15 years. That’s how long this fellow Covey has been playing the guitar!

It has been almost a year since all of us underwent Circuit Breaker. I’m not going to lie, that period of time was tough for many of us.


Like many others during the lockdown, this fellow Covey filled up his time at home doing what he loves most - singing and playing the guitar.


Jake has been strumming for more than a decade, 15 years to be exact! Amazing, isn’t it? 

Jake performing Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran


He was also in a band during his university years where he performed in pubs, weddings and charity events. As cliche as it sounds, Jake eventually performed solo, while pursuing his PhD. Very Justin Timberlake and Beyonce vibes, innit?


But how did it all start? Well, it was his passion for singing which made him pick up this string instrument.


“I wanted to play the guitar as I loved singing and I thought it would be good to learn an instrument to accompany it!”

Jake singing an award-winning song, Shallow, from the movie A Star Is Born.


Jake humbly denied that he’s a pro at it, saying that it’s simply a hobby.


“I wouldn’t say I’m even close to mastering it! It’s always just been a hobby of mine and once I got to a level where I could sing and play at the same time, that was enough for me!”


If you wish to see him in action, head over to his YouTube channel to enjoy his covers of songs such as Fix You by Coldplay, Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, Forget You by CeeLo Green, and more!


“I love playing all the really sappy souly stuff that everyone hates like Luther Vandross, Bill Withers, Chris Stapleton et cetera.”


Sadly, Jake often gets asked to play all those typical love songs drunk people love by singers such as Ed Sheeran, Oasis and Killers. Oh, bummer!


The day when Jake finally gets a gig at Haji Lane, we’ll make sure Jake sings the songs he wants to sing!


When asked what song he’d play if he could only play one song for the rest of his life, he chose this evergreen song he loves, Easy Like Sunday Morning by Commodores. Truly, a classic!

Jake serenading to the song Dancing on my Own by Calum Scott


Jake’s advice for aspiring guitarists out there is to work hard, persevere and have lots of patience. Consistency and regular practice are important too, and don’t forget to make it fun! One can do so by learning songs you really like. 


It may be awkward at first, but it’ll certainly become easier once the muscle memory kicks in. YouTube is also a great teacher, plus… it’s free!


We hope the best for Jake and we can’t wait to see him perform his gig at Haji Lane one day! Let’s manifest that reality! 😉


Want to read more about our fellow Coveys? It’s all here.

Creating extra spaces for your storage needs

Need more storage space in your room? Well, the solution is not to fork out more money to get a bigger room, but simply reorganise and repurpose your room! Here are some hacks you should try!


Attach a hook rack onto the back of your door to hide your towels, pair of jeans or even an umbrella. This way, you can maximise the empty space between your door and your wall! 🚪


Since travelling won’t be a thing anymore for quite some time now, why not use your old suitcases as a vintage night stand? Just stack a few of them on top of each other and voila! A new night stand.


You can also store some stuff in your suitcase to keep it stable! 🧳


Declutter the mess with drawer organisers so you’ll never lose your other pair of socks, or search high and low for your tie. You can also use them to store your accessories or make-up. 💄


When purchasing storage containers for your room, do make sure that the ones you’re about to buy are stackable containers!


This way, it’s easier to store it away and more organised when you pile it up in a corner.


Do you and your flatmate have a lot of different shampoos and soap, facial products and other toiletries in the bathroom? And… it kinda gets a little too messy on the rack?


Hang a fruit basket in the bathroom to solve this problem. Place all your shampoos and liquid soap on this basket. It’s easy to reach when you’re showering too.


Do you really need so many things? Do you really want to keep that teddy bear your ex gave you? Or that t-shirt which you haven’t worn for over 2 years? You know you don’t need it! Gather all the things you don’t need anymore and send them to your nearest recycling center.


You probably need to binge on Marie Kondo on Netflix before throwing away a bulk of your belongings for good. Learn how letting go is also a part of spiritual growth and is great for your mental well-being.



After decluttering, you’ll not only have extra space to store more stuff which you need, your mind will be at ease too. 😌


We hope that these tips will help you make your room and common areas more spacious and comfortable. For more tips on co-living, click here!

