Some tips to start up,

1. I use this app called citymapper which shows the multiple routes using train and bus to get you from point A to point B.
The arrival timing of the bus and train is accurate to the minute so it should be a very good indicator on how long it will take you to travel from your house to your work place.

2. When renting room, there is alot of scams happening to ask you to pay deposit before viewing. But what I did recently was to enquire, viewing through online video call, see the owner and/or agent face to vet them, request for house ownership document to confirm that they are the house owners then only put deposit.

If you do all the foot work to find the house through ads on propertyguru and etc, then you should not have to pay agent fee. If you hire an agent to find you a house then you will need to discuss agent fee.

Deposit is normally 1 -2 months for a year tenancy
Single room rentals starts out at 500 for a decent HDB 800 for condo.