5 Best Rental Units for Foreign Students in Singapore

Intending to study in Singapore, and looking for a place to rent?

We’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we share several accommodation options (HDB flats and condominiums) for international students who are studying in NUS, SMU and NTU. Read on to find out more!

Near NUS: This unit at The Foliage

District: D05

Nearest MRT: Haw Par Villa, Kent Ridge

Size: 969 sq ft (three beds, two baths)

Rent price: $3,200

PSF rent price: $3.30

The Foliage is located at Heng Mui Keng terrace, just behind NUS’ Kent Ridge Hall and Sheares Hall. This unit at The Foliage is fully furnished and located on a high floor, and it even comes with a pretty sweet pool view.

Feeling stressed out by the endless lectures and tutorials? Invite your friends over for a BBQ party, or take a dip in the jacuzzi for some R&R.

Near NUS: This unit at Gold Coast Condominium

District: D05

Nearest MRT: Haw Par Villa, Kent Ridge

Size: 1,572 sq ft (three beds, two baths)

Rent price: $3,900

PSF rent price: $2.48

This unit at Gold Coast Condominium might cost $700 more than the one at The Foliage, but when you take into account the floor space, you’re actually paying less per square foot.

Gold Coast Condominium is actually just further down the road from The Foliage, so location-wise, the two apartments are really neck-in-neck. If you’re coming to Singapore with plenty of bulky gear such as sports gear or musical instruments, though, then you’ll definitely have more storage space in this apartment.

Near SMU: This unit at 232 Bain Street

District: D07

Nearest MRT: Bras Basah

Size: 780 sq ft (two beds, one bath)

Rent price: $2,600

PSF rent price: $3.33

If you’re on a tight budget, an easy way to stretch your dollar is to stay in a HDB flat instead of a private condominium.

Take, for instance, this two bedroom unit at 232 Bain Street, which is fully furnished and comes with high-speed fibre broadband. Other than being in close proximity to SMU, the flat is also within walking distance of both City Hall MRT and Esplanade MRT, which is a major plus.

Near SMU: This unit at The Cathay Residences

District: D09

Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut

Size: 1,037 sq ft (two beds, two baths)

Rent price: $4,500

PSF rent price: $4.34

This spacious two-bedroom unit at The Cathay Residences comes equipped with all the amenities you could possibly need, including a cooking hob and a dishwasher.

The condominium is connected to The Cathay mall, which is just down the road from Plaza Singapura and Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. Of course, you’re also a short bus ride (or a 15-minute walk) away from SMU.

Near NTU: This unit at 906 Jurong West Street 91

District: D22

Nearest MRT:

Size: 1,560 sq ft (three beds, two baths)

Rent price: $2,300

PSF rent price: $1.47

NTU is so self-contained, and located in such an ulu (read: remote) area of Singapore that locals often joke that you’ll need to bring your passport to get to the school. Bearing this in mind, your best bet is to secure accommodation within the school itself, in one of its many hostels.

If that’s not possible, don’t worry – there are also HDB flats for rent nearby NTU. This unit at 906 Jurong West Street 91, for instance, is located just across NTU, and it comes fully furnished with bed frames and built-in wardrobes. Note that the minimal rental period is between one to two years.

Thinking of renting an apartment to stay in while you study in Singapore? Voice your thoughts in our comments section or on our Facebook community page.

Looking for a property? Find the home of your dreams today on Singapore’s largest property portal 99.co! You can also access a wide range of tools to calculate your down payments and loan repayments, to make an informed purchase.