How to Afford Living Alone in Singapore

Ten years ago I never imagined I would be staying in a different country, without knowing anybody. Let alone afford living alone, in SINGAPORE. Where rental costs and standard of living is high. But I managed to, with savings to boot. 

You can opt to have roommates to share the bill, but there’s a certain sense of solace in independence. Most of all, NO SNORING! 

It’s not as hard as you think it is, and today I’ll be sharing with you a few tips on how to afford living alone based from my experience 🙂

How to Afford Living Alone

Tip #1: Rent a room

Okay, this is technically not “alone” because you don’t get the entire house. But try to search for a co-living space that’s not occupied by more than 2 people tops, then rent a room for yourself. Most room for rent already shares the bill for the electricity, water, and even the internet. 

I was able to find a room big enough that it even my mom and siblings were able to fit when they visited me one time with Geof. It cost me around 850 sgd/month (I think, if I remember it correctly)

Tip #2: Hawkers are your best friend

While it’s tempting to eat at restaurants, as good food is not scarce in Singapore, there are a lot of delicious cheap finds in the place too. You don’t need to go far, sometimes there are hawker cafes lined up just below the apartment complex. Their meals range from 1.5 sgd – 5 sgd if you’re feeling fancy. I never get tired of chicken rice, char kway tiao, or hokien mee HAHAHAHA

You might ask “Wouldn’t it be cheaper to cook”? that’s not the case in my experience. Groceries can be expensive, and it’s hard to cook for just one! It’s also tiring! When you work all day, you just want to relax and take a break and not think about what to cook for dinner.

Tip #3: Buses and Trains

Cabs are convenient, but that doesn’t mean the buses and trains aren’t. You can get a reloadable S-PASS prepaid card from the MRT station to access the countries public transport system. The higher load you get, the cheaper the fare is. A two-dollar ride to a neighbouring town can cost seven in a Grab.

Singapore’s train system is confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it 🙂

Also see: Singapore Budget Family Trip 3-Day Itinerary

Final Thoughts

Living comfortably alone truly depends on how much income you earn on a monthly basis. If it’s not enough, you just need to make adjustments and tighten up your budget even further. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re renting a room in Singapore or purchased your own Real Estate in Toronto. Work hard, work smart, and soon you don’t have to worry about how to afford living alone.