![Co-Living Spaces Singapore: What's the Appeal and Is It Worth It? [Plus the Top 5 Operators Locally]](https://www.moneymate.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/co-living-spaces-singapore.jpg)
Co-living has been on the uptrend in Singapore. After a year and a half of pandemic-induced WFH and HBL arrangements, young adults are leaving the nest in pursuit of their own space.
But if freedom is what you want, co-living is just one out of a few options. Question is, is it right for you?
Today, we’ll examine:
- What co-living is and how it compares to renting or buying
- How much it costs
- The pros and cons
- The top 5 co-living spaces in Singapore
What is Co-living? Why Is It So Popular?
Co-living is like living in your own version of Netflix’s Terrace House.
But aside from the beautifully furnished apartments and packaged cleaning services, the main draws are the organised events and common areas meant for socialising.
Think game nights, parties, and even professional networking — you’re immersing yourself in a community of interesting individuals from all walks of life.
Of course, that means a prerequisite is that you actually enjoy interacting with strangers. If you’re an extreme introvert who only occasionally emerges for social events, co-living might not be for you.
Here are 3 questions to consider before booking your nearest co-living space:
- Do I enjoy networking and meeting new people?
- Can I concentrate on my work and stay productive with many others in the same space?
- Do I mind sharing common areas with others? (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, living room)
How Does Co-Living Compare To Renting or Buying?
For starters, here’s a breakdown of the average costs:
| Co-Living | Renting | Buying (BTO) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Prices | $1,000-$2,000 | From $350 | Depends on your monthly loan repayment amount |
| Locations | Island-wide | Island-wide | Limited availability |
| Minimum Rental Period | 1 week | 3 to 6 months | N.A. |
| Payment Terms | Weekly/monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Deposit | Usually 1 month’s worth of rent | Usually 1 month for a yearlong lease / 0.5 months for a half-year lease | 10% flat downpayment, legal fees and stamp duties |
| Hidden Fees | None | Unit repairs, cleaning expenses before handover, agent expenses (if applicable), etc. | None |
Read also: Buying vs Renting in Singapore: Which is Better for You?
A caveat: co-living is very different from renting a room in a flat or buying a BTO. They’re more comparable to renting a room in a swanky, community-oriented condo — and their prices reflect it.
For one, they come with benefits such as regular housekeeping, private bathrooms, and so on. Certain co-living spaces even include large communal spaces such as outdoor courts and outdoor terraces, which you won’t find with HDB rentals.
Still undecided about which option to choose? Here are the pros and cons of each decision to help you along:
Co-Living Pros & Cons
Top 5 Co-Living Spaces in Singapore
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of co-living, let’s introduce the top 5 co-living operators in the local scene. We’ve ranked them based on their starting prices in ascending order so it’s easier for you to compare prices.
Each of these co-living options boast great locations: they’re usually located near MRTs or in districts with tons of food and entertainment options nearby.
| Co-Living Space | Room Type | Starting Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Cove | Bedroom with Private Bathroom | $600 |
| Hmlet | Pocket Room | $1,040 |
| Coliwoo | Single Suite | $1,200 |
| Commontown | Standard Room | $1,300 |
| Figment | Figment Studio | $1,500 |
1. Cove
Having been through their fair share of subpar rental experiences as tenants, the founders of Cove set out to make the property rental process as smooth and seamless as possible. Today, they’ve housed over 1,333 tenants for more than 216,768 nights.
Amenities (Vary depending on the listing you choose):
- BBQ pit
- Jacuzzi
- Gym
- Lounge and dining pavilions
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
Cost:
Cove has a 3-tier membership system (Basics, Classics, Luxe) that affects what amenities and furnishings you receive in your co-living apartment. It also changes the overall cost of your rental.
| Room Type | Fits how many? | Inclusive of? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom with private bathroom | 1-2 pax |
| $600 |
| Bedroom with shared bathroom | 1-2 pax |
| $1,100 |
| Studio | 1-2 pax |
| $2,100 |
Minimum Rental Period: 3 months
Popular Locations:
- Orchard
- Tanjong Pagar
- CBD & Marina Bay
- Tiong Bahru
- Geylang & Joo Chiat
Reasons people love co-living here:
- Cove places great emphasis on flatmate compatibility. They generate flatmate compatibility reports and offer flatmate matching services for tenants to make the cohabitation experience more pleasant.
- Cove has a great all-in-one member app that allows tenants to manage their tenancy, connect with flatmates, and network with the wider Cove community on top of access to exclusive offers and more.
