801121 Surfers' Girl USA

PROMPT REPLIES TO INTERNET QUERIES ON SINGAPORE HOUSING
Ref: 801121

Subject: UE SQUARE CONDOS
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 04:30:40 +0000From: drsing <drsing@pacific.net.sg>To: ..@gol.comMon Jan 12, 98 4 a.m Will be viewing apartments 2nd time with an American who lived in Japan for 11 years on Jan 15. He will be selling his furniture in Japan. He finds that space is more important and that his US$ housing allowance gives him more spending power (One US$ = S$1.75 now instead of S$1.40 in July 1997). I hope you have negotiated for US$ remuneration and not S$ as in my opinion, the S$ will depreciate further.

TRANSPORT. If you don't mind walking, UE Square is around 7-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut subway; you will need to take another connection at City Hall to Jurong East. Or you can take a bus outside UE Square to City Hall and take the City Hall subway to Jurong East.

ROOM LAYOUTS. Will need to fax details. For 2 bedrooms, there are a variety of layouts. You have a rectangular or squarish living and dining room; one master bedroom with attached long bath and shower; a study room; a kitchen (open concept), a utility area for washing machine and dryer (if there is space). You will need to be careful as some utility areas are too small to accommodate a dryer. Sizes vary from 700sq. ft to 1,200 sq. ft for 2 bedrooms.

RENTALS FOR 2 BEDROOMS VARIES BUT RENTALS ARE LOWER NOW. I rented 2 units at S$4,000 fully furnished, 1,200 sq.ft and another at S$3,500 fully furnished, 950 sq.ft in December 1997. Other units rented from S$4,300 to S$4,500 but rentals have declined further as Owners know there will be a large influx of completed units within next few weeks. UE has over 450 units.

After yesterday’s hectic viewing of several UE apartments with 2 American and 1 Australian singles, I have one partially furnished at S$3,000, 950 sq. ft and a well laid out unit with a squarish living/dining area, big utility room for washer and dryer, 1,000 sq. ft at S$3,500 fully furnished which I highly recommend. A one-bedroom (850 sq. ft) at S$3,000, another (770 sq.ft) at S$2,800 and (500 sq.ft) at S$2,900. Landlords ask for the highest prices as you can see from the 500 sq. ft asking rental! I will recommend you >1,000 sq.ft and should be able to get one for you at S$3,000 partially furnished or fully furnished if you give me a bit of time (around 3 weeks before residence).

INTELLIGENT BUILDING. UE Square Apartments boast of technological facilities such that you can pre-set the time you want your air conditioners to be switched on electronically and other uses.

FULL CONDO FACILITIES. Swimming pool almost Olympic size for adult, and child pool; big gym; big function room for your meetings; 2 squash courts; 1 tennis court; car parking (Tenant needs to pay S$100/month fee); children's play area; card access security, security system to screen visitors.

AMENITIES ON DOORSTEP.

A building adjoining has a Supermarket (Shop N Save); Cafe (Delifrance), retail shops and restaurants.
The ground floors of the residential building has more retail shops.
Daimaru Supermarket with all kinds of retail shops just 5-minute walk away.
Pubs and cafes across the road (Mohd Sultan Road).

Clarke Quay (favorite expatriate area with food and entertainment) within 5-minute walk.

Orchard Road (most popular tourist area) with Starbucks, Planet Hollywood and all shops) is within 10-minute walk.

Fort Canning, National Library and National Museum within 15-minute walk.

Many buses to town and Orchard Road.

Dhoby Ghaut subway is around 7-minute walk away.

First time expatriate wives are happier when they live in expatriate areas like UE Square. She may want to work (easier to find work in downtown area) or do volunteer work. Live close to Raffles Place and UE Square Condo is close. Jurong East is not an expatriate area.

Keep the wife happy? Unless you don’t want your wife too many opportunities to spend money in the malls (perpetual 50% off sales) and to meet other expatriate wives without having to take taxis and drive. American Club within 5-minute by taxi. Tanglin Club for the English expatriates next to American Club. I had one Japanese client who rented a house 5-minute walk away from the other Japanese wives in Ridgewood Condo; after 2 years, the wife shifted to Ridgewood Condo. Many Japanese husbands make decisions on behalf of the wives but many prefer condos.

