I am more interested in HDB flats. You have perused the Condo section...

[sheepshead]

It seems that three criteria are at play regards cost of HDB flats.

1) Quality of flat:-) To me it seems that if the flat is old and not had much upkeep (needs painting, new curtains, new A/C etc [ read the equivelant of a dog box]) it would be around S$1.8k - S$2k p/m.

2) Distance to public transport or distance to town:-) plus quality of flat and quality of neighbourhood. (Remember that although Singapore is hard on unsocial activities, there are and always will be those whom you do not really want to associate with in the neighbourhood.)

3) How many bedrooms and how many bathrooms in the flat:-) It seems that with the above mix you can expect to pay around S$2.5K - S$3.8K p/m. This is the lower side of quality.

Also, you should not forget PRIVACY which you usually do not get in a HDB flat /unit!

Beware!

[Pmedix]

Newbie question....what is a HDB flat and how do the differ from the condos?

Thanks

[sheepshead]

The difference between a HDB and condos are as follows:

A HDB (Housing Development Board) dwelling is government built. It maybe have been sold to a private buyer in the past. Hoever, it is still governed by Singapore's laws on accommodation / rent.

My observation on the "old" style HDB dwellings is that privacy is next to non-existant as occupants of other dwellings (units) in the same building walk past your windows and are able to look in. This might be fine for people who like to mind other people's business. As you can imagine it does nothing for privacy for a person who wants to live in a very private world.

A condo is generally privately built and generally has good privacy. This is except for those who share the condo / apartment.

My recent research on accommodation in Singapore is that prices are somewhat the same although the top end of apartments / condos are quite dear. On the othere end of the scale, accommodation which one may consider to be acceptable for canines to live in could be cheap.

Read the contract carefully and if possible try and get a contract for accommodation before you go to Singapore.

Salaries:

By everything written, salaries may have gone down or at best stayed stagnant. This could be due to the world recession. Singapore is very dependant on shipping to use its port facilities. A recent report stated that around 12% of container ships lay idle at sea near Johor Baru / Singapore. I would like to know if this has changed. Any remarks?

You should be looking for at least S$4,000 p/m and hopefully more to cover housing. Anything less and look elsewhere.

Caveat Emptor!