Singapore Serviced Apartments vs Co-living Spaces – The Differences

Many co-living spaces have sprouted in Singapore between 2015 to 2020, notably Coliwoo, Hmlet, Figment, Hei Homes, Cove and YOLOlive. The idea is tantalising – meeting people, shared kitchen communal space, lower bedroom rent, great condominium facilities. To make it profitable yet affordable to these tenants, living rooms and dining rooms have been converted by the co-living space operators to be extra bedrooms. So is this a blessed solution to the young working adults who seek affordable independence and yet enjoy a social life? How does co-living space look when compared to Singapore serviced apartments?

Co-living Spaces

PROs 

• • affordable
  • meeting people
  • shared kitchen for some form of home resemblance

CONs 

• • lack of privacy, you can hear your housemates constantly; they can hear you too
  • lack of space, especially in Covid-19 and post Covid-19 work from home trend; limited space to invite friends and relatives to sleepover
  • stifling living environment – you have to look neat and be neat all the time, to clean up immediately after cooking or potentially incur the wrath and resentment of your housemates
  • no on-site staff for services
  • lack of security from your housemates

Singapore Serviced Apartments

PROs 

• • privacy, you have the full apartment to yourself
  • high security in the building and within your apartment (no housemates to contend and defend from)
  • full amenities – TV  programmes, sofa, coffee table, dining table and chairs, personal printer and safe
  • bigger living space, so important for work-from-home professionals
  • space to invite friends and family members to stay over
  • the higher professional standard of housekeeping
  • personal guest services to book facilities and to run errands for you
  • on-site staff 24/7 to be at your service
  • cheaper rent per unit floor area

CONs

• • the higher total amount per month

It is a fact that co-living space tenants can’t live for long in the limited space given. Many move out to Singapore serviced apartments or sign on apartment private leases after a couple of months as the reality of the limited space sets in. You may want to consider Singapore serviced apartments to start with given the many advantages it presents over co-living spaces or private leases.