Dear The Real Singapore,
I noticed recently that the cost of living seems to be higher in the newer estates compared to some of the older estates.
For example, I went to Rivervale plaza wet market to do some grocery shopping and bought a bunch of bananas. The lady told me the price was $3 per kg.
This is much higher than in other older estates where the price is about $2 per kg at the most. In the end I bought them as I had no other choice. This is the one and only stall in the plaza.
I found a similar trend in other food stalls like the yong tau foo noodle stall. They sell one ladyfinger or one hard bean curd for 35c each!
The seller also doesn’t let us buy 600g of noodles. Instead she says that we have to buy 2 packets of the 500g noodles.
Last time when I stayed in an older estate, there was no problem like this as there were many sellers selling similar things so the shop owners would have to give decent prices and service.
In Sengkang, I feel like everyone has the attitude of “take it or leave it” because they don’t have any pressure from competition.
Actually, it’s not only food that I feel is expensive in Sengkang. The flower stall also sells their flowers for a higher price. Even the PCF childcare centre has a higher price.
So far, Sengkang PCF childcare centre seems to be one of the most expensive at $650/month.
Over in Nee Soon, the price is only $425/month while Fengshan charges around $525 and in Tampines its $520.
I wonder how the new young couples survive with the higher cost of living in the new estates.
When basics such as food prices and childcare prices are high in the locations where there are the most young couples, there’s no wonder the fertility rate is so low!
And it’s not like Singaporeans have much choice to buy a house in a cheaper location either. Most people just have to queue for BTO and go wherever they can get a flat.
Sengkang Resident