Most expatriates who relocate to Singapore hail from larger countries with several major cities and dozens of metropolitan areas as well as rural communities. Singapore is quite small by comparison, so newcomers may not realise how close and connected they will be when they live in Singapore.
You can take a forty-five-minute drive and go from one end of Singapore to the other. This means that you don’t necessarily have to base your decisions on where to live and where to send your children to school on location alone.
Are you still not sure where you would like to relocate with your family?
Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods to live in Singapore:
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a cosmopolitan neighborhood that is ideal for sophisticated expatriates who want to live a luxurious lifestyle and have access to the best shopping and dining in the city. Given the nature of the neighborhood, the cost of living here is much higher than in other parts of Singapore.
Harbour Front
Harbour Front has earned a name for itself as being the top waterfront community in Singapore. Those who love to combine city life with beachfront living will love the residential options in this neighborhood. In addition to beach access, there’s plenty of shopping in this section of the city as well.
East Coast
The vast stretch of the East Coast region in Singapore with a mix of independent houses and condos has long been popular with expatriates as it is relatively removed from the high-rises of the Central Business District (CBD). The breezy East Coast Park with its cycling tracks, many opportunities for outdoor activities and some of the best eateries are a big draw for people living in the east.
Bukit Timah
A large, well-established residential area with a mix of family houses with gardens, cluster houses and condominiums, Central Bukit Timah is a leafy neighborhood that is a pleasant and attractive place to live in. Situated not far from the Botanic Gardens, Orchard Road, prominent clubs and European restaurants, Bukit Timah is a place for families who want a relaxed yet refined lifestyle.
Jurong
An up and coming neighborhood that’s sometimes touted as Singapore’s next CBD, Jurong has many Business and Science Parks, commercial establishments, and large malls situated here. Jurong is also home to a 70-ha Lake Garden and nature lovers will enjoy the proximity to the rich biodiversity of the area, available for nature walks, running, and bird watching.
The bottom line is, you can select a neighborhood that feels right for you and your family, yet still choose a school that is located in a completely different area. The small size of the island coupled with excellent public transportation allows you to fit together a lifestyle that works best for your family in all aspects.
Written by One World International School (OWIS) located at Jurong and East Coast