Location Suggestions/Advice

[xernstx]

My wife & I will be arriving in Singapore next week, with the initial apartment/condo search scheduled for Friday.

My rental budget is 5000-6000 SGD and my office will most likely be located in Takashimaya in Orchard (not confirmed yet).

I've been recommended the following areas from friends/contacts - Orchard, Tanglin, Newton, Clarke Quay, River Valley - are there any that I'm missing? Any particular buildings that stand out? I've done some extensive browsing of the Singapore Expats condo listing - some new units look really nice (Icon for example) - but I don't know anything about other areas... marina, Tanjong Pagar, etc.

Here's some more specifics on my situation:

Young couple, no kids - prefer an active area with a lot to do

No plans to own a vehicle

Agent lined up via Crown Relocation services

Currently I'm placing a high premium on walking distance to MRT, but I see a LOT of buildings that don't have that - am I over-stating the importance? Is taking a bus to the MRT/final destination really simple? Or do a lot of people simply have cars in the higher end buildings

Wife is from Venezuela, a bit intimidated by the 'exotic' Asian cuisine - so would prefer to live near some kind of international grocery store

Let me know if there's anything I left out.

Many thanks, looking forward to life in SG!

[road.not.taken]

I think you should be fine. Your budget should find you a decent and snug little place with some facilities, in any of those areas. Takashimaya itself has a decent market, as does the Paragon across the street and a very decent Cold Storage at Great World City. Takashimaya is right at the Orchard MRT, so consider something a bit further afield, maybe a few stops away if you don't find anything. Happy hunting!

[Superglide]

The Icon is not that near to Orchard / Takashimaya, but right in front of the MRT. Not very happening environment though, Tanjong pagar, although there are quite a few restaurants along Tanjong Pagar Road, but more catering to the local scene, especially the karaoke nonsense at Duxton.

I would suggest to do a search around Cairnhill area, right behind Orchard. It is 3 to 5 min walking distance to Orchard and Takashimaya, yest more quiet to live. Lots of old and new developments and as said, lots of international grocery stores in the basement of Paragon, Takashimaya and other malls on Orchard.

Newton is already a bit more out of the happening part, Tanglin is scenic and quiet, but I would say more catering to families with kids.

Try Cairnhill.