17 Cheapest Freehold One-Bedroom Condo Units That’s Not In Geylang/Balestier (From $600k)
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Ryan J
- January 6, 2024
- 6 min read
6 min read
Geylang has long been the hub of the cheap one-bedder condo; but not everyone is too happy with the ones near the vice area. And as we’ve heard from buyers and realtors, Balestier may be affordable, but many of the units are really (old) apartments and not truly condos. So for the singles out there looking for alternatives, here are the most affordable one-bedder condo units we’ve found in areas outside of Geylang and Balestier:
Most affordable one-bedder condos
| Project Name | Transacted Price | Area (SQFT) | Unit Price ($PSF) | Sale Date |
| EIS RESIDENCES | $610,000 | 388 | $1,574 | 7 Mar 2023 |
| MOUNTBATTEN LODGE | $620,000 | 355 | $1,745 | 23 May 2023 |
| HAIG 162 | $628,000 | 366 | $1,716 | 3 Feb 2023 |
| STUDIOS@TEMBELING | $640,000 | 355 | $1,802 | 5 Jul 2023 |
| MOUNTBATTEN LODGE | $650,000 | 334 | $1,948 | 28 Jul 2023 |
| SUITES @ SHREWSBURY | $650,000 | 334 | $1,948 | 19 Jun 2023 |
| ISUITES @ MARSHALL | $659,000 | 355 | $1,855 | 26 Jul 2023 |
| HAIG RESIDENCES | $668,000 | 452 | $1,478 | 17 Jul 2023 |
| NOTTINGHILL SUITES | $670,888 | 398 | $1,685 | 9 Jan 2023 |
| THE AXIS | $700,000 | 398 | $1,758 | 15 Feb 2023 |
| VIVA VISTA | $700,000 | 388 | $1,806 | 31 Aug 2023 |
| PARC IMPERIAL | $700,000 | 366 | $1,913 | 4 Aug 2023 |
| TEMBELING RESIDENCE | $730,000 | 420 | $1,739 | 30 Mar 2023 |
| ALEXIS | $750,000 | 398 | $1,883 | 8 Dec 2023 |
| SUITES AT BUKIT TIMAH | $768,000 | 441 | $1,740 | 17 Mar 2023 |
| 8 BASSEIN | $770,000 | 431 | $1,788 | 31 Mar 2023 |
| THE VANDERLINT | $788,000 | 463 | $1,702 | 19 Jul 2023 |
Most competitively priced projects:
1. EiS Residences
Location: Haig Avenue District 15
Developer: Eastshinee Development Pte Ltd
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2014
Number of units: 16
This project is just across the road from Haig 162 (see below).
If you absolutely must live in Marine Parade/Katong, despite the notoriously high District 15 prices, then Eis Residences may present an opportunity. There are freehold one-bedders here that are barely above $600,000, despite the super-convenient proximity to Haig Road and Dunman Road.
To be clear though, these one-bedders are very small, with some being under 400 sq. ft (388 sq. ft to be exact) so this is not the kind of one-bedder where you could tentatively squeeze in one more. This is strictly for singles, or new investors looking for a rental asset.
This is a boutique project with just 16 units, which is quite typical for condos in the area. This means bare-bones facilities and no gym (but you do get a pool). It’s also nestled in a landed enclave, so you will have a lot more privacy.
The Katong lifestyle stretch, situated along i12 Katong and Katong Shopping Centre, is a long-ish walk away. This stretch provides multiple supermarkets, eateries, and entertainment options (there’s a cinema at i12). For more retail options though, you’ll probably want to head to Parkway Parade.
Ironically, there are a lot of good schools nearby; but as this is about one-bedders for singles, that’s probably of no real benefit (even to future buyers).
2. Mountbatten Lodge
Location: Mountbatten Road District 15
Developer: –
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 1998
Number of units: 28
This project is just a few minutes away from a new condo, LIV@MB, and shares many similar traits in location (you can check out the LIV@MB location review here).
