Hmlet, Lyf and more: An alternative to rentals in Singapore
Whether you dream of having your own space, or are a serial social creature (or a good mix of both!), the co-living scene in Singapore lets you get the best of both worlds.
What’s different about co-living?
Often branded as a curated living space anchored by a community spirit, co-living spaces are more than just rented rooms or homes.
Community managers of these co-living spaces pair like-minded members together as roommates or housemates; communal areas are designed to stimulate the exchange of ideas and conversations.
Another big plus point: There’s often also the option of shorter-term leases as compared to conventional rental flats.
We’re not going to lie… These also command a more premium price tag than your regular rentals that we’re all more familiar with, but some people do find that the living experience worth the extra money.
If this sounds like your thing (Commitment-fearing millennials, holler at y’all!), check out these co-living spaces in Singapore:
1. Hmlet
Hmlet’s Cairnhill Rise location (Source)
Locations: CBD, Orchard, River Valley, Tanjong Katong, Joo Chiat and Little India
Rental rates: From $1,000 a month for a pocket room
What’s special:
Community living is a big part of Hmlet (It’s called co-living, after all!). Communal spaces such as rooftops and lounges make it easy to mingle, and social events such as Makan Trails and active get-togethers are not uncommon.
Pick from pocket rooms (economical, single bed with shared bathroom), regular rooms (queen bed with shared bathroom), master rooms (queen bed with ensuite bathroom) and even studios (double bed with ensuite bathroom and kitchenette).
Membership – yes, you’re a member, not a tenant – comes with weekly cleaning services and laundry facilities.
Hmlet’s Little India location (Source)
Each Hmlet home is furnished with its own flavour that converges with the character of its location – CBD homes sport a more modern look while those in the heritage-rich East have a more vibrant, east-meets-west zing.
Commitment-phobe? The month-to-month membership plans mean your lease period is much more flexible than conventional rentals.
2. Login Apartment
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Locations: Queensway, Novena and Commonwealth
Rental rates: From $1,500 a month for a single room
What’s special:
Login’s “co-living” branding is founded upon the idea of a vibrant environment that facilitates extraordinary exchanges between people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
After all, the majority of co-living users are young, international expats – although it’s also starting to catch on amongst Singaporeans – looking to be part of a community.
Each co-living building even has its very own onsite Community Manager.
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Rooms are kept white and bright, creating a blank canvas for each resident to make it truly their own.
3. Easycity
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Locations: Marina Bay, Tanjong Katong, Geylang and Pasir Panjang
Rental rates: From $1,400 a month for a room
What’s special:
Easycity caters mainly to working expats. The accommodation comes fully furnished for both work and stay (from a fully set up kitchen to a work table), and office equipment like printers and scanners can also be provided upon request.
A full-time housekeeper takes care of all of your chores – even laundry and ironing – while a dedicated account manager can handle everything else related to your stay.
While social events are less of a thing here, easing into a like-minded community is still relatively easy, especially if you’re a fellow entrepreneur or zealous go-getter.
P.S. Easycity also rents out entire homes that’s less community-focused and more comfort-centered.
The rental rates might be higher than the market average, but think of it as a serviced residence – you also get weekly cleaning, house maintenance, and hassle-free living with the service of a dedicated account manager.
4. CP Residences
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Location: Orchard
Rental rates: From $1,700 a month for a private room
What’s special:
Here, pick from a variety of co-living options according to your needs, from a simple private room to different kinds of 1 and 2-bedroom suites.
Residents also get access to a fully equipped kitchen, flexible bed arrangements, as well as dedicated customer service to ensure a comfortable stay.
Just across the road, the same brand has conjured up a conducive co-working space that offers desks from $5 an hour or $15 a day.
5. Coliwoo by 85 SOHO
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Location: Boon Lay
Rental rates: From $1,200 a month for a single suite
What’s special:
Here at Coliwoo, the community is always buzzing in the masterchef-styled kitchen, state-of-the-art gym, productive reading lounge, shared dining areas and more.
The Coliwoo team also gets to know every one of their members, making everyone feel part of the community.
This is carefully balanced with the need for me-time, hence private en-suite spaces are designed equally thoughtfully.
Pick from a Single Suite, Queen Suite or Twin Room, all of which have a private bathroom.
6. Lyf
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Location: City Hall
Rental rates: From $150 a night for a studio
What’s special:
Have you heard? Funan Mall is the place to be right now.
By which, we also mean the place to live – this unabashedly millennial-targeted co-living space boasts a giant ball pit, an exercise corner (with “hamster wheel” treadmills!), social workspaces and more.
They’re Instagrammable through and through, from the cheerful-looking laundry room to the neon sign-adorned washrooms. Time for me-time? Open your room door through a mobile app and unwind in your own space.
Pick from studio suites with either single or bunk beds, or share a business suite, which contains 2-6 rooms, with a group of friends.
P.S. Look out for their Farrer Park and One-North chapters, unveiling 2020 and 2021 respectively!
7. Figment
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Location: Orchard, Little India, Tanjong Pagar, Geylang, Balestier, Katong
Rates: From $1500 a month for a room
What’s special:
We couldn’t choose a single picture, so here are 4. So that already speaks volumes about how much character each of these spaces have.
The houseproud folks behind Figment handpick shophouses and reimagine them as co-living spaces. (Fun fact: The founder himself grew up in a shophouse too!)
Room rates are inclusive of wi-fi, utilities, bed linen and towels, as well as general cleaning for the common area.
Co-living is here to stay
Some of these co-living options might be a little pricier than conventional rental homes, but the perks are obvious: shorter commitments, having your chores taken care of, to name a few.
That way, you’ll be able to focus on, well, living.
Or, if you’re looking for options that are friendlier on your wallet, you can also browse rentals on Carousell.
P.S. Leave us a comment below if we’ve convinced you to try out co-living!
