I have fear being being perceived inferior by a high SES ACS samster. Lol!That is the trouble with S'poreans who wish to keep up with the Joneses. They buy a condo and a car even though they know that they are unlikely to be able to afford the mortgage. We are social creatures after all. There is an urge to keep up with the Joneses which stems from a subconscious desire for social belonging, status and the fear of seeming inferior to our relatives, colleagues, friends etc.
That is the trouble with S'poreans who wish to keep up with the Joneses. They buy a condo and a car even though they know that they are unlikely to be able to afford the mortgage. We are social creatures after all. There is an urge to keep up with the Joneses which stems from a subconscious desire for social belonging, status and the fear of seeming inferior to our relatives, colleagues, friends etc.
That is the trouble with S'poreans who wish to keep up with the Joneses. They buy a condo and a car even though they know that they are unlikely to be able to afford the mortgage. We are social creatures after all. There is an urge to keep up with the Joneses which stems from a subconscious desire for social belonging, status and the fear of seeming inferior to our relatives, colleagues, friends etc.
Usually lower density project has higher maintenance fee.Learnt from one old couple before. Never vote for increase in fund as the more fund they have, the higher the spending.
The Managing Agent has to be changed if they cannot work around the budget .
there are condos with 10 to 20 units along terok oops telok kurau area with narrow lorong or streets in alphabetical order. some have pools while some don’t, but their monthly maintenance is high from $699 to $1200 per unit depending on the total number of units - more means lower and less means higher. this is because any maintenance contractor and or management company will charge a base price based on entire land area of development plus markup plus add-on prices such as pool cleaning, gym repairs and cleaning, community and or common area cleaning, gardening and yard services. the total cost (price to condo owners’ association and cost to owners) is divided among all units. the math is brutal for small condo developments as there’s hardly a favorable economy of scale.Usually lower density project has higher maintenance fee.
About 50% or more condo dwellers, they don't use the pool, gym and tennis courts. The forum famous ACS boy is member of a few country clubs although he is living in a condo with all the facilities. The only aspect living in HDB cannot get an alternative is having security guards and guarded gantries.Stay in HDB flat is the best. Town Council fees only $60+ a month. Yet, some pathetic low-life Sinkies cannot even afford it and have to be brought to court to force them to pay up. You can see many Mats queueing up at the State Court in the evenings to attend the summons hearing.
He pangsai and shower in swimming pool toilet ?About 50% or more condo dwellers, they don't use the pool, gym and tennis courts. The forum famous ACS boy is member of a few country clubs although he is living in a condo with all the facilities. The only aspect living in HDB cannot get an alternative is having security guards and guarded gantries.
You mean @True Believer wants to save his monthly utility bill? And that is also why he always WFH at his country clubs?He pangsai and shower in swimming pool toilet ?

Not entirely true. Dont be surprised there are alot of monkey business between the committee especially the Chairman and the Managing Agent. Money corrupts.Usually lower density project has higher maintenance fee.
I call it social mobility. If they can make it, they make it. But behaviour is something else. These HDB dwellers should not bring their HDB behaviours but has to keep up with the social acceptable behaviour and learn living among the higher SES. It is appalling to see their social behaviour is still so low despite moving up to the condo level.That is the trouble with S'poreans who wish to keep up with the Joneses. They buy a condo and a car even though they know that they are unlikely to be able to afford the mortgage. We are social creatures after all. There is an urge to keep up with the Joneses which stems from a subconscious desire for social belonging, status and the fear of seeming inferior to our relatives, colleagues, friends etc.
You can take the HDB dweller out of the heartlands, but you cannot take the HDB mentality out of him. While physical relocation is easy, the core values, biases and bad habits remain with that person indefinitely.I call it social mobility. If they can make it, they make it. But behaviour is something else. These HDB dwellers should not bring their HDB behaviours but has to keep up with the social acceptable behaviour and learn living among the higher SES. It is appalling to see their social behaviour is still so low despite moving up to the condo level.
It is true in most cases that lower-density condo projects have higher maintenance fees. This is because there are fewer households, so the fixed costs of maintaining shared facilities like the security, cleaners, tennis courts, swimming pool, gym, landscaping and essential services are split among a smaller number of owners.Not entirely true. Dont be surprised there are alot of monkey business between the committee especially the Chairman and the Managing Agent. Money corrupts.
the key is this. when they reached this point, it's time to reconsider their options. why not sell it off and downgrade. once the unit is on force sale, the price is never great.Not true. If they bought it at a time when both couples are working and earning high salaries, affordability was not an issue at the time of purchase. Years later, when one (or both) of them lost his/her job(s) and source of income, that's when the problem begins. Nobody can predict what happens in the future.
You can take the HDB dweller out of the heartlands, but you cannot take the HDB mentality out of him. While physical relocation is easy, the core values, biases and bad habits remain with that person indefinitely.