Decided on co-living? These are the things you should take note of.

What to ask your co-living point of contact?

Decided on co-living? Good for you! Approaching a few co-living companies would be the first step to finding your perfect home. But as someone who is new to this, there will be plenty of questions swarming around your head and uncertainty involved. 

“What exactly are the types of rooms for rent?”


We'll be sharing with you a few things that you should take note of!


This is really important as you are paying a lump sum per month, you would definitely want to know what exactly you are paying for and why. Keep a lookout for all inclusive prices and ask what exactly is included in the 'all-inclusive' deal.


For Cove, what we offer is a fully furnished apartment that encompasses a 42 inch flat screen TV and Wifi of 1GBPS. We also have a fully equipped kitchen with kitchen wares and best of all, there are no agent fees! 


2. Understanding the different types of rooms 


There are many different definitions for different rooms as well as what comes with them and sometimes this can get rather confusing. Below are some of the common words to describe the rooms:



Common room also known as Standard rooms
These rooms come with a shared bathroom. Essentially, a 3 bedroom condo where it comprises of 1 Master bedroom and 2 Standard rooms. The 2 Standard rooms share the common bathroom and typically, it should be no more than 2 people per bathroom. 



Our common room at Pinetree Condo comes fully equipped 
with a study table for your work-at-home needs.


Master bedroom 
Master bedrooms for rent are highly sought after as these come with an ensuite bathroom. This means that you have your very own bathroom in your own privacy, perfect for long hot showers!



This is our latest shophouse near Aljunied MRT, the first month rent is free when 
you book any of the rooms in this shophouse with us for at least 6 months!*



Studio apartment 
A Studio apartment, on the other hand, is a 1 bedroom unit with your kitchen and bathroom combined in the entire unit. These are for people who value privacy a lot. 



This is also one of the 4 studio units in our shophouse at Aljunied, and yes, 
first month rent is free if you book with us for at least 6 months!*



Dual key studio 
Ever heard of them? Dual key studio apartments are slightly more complex. It refers to the idea of having 2 homes sharing a common area and can be subdivided into 2 separate private homes.

3. What happens if I don't get along with my flatmates?


The sad truth is, there will be bound to have little tensions here and there that could snowball into a scuffle. That could be the fear of some others when it comes to co-living. My advice to you is to try and work it out like adults first. Understand one another’s standpoint and work towards it. The fights could be as simple as the use of the bathroom first?


To avoid future tiffs, schedule a planner and stick towards it. If you have tried all ways to handle the situation and nothing changes, never be afraid to reach out to your property manager and let them know what is happening. 


So, there you go! Once you've considered all these questions, the next thing you should do is book a viewing with us! 

*promotion is valid for new bookings by 30 November 2020

blog | Cove

discover our insider lifestyle features covering Singapore’s co-living scene, well-being, things to do, places to visit, trendy eateries and beyond.

Alchy shares what he likes about his job as an intern with Cove

He is in charge of the ‘fully furnished’ aspect of Cove, find out how he does it!

This week on our Cove Superstars series, I’ll be featuring our Project Coordinator Intern, Alchy!


The Project Coordinator team is the reason why Cove homes come fully furnished with all the things you need in a home. Basically, Alchy’s task is to assist in the management and execution of Cove’s Operations Projects, which comprises property transformation processes and interdepartmental technology integration, to ensure operational efficiency!


So all of your high-speed wifi, kitchenware, sofa set, smart TV and more are all thanks to Alchy and his team. They make sure the studio apartment, shophouse, walk-up apartment or the condominium you’ll be staying in is move-in ready!


Alchy started as a part-time intern last year in October and converted to a full-time intern since December. When asked what’s his unforgettable memory at Cove, he shared that having team dinners with his team and managers is one of the highlights!


That’s right! At Cove, we prioritise fellow Cove Superstars’ welfare. One of the ways is by chilling and hanging out with our teammates, ensuring everyone is taken care of!


Alchy also finds the work culture at Cove pretty amazing as he has been given the liberty to complete certain tasks all by himself and share his own ideas.


