Originally Posted by
BOSishome
If not, what is the neighborhood like around NUS? Are there apartment buildings? Is there nightlife that students frequent?
Singapore is clearly a dense, active city, but if the campus is in a boring part of the city, that might dissuade me.
OK, seems you need to do some homework in terms of lodging situation in Singapore. I do not know what your expectations are, but better to get it in line with reality before arrive here.
I would encourage you to get lodging situation clarified way beforehand your arrival to avoid literally being homeless. If you can't get room at campus your only choice is to rent a room somewhere else and you need to be aware what prices for rooms/apartments are in Singapore. On my street (which is in about 15 min bus ride to NUS) there is international student hostel and students there are paying SGD $1500/mo to share a room. And there are 2-3 people sharing room.
You might find those prices shocking but it is the reality which you have to deal with. You might be lucky to get a room at campus, but they are still $25-$35 per night, there is no such thing as 'free accommodation' in Singapore.
Now regarding life and lightlife - campus activity at NUS is vibrant and every single week there there was something going on. Plus, the campus is not any mean small - take a look here
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asiat...s/70624/43380/ or at google maps.
Obviously most nightlife is concentrated at downtown. If you want to live there, take note that rent for rooms start from $2500/mo.