Three walk-up apartments worth looking at

I don’t like walk-up apartments, but that statement must be read in context (i.e. it’s coming from a man who gets winded walking downstairs, and counts getting out of bed as one complete rep of sit-ups). For the rest of you who don’t mind stairs, walk-up apartments tend to offer more space, for a lower purchase price and lower maintenance fees.

What are walk-up apartments?

An architectural torture device – if you’re the sort who has consistently failed your physical fitness test since primary school. Otherwise, it’s an apartment with no elevator access. This is common in older buildings, from back when the average Singaporean was fit enough to pull rickshaws from Bedok to Jurong, and not get an asthma attack walking two blocks to 7-Eleven.

Walk-up apartments, although quite large, may also lack amenities such as air-conditioning and cable access points (for the Internet). Such trade-offs are for a lower entry cost for the space you’re getting, and lower maintenance fees.

Here are three of my top picks:

1. Tiong Bahru Estate

81 Tiong Poh Road, District 03

$875,000

Tiong Bahru Estate is a 280-unit development, with a 99-year lease starting from 1967. This unit is a 947 sqft apartment which has one bedroom and one bathroom. With the installation of some partitions and clever interior design, you can easily carve out two bedrooms (three bedrooms will be quite a stretch). Unlike some of the older walk-up apartments, this one has air-conditioning.

The main draw:

Granted, it requires some work, and there’s just 50 years remaining on the lease. But this is a rare chance to live in a conserved building, and one that’s in the heart of a trendy, gentrified estate. The famous 40 Hands Café – hipster eatery extraordinaire – is just five minutes away on foot. The equally famous Tiong Bahru Bakery is also in the vicinity. There are probably more artisanal cupcake and coffee shops congregated here in this enclave than in any other part of Singapore.

The area is full of quirky boutiques and specialist craft shops; Tiong Bahru is a heritage-rich area. As one of the country’s oldest housing estates, you’ll experience an unusual blend of old school Singapore (right down to songbird contests), and overpriced cheese boards.

2. Sea Avenue Mansions

8 Sea Avenue, District 15

$1,300,000

Sea Avenue Mansions is a freehold development, completed in 1998. There are only 20 units in this development, and it’s a freehold property. There’s air-conditioning available, and at 1,141 sqft it’s a rarity; you seldom get so much space for this price, in an amenity rich area like Katong. You get three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The main draw:

FOOD.

The unit is a short stroll to East Coast Road, which is a foodie’s paradise. From the famous Katong Laksa, to the well-known Birds of Paradise (botanical themed ice-cream) and AlibaBAR (coffee shop by day, bar by night), East Coast road will make you glad for the stairs. If not for that climb back to your apartment, you’ll start to envy pear-shaped bodies (because your girth may start expanding in a spherical manner).

Be sure to drop by Chin Mee Chin Confectionery in the morning, which is near the Church of the Holy Family. This breakfast institution has been in the local bread business since 1925; it moved to this area in the 1950s and is a much revered authority on local coffee and toast.

The nightlife in the area will also surprise you. There are plenty of pubs, sports bars, and late-night hangouts to keep you and your friends entertained.

As for other conveniences, there’s an NTUC supermarket along East Coast Road. Parkway Parade (about a 15-minute walk or five minute drive away) has both Cold Storage and a Giant hypermart.

3. Sin Chuan Garden

7 Waringin Park, District 14

$980,000

Sin Chuan Garden is a huge (1,389 sqft) apartment with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This freehold unit was completed in 1983, and is nestled in a quiet enclave amidst a plethora of landed properties. While it’s not the most central area (this is one for drivers), this apartment has a laid back, suburban feel that one would only get from a home off the beaten path.

The main draw:

The area is dotted with small eateries and quaint boutique businesses (there’s a luggage repair store nearby that repairs only luggage bags.) Although it’s not central, it is surprisingly convenient – a 10 to 15-minute stroll will take you to bike shops, dessert stores, bakeries, pet stores, and the Cold Storage located at Siglap Centre.

This is an area for those who prefer a slower pace of life and enjoy reading a book or two over a two-hour long coffee session. This environment is quite hard to come by in bustling Singapore – try doing the same at Tanjong Pagar or Orchard – you’ll have all of 12 minutes to finish your stale tuna bun and given not-so-subtle cues to stop hogging precious real estate space inside the cafe.

One often overlooked point about this area is that it’s great for pets. Amber Vet is located near Siglap Centre, and there’s a huge Pet Lovers Centre a short drive away. The open spaces and light traffic also makes it a good place for Bruno to have his walk.

Get your pick of walk-up apartments before they’re gone

Walk-up apartments are rare as most were built in a bygone era where space optimisation wasn’t the name of the game. Many of them represent a last chance to get a big space, at a good price. If you don’t have mobility issues, don’t discount them just because there’s no elevator.

Itching to buy a walk-up apartment now? Make sure to check out our article on 6 warning signs to look out for when buying a home (especially if it’s older), or read more about different types of apartments, such as jumbo HDB flats!