A Middle-Class Life Overseas with Just One Home? Is Retirement Plan B Really Feasible?
Sentiment in Singapore’s property market has been increasingly steady and optimistic.
In the latest quarter, the NUS Real Estate Sentiment Index (RESI) jumped from 5.7 to 6.1. Not only has current sentiment improved, expectations for the next six months have also strengthened across the board.
The standout segment is Core Central Region (CCR) luxury homes, with a net positive sentiment of 60%. Suburban homes remain at around 40% positive sentiment, and office properties have turned positive for the first time in two years.
For Singaporeans, investing in property is nothing new.
Even when people only have a few hundred dollars to spare, many already think about putting some money into REITs. With property sentiment recovering, REITs may look even more promising.
Besides REITs, some people invest by buying a second property… or simply rent out their own home and retire somewhere else.
“Can I live off rental income + investments and semi-retire in a lower-cost country?”
This isn’t a fantasy anymore — it’s becoming a common “Singapore-style Plan B.”
Case study: Can a 35-year-old couple + one fully MOP-ed flat support living overseas?
Assume a couple, both 35 years old, who own:
A recently MOP-ed 4-room HDB in Punggol
Monthly rental income: $3,200
Monthly mortgage: $1,070
After accounting for vacancy, agent fees, and maintenance:
Net rent ≈ $2,666/month
Plus:
$100,000 in basic investments
4% annual dividend yield = $333/month
Total passive income ≈ $3,000/month
In Singapore? → Enough to get by, but not enough to enjoy life
In many Southeast Asian cities? → Middle-class, or even “comfortable upper-middle” living
So which path brings the average Singaporean closer to a true “middle-class lifestyle”?
Buying property → Stronger asset appreciation logic
Investing in REITs → Stronger cash-flow logic
Can one property get you to a middle-class life?
Can REITs alone fund a comfortable lifestyle?
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.
Looking at my own MOP-ed HDB, net rental income plus basic investment dividends could give me around $3,000/month. In Singapore, it’s enough to get by, but in many Southeast Asian cities, it could support a comfortable upper-middle-class lifestyle, making semi-retirement abroad realistic.
For me, property offers long-term appreciation, while REITs provide steady cash flow. A mix of both seems ideal: rental income from property plus REIT dividends, bringing me closer to a true middle-class lifestyle at home or overseas.
@Tiger_SG @TigerStars @Tiger_comments
So which path brings the average Singaporean closer to a true “middle-class lifestyle”?
Buying property → Stronger asset appreciation logic
Investing in REITs → Stronger cash-flow logic
Can one property get you to a middle-class life?
Can REITs alone fund a comfortable lifestyle?
if have lots of extra [USD] [USD] [USD] then perhaps may consider owning a property or properties for investment. otherwise, REIT is good too.
best to have both [Grin] [Grin] [Grin]
Imagine waking up knowing that your core living expenses are taken care of by the fruits of your prudent investments.
Dividends from a strong performer like $DBS(D05.SI)$ or steady income from a diversified SReit like $CapLand IntCom T(C38U.SI)$, can fund not just the essentials but also the small joys that make life rich.
This combination is great for a life rich on community, family and simple pleasures.
Singapore - Our Home, Our Country. 😍😍😍🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🏡🏡🏡
@Tiger_SG @Tiger_comments @TigerStars @TigerClub @CaptainTiger
Non-traditional retirement plans relying on investments like REITs or rental income are feasible but require careful planning, diversification, and risk management
Property in Singapore offers long-term wealth through appreciation but requires significant capital, while REITs provide cash flow and liquidity, though neither alone may fully support a middle-class lifestyle
One property or REITs can support a middle-class lifestyle if they appreciate or generate income, but a larger portfolio or additional income streams are needed for long-term comfort, especially in high-cost areas
A combination of property for capital appreciation and REITs for cash flow offers balance, but relying on either alone requires careful strategy and additional income sources for long-term comfort
Tag :
@Huat99
@Snowwhite
That not only allows savings by cutting rental, it also builds rapport with staff who can have better work life balance (who also save on spending a bomb on travel and meals).
Office property market has to be artificially propped up by the rich who need businesses to force their workers to slave and toil away in their glass towers
1. Property is an essential part of an investment strategy
2. Real estate is a high dividend yield investment as an alternative to stocks
在最近一個季度，新加坡國立大學房地產景氣指數（RESI）從5.7躍升至6.1。不僅當前情緒有所改善，對未來半年的預期也全面走強。
突出的部分是核心中心區(CCR)豪宅，淨正面情緒爲60%.郊區住宅仍維持在約40%積極的情緒，寫字樓物業兩年來首次轉正。
投资分散在不同类型的 REIT（仓储、住宅、医疗、数据中心等）
但 REIT 不应是唯一收入来源。为了安全，最好与其他资产组合搭配。