Where to live with a 2 year old?

[Discoverygirl]

We will be moving from Hong Kong to Singapore later this year. My husband will be working in Raffles Place. We would ideally like to live near an MRT station but somewhere child friendly so we can entertain our daughter. From looking at the property maybe it would be best to live in a condo with a pool and playground. Are there any particulary child friendly areas in Sinagpore. We are currently living in Discovery Bay Hong Kong, if anyone knows it, its very child friendly so would like something similar but don't mind being close to the city!

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[humpbackwhale]

Everywhere is child friendly in Singapore except Geylang which is a red light district.

East Coast D15 area is good as many expat stay in that area, also alot of HKers, there are many supplementary schools at East Coast and Parkway Parade, can see many children attending class there during the weekend, also its near the beach and not as expensive as City and Orchard.

[micknlea]

Nothing much like DB here in Singapore (certainly nowhere with only golf carts to drive ) and you are right a condo would give you the closest similar living style. Not sure what sort of accomodation you had in DB, there are a few low rise places around here, they call them cluster housing I think, and they often have facilities like pool and sometimes their own play area. Sort of like a mini Seabird/Seahorse Lane area enclosed and with its own facilities.

The East Coast is a good bet, lots of condos with pools etc (some even a bit like the club back in DB) and with playgrounds,and you have the East Coast Park where you can do walks, and bike riding (they hire bikes and tandems etc there). Having said that we don't live there (but have friends who do) and live in the Holland area. We have a couple of playgrounds nearby but we do miss the old DB closeness and ease of taking kids to playground etc.

There are lots of ex DB people here too. Are you bringing your helper? If so, their network is incredible, we brought ours and she has met a heap of people here from DB, and as such we have met others from there, amazing three families live in walking distance. Small world.

[Discoverygirl]

Hi thanks for the info! The East Coast sounds great but is it near an MRT line? We actually quite like the sound of Holland Village but again were not sure if it is near an MRT. I know we won't get a Singapore Discovery Bay but it would be nice to be able to entertain our little one easily and for her and us to meet some new friends!

We are going to ask our helper if she would like to move with us, I will tell her what you said about the other helpers, that might help her make up her mind!

Is the Orchard area too busy for a 2 year old?

Thanks!

[micknlea]

Buona Vista MRT station is close to Holland Village, on the East West line (so is direct to Raffle Place no change of trains) but closeness is sort of relative here. It can be harder to get the distance to the train than in DB as depending on where you live there may not be a bus service near you to get you there. We live around the Holland area, but don't use the MRT as work is not close to a station at other end. However I know a few people who do and it is quite quick.

The same East West MRT line runs down the east coast as well and is direct to Raffle Place as well. There are also bus lines that run direct too.

Closer to Orchard may be a bit busy for little ones, there are only limited parks here with playgrounds, but there is always the botanical gardens and some of the condos have nice garden facilities too. (Now I look back, we were spoilt in DB).

There are some nice low rise condo/cluster places around the Holland area. I don't want to sound negative, but want to warn you, beware they are doing heaps of rebuilding and buying out places "en bloc" and most of them are the older bigger ones, so do beware whilst looking. A few of my old DB friends have just lost their apartments that were similar due to this.

Also, my helper didn't want to come originally, but we brought her over on a trip when we were checking things out, she met others here that time and then wasn't so hesitant as she had someone to meet up and go to church with etc. I am sure if you are happy with your helper there that it is better to bring her with you. It can be done, and is not too hard either. It certainly saves a lot of hassle here and a lot of money. Only difference is that the pay rates are different here, however we just pay ours the same as she got there and didn't worry about it. She does have to go home first and come here under the MOM rules etc. If you need any info just ask. My helper loves it here now, she does miss the closeness of the network back in DB, but she has heaps of friends here now and really likes it.

[humpbackwhale]

there is a circle line station just next to Holland village, but the circle line does not lead directly to city area, but its convenient.

Anyway transport here is fantastic, there are many taxis in Holland area and many public buses goes directly to city from holland. buona vista station its really far if you ask me (about more than 600-800 meters walk) depending on where you live.

HV also have all the amenities you need.

[micknlea]

Well, yes there will be a Circle line station in HV...but er, the line is not opening until 2010, so a bit of a wait for the next train really.