He is free to explore different ways to find a solution to complete the assignment that was handed to him. He felt that the confidence entrusted by his manager was important and crucial in boosting his work performance.


The 4-storey landed house at Paya Lebar Walk is Alchy’s favourite property. Even though he said that there’s a lot of things to set up in that home due to the large size, he finds it really comfortable and very spacious. Definitely great for couples or individuals who love to host dinner parties. 


In fact, there’s a vast rooftop deck where you can organise barbecue nights, have your own rooftop garden or even a sun tanning session! Check out our TikTok to have a sneak peek at the rooftop deck!


Currently, Alchy is pursuing his Master’s Degree of Science in Management at Singapore Management University (SMU) and will be completing his studies this December. He shared with me that he might consider venturing into a similar industry after his graduation.


With only less than 2 months with Cove, we hope he’ll use up the remaining time with us to learn as much as he could and have a great time with his team. We wish you all the best, Alchy!


His tips for future interns? Just prepare yourself to learn as much as you can and enjoy your time at Cove! Do check out our careers page if you’re keen to join us as Cove Superstars!


Wanna know more about other Cove Superstars? Read all about it here!

Time to awaken your tantalising tastebuds!

Around the world in 8 food places

We may not be physically travelling to other parts of the world due to the border restrictions, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t able to taste the joy of being on a holiday. 


In this article, I will be bringing you around the world in 8 eateries! 🌎


For those of you whose taste buds are not so adventurous, this is the chance to start something new. Challenge yourself and try out new cuisines which you’ve never heard of before.


Specialising in French gallates and crepes, this Instagram-worthy restaurant nestled in the shophouses at Telok Ayer is worth the travelling for!

Most of us may be accustomed to eating sweet crepes for dessert (which they also serve), but the real deal that you should try at French Fold is the savoury galettes!


The ambience of this restaurant is indeed very chic, a perfect place to impress your date, so why not bring them here


address: 204 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068640
opening hours: 8.00am - 10.30pm


Indian food is not foreign to most of us. Food such as prata, murtabak, biryani, naan and many more are readily available everywhere in Singapore. 


But what’s unique about Gravy Restaurant & Bar is that they serve exotic fusion Indian dishes like mutton handi gravy, samosa chaat, fish malvani and many more which you can pair up with alcoholic drinks!


And exclusively for fellow Coveys, you’ll get 20% off* when you sign up for their events by calling or WhatsApp them at 9101 5824. Just quote “Cove” when you’re making the booking.


Not only that, you can also get 1-for-1 drinks* at their Tanjong Katong and Tanjong Pagar outlets when you flash your Cove tenant app on selected days, from 5pm till 7pm!


*Terms & conditions apply. 1-for-1 promotion is available at Tanjong Pagar outlet from Tuesday to Sunday & at Tanjong Katong outlet from Wednesday to Monday.

address: 1 Hoe Chiang Rd, Singapore 089310

opening hours: 11.30am - 10.00pm, closed on Mondays

address:  246 Tanjong Katong Rd, Singapore 437034

opening hours: 11.30am - 10.00pm, closed on Tuesdays


Located in a shophouse, this quaint Thai restaurant opposite Sultan Mosque will certainly remind you of the traditional eateries in Thailand!


Some of the must-haves at Koh Nangkam are steamed sea bass, pandan chicken and clear tom yum soup, to name a few. And what’s a visit to a Thai restaurant without ordering a glass of refreshing Thai Milk Tea, right?


This halal Southern-Thai restaurant also does delivery on the weekend so you can easily order from them for your gatherings with friends!


address: 4 & 6 Jln Kledek, Singapore 199621

opening hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm, closed on Tuesdays


If you miss Japanese food, drinks and snacks, Don Don Donki is the place you should head to!


Instant bento, soba, sashimi, cute Japanese snacks, drinks, desserts, you name it! Everything is in a giant store! 🍱


With eight outlets island-wide, namely at JEM, JCube, City Square Mall, 100am, Orchard Central,  Square 2,  Clarke Quay Central and Harbourfront Centre, your nearest Don Don Donki is just a few minutes away! I can promise you that you’ll never walk empty-handed from this huge supermarket even when you walked in with just the intention of ‘looking around’!  🤣


It’s so good that even a Japanese YouTuber who is residing in Singapore, Ghib Ojisan, recommends it!


