What drives many investors is the search for yield in a market where it is increasingly difficult to find good returns.

But many are loath to view stocks as the new Prince Charming in waiting. One reason could be investors' painful experience of the global financial crisis.

While the price of some S-chips has plunged practically to zero, the perception is that property in Singapore will at least retain some of its value and offer a regular income stream.

But for most people, a property still speaks to a fundamental need for a source of retirement income and a sense of security. A change in that mindset will require a review of our investing framework.

Property investor Joey Chew, 36, bought a 549 sq ft two-bedder at Casa Aerata last year for $600,000. "The absolute purchase price is low, yet the rent is high and stable," he said, noting that the red-light area is "well-controlled".

"A lot of expats live here and the demand will get stronger with the Paya Lebar hub... I expect to rent out my unit for easily $2,700 a month," he said.

Well, it depends on when you sell it, it seems. And of course, location. 

According to a new report by local property consultancy Ascendant Assets, shoebox units are generally 'quite profitable', but it does not mean all sellers do well from the sale of such units. 

'Renting in the city fringe area, near the Central Business District, is a viable option with more expatriates having switched over to local packages in recent years,' Mr. Li noted.

Non-landed housing rents in city fringe areas such as Balestier, Bishan and Geylang have increased steadily since the rental market bottomed out in 2009. 

  THE Government has unveiled a new policy to discourage the fast-rising number of tiny “shoebox” homes being built outside the central city area. 

The new guidelines aimed at curbing the number of shoebox units – typically less than 50 sq m – will take effect on Nov 4.

  The maximum number of units that can be built is obtained by multiplying the development site area by its Master Plan allowable gross plot ratio, and then dividing that by 70 sq m. This works out to an average unit size of 70 sq m. URA said the size is comparable to the average gross floor area of a 3-room HDB flat.

For the affected areas of Kovan and Eunos, the maximum number of units uses the same formula but dividing by 100 sq m.

With effect from 27 March 2013, retail units at commercial or mixed-use developments will be subjected to new guidelines on the minimum floor area. Under the new rule, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) mandates that average retail unit size should be at least 50 square metres (sqm), or the development’s total net floor area divided by the number of retail units.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said: "When the Marina Barrage is completed some time later this year, we will be able to stabilise the water levels in Geylang River. Around the Geylang River area, we will be able to integrate very attractive public spaces, malls and so on. The plan is to realign the Geylang River so that it runs through the new commercial developments."

"They are the best partners one can ask for," he said. "SMRT will be instrumental in transporting the community to the country's newest attraction and the combined experience of both SMRT and NTUC FairPrice in the retail space will be invaluable for the Singapore Sports Hub"

The Singapore Sports Hub, to open in April 2014, will include the Singapore Indoor Stadium, a new National Stadium, an aquatic centre, a multi-purpose arena and a water sports centre, as well as the new mall and waterfront area that SMRT Alpha will manage

This will not just provide breathing space for Singaporeans but rejuvenate an even bigger area around it, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last night.

"If you move the airbase, you remove the height restrictions on a big area around the airbase now constrained because you have to take off, land, provide safety," he said.

"That frees us to develop new, exciting plans for the big chunk of eastern Singapore, going all the way down to Marina and Marina South."

People from all over the island - and around the world - flock to this nearly 2km-stretch for the variety of famous dishes from crab beehoon to claypot rice and delicacies such as frog porridge and fermented tofu.

British expatriate Anthony Ung says: "As more businesses come into the area, a new atmosphere is emerging. I believe the area is on the cusp of change, with new residential projects coming up which would attract young families and professionals.