Best location to live for toddlers in Singapore?

[ReenieMc]

Hi

We are moving to Singapore next week - staying in Serviced Apartment for first month while we look for a place to live.

Can I please ask this group for recommendations on good areas to live with a 13 month old toddler (eg close to good nurseries/play centres)? We thought we would try living without a car at first, so ideally somewhere accessible by public transport. My husband will initially be working in a central area, but the office is transferring near Marina Bay next year. So somewhere easily commutable for the hubby but good for toddlers would be ideal.

Also, how do people find living in condos? I see most of the condos advertised tend to have pools, gyms & play areas for the children (which sounds great)... but I'm wondering if people find there is a lack of privacy and end up wishing that they just had a back yard for the kids?

Many thanks in advance!

[Mad Scientist]

Anywhere is SG is convenient and good as everything is close by
Rather than posting a new thread

Look at this link and absorb as it has been discuss numerous times

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/forum47.html

[sgnyc65]

often larger condos with facilities (pool, playground etc..) tend to attract families with younger children.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Frankly there are more toddler living in HDB Flats than anywhere else in Singapore.

[poodlek]

Also, how do people find living in condos? I see most of the condos advertised tend to have pools, gyms & play areas for the children (which sounds great)... but I'm wondering if people find there is a lack of privacy and end up wishing that they just had a back yard for the kids?

Many thanks in advance!

I've never even seen a house with a yard in Singapore, so as far as that type of luxury goes, condos are probably the best you'll get. I know a couple with a toddler who live in HDB, and it's fine except that the lady is now pregnant and struggling with her stroller, etc getting the toddler up the stairs. Many HDB flats don't have elevator service on every floor, so unless you get a flat on the floor that the elevator stops at you should be prepared for a daily climb of 2-3 flights. I believe many of the locals avoid this problem by having live-in helpers to carry everything for them.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Actually the majority of the HDBs do have it on every floor, and they are being retrofitted on all of the older units as well. Mine is due for LUP (Lift Upgrading Program) in a couple of months time. Will cost me around 2K but the valuation will go up 5-8K or more once it's done. The government have been upgrading the older units for the past 10 years or so. You would just have to look at the advertisements as it they are old units they will usually specify if they have had LUP or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_Upgrading_Programme

[poodlek]

Actually the majority of the HDBs do have it on every floor, and they are being retrofitted on all of the older units as well. Mine is due for LUP (Lift Upgrading Program) in a couple of months time. Will cost me around 2K but the valuation will go up 5-8K or more once it's done. The government have been upgrading the older units for the past 10 years or so. You would just have to look at the advertisements as it they are old units they will usually specify if they have had LUP or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_Upgrading_Programme

Ha. My husband's company, who is responsible for finding us (also the couple in question) accommodation would have us believe that finding and HDB flat with elevator service on each floor is an unreasonable hardship/impossible request. I have only visited two HDB estates and neither of them had the Lift Upgrade, so I took them at their word. Interesting.