Cheap houses for rent in my area

If you’re guilty as charged, here’s our list of seven most affordable areas to rent a home – either a condo or HDB, across various unit types to help you go easy on your piggy bank.

Woodlands

Although historically Woodlands has been known to offer cheaper rentals, we spoke to a real estate agent named Jerry who shared with us that demand has been on a steady rise possibly due to the increased demand from the Malaysians in Singapore during the pandemic and now that borders are reopening. 

Woodlands, as we know it, is chock-full of amenities such as Causeway Point and the new Woods Square Mall. You’ll have no shortage of swanky dining options if you manage to convince your mates to have a non-Central meet-up with options like The Carpenters Bar, Tenderbest Makcik Tuckshop and Anson Town Bistro.

  And for your fill of nature, take a stroll down the longest jetty in Singapore, Woodlands Jetty, tucked within the Woodlands Waterfront Park where you can soak in magnificent views during the golden hour against the light sea breeze. People fishing, campers pitching tents and kids stretching their legs are a common sight here. 

Yishun

Although Yishun may be a controversial neighbourhood, making the headlines with queer happenings more frequently in the recent past, it still makes a good location to rent. There are plenty of pre-schools providing convenience for couples with young children. Northpoint City located strategically beside Yishun MRT station provides ample shopping and dining options.

 Yishun is not only notorious for their street races happening in the wee hours of the morning at Yishun Dam with youngsters attempting to live their Fast and Furious dreams but it is home to hippie cafes such as Holy Cow Creamery where one can chill with a crispy waffle topped with scoops of ice cream and drizzled with maple syrup.

All eyes are currently on the up and coming Chill @ Chong Pang which is set to be completed in 2027 and will comprise of the Chong Pang Community Club, Market and Hawker Center, three swimming pools, a gym, fitness studio and commercial shops. Upon completion, it would provide the 40-year-old neighborhood a much anticipated facelift.

Jurong East

Calling young Einstein’s and nature lovers. Not only does Jurong East originate from a heritage of mangrove swamps and farms, it is home to attractions such as the Bird Park, Science Centre and Chinese Gardens. 

This once backwater neighborhood has transformed with the emergence of numerous malls housing both hawkers and restaurants from various nationalities that form a melting pot of cultures and cuisines with chefs cooking Korean, Chinese, Indian and Malay dishes. 

Try out some hidden gems such as Smoocht Pantry at Bold and Venture Drive Coffee or even cool off at the Jurong East Swimming Complex where couples with the little ones could enjoy a splashing good time. 

Kallang / Whampoa

This neighborhood is lined with HDBs and private condominiums, a stone’s throw away from amenities such as retail shops, supermarkets, wet markets and eateries.

Much of our generation’s childhood would have grown up with the Kallang wave or Kallang roar and memories drifting back to National Days held at the National Stadium. In recent years, it has fast established itself to be Singapore’s hub for sports and leisure. 

This was especially since the opening of the Singapore Sports Hub which also houses the OCBC Aquatic Center, Singapore Sports Museum, Singapore Indoor Stadium and the Kallang Wave Mall. Sports retail outlets, multi-cuisine dining  options, sports-themed hypermarkets, they have them all. 

Adrenaline junkies may even get their fix from a wide variety of both land and water sports such as wave riding. Even the little ones would be delighted at the kids’ water playground.

 Sports aside, couples may also choose to explore the many quirky and themed cafes hidden within the neighborhood such as Platform 1094 where one could relive their Harry Potter childhood with both flaming and smoking dishes with even robes for the insta-moments.

Punggol

The latest housing projects to launch in 2019 were located in the newest Punggol Point District. Punggol Point Crown comprises residential blocks ranging from six to twenty six storeys offering 1,545 units of 2, 3, 4 and 5-room flats. Residents could even kick back and relax after a busy week at the rooftop gardens. Punggol Point Cove consists of 1,178 units of 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-room and even 3Gen flats.

Residents can enjoy leisurely strolls along the 4.2km Punggol Waterway whilst soaking in both the sun and majestic scenery. Places such as Coney Island, Punggol Promenade and The Punggol Settlement are some of the quick getaways from the busy work week.

Sengkang

Sengkang consists of four key neighborhoods namely Compassvale, Fernvale, Anchorvale and Rivervale offering both new and old residential estates including BTO flats. And if you’re looking for something with a little more frills, condominiums such as Sengkang Grand Residence even provide residents easy access to Buangkok MRT Station and Sengkang Grand Mall.

Young couples would be pleased to know that Sengkang offers an abundance of activities for everyone. From nature trails to satisfy our inner gazelle or a picnic in the park, folks from all walks of life would take ease in commuting around via the extensive LRT network and would not leave disappointed. Check out this guide on 10 things to do in Sengkang.

Choa Chu Kang

Home to one of the few remaining vegetable and poultry farms in Singapore, couples and individuals seeking a breath of fresh air could easily take a stroll in the Choa Chu Kang Park. They could even journey through time down paths winding through remnants of plantations which once stood.

 Alternatively, sizable shopping centers such as Lot One and Junction 10 are within arm’s length offering ample retail and dining choices.

It also has a strong presence of education institutions ranging from kindergartens to tertiary. Supplemented by the presence of a double storey public library with an indoor garden, hydroponics showcase and even an AR trail, Choa Chu Kang as a choice option for prospective homeowners comes as no surprise.

Pro rental tips from a real estate agent

It can be tempting to jump on the first rental home you find that matches your “vibe” or Pinterest dream home goals, but those who have already flown the coop will tell you that important planning makes all the difference between your new home journey being heaven or hell. 

Here are some factors to consider if you’re considering renting:

1. Proximity to supermarkets and F&B options

It’ll be in your interest to make sure that you’ve got at least one major supermarket and a smattering of food options within walking distance from your home – wet markets and shopping malls are an added bonus. 

 2. Choose Units that are easily accessible and close to MRT stations

Another important factor to consider is accessibility. Having an MRT a stone’s throw away will definitely make commuting that much easier. It’s good to map out your most frequented spots and ensure the journey isn’t too tedious.  

 3. Avoid Homes with overly fancy fixtures

We might be swayed by an aesthetically-pleasing home with all sorts of fancy fixtures, but you’ll want to think about maintenance and practicality as a potential homeowner. Imagine changing a hanging light fixture on a double volume cathedral ceiling cleaning dust bunnies out of a fancy chandelier.

You’ll want to prioritise functional factors such as the provision of broadband and Wi-Fi, the accessibility of roads and potential noise from construction sites.

 4. Understand the rental process

The idea of owning your very own place can be exhilarating, at least until the first utility bill arrives in the mail, followed by the tsunami of household chores and miscellaneous repairs. Be sure to understand the rental process, calculate and set the right amount of budget aside before embarking on the exciting process.

Most affordable areas to rent a HDB in Singapore

 Yes, yes, we know. Some of you may be wondering why the seven places listed may not necessarily match the latest range of rental prices based on HDB’s Data above. This is because the range provided is keyed in by the individual HDB owners and not by the Housing Board itself. 

We have discovered that within the range lies a mix of room rentals and rentals of entire units hence the fluctuation in price.  In our opinion, the most affordable area in Singapore to start your rental journey would be a 1-Room (room only) in Choa Chu Kang. Not only are units one of the lowest in the list, accessibility to amenities such as malls transportation and dining options are plenty and nothing but a stone’s throw away.  

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