Some of our friends found this amusing becos he had yet to offer the ring. But, to us, this was for purely practical reasons. We are both fussy about housing and very particular about location, so it only made sense to start hunting early.
And we were right. We spent a good 6 or more months checking out flats, first on our own, and then with Torrenn Tnay, our very patient housing agent. We highly recommend his services. He's very professional, and most importantly, not pushy.
Locations
Our very first preferred locations were in town - Waterloo, Bras Basah, Lavender, even Crawford. We gradually drifted closer to (his) home - Bedok, Eunos, Tg Rhu, Old Airport Rd, and Marine Parade. I refused to consider Tampines - too crowded. And he wasn't keen on Pasir Ris - too far.
I was all for Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon, Boon Keng, even Potong Pasir (where we would definitely get to vote!). I had grown up in Thomson, and spent most of my childhood hanging out at AMK, so there was some emotional attachment to the place. Similarly, I've spent the last 15 years in Serangoon, and quite like it there. I don't like Toa Payoh, by the way. Itz too congested.
But Big is an Easterner (to him, driving to AMK is like navigating Malaysia), and you know what they say about Easterners - once an Easterner, you never really want to move out of it - itz true.
The ideal flat
3-room, 4-room, corner unit, corridor unit, facing units, upgraded units, seaview, high floor, low floor, mid floor...I can safely say we've seen them all....
This too was the subject of much debate. I wanted a seaview - I like the sea breeze, and I like the view. And anyway, wasn't that the whole of point of living in Marine Parade?? Big said - sea view - be prepared for lots of rust. *grumble*
I wanted a corner unit - more privacy and more space. He had to agree after our first viewing of one.
And then there was the thing about renovation. We saw beautifully renovated flats that looked like resorts; we saw those which still had the original arched doorways (with tiles). And in each of these, we had something to object to. I started to wonder if there was such a thing as the "perfect place".
There were a few instances when other people offered for flats we were keen on just as we called Torrenn to offer. And every missed opportunity was an increase in frustration, a further dip in morale, a further lowering of spirits.
On retrospect, itz quite understandable that we took so long to get a flat. We had many specifications - certain areas in Marine Parade only, corner unit, NS facing, somewhat renovated, nice neighbourh
ood and feel, within budget.Our final decision was made maybe 30 min after viewing the unit. It is a corner unit, somewhat renovated, with nice marble flooring, not very lived-in becos the previous owner (a single lady)only lived there full-time for the past 2 years, NS facing. It doesn't have a seaview, but faces the main road and is just on the right level to overlook a sea of greenery. Itz right across the road from Tao Nan Primary, 10 minutes from ECP and Parkway Parade, and maybe 5 min from the library. And we have lotsa friends in the neighbourhood; I have 1 colleague in the next block, another some 5 min walk away, and Gerard nearer to Parkway. And of cos, my boss round the corner...
On the left is the living, with the previous owner's stuff. And the kitchen with the old cabinets.
It isn'y a "Wow!" flat, but it is pleasant, and it does grow on you, I suppose that's even better than "Wow!"
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