Where Families Live in Singapore

Singapore is a very small place which actually makes it easy when deciding on a place to live. Location is everything but it depends on your criteria. 

• Some families choose to find a place smack bang on an MRT (train) line. This is particularly helpful if you don't intend on getting a car. 
• Some like being as close as possible to the action and the central business district.
• Whilst others opt for being a bit further out, in the country. Yes there are plenty leafy locations in Singapore! 
• And then there are the breezy coastlines to consider too. 

As a general guide here's where most expats tend to live:

1. East Coast

East Coast Park is a long stretch which is great for cyclists!

There are lots of lovely condos and landed properties around the Myer Road, Mountbatten and East Coast Road areas. You've also got East Coast Park on your doorstep and no end of restaurants, bars and shopping centres. If you're closer to the coast, or high up, you can also get a lovely breeze. Downside to the east coast is a lack of MRT stations. Most people use buses/taxis but these can be unreliable. 

2. Sentosa Cove

Quayside in Sentosa Cove Village is where all the shops, restaurants and boats are located!

Many locals think Sentosa is miles away from everything but it's actually a very central, convenient location. It has a village, community feel, a lovely calm and leafy environment and there are lots of condos to choose from on both the North and South Coves. 

Unlike other parts of Singapore, where you'll only get super high rise apartment blocks, Sentosa has more of a range with high rises as well as circa 6 storey condos. Landed properties exist but are expensive. There's a lovely beach nearby, plenty of restaurants, bars, supermarket, doctors, hairdressers. Basically everything you need is right there. 

3. West Coast

Pasir Panjang Village on the West Coast has everything you need!

There are a mix of condos and landed properties on the west coast. Clementi Road, Pasir Panjang Road as well as South Buona Vista roads are all popular. 

There's a fast freeway that connects the west coast with the city which can make getting to work an easier task. The West has a number of large shopping malls and is close to many international schools. It's also where the Science Centre, Jurong Bird Park and Jurong Water Park are located. 

4. Holland Village

Holland Village has lots going on and can be noisy but also has plenty of quiet leafy roads

Holland Village is great for families. Close to the MRT station you have a number of landed properties on surprisingly quiet roads. You also have lots of condos on Tama Warna Road, Leedon Road and Farrer Road.

Chip Bee Gardens offers a lovely a strip of restaurants, cafes and services such as physiotherapist etc along with a great baking supplies shop! 

Dempsey Hill is close by too which has a heap of restaurants there, a butcher as well as multiple furniture shops. 

Holland Village shopping centre has everything you need inside: banks, coffee shops, supermarket, pharmacy and multiple services upstairs such as hairdressers and foot massage places. A number of bars and restaurants are located behind the shopping centre (photo above).

 

5. Robertson Quay

Rob Quay is a really lovely place to live

Super close to the city, many people love living in Rob Quay because it means they can walk to work. Being along the river, Robertson Quay has lots of paved walks and a range of restaurants to choose from. Much more homely and quieter than neighbouring Clarke Quay, Robinson Quay has a wide arrange of condos making it my preferred city location. 

6. Orchard Road

The nightlife is in Orchard!

Obviously smack bang in the middle of the shopping district, the Orchard area can be noisy. But lots of people love it for it's convenience to the city and main shopping centres. There are lots of condos around 313Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut too. Condos tend to be smaller and pricier but everything you could ever need is right on your doorstep. 

7. Newton

Newton Food Centre

A popular area just north of the city, Newton is leafy and close to a number of international schools. Cluster houses are quite common around this district as are high rise condos. 

8. Bukit Timah

Get into the jungle in Bukit Timah!

BT is right in the countryside but still close enough to make a relatively easy commute to the city. There are absolutely stacks of playschools in this area and it is close to many international schools too. 

Rents tend to be a bit cheaper than central and again, there are many places to choose from. You might even see wild monkeys and large lizards in the national parks and reservoirs around this area!

Happy house hunting!

Rebecca x

Property Options for Expats in Singapore

When an expat rents a property in Singapore they tend to sign up to a two year contract. There are ways of course to get out of a contract earlier than this, but a two year stretch is the standard approach here. 

We are nearing the end of our first two years and are very happy where we live but, with a new baby on the way and a new school location to consider for Elise next year, we thought it best to explore our options and see what else might be about. 

And it got me thinking about all the various places our friends live and which locations really work best for expat families. 

Most expats live in condos here but some live in landed properties as well (both stand alone houses and semi detached). Cluster houses are also fairly common outside of the city. Here are the differences between the options and some pros and cons:

A Condo

A high rise condo on the East Coast

A lower rise condo development in Katong

Pros:

• The newer ones have decent fittings (not always but usually). 
• Usually have excellent shared amenities including swimming pools; BBQ pits and communal eating areas; clubhouse; gym; playgrounds
• As a result of this you're more likely to become part of a social community which can be very useful when you have young children
• There's a huge range of condos to choose from in Singapore!

Cons:

• Rooms can be smaller. 
• You might have noisy neighbours above, below and /or nextdoor! Luckily we've never had this problem in Singapore. 
• You may not get any outdoor space or balcony but if you do, the space is usually small. 

Landed house

A villa style landed house

A beautiful 'black and white' property

Pros:

• You get a lot of space for your money in the main - obviously this is location dependent. 
• You might get a garden or private pool. 
• Rooms tend to be bigger than condos. 
• You might land a pretty black and white house! 

Cons:

• Singapore is hot and your children will rarely use your garden!
• A private pool and garden require maintenance. And you lose the community of meeting other children at your pool. 

Cluster house

A cluster development

Pros: 

• Cluster developments are usually homely environments. There will be about 20-40 houses within a development. They might be built in a long terrace or in a circular shape for example. 
• They often have shared amenities such as a swimming pool, climbing frames, BBQ pits 
• Because of the point above you actually see your neighbours and there's a greater sense of community than you get in a house or semi detached. 

Cons: 

• Cluster houses tend to be tall and thin and so are built over 2-4 levels. It means there are often lots of stairs (consider all the stair gates if you have small children!)
• Having multiple floors can be tricky if you have children. For example you might need to bath one child upstairs whilst the one downstairs needs feeding. At least in a one level condo you can hear everything that's going on and move easily between your juggling acts!
• Many have roof gardens. Singapore is just too hot for roof gardens. Even party couples might want to think twice about renting a place with a roof garden!

To read about which districts Singapore expats tend to live in, click here.

Love and hugs

Rebecca x