Moving abroad to study is a huge milestone for students, and one of the most important things they’ll need to secure is a place to stay. Plenty of alternatives In Singapore are convenient and suitable for different price points. Let’s compare the common housing options that ESSEC Asia-Pacific students choose:

1 | Hostels

At hostels, students share a room and bathroom with others. They may also find basic amenities like shared kitchens, laundry facilities, and common areas for studying or socializing.

Despite offering less privacy, these options are one of Singapore’s most affordable and communal types of student accommodation.

In addition, shared rooms and bathrooms don’t necessarily translate to more crowded living conditions. Singapore offers premium hostel options such as Campus by the Assembly Place, where shared living is designed to be luxurious and comfortable.

2 | HDB flats

A second wallet-friendly option is Housing Development Board (HDB) flats, Singapore’s equivalent of public housing. International students can find safe and well-maintained HDB flats all over Singapore, so there are plenty of choices on where to stay.

The rental price of a HDB flat is about 40 percent lower than that of a private housing estate. Other benefits are that HDBs are often much closer to public transport options, hawker centers (outdoor food courts), heartland grocers, public amenities, and more.

Priscilla Ayleen, a Global Bachelor of Business Administration (GBBA) student from Indonesia, believes that living in a HDB can also help keep the cost of living down, as the groceries and food in HDB estates are considerably cheaper than in malls.

The downsides of choosing an HDB include the need for tenants to live with a landlord and the minimum lease being six months.

3 | Co-living spaces

A popular housing option is co-living by providers such as Dash or Cove. Students must share communal spaces like the kitchen or living room in hostels with other tenants.

However, co-living spaces are known to be far more luxurious, with fully furnished private rooms. High-speed internet, air conditioning, television, and even housekeeping services are usually included in the monthly fee, and there are options for en-suite bathrooms.

The price of a room varies tremendously, but it is possible to find a room for between US$600 and US$1,500, making this option more economical for those who desire privacy and comfort.

As a bonus, co-living offers more lease flexibility. The minimum length of stay can vary from a week to three months, and unlike in residential homes, there’s no deposit or stamp duty to pay.

4 | Condominiums

Condominium apartments are the most popular type of housing for the international community in Singapore.

The pros are that these private housing options are often well-furnished and have a minimum lease of just three months. They also have amenities like a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, and barbecue pits conveniently housed within the compound.

Besides this, condos are known for offering more privacy, and most have security guards patrolling 24/7.

That said, this comfort comes at a cost. Condominiums are a more expensive option with higher rental and maintenance fees. It is also worth noting that peaceful surroundings can mean walking further to find public transport or shops.

In Priscilla’s experience, having facilities within the compound can be unnecessary. “There is ActiveSG in Singapore, which comprises sports hubs with swimming pools, basketball courts, badminton courts, and more at a very low price,” she explains.

With these located near HDB estates, she doesn’t feel she’s missing out and would instead save the money.

Learn more about living in Singapore from our accommodation guide.