Finding a living space somewhere you’re not familiar with is nerve-wracking. It’s somewhere you don’t know, you don’t know if the pictures are real. You don’t even know if the place exists! The last thing you want is to face road bumps and bedbugs during your stay, long-term or otherwise. Recently, AsiaOne covered how a 27-year-old media worker, Rie, accidentally checked in at an old folk’s home. She and her friends extended their trip on a whim, but their original accommodation didn’t have an extra room available. So they just hopped onto the first thing they found — plus, it was just 15 minutes away from their previous AirBnB and cost her and her friends only $39.97. But, turns out, it was too good to be true.

Table of Contents

• • • • The Lowdown
        • 1. Check how new the images are
        • 2. Check the location
        • 3. Find an established brand
      • Conclusion
      • MetroResidences Singapore Serviced Apartments—Your Home Base for Travels Beyond

The Lowdown

The Grab driver drove through not one, but two cemeteries. When they got there, a large metal gate and high metal fences greeted her and her friends. They saw the sign only then: Johore Cheshire Home, a shelter for the chronically ill. Sure, the room was fine and the toilet was too. But there’s a 10 pm curfew for this old folks home in Johor Bahru: if Rie and her friends later than that, they have to call security to re-enter the premises.

So, they checked out within an hour. Rie told AsiaOne that ‘it didn’t feel right’. She didn’t want to make the residents at the shelter feel uncomfortable by invading their space and privacy. After all, she had to pass by the common areas where all the residents spend time.

It’s very gracious of her to do so. It happens to the best of us. But here’s how you can make the best of the unexpected, especially when you’re extending your trip.

1. Check how new the images are

There are already 17 iterations of the iPhone now. In the age of ever-more-powerful smartphones, a bad, blurry photo is almost impossible to take. The pictures have to be good now. What’s more? If you’re marketing your Singapore condo rental, you can’t do without the latest photo of your apartment rental in Singapore. So find apartment listings with newer photos that’ll at least help put your mind at ease.

At MetroResidences, you get new, accurate photos and 360-degree views of our serviced apartments. So you can immerse yourself in the room even if you haven’t checked in yet. With us, what you see is really what you get.

2. Check the location

If the pin for the address has nothing else around it on Google Maps, run. Singapore may look like an urban paradise, but there are apartment rentals in Singapore that are more than a little out of the way. Lord help you if no other Grab driver has to drive past TWO cemeteries to get to you when the day is ending.

But we’ve got you covered. From East to West, we have serviced apartments catering to every need, whether you’re a solo digital nomad or business traveller, or even if you’re moving your entire family to Singapore. From luxe Singapore condo rentals to our signature co-living spaces, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

3. Find an established brand

There’s a reason why branding works. Most of the time, established brands would already have experience in providing great service, with heaps of positive reviews to back it up. That’s how they get to stay in the market. So, end your trip on a high note. Find accommodations that can help extend your stay, even if costs more than what you had in mind.

Of course, we’re going to toot our own horn here too. With almost 300 positive reviews, MetroResidences has more than proven ourselves as a dependable Singapore serviced apartment provider.

And we’re going to continue the good work because we know that finding a place to call home in a new country can be difficult, so we’ve streamlined the apartment rental process in Singapore, from start to finish. Clear, accurate photos and videos of our serviced apartments, live availabilities, and secure online payments—you can instantly rent a serviced apartment in under 2 minutes.

Conclusion

Rie was only finding the best option for her and her friends then. But even then, it can be pretty daunting to find the right place to stay, no matter if it’s for a short-term arrangement or not. A little research and a little caution really go a long way in locking in a great time when you’re abroad.

So, dear traveller, remember to check the authenticity of the accommodations you’re choosing. Then your travels and time abroad can stay memorable—for the right reasons. Safe travels!

MetroResidences Singapore Serviced Apartments—Your Home Base for Travels Beyond

Looking for your home away from home? Our Singapore apartment rentals and serviced apartments are perfect for a longer period of stay. We have properties in luxury developments across Singapore’s most coveted addresses: Bugis, Bukit Timah, Shenton Way, and Novena.

And, you can rest easy at any of our properties. We adhere to our strict Property Standards that account for the comfort and cleanliness of all our serviced apartments. Our fully-furnished apartments come with amenities like wi-fi, air conditioners, and a fully-equipped kitchen.