The search for my new Home

Monday - Thursday November 2-4 2009
At this point my two biggest expenses are taxis and drinks, so I decide enough is enough, I'm going to take the bus to work. It takes the same exact route as the taxi does, only it stops 12 times before I get there. The first day I was really lucky and found a seat which was very pleasant. The next day I wasn't so lucky and had to stand in the back of the bus. This area was clearly designed for the average Singaporian, not the average American. 35 minutes with your head cocked to the side is not how you want to start your day.

I received another call from HR asking me if I want to sign a full year lease with Fortville apartments where I am currently staying. The deal was that the Bank would put me up here and then give me the option to find my own place or renew for the remaining 11 months. To set the scene a bit, the Corporate apartment I am in is nice, clean, a bit old, and is serviced once a week. The bad side is that it is in the equivalent of the suburbs, and not within walking distance of a full grocery market or restaurant other than 2 fast food joints and 1 seafood restaurant that is on the high end. Given that I'm used to being in the middle of things, I wanted to move to somewhere a bit more central. HR seemed reluctant to offer any assistance, but after asking, I got a list of a few agents that I was required to go through in order for DB to pick up the tab. The first agent ended up going on vacation at the beginning of the search and set me back a few days. I decided to engage two at once in order to double my chances of a decent agent, despite the plea of HR to use one at a time. It was a good thing I did because the first agent came back to me saying there was nothing in my price-range in the buildings I wanted. I found this interesting as I enclosed actual quotes in the email I sent her. She replied that it was a bait and switch strategy where the landlord would quote a price, say it just left the market and show me a higher priced apartment. The reality of it couldn't be more different. The second agent came back to me with two suggestions within my price range, and told me that she could probably negotiate a drop of a few hundred dollars. The first place I visited was a building in Robinson Quay (pronounced key) which is more of an expat and exciting part of town. Although this was my preferred location, the apartment was kind of dull and a downgrade from where I was coming from. The second location was a bit further out than I would have liked however Singapore is small and it was within walking distance of good places as well as situated ontop of an MRT (subway) Lavender station. The apartment blew away the other one and was two bedrooms, a big plus for visiting friends and family.
After talking over the price and location with coworkers, it seemed like a really good deal. I told the agent to go for it and get the paperwork started. Just to cover my bases I sent a "confirmation" letter to HR regarding the fact that if my apartment came under budget that I would receive the difference in my check. This was all calculated in my apartment search, making sure that I left enough for utilities. HR responded saying no, I would not be entitled to that amount, and that it would be forefitted. I could have accepted this, but decided that the amount was enough to raise a stink about which I did. After making a few phone calls, sending a few emails, I got HR to agree to my terms! I was really looking forward to getting the rest of my stuff shipped to my permanent address and to calling somewhere home.