Latest news with #SingaporeHousing
Independent Singapore
07-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'Is spending half your salary on rent just the price of privacy in Singapore—or pure madness?'
Photo: Freepik/freepik SINGAPORE: A 29-year-old woman readying for a job transfer recently shared her housing predicament on Reddit, prompting an animated conversation about the real cost of privacy in the Lion City. She's slated to receive approximately S$7,000/month and is eager to rent a one-bedroom or studio apartment on her own, without any flatmates, but she found out fast that getting such a space in a good location could easily cost her S$2,500 to S$3,000 monthly, virtually half her pre-tax compensation. For someone who relishes a simple life and hawker food over-indulgent binges, the big question facing her: Is it common—or financially irresponsible—to spend so much on rent in Singapore just for the sake of privacy? One Reddit user commented that although S$3,000 on rent from a S$7,000 salary is a little bit scary, it can work. It was suggested that a practical middle ground must be found, meaning to start with co-living spaces first. For approximately S$1,500, one can rent a master room with a private bathroom via dependable co-living businesses, providing not just cost-effectiveness but peace of mind. Plus, residing in such communal arrangements at first could help newcomers discover different localities, so they could choose later on where they want to settle permanently. See also 5 Things You Must Consider When Buying Travel Insurance Another commenter stressed the value of individual priorities against society's standards. 'Is it wise for you?' the commenter asked. If tranquillity and personal space drive productivity and offer happiness, then paying more for rent can be a shrewd investment rather than a thoughtless expenditure. A blunt reminder came from a commenter who emphasised Singapore's reality: 'In land-scarce Singapore, having a whole house to yourself is considered luxury.' With inadequate space and high demand, privacy has a premium, making it a lifestyle option many seek to have but can't easily afford. The consensus leaned towards — no, it's not reckless to pay that much if having your own space helps you thrive. One Redditor said: 'Nothing beats having a place of your own—no nightmare roommates, no crazy landlords, and peace of mind after a long day.' The commenter suggested trying solo renting for at least a year or two. The ease of coming home to your own condo, doing dirty washing anytime, and avoiding interruptions can compensate for the financial strain. So, if you're eyeballing Singapore for work and evaluating housing choices, don't be confined to just the numbers. Look inside yourself and ask what kind of lifestyle props up your best self and whether privacy and peace are worth the high price you're paying in your exceptional journey. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNA
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
HDB resale prices up 0.9% in Q2, lowest quarter-on-quarter growth since 2020
Analysts said property buyers can expect resale public housing flats in Singapore to be priced more attractively. This follows the lowest quarter-on-quarter growth for resale flat prices since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Resale flat prices slowed for the third straight quarter to jump 0.9% in Q2 2025. About 5,500 Build-to-Order flats will be launched this month, together with 3,000 Sale of Balance Flats. This supply, coupled with global economic uncertainties, is likely to keep resale market prices from surging in the coming months. Eugene Chow reports.
Independent Singapore
30-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Is it common to spend nearly half your salary on rent in SG?
SINGAPORE: A woman who's about to move to Singapore for work asked in a Reddit post if it's common to spend almost half of one's salary on rent. U/Internal-Parking7010 wrote in a Jun 29 (Sunday) post on r/askSingapore that she will be earning S$7,000 a month and is looking at housing options since she hopes to have a place of her own instead of sharing it with flatmates. From what she's seen, a one-bedroom or studio flat 'in a decent area' may cost around S$2,500 to S$3,000 a month. 'I don't live luxuriously and am happy eating hawker food most of the time, so I'm wondering: Is it common or reasonable to spend almost half of your salary on rent in Singapore? Would that be financially reckless or just the norm for people who value privacy?' she asked. Conventional wisdom says that rent should be capped at 30% of one's income. Those whose income is variable, or who have a lot of debt, are often advised not to shell out that much but to choose more affordable housing options. See also Number of luxury condos bought by Chinese up 158% in Q1 However, 'Deciding how much you should pay for rent isn't always a straightforward calculation. Going above the recommended threshold of 30% of your gross monthly income can make it harder to cover other expenses and meet savings goals. However, personal rent affordability can vary depending on a range of factors such as overall budget, outstanding debt, geographic location, and other housing-related costs,' reads a blog entry from a top financial services group in the United States. Many Reddit users who commented on the post felt that spending half of one's paycheck on rent was quite high, and suggested co-living instead, at least initially. 'S$3k on a S$7k salary is a little on the high side in my opinion, but doable. I'm assuming 7k is pre-tax. I'd recommend going with a co-living company for six months or so. S$1.5k~ should get you a master room with an ensuite bathroom. Less chance of nightmare landlords with a co-living company, too. It'll also give you time to get a sense of where in Singapore you'd like to stay. Then, after six months, you can reconsider if you'd like a whole unit or a different location,' one wrote. 'Seconding the co-living option. It's easier to withdraw from this arrangement if it doesn't suit you than to break a lease, and yes, landlords can be extremely nightmarish, especially since you're a foreigner; the more unscrupulous ones will try to push you around,' wrote another. A commenter, however, had a different take, writing, 'If space and quiet are your absolute non-negotiable priorities, then $3k should be looked at from the perspective of value and not cost. 'If having quiet allows you to hustle harder (therefore earning more), cook at and find entertainment at home, then it'll be a money saver, compared to a flat share where you spend every possible moment outside, spending more money and burning mental energy.' 'Do consider that your salary is subject to tax. On top of rent, there are also bills. So you may end up spending more than half of your salary on just keeping a roof over your head,' another warned. /TISG See also HDB flats resale prices increase for the first time in 9 Quarters Read also: 'Things are hard right now' — Family pays S$4K/month house rent; their mum even struggles to return to the workforce after 15 years being a housewife
CNA
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Will we see more million dollar flats as the MOP period for many new estates approaches?
CNA938 Rewind Singaporeans could expect a moderation of resale flat prices, when more new flats meet their minimum occupation period starting next year. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak more with Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer,
CNA
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Can Singaporeans expect moderated resale flat prices in 2026?
CNA938 Rewind Singaporeans could expect a moderation of resale flat prices, when more new flats meet their minimum occupation period starting next year. Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin speak more with Nicholas Mak, Chief Research Officer,
