With a healthy budget in hand, some couples might find themselves caught between chasing the dream of a landed home or going for the convenience of a condo. That was exactly the dilemma Leslie* and her husband faced while house-hunting.
In their 30s and ready to commit to their next chapter, the pair had two options on the table: a landed property or a condo right across from an MRT station. After much back-and-forth, they realised that condo living ticked more boxes for their lifestyle. Here’s why they gave up the landed dream and went with the condo instead.
*Name changed for privacy purposes.
1More convenient locations
Image credit: (buses[IN]gapore!) on Facebook
Compared to landed homes, which are often tucked deeper inside residential clusters, condos are generally better connected to MRT stations and bus stops. For Leslie, who doesn’t own a car, this was a dealbreaker. “I didn’t want to spend the next 10 years waiting for buses or relying on Grab just to get around,” she shared. Instead, she can now stroll out of her condo’s back gate and be at the MRT within minutes.
With landed properties, driving is usually the only way to shave time off a commute. This was something Leslie knew would add both cost and stress. “Even if we bought a car, I didn’t want the stress of having to deal with limited parking or traffic jams,” she said. While some condos in less central areas provide shuttle buses, Leslie realised that a well-located condo cut her daily travel time without compromise.
The convenience carries through to everyday life. Right outside her condo, Leslie has an NTUC FairPrice and even a dental clinic, which means groceries and errands are practically at her doorstep. And when she needs more options, malls are just a short train ride away. “I like knowing that if I get a late-night snack craving, I can just head downstairs to the vending machines instead of driving out,” she added with a laugh.
Less upkeep & maintenance
Image credit: Design CliniQ
For Leslie, one of the biggest dealbreakers with landed homes was the upkeep. “I had heard horror stories about the sheer amount of maintenance and costs that come with living in a landed home,” she admitted. With multiple storeys to clean, routine pest control, and gardening, the monthly costs quickly add up.
Here’s a rough idea of what those costs might look like:
- Gardening and landscaping: $100 to $500/month, depending on garden size
- Pest control: $50 to $200/month
- Roof and exterior maintenance: $500 to $2,000/year
- Plumbing and electrical systems: $300 to $1,000/year
These costs are just the baseline expenses to start off—unexpected issues, such as leaking roofs and pest infestations, also drive the hefty costs of landed living even higher. Moreover, someone usually has to be at home to let contractors in, making it even more time-consuming just to keep the home in a clean condition.
Condo living, in contrast, has been a huge relief. With the MCST handling everything from mosquito fogging to pool maintenance, Leslie only pays a monthly maintenance fee of around $300 to $700. “It’s predictable, and I don’t have to lift a finger,” she shared. Even simple things like rubbish disposal feel easier—waste management is centralised, and with a chute right outside her unit, she doesn’t have to worry about bin days like in a landed home.
Better security & peace of mind
Image credit: Forx Security
Living in a condo also gives Leslie greater peace of mind, thanks to its built-in security. With guards on duty and access card-restricted gates, there are multiple layers of deterrence. “Sure, it can be a little inconvenient to buzz in delivery drivers every time, but I see it as a small price to pay for safety. Even when I travel, I feel assured knowing there’s someone watching the premises,” she said.
For landed homeowners, on the other hand, security is a do-it-yourself affair. They bear the costs of installing alarms, CCTVs, and autogates, along with the upkeep that comes with them. Without a visible guard presence, landed homes can also be easier targets, whether by organised housebreaking syndicates or smaller thefts like stolen bicycles.
Makes sense if you use all the amenities
Image credit: @f1recreation on Instagram
One of the biggest perks of condo living is the facilities. From swimming pools to gyms and playgrounds, everything is right at your doorstep. These amenities not only add convenience but also help save on external memberships, since the costs are already covered in the monthly maintenance fee.
For Leslie and her husband, who are planning to start a family in the future, this was a major plus. “It feels good to know that when we have kids, they can swim in the pool and playground without us having to leave the compound” she said.
Greater sense of community
Image credit: Kembangan on Facebook
With shared spaces like the pool, gym, and playground, Leslie finds that living in a condo naturally makes it easier to meet her neighbours. From bumping into familiar faces in the lift to having casual chats after a workout, these small moments of interaction create a sense of community without much effort.
In contrast, landed homes are more private and often feel isolated. You might only see your neighbours if you make the effort to greet them at the gate or arrange gatherings, which does not come as naturally.
Condo estates also add to the kampong spirit by organising festive events like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, or Christmas. Funded through the estate’s sinking fund, these celebrations bring residents together and help foster bonds that go beyond just sharing the same address.
Lower costs & more flexibility in selling
Image credit: IRAS
Buying a landed home almost always comes with a much heavier price tag than a condo. Beyond the higher upfront cost, there are also bigger mortgages, higher stamp duties, and steeper property taxes since landed homes usually carry a higher annual value.
Other than a lower overall price tag, condos are usually easier to sell or rent out, especially in central locations where rental demand is strong. This gives Leslie and her family more flexibility in the future, if they decide to upgrade or downgrade their home eventually.
While landed properties are often viewed as prestigious and can hold value long-term, they are less liquid. The pool of buyers or tenants who can afford them is much smaller, which often means a longer wait to close a deal.
Right-sized home at the right time
Condos are often seen as the more practical choice, with smaller spaces and easier upkeep. For Leslie, who spends most weekdays in the office, what mattered most was a home that was convenient and low-maintenance.
Right now, a condo fits her stage of life perfectly. It works as a comfortable long-term home, but also gives her the flexibility to upgrade to a larger unit—or even a landed house—if her family expands in the future.
She also sees condos as more age-friendly. With lifts, sheltered walkways, and on-site facilities, accessibility comes built-in. In contrast, landed homes would eventually need costly modifications like chairlifts or ramps to offer the same convenience.
Choosing a condo over a landed property
While both have their pros and cons, condo living was ultimately the better fit for Leslie. Landed homes may offer prestige and space, but they also come with heavier upkeep and time demands. For Leslie, her condo strikes the right balance—convenience, comfort, and peace of mind, without the stress of managing a bigger property.
For more articles about condo living:
- 7 most beautiful old condos in Singapore with timeless charm
- A first-timer’s guide to choosing a condo in Singapore
- 2025 Singapore condo launch guide
Cover image adapted from: Seng The Builder, Uchify
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