Hey guys,
I know neighborhood recommendation asks come up frequently. I've done a lot of reading and I've done a lot of walking around Singapore. Wanted to provide as much information as possible to ask you locals... am I missing anything obvious?
My wife and I are from New York City, so we're used to busy, loud cities and small apartments. In fact, we prefer it that way! Although we've lived all over diverse neighborhoods in NYC, including Chelsea, LES, Bay Ridge, Bushwick and LIC, we called Sunnyside, Queens to be home for many years. It's an awesome older neighborhood that's very diverse, full of great restaurants and is very local (ie: not super gentrified).
I've answered the neighborhood questions from the pinned post below, but one specific thing I wanted to call out... I've walked all over places like River Valley and East Coast and, frankly, just don't get it. I don't understand why people live in these huge complexes behind high walls and guard houses. It feels like Sao Paulo or something.
Neighborhoods like Robertson Quay are okay, but feels like expats way outnumber the locals. There's also no MRT, which isn't ideal.
Our leading choices right now are Tiong Bharu and Chinatown, because they feel like neighborhoods, mostly. But also because they are well connected to the MRT and have great wet markets and hawker centers.
Should we be considering any other neighborhoods?
Priorities:
- your budget (approx range):
S$5000-6000/mo
- your workplace/s (don't name names, just approx neighbourhood):
Near Suntec/South Beach/Raffels
- the size and/or type of property that you are seeking (#bedrooms, on-site facilities etc):
3 br (master + baby + guest) and a decent nanny's room OR 4 br (we won't put the nanny in a bomb shelter)
- will you have a car here?
No.
- proximity to transport required. MRT-subway/buses/the airport/Malay border post (if so, which one).
Highly prefer to be within 0.5km of an MRT (this is one of our top priorities)
- will you have any accompanying children needing to attend school? If so, age/s?
Yes, newborn though, so no school for a while.
- are you looking at private (international/fee-paying, or local schools?)
Open.
- will your employer being funding any fees; or will you, 'out of pocket'?
Does it matter? Assume we are paying for everything, but that fees, etc are not a huge concern.
- is remaining within a national curriculum important; if so what nationality are you?
No, not important.
- have you identified any such schools yet?
N/A
Nice to have:
- will you need to be able to say walk to the local shops, a library, your doctor, a market, and so on?
Yes, super, super important. We want a neighborhood, not a condo complex. condos are great, but would trade for a good neighborhood immediately.
- access to any specific sport, social, and recreation facilities?
Nope.
- are you considering bringing any pets. If so what kind, and will they require outdoor access and/or exercise?
Nope.
- are you considering bringing any parents/in-laws etc? Do they have specific needs (for example difficulty climbing stairs?)
Nope.
Your current home and commute:
- are you already a city dweller? i.e. Are you used to city-centre hustle and bustle, or would you hope for a bit more peace and quiet?
We like being in very dense neighborhoods. No need for proximity to parks, etc.
- what is the size and type (apartment, house+garden etc) of your current home?
2 bed-room older building apartment in a dense NYC neighborhood. A balcony in our new place would be nice.
- what are any current commute times like?
30-40 minutes on the NYC subway.
Thanks very much in advance.
A.