The location is heavily residential, so unfortunately there’s not much in the way of eateries, retail, or entertainment (although if you’re a Singapore Swimming Club member, SSC is rather close by). The upside to this is being near a low-density landed enclave, and having a good amount of privacy. There will also be MRT access sometime this year (2024), when Katong Park MRT (TEL) opens.
Also note that Bus 14, along Mountbatten Road, provides direct access to East Coast Road and the Katong lifestyle stretch (see above). This is also a direct bus to the Orchard area, although it’s a fairly long trip.
Of equal appeal is access to the developing Kallang area. With the emergence of the Sports Hub and Kallang Wave Mall, residents are just around a five to six minute drive to the Kallang area.
The affordable one-bedders here are small, at under 400 sq. ft. (one was even just 280 sq. ft.); but if your budget can handle a quantum of about $1 million, check out the larger, 657 sq. ft. units here. Not technically part of this one-bedder list, but worth a look if you want more space (or the ability to take on a second tenant).
3. Haig 162
Location: Haig Road District 15
Developer: Mequity Two Pte Ltd
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2013
Number of units: 99
This is just a few minutes from EiS Residences (see above), and shares many similar traits in location. This includes a view of the landed enclave nearby.
The main differentiation from EiS Residences is size. Haig 162 has 99 units; still a small condo, but significantly larger than EiS. We wouldn’t say the facilities are much better though, as it’s still pretty bare-bones with a pool and BBQ area.
The comparison will probably come down to the layouts; but at sizes of just over 300 sq. ft. you shouldn’t be expecting much from it. If you don’t love a tiny balcony to stare out at landed houses from, this is probably a minus.
Nonetheless, if you want a prestigious District 15 address for around $600,000 in 2024, this may be your best shot.
4. Studios@Tembeling
Location: Tembeling Road District 15
Developer: Roxy Land Pte Ltd
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2012
Number of units: 25
Unlike EiS Residences and Haig 162, this project is closer to the Katong lifestyle stretch. It’s just a quick walk out to Roxy/Grand Mercure or i12 Katong. As this is just across the road from Parkway Parade, the Marine Parade MRT station (TEL) will probably be a manageable walk – it will be up very soon this year.
This area has been hugely improved, since the project’s completion in 2012. Back in those days, the Joo Chiat area outside was threatening to turn into another vice area; but the recent clean-up and gentrification have given the place a complete 180. In any case, this is near the east-side’s answer to Tiong Bahru, so you’ll never be short of food options here.
(All the bars that remain are now family-friendly watering holes or sports bars, mainly frequented by older expats)
Note that if you can afford to push your budget a bit, a quantum of around $1.1 million could mean a much bigger 780+ sq. ft. unit (we saw this transaction in February last year). Otherwise, the one-bedders here are below 500 sq. ft., and are really too small to comfortably squeeze in another.
5. Suites @ Shrewsbury
Location: Shrewsbury Road District 11
Developer: Macly Capital Pte Ltd
Lease: Freehold
TOP: 2012
Number of units: 15
If it’s a must for you to live near the CBD, or you’re a new landlord trying to tap a CBD/hospital-worker tenant demographic, Suites @ Shrewsbury might do it for you.
This is a boutique 15-unit project, located just across Moulmein Road from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). It’s also within walking distance to VeloCity mall and United Square Mall, so almost every retail or food-related amenity is nearby. Novena MRT station (NSL) is connected to VeloCity, and is two stops away from Orchard. Given the location, this may be one of the highly rentable projects on the list.
This being Newton though, there’s no getting around traffic congestion and noise. We do see that as a potential win for landlords though, as hospitals tend to employ a lot of foreign staff who will want to live nearby.
As most of the 15 units are so small, this is clearly a project angled more at being a rental asset than a home. A lifelong-single who works in the CBD or hospital could still use it as a residence, but they should be prepared for their neighbours mainly being tenants who come and go.
Finally, sizes here are all on the small side, with the smallest unit here at 323 sq. ft. You’d probably want to look at the slightly bigger units though, as even at such small sizes it comes with unuseable planter spaces.
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