moving out

starblue SG

can you guys help me brainstorm what are the things to consider and to take note of when one is considering moving out of the house? i am thinking in terms of renting a room in a 3 room apartment kinda living arrangement.

what are the preparations i need? what i need to buy? what kind of lifestyle do i have to adapt to? how much money is involved?

appreciate any help. Wink

oxford mushroom SG

Much depends on the room...does it come with ensuite bathroom? Fighting for the toilet/bathroom, sharing a kitchen with the landlord....can you get along with them...how much privacy you get? Will you have a TV in your room or will you share their TV...fighting over channels?

Telephone not an issue if you use mobile...will utilities be included?

What else to buy depends on how big the room is and what things are important for you. For me, I need a room big enough for my books.

starblue SG

i can only imagine working for the entire day only to retreat into the privacy of my room to do lesson plans and leisure reading. only need kitchen for food (i dun mind cooking for whoever is in the house if they dun mind) and bathroom. (any idea how much will the rental be like, with or without bathroom?) i dun really watch tv, so not an issue there. i suppose utilities will be included in the rental unless excessive usage is there. (but can someone confirm that for me?)

i need a bed, a working table with a comfy single's sofa or chair. a bookshelf. cupboard for clothes and other personal stuff. simple life, really. but i need to know what i will be facing if i really am living alone.

oxford mushroom SG

average about $350 you can rent a room with utilities included, but some really posh ones with ensuite bathroom (master bedroom) are asking for $600 and more...

Must check got aircon or not...I cannot stand the heat and humidity in Singapore. Other than that, not a problem. Some landlords have curfew...you should check.

alexkusu SG

go flattin with some frens…helps cut down cost..to maybe $150 a week?

starblue SG

350 is monthly or weekly??? i prefer non-aircon rooms anyway. just need a ceiling fan. Mr. Green ok, curfew, noted. thanks.

usually if u rent a room need to clean the house one not ah???

gohkatkat SG

location.....is it close to places of eat........schoolls...........workplace........convenience.............

what transport is present there......buses.............train.........close proximity to the transport system.........

what sort of neighbours you might have closeby............are they nice........unfriendly.....stupid.........smart........helpful.......

oxford mushroom SG

monthly of course...$350 a week? You can rent an entire flat for that Mr. Green

ceiling fan...your expectations lower than mine...easy to upkeep then Smile

NeverSayGoodBye SG

..... Sory wrong post Smile

starblue SG

i heard that if u stay with the landlady, you may not be allowed to use the stove and/or the living room (with TV and sofa)?? there are also landladies who rent (say, a 3 room flat) the two bedrooms to separate tenants then she herself stay another place. so the whole apartment is between u and the room mate correct?? is this also 350 per month?

starblue SG

yah. i tot of that also. best is close to my workplace (prob a school) and a market. transport wise i'm not particular as long as got direct bus to any mrt station/bus interchange can liao. neighbours wun be a prob, since now itself i seldom see neighbours anyway. and i expect i'll just coop up in my room in the evenings, with some contact with roommate, that's it.

LazerLordz SG

Best thing is to get a friend and rent an apartment if all else fails. Wink

starblue SG

i dun see any of my friends even considering moving out. so that is not a viable option as of now.

NeverSayGoodBye SG

..... If you think moving out is the best option for you right now, dun worry too much just move ahead. You never know what self-discovery you will make when living alone. I got female friends in their early twenties who move out and stay alone by renting a room. Most of them got problems with the family members. Either with parents or siblings.

For life style changes, just live within your means. Buy what you need and not what you want. Self-discipline is important, you got to cook, wash laundry, iron, clean your own room and etc all by yourself. You might feel lonely at times or miss your family. Well can visit them every weekends. It is a good test of your state of independent.

If things don't work out can still go back to your family. Very Happy

oxford mushroom SG

depends on location, size of room etc lor...that's why I said must check things like use of kitchen and living room. Generally, the rule is that you have a right to use any facilities in the common area such as living room, kitchen, toilet etc...unless it is stated otherwise in the tenancy agreement.

I plan to buy a condo later in the year...maybe I should consider renting the rooms out to people like you since I am not in Sg..

CoolMyth SG

My grandma is renting her 3-room flat to someone for 800 monthly. The occupants are responsible for the utilities payment. She does that since she's staying with my uncle.

For a single room, I am not quite sure about details and all that. I suppose utilities are covered in the monthly rent for that. Maybe yes, maybe no, you have to ask around.

As said, the important things are location, how the family staying there is like, TV, cooking area/food etc.

But my opinion is this, it might be better to really find a friend and then renting an entire flat together, rather than staying together with someone you dun know and having to watch yourself all the time. You might think of just hiding in your room and not coming out but there are situations where you can't do that. Wink

If you are serious about the idea, it's best to find a housing agent of sorts and ask him to help you find suitable places. It saves you a lot of trouble. Of course, you can save the commission and all that by really going through Classified and stuff. Depends on your choice. Wink

TooFree SG

I have no prior experience to relate to you on the costs and lifestyle of being living alone. You are a girl, my advice would be that you take extra care and precaution especially when you are seeking accommodation outside. In short, personal safety should rank priority over price. Below are my thoughts in question form which are non-exhaustive on living alone:

1. Are you an independent person?
2. Can you cook?
3. Do you know how to wash laundry?
4. Are you streetsmart?
5. Are you afraid of the dark?
6. Will you feel comfortable living with stranger?
7. Are you scard of ghost?
8. Are you scard of thunder storm and lightning?
9. Have you got prior camping experience?
10. Are you able to manage your finance?
11. Have you been to the market before?
12. What happen if you fall sick outside?

In my humble opinion, I strongly do not recommend you to move out since you are still a student with no financial means to cope and support yourself with the hefty amount of rental and utility fees. Most importantly, if your decision on moving out is to make an 'escape' for unknown reason, you should know better than me that it will not solve any cause nor erdicate the root of the problem eventually. However, if it is for a short term breather for peace and tranquility, then I would advise you to seek lodging with your trustworthy gal friends instead. Neutral

oxford mushroom SG

Are you allowed to rent out the entire HDB flat?

LazerLordz SG

If your flat is fully paid up.

CoolMyth SG

Yep. All fully paid up. After all, it was bought when the flat was just constructed. Now shall be about 20+ years ago. Laughing