Looking for a quick answer: Sentosa Cove vs. Carib@Keppel

[poodlek]

We've been offered a solution to our housing problem, but we need to answer tonight (we have about 2h to decide). Option one: 2 bedroom unit 9th floor at Caribbean at Keppel Bay (where we currently reside), vs. Option two: a larger, nicer unit at Sentosa Cove, details unknown. I get the idea that my husband is pretty wary of living on Sentosa as he is worried I'd rack up a fortune on cab fares (I actually take public transit mostly these days, esp. since my son now hates his car seat). I personally think I'd be happier with a nicer living space in a less convenient area, but realistically, how much convenience are we talking about sacrificing? Can I still get basic groceries at Sentosa Cove? I can walk to Harbourfront/Vivo City in about 15 minutes now, and it looks like it would be more like 40 minutes to walk from Sentosa Cove, but is it easy walking, with sidewalks, etc or is it very hilly and awkward? I'd be pushing a stroller most of the time. Thoughts??

[prkravi]

Gut Feeling - stay where you are...
Don't ask me why.

[poodlek]

Update: it's this unit http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... ypeA3b.jpg

vs this unit http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... ypeA4a.jpg

[BillyB]

I'd look to move further into town and you'll get a much bigger unit for your money.........just to throw a spanner in the works!!

What's making you stay near / at Sentosa?

Have a change of environment - we were skeptical at first to move from River Valley but its been a great decision and opened our eyes to new places.

[traderwu]

Always get a bigger place if you have children.

I don't live in Singapore, but moving out of NYC to the suburbs make my children so much happier. Bigger house, bigger yard. Has a children park a block away.

[poodlek]

I'd look to move further into town and you'll get a much bigger unit for your money.........just to throw a spanner in the works!!

What's making you stay near / at Sentosa?

Have a change of environment - we were skeptical at first to move from River Valley but its been a great decision and opened our eyes to new places.

If only it were that simple, we wouldn't be moving for the second time in two months...we don't have a choice-we don't get a living allowance, just our accommodation paid for. If I had my druthers we'd be living at the much-more-bang-for-your-buck Harbourlights opposite vivo city. But these are what's available. It looks like we'll be taking the Caribbean-too bad, those extra 200sf look SO tempting!

[BillyB]

I'd look to move further into town and you'll get a much bigger unit for your money.........just to throw a spanner in the works!!

What's making you stay near / at Sentosa?

Have a change of environment - we were skeptical at first to move from River Valley but its been a great decision and opened our eyes to new places.

If only it were that simple, we wouldn't be moving for the second time in two months...we don't have a choice-we don't get a living allowance, just our accommodation paid for. If I had my druthers we'd be living at the much-more-bang-for-your-buck Harbourlights opposite vivo city. But these are what's available. It looks like we'll be taking the Caribbean-too bad, those extra 200sf look SO tempting!

Company apartments / policies - sucks!!

[x9200]

I'd look to move further into town and you'll get a much bigger unit for your money.........just to throw a spanner in the works!!

What's making you stay near / at Sentosa?

Have a change of environment - we were skeptical at first to move from River Valley but its been a great decision and opened our eyes to new places.

If only it were that simple, we wouldn't be moving for the second time in two months...we don't have a choice-we don't get a living allowance, just our accommodation paid for. If I had my druthers we'd be living at the much-more-bang-for-your-buck Harbourlights opposite vivo city. But these are what's available. It looks like we'll be taking the Caribbean-too bad, those extra 200sf look SO tempting!

Esp. that you actually don't even have these 78 sqm. The planters eat up 10 sqm or more. On more positive side, looks like you are going to stay in Singapore a bit longer

[Addadude]

I'd go with The Carribean.

Yes, Sentosa Cove is very nice but it's also pretty isolated. Walking - especially with a stroller - is not really an option. There is a feeder bus for residents that goes to Vivocity from 1º 15 every 15 minutes or so. For basic everyday needs there is also a VERY well-stocked 7-11 at 1º 15. but it's no replacement for a good supermarket. And, depending on which condo you are staying in, you may not be within any kind of reasonable distance from either the 7-11 or the feeder bus.

[poodlek]

On more positive side, looks like you are going to stay in Singapore a bit longer

At least until the next crisis

It's possible now we won't have a choice between the two as the owner's agent apparently rejected the company's offer (or however that goes when attempting to rent a condo...?) as she knows it's the only two bedroom unit available in the place so they're holding out for more money I guess. Looking at this site's listings the Cove place is probably cheaper and I think they offered it to us because they already hold a lease on it. So...probably we'll end up on Sentosa.

