I am a victim of the recent property craze, where prices of anything related to property went skyrocket. Owners chanced upon this to raise rental, sell their place hoping to catch a windfall. This is further aggrevated with the kiasuim trait here. Rentals easily skyrocketted 40% - 50%. Prices of HDB, Condominiums too have easily appreciated 50%- 100%. And with so many un-controlled enblocs, the situation has turn against the tenants and prospective property buyers.
Enblocs creates a property scare, where the basic supply and demand theory applies.
Supply becomes lesser, demand increases, thus elevate the price of the property be it rental or purchase.
Its also create a fear amongst those non-property owners. The fear of no place to stay, so its creates a dog beat dog scenario where the richer you are, you will try to bid higher for a place you want leaving the poorer souls behind.
Ya, goverment says everything is under controlled, there are many flats available. Sure...they are all in sub-urbia country. Places we worked, study are all centralised. They plan it that way. As a result, the poorer folks have to travel further, pay more for transportation to get to place they want. Not to mention the price increase in transportation.
Well, everyone is for himself. The rich wanna get richer, while the poor tries to make a living. This is a cynical world we are living in.
As for, I got to move to more sub-urbia, away from the my current sub-urbia. Cos everytime I mention where I stay, people gasped and say " wah...so far".
Well, my tarot and numerology readings is asking me to take a breather and be a hermit to reflect on life. Maybe I will do just that. Zen-ning..
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Car
I got the opportunity to experience "What isit like to have a car in Singapore ?" for a couple of weeks.
I used to drive in Malaysia, almost everyone drives in MAlaysia. Its a typical thing to get your license at the age of 17, the legal age to drive. Aside the "kopi lui" , I'm pretty ok with driving.
Driving in Singapore is slightly a different experience. The country may be small, but it sure have a lot of traffic lights. It doesn't make sense to have a high CC car here, unless you want to flaunt and if you goto Malaysia to drive faster. Whatever car you have, be it a BMW, Mercedes or the cute little QQ, you got to stop at the traffic light.
People are law-abiding causing un-expected brakes. Why ? Because of the speed limit of 90 kph, everyone tries to keep it at 90 - 110. When they see the sign , Camera Zone, they brake to reduce speed to 88- 90 on a freeway. Thats so dangerous, cause it cause a domino braking effect the cars behind and if one is not looking, panic brakes, accidents. The speed limit is too slow on the freeway.And I always wonder, does the camera always have film inside? Well, I do not know if I have incur any speeding fines.
Parking. The lack of parking space probably explains why they are expensive and there is almost no such thing as free parking. Everywhere you want to park your car, you pay, except IMM and your friend's condo. And notice everyone reverse park. Its a Singapore thingy I guess.
Kiasuism. People don't give way. Elsewhere at least in Malaysia ,its ok to let one or two cars that politely signal to cut in. Its not the case in Singapore. Well, only the gutsy survive here.
Honking. its a South East Asian incld China phenomenon, not just here. I think everyone who drove before in other countries, people are courteous , there is hardly honking. They honk only in case of danger. Here, people honk at anything. You cut it, they honk, hesistate a bit at the green light, they honk, slow a bit, they honk.
Signal to change lanes. Well, people been telling me singaporeans don't signal when changing lanes. Well, they do. ITs not 100% but 50% do.
Anyways, why don't own a car then..
1. A good car technically can last for more than 10 years but the value of the car in Singapore depreciates faster than me balding.
2. Driving cost. Besides the car installment, parking, ERP, insurance, tax , and unforeseen expenses can take a toll on you. And not to mention fines.
3. Bus, trains and taxis are convinient if you know and plan your timing well.
Probably will get a car when I need it.
I used to drive in Malaysia, almost everyone drives in MAlaysia. Its a typical thing to get your license at the age of 17, the legal age to drive. Aside the "kopi lui" , I'm pretty ok with driving.
Driving in Singapore is slightly a different experience. The country may be small, but it sure have a lot of traffic lights. It doesn't make sense to have a high CC car here, unless you want to flaunt and if you goto Malaysia to drive faster. Whatever car you have, be it a BMW, Mercedes or the cute little QQ, you got to stop at the traffic light.
People are law-abiding causing un-expected brakes. Why ? Because of the speed limit of 90 kph, everyone tries to keep it at 90 - 110. When they see the sign , Camera Zone, they brake to reduce speed to 88- 90 on a freeway. Thats so dangerous, cause it cause a domino braking effect the cars behind and if one is not looking, panic brakes, accidents. The speed limit is too slow on the freeway.And I always wonder, does the camera always have film inside? Well, I do not know if I have incur any speeding fines.
Parking. The lack of parking space probably explains why they are expensive and there is almost no such thing as free parking. Everywhere you want to park your car, you pay, except IMM and your friend's condo. And notice everyone reverse park. Its a Singapore thingy I guess.
Kiasuism. People don't give way. Elsewhere at least in Malaysia ,its ok to let one or two cars that politely signal to cut in. Its not the case in Singapore. Well, only the gutsy survive here.
Honking. its a South East Asian incld China phenomenon, not just here. I think everyone who drove before in other countries, people are courteous , there is hardly honking. They honk only in case of danger. Here, people honk at anything. You cut it, they honk, hesistate a bit at the green light, they honk, slow a bit, they honk.
Signal to change lanes. Well, people been telling me singaporeans don't signal when changing lanes. Well, they do. ITs not 100% but 50% do.
Anyways, why don't own a car then..
1. A good car technically can last for more than 10 years but the value of the car in Singapore depreciates faster than me balding.
2. Driving cost. Besides the car installment, parking, ERP, insurance, tax , and unforeseen expenses can take a toll on you. And not to mention fines.
3. Bus, trains and taxis are convinient if you know and plan your timing well.
Probably will get a car when I need it.
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