- Perks that come with being a Cove member include discounts on popular brands (e.g. Grain, Hipvan, Kipos, Blue Sky Escapes).
2. Hmlet
Hmlet is a well-known name in the local co-living scene. Conceptualized in 2016, they’ve now expanded to over 100 locations with more than 1500 properties and a 90% occupancy rate.
Rooms here have high turnover rates and demand. Places nearer to the CBD get booked very quickly. If you see a room you like, snag it fast!
Amenities (Vary depending on the listing you choose):
- Communal lounge area and kitchen
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Tennis courts
- BBQ pits
- Swimming pools, etc.
Cost:
| Room Type | Fits how many? | Amenities | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket room | 1 pax |
| $1,040 |
| Regular room | 1 pax |
| $1,313 |
| Master room | 2 pax |
| $1,890 |
Minimum Rental Period:
- 6 days (Cantonment only)
- 3 months minimum at all other locations
Popular Locations:
- Tiong Bahru
- Emerald Hill
- CBD
- Bukit Timah
- River Valley
These spots have various supper and entertainment options close by, hence the popularity!
Reasons people love co-living here:
- Convenience at their fingertips! Lazy members can book room cleaning or laundry services through the Hmlet app. They also get exclusive special rates off popular brands such as Nike and F45.
- Member-only curation of new experiences such as sketch walks, dumpling-making workshops and face-painting sessions.
- Members can make use of Hmlet’s communal lounges or rooftops to host their own events for free.
3. Coliwoo
Coliwoo’s trendy design and spacious communal areas encourage members to forge new relationships and make unforgettable memories together. Think social kitchens, social gyms, and reading lounges — these communal areas are also where numerous in-house programs take place, offering members fun opportunities to socialise, learn new things, and expand their horizons.
Amenities (Vary depending on the listing you choose):
- Gym
- BBQ pits
- Game & cinema room
- Communal kitchen and lounge
- Laundry area (washer and dryer)
- Multi-purpose court
Cost:
| Room Type | Fits how many? | Inclusive of? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 pax |
| $1,250 |
| Twin | 2 pax |
| $1,900 |
| Queen Large Suite | 1-3 pax |
| $2,500 |
Minimum Rental Period: 1 month, after which the contract can be extended for as short a period as a few days
Locations:
- Boon Lay
- Botanic Gardens
- Keppel
- Balestier
- Marine Parade
Some reasons people love co-living here:
- Convenience! Great connectivity with all amenities in one space. Tenants don’t need to head out or pay for an additional gym membership.
- Exclusive benefits from brands such as GetGo car sharing, San Bakery, etc.
- Availability of various health and wellness events apart from just social events (e.g. airplanting, short workout sessions)
4. Commontown
Hailing from Korea, Commontown aims to provide more than just a comfortable and convenient space. They want to create a place where members have the freedom to live out inspired and aspirational lives as part of a wider community that supports one another. To date, Commontown has established 57 homes in both Singapore and Korea that have housed over 600 members.
Amenities (Vary depending on the listing you choose):
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Basketball and tennis court
- BBQ pits
- Function and billiard rooms
Cost:
| Room Type | Fits how many? | Inclusive of? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Single room | 1-2 pax |
| $1,300 |
| Junior Master room | 1-2 pax |
| $1,600 |
| Master room | 1-2 pax |
| $1,900 |
Minimum Rental Period: 3 months
Popular Locations:
- Tiong Bahru
- Paya Lebar
- Novena
- One-North
- Lavender
Some reasons people love co-living here:
- Pet-friendly living space
- Offers yoga and fitness events for tenants apart from social events, which is a great change of pace.
- Aesthetics are very popular amongst tenants, especially with the minimalist, IKEA showroom vibes.
5. Figment
Figment flips old shophouses and breathes new life into these old structures. Currently, they’ve remodelled over 21 shophouses that have housed over 150 members. They boast a 90+% adoption rate.
Amenities (Vary depending on the listing you choose):
- Air conditioning
- Laundry and dryer machine
- Weekly cleaning services
- Outdoor roof terrace
- Fully equipped kitchen
Cost:
| Room Type | Fits how many? | Inclusive of? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1-2 pax |
| $1,500 |
Minimum Rental Period: 1 month
Popular Locations:
- Little India
- Orchard
- Balestier
- Joo Chiat
- Jalan Besar
- Tanjong Pagar
Some reasons people love co-living here:
- Great place for influencers to take photos and “show off” on social media due to the intricately-designed, aesthetic spots within the shophouses.
- The space’s sense of history and depth of design maintains an old-world charm that is difficult to find nowadays.
- Unique experience living in a revamped heritage shophouse