Australian International School - where to live with family

[PoppyFlower]

Hi there.

We are an Australian family and plan to move to Singapore in January. We will be sending our three kids (ages 7, 7 and 5) to the Australian International School. We have no idea where to live and would be grateful if you could please suggest some condominiums / areas which are family orientated, close by to the school/transport links and within 45 mins (max) commute to Marina Boulevard.

We are keen to choose a complex which has a pool, gym and community feel to it - if possible.

If anyone has some words of wisdom then this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[shannada]

Many people who send their kids to AIS live in and around "Serangoon Gardens" (bounded by Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 in the north and Lorong Chuan/Boundary Road in the south) and "Serangoon" (bounded by Lorong Chuan/Boundary Road in the north an Braddell Road in the south). Serangoon Gardens is a "landed" housing estate meaning you have an assortment of houses (terraces, semi-detached, and freestanding/bungalow). There are few condominiums in this suburb. Serangoon itself has a variety of condominiums if you prefer these. The children should be able to catch bus public transport to/from school.

For transport links you have a few options. The nearest MRT stations are Serangoon (under NEX Mall) and Lorong Chuan. There is a feeder bus from Serangoon Gardens Circle (adjacent Chomp Chomp foudcourt) that connects to Serangoon MRT. Total commute time using the feeder bus and train to CBD is around 45+ minutes. There are premium buses that serve Serangoon Gardens/Lorong Chuan area (a few pick up points) before heading direct to CBD for $4 one-way. These take around 35 minutes commute time. On the other hand commute time to CBD is around 25 minutes by car/taxi during peak.

Btw, rental for houses are much cheaper now compared to 2 years ago, and in many cases you can get a much larger property for the same rent as an apartment in the same location.

[BBCWatcher]

Really anything along the eastern arc of the Circle Line should work, though. AIS is very close to Lorong Chuan MRT station, and Marina Bay MRT station serves Marina Blvd. So if you live close to any of those Circle Line stations between those two stations you should do well. Please note that the Circle Line splits, so when you're headed into the office you'll either need to change trains at Promenade if you're on a train bound for Dhoby Ghaut or wait for a Marina Bay train.

In addition to living close to one of those Circle Line stations I'd also recommend living close to a FairPrice or FairPrice Xtra supermarket specifically. (FairPrice Finest also probably qualifies.) Test walking to/from the station and to/from FairPrice before picking any place to live -- seriously. You and your family are going to be walking those routes practically every day, so test them.