🏫 Why We Moved: A Long-Term Parenting Strategy
For us, it was purely a strategic approach to parenting.
With three children, we’ll be spending at least 12 years involved in their primary school journey—daily drop-offs, pick-ups, and school events. To make life easier and more intentional, we moved right next to Nan Hua Primary School.
It wasn’t about upgrading our lifestyle—it was about investing in time and proximity to what mattered most.
🏘️ What Changed: From Town Council to Self-Governed Strata Living
In an HDB estate, the Town Council manages cleanliness, maintenance, and estate matters. You pay your service and conservancy charges, and things just get done.
In a condo, however, it’s different. We live in a self-governed estate, overseen by the MCST (Management Corporation Strata Title). Residents decide on budgets, by-laws, maintenance, and even the look and feel of the place.
Another immediate change? Access control.
- In HDBs, being public housing, it’s common for property agents, salespeople, or even MPs doing house visits to knock on your door.
- In condos, none of that happens. No unsolicited knocks. Even the Member of Parliament cannot just enter—they must be invited or approved by management.
This shift offers more privacy and security, but also means residents must take ownership of shaping the community.
📜 About Those By-Laws: Collective Decisions, Not Scary Rules
The word by-law may sound intimidating, but it isn’t about enforcement for the sake of rules—it’s about a collective agreement.
- By-laws are proposed and debated at AGMs (Annual General Meetings)
- New by-laws or amendments require a special resolution (75% approval)
- They are resident-led, not imposed from outside
Some are mandated by law under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA). For example, many are surprised to learn that you cannot hang laundry on your balcony. While sun-drying is common in HDB living, in strata estates, it’s a prescribed rule to preserve uniformity and appearance.
So while there are restrictions, they are collectively decided and legally guided—meant to balance personal freedom with shared community standards.
🧠 From Curious Resident to Chairperson
When I first moved in, I didn’t know how MCSTs worked. Out of curiosity, I joined discussions, attended AGMs, and asked questions. That curiosity turned into involvement, and eventually, I was elected as the Chairperson of the Management Council.
It has been eye-opening to see how much responsibility residents have over shaping their own estate. Strata living isn’t just about paying fees—it’s about active participation.
🎉 Turning Governance into Fun: Building Community from the Ground Up
Self-governance has its challenges—debates, differing opinions, the occasional bureaucracy. But it also has unique opportunities.
In HDB estates, much of community building is led by Community Centres. In condos, it’s resident-led. That means if some of us are proactive, we can create an estate full of life and fun.
Since moving in, I’ve helped start neighbour chat groups and organised community activities:
- 🇸🇬 National Day Neighbourhood Walk
- 🎑 Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations
- 🎃 Halloween trick-or-treat party
- 🎄 Christmas get-together with music
These events transformed our estate from just a cluster of units into a real neighbourhood community.
📸 Community Moments
Here are some highlights of our community events. To protect privacy—especially of children—I’ve cartoonised the photos while keeping the spirit of the events alive.
Halloween Party (Cartoonised)
Cartoonised group photo of our Parc Clematis Halloween party—privacy protected, but the festive spirit shines through 🎃✨
National Day Walk (Cartoonised)
Cartoonised group photo of Parc Clematis residents at our National Day walk—privacy protected, unity celebrated 🇸🇬❤️
Christmas Celebration (Cartoonised)
Cartoonised Christmas celebration at Parc Clematis—privacy protected, but the festive cheer shines bright 🎄✨
✅ Things to Know Before Moving Into Strata Living
- You’re not just buying a unit—you’re joining a community
- Maintenance fees are higher than HDB conservancy charges (about $300–$500/month)
- By-laws are collectively decided at AGMs (with 75% approval needed)
- Privacy is stronger—no random knocks, even MPs need approval to enter
- Community life depends on residents stepping up—it’s what you make of it
💡 Final Takeaway
We moved into a condo not for luxury, but for family strategy—to be closer to school. But in the process, I discovered the beauty of self-governance and neighbour-led community life.
Strata living has rules, but also freedoms. It comes with responsibilities, but also opportunities. Most importantly, it gives us the chance to build not just a house—but a neighbourhood we call home.