If you are not having fun in a new city, you must be doing it wrong! Regardless of where your next destination is, there will always be new experiences; new flavours to taste, people to meet and places to visit. Like all trips and visits, accommodation is the most important thing to consider. This will either make or break the trip! If you’re looking for a more comfortable stay, a co-living apartment or a serviced apartment is the way to go. But the two can be quite different from each other. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose wisely.

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1. Price
2. Space and Privacy
3. Experience
4. Location

Staying in hotels is so yesterday. Short term rentals (yes, 3 months is considered ‘short’) with serviced apartments provide fresh, unique and unforgettable experiences and often – at a reasonable price. In this piece, we explore a few important factors that will guide you to choose between co-living apartments and serviced apartments.

Just in case you’re new to the concept of co-living and serviced apartments, we got you. Both come fully equipped with amenities and facilities but individuals living in co-living apartments get their own private room and co-live with others under one roof.

Co-living apartments in Singapore are fully serviced apartments where a group of people live together under the same roof sharing amenities and facilities however individuals get their own private room. Serviced apartments, on the other hand, are also fully furnished apartments but without sharing the whole apartment with other people. Both are great alternatives to renting especially if you do not want to deal with tenancy agreements or landlords. What’s more, most serviced apartment providers would offer weekly housekeeping services when you stay with them.

Ok, let’s see what both have to offer!

What’s the pricing like?

Co-living spaces usually cost less than serviced apartments as amenities and facilities (the kitchen, bathrooms and even washing machines) are shared with other fellow apartment-mates. On the matter of space (elaborated more in the next point), every individual gets his or her own room, but the other common spaces are shared with the rest of the residents.

If budget is your main point of consideration, here are a few fairly priced fully furnished, beautiful co-living apartments;

Conveniently located at the city fringe, accessible by all modes of transport

Homey unit in the city

The duration; a short term or long term stay must be taken into consideration too as prices vary from days to weeks and to months. From our experience with frequent travellers, business travellers and Singapore expats – co-living spaces are preferred for short term stays. Co-living provides the opportunity to experience the city and meet new people (we’ll look at this a little later in the article).

Space and Privacy

If you’re travelling with your family, it may be better to have an entire apartment to yourself. With co-living apartments, privacy is only confined to the small 4 walls of your room which may not be as convenient. After all, size and price are two sides of the same coin. With a larger space, it will be more comfortable with your partner and/or children.

Especially with children, serviced apartments offer privacy and facilities exclusive to the family – and may be the wiser choice. With the luxury to choose the number of rooms you need, travelling families have the flexibility to tailor exactly their needs & priorities to their budget.

Check out this listing that comes with a swimming pool – perfect for kids!

However, if you’re looking for a place just for one (or two) – perhaps a co-living space might be a better option. After all, the rental for a studio apartment is through the roof now. Though space will be a compromise, the experience will make up for that; which brings us to the next point.

What experiences do these choices offer?

Co-living opens many doors (see what I did there?) and also opens minds. More than just sharing a roof, facilities and amenities, travellers have the opportunity to share and listen to different perspectives of other fellow travellers. Living with like-minded people has been incredibly popular among digital nomads in the past recent years; those frequently crossing borders in this digital landscape.

Like co-working spaces, co-living spaces are all about community but also emphasize on individuality. Amenities and facilities (like the kitchen and communal spaces) are shared but privacy is assured by the walls of the room occupied by each individual.

Co-living landed property just a stone’s throw away from Orchard Road. Click to see more!

Landing in a new country shouldn’t be a lonely experience. Besides casual travellers, entrepreneurs, software engineers, designers are just a few of the many professions these days who prefer the idea of co-living in a co-living space. Here, ideas are shared, connections made and friendships are forged.

However, if you’re travelling with family, perhaps opting for a private serviced apartment would be a better option. Not only do you get a larger space (nothing is shared) but the family gets the privacy it needs. Sometimes, even for security reasons, having adult strangers in the same space with children may not be a good idea – regardless of how strict local laws are.

Location

Last but certainly not least; location. Like how it wouldn’t make sense for a digital nomad to live in a co-living space that’s far away from the Central Business District (assuming most of your work-related activities are in that area), the same applies for families living in a co-living space in the CBD —  far away from all the places of interest and attractions. 

Not only is it poor planning, but this will put a strain on your wallet as there will be a need to commute between places of interest. So it’s definitely wiser to draw up an itinerary or pre-plan your journey and wisely choose an accommodation to travel conveniently – to and from.

For families with children, this is a perfect example for families who are looking to explore the West side of the island. Near attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and popular malls, travelling between all points will be easy and quick. For the culturists, look for co-living spaces in Joo Chiat, Tiong Bahru, or Clarke Quay, where there are plenty of historical and cultural attractions to discover.

For families with children, this is a perfect example for families who are looking to explore the West side of the island. Near attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and popular malls, travelling between all points will be easy and quick.

Depending on many factors like length of stay, budget, priorities and also the company you are travelling with, there are many factors to consider when finding accommodation to rent in Singapore.

Don’t forget to check out all of our listings here. With serviced apartments and co-living spaces in Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong, we’re pretty sure you’ll find something that will fit your needs!