What is the difference between an apartment and a condo?
In Singapore flat, apartment and condo are used as technical terms. A flat is basic and small. An apartment is larger.
A condo, usually occupied by more affluent ex-pats has facilities socialising and sports facilities such as a swimming pool, sauna, spa bath, squash courts, tennis courts, a gym, an outdoor children's playground, a waterfall and landscaping in modern blocks. Indoors are meeting rooms or function rooms for parties and entertaining.
An HDB is near an MRT because the residents are less likely to have cars. Also a hawker centre is likely to be nearby to provide cheap eating. A hawker centre has stall around communal tables and mostly stools rather than chairs, often outdoors or in an open-sided area in clusters on the ground floor of the housing blocks.
What affects price, facilities and size?
Price
High floors with better views and less traffic noise are likely to be more expensive. Completely redecorated will be more expensive. Swimming pool is likely to mean more expensive.
Size
Older buildings are likely to have bigger rooms and a maid's room (a box room off the kitchen or scullery, with an adjacent toilet, small basin and shower.
A 'walk-up' flat has an outside staircase and no lift. This will be less expensive. So if you are young and fit and like exercise, that is a good option for saving money. However, a fit, young friend of mine warns, what seems an easy climb on a sunny day carrying nothing, is less fun on a regular basis during rain with two bag of shopping or a big box of equipment.
Also harder to bring in a pram, bicycle, toddler, or elderly relative. Another hazard if somebody likes a drink. Or might develop an injury such as twisting on ankle, pulling a hamstring, getting a hernia.
Pool pleasures and problems
My list n/f plus points inc dudes swimming pool. The perfect pool for me has waterfalls and trees. Steps you can walk down, instead of metal ladders, are convenient as well as attractive to look at. Some shade is good.
Negative Windows
Obscured view from windows - too narrow, darkened by an overlay designed to cut heat and stop light fading furnishings. Light obscured by nearby buildings feed away, or large block which blocks your view.
I like balconies to be protected. Other members of my family don't mind railings so long as the metal is painted white.
The other great problem is noise. Traffic from roads can be noisy on floors lower than 6 or 7. Up on floor 8 you might get a better view across the treetops and city.
The biggest problem is buildings sites which spoil the view and create dust and noise. Pile drivers are worst. A nearly finished building could mean shops and restaurants nearby. But check the dat when building works are likely to end.