Visit their website for all eight outlets’ address and opening hours!


Opened in January 2019, Kafe Utu is Singapore’s original African cafe with food from the different countries in Africa. Even before tasting the unique flavours of Africa, your eyes probably would have feasted on the intricate interior and decoration of this 3-storey cafe!


On the first floor, you’ll be sure to spot the 8-metre banquette seat. Fun fact: it’s made from a single tree! 🌳


If you’re looking for a new spot to drink, head over to their bar & terrace for an African cocktail experience!


address: 12 Jiak Chuan Rd, Singapore 089265

opening hours: Wednesday - Friday: 10.00am - 5.00pm, 6.00pm - 10.30pm

                         Saturday - Sunday: 9.00am - 5.00pm, 6.00pm - 10.30pm

                         Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays


Craving for Mediterranean food? We suggest you head over to Pano Kato for some Mediterranean and Greek food!


This restaurant is perfect for you if adhere to strict dietary preferences such as gluten-free or vegan!


According to their website, Pano Kato means ‘upstairs downstairs’ in Greek, referring to its sister restaurant, AnLi’s Store and Bistro located upper floor while Pano Kato is just below!


When you’re done with your delicious spanakopita, Maria’s moussaka or baklava, visit the retail store that’s linked to the restaurant where you can find decor items that are being used in the restaurant!


address: 163, #02-23 Tanglin Rd, Tanglin Mall, 247933


Nobody can resist a good BBQ, right! 🍖


Not only is I’m Kim Korean BBQ is affordable, but their signature volcano chicken is also to die for! Other menus include signature Korean chicken wings and spicy pork collar!


Only 5 minutes away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT, this restaurant which is located at School of The Arts (SOTA), is hard to miss with its huge bright signage.

Remember to make your reservations earlier to avoid disappointment! And to our Muslim friends, don’t worry. You can always visit their halal restaurant called Captain Kim Korean BBQ & Hotpot located in the East!

address: 1 Zubir Said Drive #01-04 School of The Arts, 227968

opening hours: Monday - Friday, 11.30am - 4.30pm & 5.30 - 10.30pm

                         Saturday & Sunday, 11.30am - 10.30pm

address: 300 Tampines Ave 5, #01-06 NTUC Income Tampines Junction, Singapore 529653

opening hours: Monday - Friday, 11.30am - 3.30pm & 5.30 - 10.30pm


We’ve all heard grilled chicken, grilled fish and even grilled vegetables before, but what about grilled… rice?


Yes, that sounds a little strange but I can ensure you that once you’ve tasted it, you’ll want to revisit again!


Bara Food serves its authentic Indonesian dishes with rice that has been wrapped in banana leaf, grilled till perfection.


My personal favourite is the Ayam Goreng Serundeng - Javanese style fried chicken topped with ‘Serundeng’, mixed fried Indonesian herbs and spices!


For those of you working in the CBD area, do drop by this restaurant located few minutes away from Tanjong Pagar MRT!


address: 16 Enggor St, 01-10, Singapore 079717

opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 11.00am - 8.00pm
                         Monday, 11.00am - 4.00pm


I hope that these recommendations have helped those who miss traveling and trying out new food. For those who miss the taste of home, did these foods remind you of home?


Talking of home, do you know that you can now easily send money back home with WorldRemit?


You can send up to 70 currencies to 130 countries! WorldRemit has one of the best exchange rates up front, with no hidden costs! You can even transfer money right from your smartphone. Convenient, isn’t it?


Now that I’ve shared with you many different cuisines from around the world, it’s time for you to take that leap of faith and try out new delicacies to expand your palette! Have fun tasting these yummy foods and remember to take lots of photos!


Don’t miss out on these makan articles:

Ultimate guide to endless food deliveries

Joe has an Instagram account where he shares his poetry. You need to check that out!

