If you're new here—welcome! I am a Singaporean-born Brit who moved back to Singapore five years ago with my wife and two kids. This space is an extension of my personal journey of rediscovering my roots, my country, and the everyday life that I never knew growing up abroad, as well as some other inner ramblings of my mind that I put out into blog form sometimes!

Recently, our family moved from a condo to an HDB flat—and it revealed some really fascinating things about life in Singapore. It's been just over a month since we made the switch, and honestly, it's reshaped how I view home, community, and identity in Singapore.

What Is an HDB, and Why Does It Matter?

For those of you who are not familiar, HDBs (Housing and Development Board flats) are Singapore’s public housing, home to over 80% of the resident population. These flats are more than just affordable housing—they’re woven into the country’s social and cultural fabric. Despite being everywhere on the island, they’re rarely presented as options for expats moving into Singapore. That was my experience too.

When we arrived, we were shown only private condos—places with gyms, pools, and a lifestyle that mirrored what many expats expect, whether they’re arriving from the UK, the US, or the Middle East. We went along with it. We rented a condo, lived the “expat dream,” and to be fair—it was lovely. But now that we've spent just over a month in an HDB flat, I’m wondering why this wasn’t this presented as an option from the start?

A Different Kind of Homecoming

As someone returning “home” after decades abroad, my motivations for living in Singapore differ from many other expats. While some are here for a few years to explore and move on, we came to stay. To belong. And I believe that living in an HDB has helped us do that more authentically.

Here’s what we’ve found so far:

A Real Sense of Community

Within days of moving in, people in our HDB block were greeting us in the lifts, wishing us good morning and goodnight. That rarely happened in our condo. There’s something more open, more approachable, about the community here.

This isn’t just my experience—according to a 2023 survey by the Institute of Policy Studies, HDB residents report higher satisfaction with social connectedness than their condo-dwelling counterparts. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes, a simple smile or a “hello” in the lift can make you feel like you belong.

Living Outside the Bubble

Condos are often described as "bubbles," and for good reason. They’re self-contained and insular. Our old condo had a pool, gym, and playground—but authentic interaction for us was not a regular occurrence. Helpers would take kids to the playground; parents rarely mingled.

In contrast, at our HDB, we’ve seen more parents actively spending time with their children at nearby playgrounds. Millie, my wife, has already made a few connections with other mums. I’ve had nodding “dad moments” that I know will soon evolve into deeper conversations.

This environment feels more real, perhaps more Singaporean—and for a family that values integration, it’s a blessing.

Everyday Connections

One of the most unexpected joys has been the relationships we’re forming with everyday people—cleaners, market vendors, and neighbours. My daughter Aspen has already made a friend in Uncle William, one of the local cleaners. Millie is now on friendly terms with fruit sellers at the nearby market, and I’m starting to get those nods of recognition too.

These are the sorts of relationships that are harder to build when you're in a gated condo, further removed from the daily life of a neighborhood.

The Cost (and Incentive) Question

Let’s be honest: HDBs are generally more affordable than condos. According to PropertyGuru, the average monthly rent for a 3-room HDB in 2025 is around SGD $2,800–$3,200, while condos in central areas can exceed SGD $5,000 per month.

So why aren’t agents recommending HDBs to expats?

In my own wonderings as well as the comments section on my YouTube video about this I can conclude:

• Commission-based incentives: Agents typically earn more from renting condos due to higher prices.

• Perceptions and biases: There’s an assumption that expats expect (or demand) condo amenities.

• Quota limitations: The Singapore government’s Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) and Non-Citizen Quota regulate the number of foreigners in an HDB block to maintain diversity. Some blocks may already be “full” in terms of expat capacity.

That said, none of these reasons should discourage those genuinely seeking to live more locally from exploring HDB life.

Breaking Down the Divide

Singapore is multicultural—but that richness is felt more deeply when you’re part of the day-to-day. I’ve noticed more racial and ethnic diversity in my HDB block than in the condo. People from different walks of life interact more organically here.

The “expat-local” divide is a real and persistent undercurrent in Singapore, but maybe the solution lies in choosing to step outside the bubble and enter spaces that welcome integration.

A Deeper Connection to Place

Living in Hougang, we’re now a short walk from the local market. We buy fruit from the same stalls. We say hi to the same faces. Our children are seeing their home not as a gated complex but as a vibrant, living community.

There’s freedom in that. It’s intangible but powerful.

So Why Aren’t More Expats Choosing HDBs?

That’s the question I want to leave with you. Why isn’t this way of living offered more widely to expats? Is it bias? Economics? Regulation?

And more importantly—what could change if more of us, as foreigners or returnees, chose this path?

If you're an expat considering a move to Singapore, or even if you’re already here and living in a condo—consider visiting an HDB block. Chat with the neighbours. Walk through the market. Smile at a stranger in the lift.

You might just fall in love with a side of Singapore you never knew existed.

If you’re curious to read more about my personal journey home, check out my book The Local Immigrant—a local bestseller available now at jontytan.com.

Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you. What’s been your experience of housing in Singapore—HDB or condo? Have you found community in unexpected places? Do you think expats should be encouraged to explore HDB living?

Drop a comment, share this post, and let’s keep the dialogue going.

Sources for stats:

• HDB Living Population: HDB Annual Report

• Rental Averages: PropertyGuru Singapore Market Trends

• Social Connectedness Study: IPS / Straits Times, 2023