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Residential property in Singapore can be broadly classified into private and
public housing.
Private Housing in Singapore
Private housing in Singapore on the other hand can be categorized into the
following types:
1. Apartments
2. Condominiums
3. Townhouses
4. Landed Properties
5. Colonial Houses
6. Pre-war conservation terrace
1. Apartments
Apartments are low or high-rise private residential buildings which have little or no common facilities. Some however, may have 24-hour security, a
swimming pool and /or barbecue pits.
2. Condominiums
Condominiums are similar to apartments and may be low-rise or high-rise. Unlike
apartments, condominiums tend to be more luxurious with their full facilities.
Some of these facilities include a covered parking, 24-hour security, clubhouse,
swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, gymnasium, playground, barbecue pits,
beautiful landscaped gardens and even putting greens! Condominiums tend to be a
popular form of accomodation for many expatriates who can choose from cosy
studio apartments to spacious penthouses.
3. Townhouses
Townhouses are a blend of landed terrace houses with the recreational facilities
of condominiums. Townhouses can form entire estates, or can be part of a larger
condominium establishment. Either way, occupants of townhouses have access to
common recreational facilities.
4. Landed Properties
Even in land-scarce Singapore, you are still spoilt for choice with the variety
of landed properties. Choose from bungalows (also known as detached houses),
semi-detached houses, or terrace houses. Bungalows enjoy the luxury of being an
independent building on a plot of land that runs round it. Semi-detached houses
on the other hand, are a pair of houses that share one common wall. Terrace
units are a row of houses that have common walls with those in the middle known
as intermediate terraces, and those at the end known as corner terraces. Corner
terraces have land surrounding three-quarters of the building while intermediate
terraces only have land in the front and at the back of them.
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5. Colonial Houses
Colonial houses are also better known as "black-and-white" houses,
named after their colour scheme of white walls and black wood exteriors. Tudor
in style, these houses are remnants of the colonial era and offer one a rare
chance to partake of a piece of historical Singapore. These houses vary in size
from single-storey to two-storey buildings, and often come with a generous plot
of grassy land perfect for kids and pets.
6. Pre-war conservation terrace
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Also commonly known as shophouses, this form of housing is fast gaining
popularity amongst expats (and locals!) with its unique Peranakan (or Straits
Chinese) flavour. These shophouses typically boast a beautifully tiled façade,
with wooden shutters and doors, while the interior often comes with an air well,
spiral staircase, high ceilings for greater ventilation, timber flooring and
even a backyard. Living in one of these shophouses would allow you to partake in
one of the most unique cultures in Singapore.
Public Housing in Singapore
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Since 1960, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in Singapore plans and
develops quality public housing and its related facilities. Today, some 85% of
Singaporeans live in HDB flats. These range from 3-room flats at about 800 sq ft
to executive flats at about 1600 sq ft and these are located all over the
island. You might be interested to know that in Singapore, the living room is
counted as one room, and so, a 3-room flat would refer to an apartment with 2
bedrooms and a living room.
These HDB flats are typically located in self-contained towns comprising a town
centre, shops, markets, a library, playgrounds, even cinemas, malls and other
recreational facilities and amenities. Considerably cheaper than private
housing, these flats are usually more basic in their physical makeup and
furnishings. However, these towns they are located in are well-served by public
transportation and living in these "heartland" areas gives you a
chance to see Singapore from the grassroots perspective.
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