Holland Village versus Novena

[SFGate]

My wife and I just moved here from the States and met with a broker to look at places this week. We've narrowed down our search to two great buildings, but quite different areas from our initial interactions. We are torn between a place in Holland Village called The Viz and one called Mera Springs in Novena.

The HV area seems to have a nice mix of Locals and Expats. The place at the Viz is a bit smaller than one we've found in Novena and has a pretty small kitchen. However, the amenitities and the area seem to make up for it. Here is a link to the building:
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... olland.htm

The place in Novena is in a brand new building (Mera Springs) very close to United Square and Novena Hawker Center. The apartment is huge and beautiful and has great amenities, but the area seems to be on the edge of Novena close to Little India, feels a bit more congested than HV, and we are wondering if its a bit too local for us. Here is a link to the place:
http://condo.singaporeexpats.com/condo- ... PRINGS.htm

Two other factors that we are considering are:
1) Our work locations, mine is in Novena and my wife's is in Shenton Way.
Being close to work is nice, but the idea of getting to know three different
areas is appealing as well.

2) Our parents will probably visit for extended periods of time and we are trying to think about which area is better for them. Transportation is really not an issue, they will either walk to close places or just cab it everywhere.

Thank you very much for any perspective you can offer.

[danialgoh]

As a local, and if I am offered any of these 2 places, I would grab the one at Novena.

Please note that Novena is in the central area. Amenities are plenty too. At Novena, they have this mall called the Novena Square and just beside it is Square 2. So you have 2 malls. Just cross the street and you have United Square. Cross another street and you have the IRAS building. IRAS Building is where they process all tax matters.

Getting to any part of Singapore is great if you are staying at Novena as it is in the central area. Our train is called the MRT, The Mass Rapid Transit. The one at Novena is called the Novena station. Your wife can take the MRT and drop at Raffles Place station and she will be at Shenton Way in no time.

On the other hand, I would have to agree that there are more expats at Holland Village. This is the place where foreigners, expats, locals go to as there is a huge and wide range of shops. Pubs, market, accessories shops. Name it, you got it there. Getting to town is near but not so if you need to travel to the western part of Singapore.

Property wise, the ones at Novena fetch a higher price than the ones at Holland Village. Why? Very simple. Location. Its very central. Going to any part of Singapore is hassle free.

My aunt used to stay at Whampoa which is a 2 minutes walk to Novena. She has since sold off her house and she got a whopping sum. Well, its because the location is good.

Cheers...

[ksl]

And to think, back in 1970 Holland Village wasn't so popular at all! But yes I have seen the change in HV, and to be honest it's far too expatty for me.

Novena does have quite a lot of expats too, you just haven't seen them all in a cliche sat around the pub tables and coffee bars, eye balling anything that moves like in HV. Reminds me of the years i worked with the refugees, were all these foreigners hang out in the shopping malls, not boozing but just eye balling.

I would go for the apartment in Novena, shopping malls are better than HV, and the MRT is handy. Also for your parents.

[Blue Sapphire]

True, Novena is a very convenient area. If I had to choose it would be Novena.

I hear friends thinking of moving to Novena. And some wanting to move out of HV.

[cbavasi]

personally i would go for novena - especially for transportation. i think HV may be good if you have a car - but you can't beat novena for convenience.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I lived up on Jln Merlimau for around 4 years. It's about a 3 minute walk from the Novena MRT. I loved it there for the convenience and that was before the Shopping Centre was build over the MRT station. We still had Gold hill Plaza and Gold hill square. and a quick walk over to TTSH if necessary. Can't beat it for bus & rail links and it's only a 20 minute walk to Orchard road if you like your exercise.

[jpatokal]

One more vote for Novena. It's incredibly convenient (MRT and shopping at your doorstep) yet reasonably quiet. Holland V is a bit of a pain if you don't have a car, although that will change once they get the MRT open there (next year?).

[wulffmoller]

Novena, hands down. Just due to location...

[sierra2469alpha]

We're at Novena (we don't tell anyone our condo name for security), but we love it here. Been here almost 12 months and not really seeing us moving (unless our dumb*ss doesn't fix a coupelk of things!!)

Seriously, we looked at similar places, and went over here.

HTH, Mr. P

[Zeenit]

Novena anytime over HV. Due to location and getting around.

[road.not.taken]

I much prefer Holland Village. Where would you go out for a nice meal at Novena? Spinelli? I like the location as well, much better suited for the errands I need to get done and the places I like to go.

Novena is fine, just off my radar.