[volki]

bumping this thread..sorry!
How do you find life on sentosa? We work from home and have a toddler so not too fussed about traveling or schools etc, we are also very used to keeping to ourselves and not having many people around, we like the privacy and tranquility sentosa seems to provide. We do want to order groceries online ..just wondering how you have found groceries and general day to day life there? Is it quiet? I've heard of some garbage truck issues?

Thank you!

[poodlek]

bumping this thread..sorry!
How do you find life on sentosa? We work from home and have a toddler so not too fussed about traveling or schools etc, we are also very used to keeping to ourselves and not having many people around, we like the privacy and tranquility sentosa seems to provide. We do want to order groceries online ..just wondering how you have found groceries and general day to day life there? Is it quiet? I've heard of some garbage truck issues?

Thank you!

Sorry I didn't update this, it was still up in the air when I left to visit Canada for 7 weeks and when I came back my husband had already moved our whole apartment by himself and I haven't looked back. We never went to Sentosa Cove, we just changed places at the Caribbean.
I can't offer too much insight, except to say that the online grocery shopping hasn't been exactly what I'd hoped here. I'm not sure if other places offer it, the only retailer I've found that does is NTUC Fair Price, and they don't ship much in the way of fresh food. They're good for stocking up on staples and heavy stuff, but not milk, bread, veggies, etc. Giant (VivoCity) does offer free delivery for a purchase over $200, and they will deliver the same day if you get there early enough. They say before 2pm but if I were you I'd check with them before you fill up your cart, or you'll find yourself having to carry back all the perishables yourself while leaving the rest for them to deliver the next day. It will definitely be a trek for you to get off the island if you don't have a car, and your only option for incidentals is the 7-11 AFAIK. I haven't been there, but I understand it's pretty well stocked, and I imagine it's very expensive also. Depending on what building you live in you may be looking at a 10-15 minute walk to get there, too. But all that aside, it seems peaceful, so if you can live with the relative isolation and the lack of convenience for groceries I'd say go for it.

[volki]

Thanks so much poodl, very helpful insight, especially with online groceries! Im waiting till we get there to really make a choice, and carribean/ reflections is still an option tho many seem to suggest they are way smaller? How do ypu find it? Thanks again, will look around for online delivery choices!

[volki]

Thanks so much poodl, very helpful insight, especially with online groceries! Im waiting till we get there to really make a choice, and carribean/ reflections is still an option tho many seem to suggest they are way smaller? How do ypu find it? Thanks again, will look around for online delivery choices!

[poodlek]

Thanks so much poodl, very helpful insight, especially with online groceries! Im waiting till we get there to really make a choice, and carribean/ reflections is still an option tho many seem to suggest they are way smaller? How do ypu find it? Thanks again, will look around for online delivery choices!

We're in a 900sf two bed unit. The unit they offered us at SC was significantly bigger (around 1200sf IIRC), but as we weren't privy to the rental costs I don't know that they were in the same range but I would assume they were. I have no idea how Reflections compares, but to piggy back on what others have said if you're considering Reflections and you're not driving, look for a unit that's close to the exit or be prepared to tack 10 minutes walking time onto any trip just to get out of the estate. It is vast. Caribbean is similar, but the closer the units get to the waterfront (i.e. and farther away from the gate) the more fancy and expensive they get, so that automatically rules out the farther ones for many families. The three units I've lived in here have all been in blocks that are right next to the exit.

As far as a family of three living with a toddler in a 900sf apartment-it's doable. Certainly it would be nicer to have more space and definitely would be great to have that third bedroom to use as an office, but we're making do with what we've got. My son (13.5 months now) is extremely active, so I take him out of the apartment for a couple hours each day to do things that will wear him out. The name of the game lately is to wear him out before he wears me out, as constantly having to drag him off the bookcases or the kitchen table or out of the bathroom sink (!!!) gets frustrating for both of us. We do Gymboree classes and swim in the pool (Caribbean has one 50m pool, two 25m pools and four kiddy pools) or go to the playground to blow off steam. I imagine going to the beach at Sentosa would be a fun activity for you guys too, and there are many open areas at RWS where you could let a toddler run around reasonably safely.