How composing lyrics in high school made this Covey fall in love with poetry

Joe was still in high school when he joined a band. As the bass guitarist, he was also in charge of writing song lyrics for the band.


Little did he know that this little side gig of his would make him fall in love with poetry and he has been writing it ever since!


Now, you can read his poetry on an Instagram account called @asloppypoet_ where Joe shares his craft.


What fascinated him the most is that poetry speaks differently to different people and therefore has different meanings. Everyone can have their own interpretation of the same piece of poetry.


Just like any form of art, the significance and meaning of a song, painting or dance are not limited to the creator’s idea of the art. Instead, we are all free to view it from our own perspective.


Joe even shared that his writing is indeed very personal to him. If someone else could relate to it and if his words could make a difference in the reader’s life in any form of way, it’s a ‘beautiful feeling’ for him to know that his writing matters.


If you’re looking to be inspired or seeking something hopeful, spend a few minutes reading Joe’s poetry on his Instagram account. There’s always something that will resonate with you. 


If you enjoy reading about our talented Coveys, check out Coveys Got Talent! If you’re a Covey, let us know if you or your flatmate wants to be featured! 

What have we gained from this isolation experience?

A year after Circuit Breaker

It’s been exactly a year since all of us were confined to the four walls of our home and restricted from going out, all in the effort to reduce COVID-19 community cases. 


7 April 2020 was the first day all of us entered Circuit Breaker (CB), and it has impacted our lives greatly ever since. Even McDonalds had to shut down!


This World Health Day, we look at the positive outcome that’s emerged from staying at home during the CB period.


Yes, it’s true that Phase 3 has allowed us to head down to the office to do our work for half of the time, but it seems like working from home will be the new norm and is here to stay even a year after CB.


WFH sure has its advantages. You don’t have to iron your clothes the night before or worry about arriving late to the office. I know that some of you are actually wearing your pajamas while attending zoom meetings with your team, right?


Working from home also means more time with your family or flatmates. Before Covid, you may only see them after 7 in the evening each day. But now, you see them for almost the entire day! 


It’s great to have someone to talk to, be it about work or about personal matters. You know you can always count on them.


We know some parents are thankful that they can work from home because that means more time with their young ones, just like how our Software Engineer shared with us!


Being cooped up at home for almost 24 hours has brought out the creative side in all of us. 


If before 2020 (or pre-Covid) you only know how to fry a sunny side up egg, now you probably can prepare a 4-course meal in 2 hours. Maybe you can now knit your own blankie, take care of your own indoor plant or workout right at home!


I’m pretty sure some of us have picked up new skills or hobbies too. For instance, our fellow Covey, Jake, has been uploading YouTube videos of him singing songs while strumming the guitar.


Those are some of the positive outtakes that we gained during Circuit Breaker. Now, let’s look at what we can look forward to in 2021, a year after CB.


Travel bubble to Australia, Taiwan, Bintan and many more locations are still in discussion. Let’s just hope for the best. 


While we patiently wait for these travel bubbles, why not pamper yourself to a staycation at your favourite local hotel? You can use up your SingapoRediscovers vouchers before they expire!


Take a day off and sleep in while you enjoy the view from your hotel room. Or bring your friends along to party in the room. Responsibly, of course!


If you really feel like going overseas, you can always hop on to the cruise which will bring you through the seas to enjoy the breathtaking seaview.


You can also dip yourself in the pool, play lots of arcade games, indulge in delicious buffets and watch live performances while on the cruise. Amazing, isn’t it?


Thankfully, you can now bring your date out to watch a live theatre, musical, concert or stand-up shows. 


Some of the shows that I’d recommend you to watch are I am Kumar by Dream Academy, LUNGS by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Don’t Call Him Mr Mari Kita by Wild Rice!


If you’re not the artsy type of person, be glad that movie theatres are finally open! Just remember to bring your Trace Together token or have the app in your phone before entering the cinemas.


Movies you should totally catch are Raya: The Last Dragon, Godzilla vs Kong, Chaos Walking and many more!


With the ease of Covid-19 restrictions, we can now meet up in groups of 8. That’s one of the best things ever! 


