|
Case
study: Tenants, Worries of an English Doctor-Mother.
Smog, graveyards,
house with number"4", expressway noise.
"The swimming pool
is near the main road and there may be smog" commented Mrs R, of
Waterfalls Garden, a popular condo with big spacious bedrooms of 3700 sq.
ft, located near Farrer Road. She is an English doctor and has 2 young
ones. No smog is evident in Singapore but apparently certain areas in
London is famous for smog.
"I don't like the
idea of having to explain about graveyards and the houses number ending in
4" was another comment for a Sime Road detached with pool. "Besides, you
can hear the expressway noise".
"Condominium living
is a compromise since we live in a house in England but the balcony has
expressway noises" referring to Arcadia Garden ground floor of 4700 sq. ft
of living space and plenty of storage spaces. The unit also has the tennis
courts on the right side of the balcony.
"Child safety is
important because the 3-year old is a climber". Condos with open balconies
(enclosed by bars) or houses with big openings downstairs or staircases
with big gaps are out. Swimming pools need to be fenced up as there are
many drowning of small children in England and Australia.
"You travel a lot"
means that the wife must be comfortable about security in a house,
preferably where there is a large expatriate community.
"Construction goes
on past midnight in Singapore" lamented another mother from South Africa.
She is not worried about security, having lived in fear in Johannesburg.
But she dislike noise and is worried about child safety - falling down
from higher floors.
Rental budget is
$8,000 which is considered a good one but it is hard to get a house with a
decent sized pool and big garden in a prime expat enclave area of District
9, 10 and 11. Realtors must work very hard to co-broke.
Most of the expatriate
mothers will choose a quiet spacious area (usually over 2,500 sq. ft) away
from the traffic and pollution, low floor with swimming pool. Realtors
must work very hard, co-broke and be alert. There may be just one and one
is more than enough.
|
March
23, 2011
For Rent