Housing and family planning are complex issues that can cause stress and anxiety. This is especially true for a young woman who graduated during Covid-19 and is now facing skyrocketing housing prices and long waiting times for Built-to-Order (BTO) flats in Singapore. After bidding eight times, she finally received her BTO queue number, but the wait time until 2030 to collect her flat is causing her great concern.
To put this in perspective, she is turning 28 and will be 35 by the time she gets her flat. This has presented her with three options, but each comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Her first option is to wait a few years until the housing market cools down and they have greater savings to get a resale flat. However, this would mean sacrificing the BTO selection, which may bring a whole new set of uncertainties.
The second option is to stay with her parents and sister and invite her partner to stay over, only moving out after 35. This has its pros for financial capability, but it breaks down the norm of having a flat before settling down.
The third option is to rent a flat after marriage and wait until 35, though the rental prices currently are high. This option may be more feasible if she considers paying her parents the rental fee rather than other landlords.
However, her main concern comes from the long waiting time of seven years, which is around 1/10th of her lifespan. This wait time would significantly affect all her family planning, and she wonders if she should change her mentality and accept not having a flat to start a family.
Her partner is one year younger than her, and they both work for the government, so their income is average. After finally getting her BTO queue number, she felt more concerned than happy, realising that all she could do was wait if she chose the traditional housing route.
Thankfully, netizens have suggested other alternatives to her options. They suggest that she consider buying a resale 3-room flat instead of a 5-room flat, as well as exploring other options like staying with parents or renting. They remind her that adulting is tough, but it’s important to manage expectations and live within one’s means.
Overall, the young woman’s situation highlights the challenges faced by many Singaporeans in securing affordable housing. It’s a reminder that these issues are complex and require careful consideration and planning, but with the right mindset and resources, it is possible to find a solution that works for you.