That’s because some of us have bigger families and so many friends so meeting in groups of 5 wasn’t the most convenient. No more splitting tables, we can all sit together!


This also means that we can meet more friends at one time to have a good time drinking during the weekends or partake in team bonding activities with our colleagues!


While most of us may not be vaccinated yet as elderly and frontline workers are given priority, we can still do our part to encourage other individuals who are eligible to get their vaccine!


And even once you’re vaccinated, do remember to always wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times!


Covid-19 may have eased in Singapore but the battle is far from over. Let’s not be complacent and always keep ourselves on high alert! 


Like the saying goes, prevention is better than cure! 


Don’t miss out on these lifestyle reads:

The ultimate guide to food deliveries
Top 4 bargain malls in Singapore

Nature spots for your next trekking adventure

Don't just foolishly believe what you've been told!

Debunking common co-living myths and misconceptions

“It’s expensive! There’s no privacy! I don’t wanna live with a stranger!”


Those are probably the excuses that you’ve given yourself when you’re considering moving into a new place. We totally understand, moving in is such a big deal and that’s why you’re beginning to have so many questions or second thoughts.


But don’t worry, we’ll debunk these myths and clear up the misconceptions you have about co-living!


For those of you who just discovered what co-living is, you must be wondering what the craze is all about. In short, it’s similar to renting a room in any apartment. Just that there are multiple added perks to it. Such as a friendly community and the amenities found in the common spaces which you can use! To know more about co-living, read up the blog post which we have here.


One look at the monthly price may scare you away and you’ll probably avoid visiting any co-living websites forever.


It may seem like it’s not within your budget at first but I’m pretty sure if you really do the calculations, it’s actually the perfect deal for you!

Spacious living room at Lorong Sarina, fully equipped with sofa set and coffee table!


At Cove, the price listed on our website includes not just the basic monthly room rent. The monthly rent includes wi-fi, aircon, housekeeping, dedicated maintenance support, community events, perks and more! If you’re living in a condominium, the gym and pool are also accessible at no extra charge.


So what you’re paying for is really the whole experience of living with Cove - all inclusive! Yup, you read that right, you pay for your room and you can utilise the whole house.


Whether you need to cook in the common kitchen or binge on Disney+ from the smart TV in the living room, you’re free to do that!


Forget dodgy landlords who offer you “cheaper” rooms but exclude all the things you need such as wi-fi or limited use of the kitchen. They’ll even ask you to pay extra for such things in the apartment!


It’s like living in a hostel or dormitory!


Unlike in a dormitory or a typical college hostel where you probably share the room with more than 5 other students and have to wait so long just to use the shower cubicle, I assure you you won’t have to experience this when you’re with Cove.


You don’t only have the room to yourself, you can also choose to stay in a room that comes with an ensuite bathroom. So you can take your own sweet time freshening up in the bathroom without having to worry about someone else knocking on the door while you’re enjoying your hot shower!

A room at Geylang that comes with an ensuite bathroom!


Sharing a home doesn’t mean your privacy is compromised at all. You get your own room all to yourself, that’s for sure.


The only places where you’ll share with your flatmates are the kitchen, dining area and living room. These are the spots where you’ll bump into your flatmates the most. Why not start a conversation with them and talk about your day, at least there’s someone acting as a listening ear, isn’t it? That’s what flatmates are for!


Co-living may be a little daunting for introverted individuals due to the fact that you need to talk to new people and such, you can always invite a friend over if you’re shy and start a chat with your new flatmates in groups! Your friend can also stay the night if he/she wants!


But, if you’re the type of person who actually prefers to live alone, Cove also has studio rooms for you to check out!


Exclusively for millennials or hipsters only!


While most Coveys are indeed from the millennial generation, co-living is not only for them. It’s for everyone!

discover our insider lifestyle features covering Singapore’s co-living scene, well-being, things to do, places to visit, trendy eateries and beyond.

15 years. That’s how long this fellow Covey has been playing the guitar!

Creating extra spaces for your storage needs

What to ask your co-living point of contact?

latest articles

stay with us

discover

company