Robertson Quay

[anthem]

Hello all,

Can anyone who knows the area well offer any insight into day-to-day life in the Robertson Quay area? I've spent a few hours in the vicinity and have visited the more tourist-facing areas near the river, but wanted to get some perspective from folks who know it well. Are there cafes, book stores, higher end grocers, etc nearby?

One drawback that I am aware of is that it isn't close to an MRT stop, but there appear to be ample bus stops nearby.

My spouse and I (early 30s, no children) will be relocating in November and are considering that neighborhood as well as River Valley and Tanglin.

Thanks in advance!

[missis]

Book store - Kinokuniya not far (in Liang Court). There are a few cafes dotted down the river. I heard that the clock tower makes a racket at unsociable hours.
BUT please don't make you mind up where to live before you arrive.
Spend a couple of weeks at least in a Serviced Apartment and explore.

[carolynW]

I used to live in that area but about 6 to 8 years ago. I used to pick up sushi at Liang Court the Japanese department store on my way home from Raffles Place.

There is a quaint Japanese bookstore that I liked that sold maybe 1 type of dish a day. And a magazine cafe next to that gaudy furniture store (Vinci?).

Also Fort Canning is close enough to walk to and the Buddhist Lodge always had good free vegetarian food (esp. the tofu, I can't cook like them! I do make a donation) and sometimes very good talks on meditation.

There is a Chinese temple I think that has Chinese opera plays around mid year (opposite UE square).

The openings / exhibitions at the Tyler Print Institute is always nice and the plays at the theatre nearby is good too.

There is a peppery bak kut teh store that faces the river valley road side and you can have drinks with friends quite easily.

There used to be a yoga studio near there but I think they have closed but there is a gourmet chocolate store now...

Nowadays I do take the kids to a Japanese pizza place there.

Oh I miss that area.

[steff77]

I live in this area and wouldn't want to live somewhere else (early 30s, no kids as well). There are many nice bars, restaurants, cafes, you can walk to Clarke Quay, you can walk to Orchard Road, if you are up for jogging, Fort Canning Park or along Singapore River are great for this. There isn't a MRT exactly nearby, but Somerset is in 10 - 15 mins walking distance, or you can take a bus to Tiong Bahru MRT (what I am doing every morning). But this is just my personal view, don't rely on other people's opinion too much, go and make up your own mind.

[observer]

I live in this area as well, so let me pitch in. Awesome place to live in. The neighborhood is good, with many amenities nearby, close proximity to everything, etc.

About the lack of MRT, once you discover the public bus network, you will realize that it's just as good as the MRT if not better. Everywhere I've wanted to go has so far been accessible by 1 direct bus (work, orchard, suntec, bugis, vivocity, tiong bahru, etc). This depends on how many bus stops are near you though. In fact, I choose the bus over the MRT for my daily commute. I get to sit comfortably with my book during the commute, while it's impossible to even hold a book up in the MRT crowd.

Plenty of food and shopping all within walking/cycling distance.

[sundaymorningstaple]

observer, I ride 2 feeder buses and the MRT to get to my office every day and I read a newspaper on the MRT every morning during rushhour. Books are a piece of cake!

[observer]

Ah, I've yet to master the "read-newspaper-in-MRT" stance. I've mastered the "stand-in-MRT-without-needing-to-hold-on" stance though, so maybe there's hope for me yet.

[Saint]

Don't think I've taken the MRT since I've been back which is 2 years now

[carolynW]

Well my tenant who lives in my old place complains about alot of construction... (think he is trying to keep me from increasing rent!!)

[nakatago]

Ah, I've yet to master the "read-newspaper-in-MRT" stance. I've mastered the "stand-in-MRT-without-needing-to-hold-on" stance though, so maybe there's hope for me yet.

the next level would be "sleep-while-standing-up-in-the-train" and can only be mastered in the birthplace of this ancient art...

[observer]

Ah, I've yet to master the "read-newspaper-in-MRT" stance. I've mastered the "stand-in-MRT-without-needing-to-hold-on" stance though, so maybe there's hope for me yet.

the next level would be "sleep-while-standing-up-in-the-train" and can only be mastered in the birthplace of this ancient art...

But... but surely that's just a myth! I've seen people attempt it, but I always thought it was just that, futile attempts! Pretend! Even that is rare, only the truly courageous would even dare. The danger is indeed too great. Hm. I see there is much for me to learn in the art of the Singaporean MRT.

[missis]

Indeed! The sleep-while-standing-up on train is seen often in Japan. However, the fall-on-seated-commuter-while-sleeping-standing-up has also been witnessed more than once...with hilarious consequences of course.

[carolynW]

Is the bagel store still on river valley road?

[observer]

Is the bagel store still on river valley road?

Sorry, not that I know of