SHIPPING. No need to ship furniture as most Landlords of new UE apartments do provide furnishing and are flexible (in view of rental decline situation). I have several Landlords who are most happy to provide furniture of Tenant's choice, within a reasonable budget. In some cases, the Landlord gives 80% of 2 months' rental to let the Tenant buy furniture; much depends on negotiations and a good realtor.

CHEAPER 2-BEDROOMS near Raffles Place. Yes, I have 2 brand new 2-bedroom new units near the World Trade Center at S$2,500 or S$2,600 but the condo does not have full condo facilities. UE Square will see rental decline drastically due to a large number of over 450 units being available for rent within next 2 months.

If I miss out some of your queries, please let me know. Bye.
..@gol.com wrote:
Dr. Sing,
Thank you for following up so soon. To respond...

Pl let me know whether you want to be near UE Square or Jurong?

> My wife and I are undecided on where to live - if we are near Jurong East then it will be very convenient for work. However, UE Square would be great for living in the city. The only thing I don't like about UE Square is that it is a little far from the nearest subway station (for accessing Jurong E.).

>I would like to know more about UE Square - about facilities, the nearby area (grocery, etc.), and room layouts. My colleagues tell me it is quite nice.

>I am in negotiation about shipping now. I really want to ship nothing and buy everything new when I come to S'pore. However, I am not sure how nice my company will be - however, shipping costs are very high out of Japan and I think they will be willing when they see the costs!

Shall I scout apt at S$3,000 budget?

I would not mind a cheaper place in UE Square. However, if it is the ground floor, I might worry about security or some inconvenience. I might rather spend a little more money and get a nicer place.

Best regards,

At 04:20 98/01/09 -0800, you wrote:Jan 9Netscape 3.0 corrupted again. Sent you an email few minutes earlier but couldn't continue writing.

1. Pl let me know whether you want to be near UE Square or Jurong?

2. Fully furnished - usually means living, dining sets, beds and mattresses, washing machine (but no dryer), fridge, oven, curtains and air conditioning included. Much depends on negotiations if you want a dryer as most Americans/Europeans but not Japanese do. You need not bring anything from Japan as I can find a Landlord who will be most flexible.
3. Shall I scout apt at S$3,000 budget? Best wishes.

..@gol.com wrote: Dr. Sing,
Many thanks for a quick reply. I have noted your number and plan to call on you. My company's business offices are in UE Square, so it is very convenient occasional meetings. However, I would be grateful if you would also scout a few cheaper options close to my office.
We are in the contract finalisation stages and I hope to be in S'pore in the next couple of weeks to select an apartment (hopefully together with my wife). Also, what exactly does "fully furnished" cover in the way of appliances and furniture (it is my first time dealing with this)? We are trying to minimise the items brought from Japan. I will appreciate your reply,

Best regards, ….

At 18:57 98/01/07 -0800, you wrote:Jan 7 7 p.mThank you for writing to me and compliments on website which is done by a professional webmaster, Mr. Richman. In reply, pl see below...@gol.com wrote: Dr.Sing,

I will be relocating to Singapore from Japan with my wife from the end of February and would like your help in locating a suitable apartment. I have found your web site to be of great value. My place of work will be near Jurong East MRT station. To answer your guiding questions:

Location required: Southwest (near place of work) or Central (e.g. UE Square)
Near to subway (MRT)? Yes, if possible OR available shuttle bus.
No. of bedrooms: 2 bedrooms, living, dining, kitchen
Sq. feet floor area for apartment: 900 - 1200 sq. ft
Rental budget: SGD 3000 - 4000 (prefer $3000 range)
Commencement date of tenancy: March 1
Other items: Partially/Fully furnished. Properties with swimming pool, tennis court ONLY - also squash, facilities welcome. Near to...

With your budget, no problem getting fully furnished 2 bedroom at around 1,000 sq. ft in UE Square - cheapest one I can find for you today is S$3,500. Nearer to your office, there are even cheaper ones which will be ready in late January. I will scout these units for you if you like. Please let me know one or 2 days in advance which hotel you will be staying so that I can schedule viewings. Pl let me know if you have more queries. Bye.

Looking forward to your reply,M