I pay a little more than 6000 and that's well within my means. However, the housing in SIA has increased by less than 10 % since 2004. At the same time the rents have doubled so the discrepancy between SIA and CX is remarkable.
$6000? Looks like you do desperately want to live in a condo. Or you've been ripped off. There are lots of nice houses (private ones) around at less than half that.
Let me make it simple for you regarding your options, be it private houses or HDB flats. Some background facts first.
Between 80-90% (depending on which source of information you refer to) of Singaporeans live in HDB flats, and they also own those units. There's no shame in that.
References:
http://www.economywatch.com/mortgage/singapore.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m..._18910973/pg_5
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/op-s9.pdf
So, at most, 20% of Singaporeans live in private housing (comprising condo units and private houses, probably much less now because the above statistics are not so recent and HDB housing growth is faster than private housing growth), with most of that 20% owning the units they live in. Which explains why you have many local neighbours in your condo, being likely to own the units they live in, as opposed to renting said units.
In other words, more likely than not, Singaporeans, whether they live in public or private housing, are owner-occupiers.
So then, who are the renters? Since they are not likely to be Singaporeans, surprise surprise, they are the expats.
Now, since owner occupied housing (public or private) outnumber rental housing (public or private) by 4 : 1, there is a limited supply of rental units available.
And since expats are most likely renters not owners, who then are the ones driving up the prices?
Your dear fellow expats.
Not Singaporeans trying to displace you from your condos.
And if you are still not able to bring yourself to move into an HDB unit, then by all means up and leave for CX and their generous housing allowance for tiny tiny units and then choke to death in Hong Kong.
and please don't give me the racist BS about "Or is it a case of the sheep not wanting to mix with the goats?".
My reference to sheep not wanting to mix with goats is not in any way racist. It is about expats who cannot bring themselves to live in HDB housing. Nothing to do with race. Your same Singaporean neighbours are most likely "upgraders" who have previously lived in HDB units. They are said examples of sheep which do not want to mix with goats. Somehow superior to normal folks living in HDB estates. Again, nothing to do with race.
Perhaps the remark stung because you are in fact racist and felt that somehow it referred to the racist in you.
It's wonderful for the Singaporean economy that the wheels are spinning so fast and for most locals who own their place it's a blessing but for an expat who can't plan ahead longer than the contract remains the constant increases in rent create problems.
"Constant increases in rent"? How long do you sign a lease for? 2 years? or 2 weeks? How frequently do these "constant increases" take place?
In many cases the increase has meant that families have had to move. It's not a question about "lowering standards" as some unfortunately expresses it. The biggest problem is that you might have settled close to a school and moving means a long commute or changing school (and friends) for the kids.
The costs go up. Because of other expats trying to displace you. Not Sincargo. If you want to pay the price for not moving that's your choice. Did Sincargo do this to you? You do have real, and practical alternatives. But if you choose to pay your $6000 in the face of alternatives that are half of that, then you make your own bed and sleep in it.