It’s no secret that HDB prices in Singapore are on the rise. I’m a middle-aged man who has lived in the heartland for my entire life and I’m feeling the pinch of these ever-increasing prices. Just a few years ago, I was able to purchase a decent 3-room flat in the heartlands for a reasonable price. But now, even the most basic, barely habitable flats in the heartlands cost an arm and a leg.
I’m not the only one feeling this pinch. In fact, more and more Singaporeans are being priced out of the HDB market altogether. This is especially true for those of us who have not had the opportunity to save enough money to be able to afford a HDB flat. We have to resort to renting or, at worst, living on the streets.
My situation is even worse than most. You see, I’m a self-employed freelancer and my income is not consistent. As a result, I’m unable to qualify for a HDB loan. That means I have to pay for my flat in cash which, in this market, is almost impossible. And even if I did manage to scrape together enough cash, the prices are so high that I’d be forced to sacrifice a lot of other necessities.
I’ve tried looking for other forms of housing but, unfortunately, the private property market isn’t much better. Prices are just as high, if not higher, and the landlords are often more picky than those in the HDB market. So after months of searching, I’m still left with no viable options.
So what do I do? Do I just give up and live on the streets?
No, I’m not willing to do that. Instead, I’ve come up with an alternative solution: sleeping under the bridge.
I know it sounds crazy but it’s not as bad as it sounds. Under the bridge, I’m free from the oppressive rental prices of the HDB market and I’m also able to save a lot of money by avoiding the costs of utilities. Plus, I’m able to keep my belongings safe from theft or damage.
I’m not the only one doing this either. In fact, there are quite a few people living under the bridge in Singapore. We all come from different backgrounds but we all share the same story: we simply can’t afford the rising HDB prices.
It’s not an ideal solution but it’s the only option I have right now. Until the HDB prices come down, I’ll continue to sleep under the bridge. It’s not a glamorous life but it’s better than living on the streets.