Thoughts on living in Sentosa Cove vs. Marina Bay

[Di79]

We may be relocating to Singapore from Australia in the first half of this year with my husband's work and have been looking at accommodation options.

We currently live in Sydney and are very close to the beach and I can't really see myself living right in the heart of Singapore considering it is very busy.

We have come across a few options in Sentosa Cove and I was hoping to get some opinions on this? It looks attractive to us as we love the beach and going for walks etc and my husband loves golf. We also have a 3 year old son and would love to retain as much of our "normal" lifestyle in Australia as possible for him over there. I am just unsure as to how easy it is to get around from Sentosa? Can you get into the city easily enough and are there shops for groceries etc within easy reach from here? What about kindergartens and schools for a 3 year old? Would these be accessible from Sentosa Cove?

The other option we have considered is the Marina Bay area...again because it is close to water and we love eating out at restaurants etc and this area seems to offer quite a bit in that way?

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated..so many options and decisions to make

[aster]

I would check out the Robertson Quay area, some nice buildings there like The Pier or River Place to name just a few. Living by the river allows for great walks, plus it's close to everywhere by foot (you can walk to Orchard, CBD, Chinatown, Marina Bay) and offers numerous opportunities for going out. Plus grocery heaven as you have Singapore's only Meidi-Ya Japanese supermarket right next door in Clarke Quay, plus the usual Cold Storage places of course (and a Fairprice on Killiney Rd).

Personally I think that Sentosa Cove is way too isolated. The Marina Bay area is still growing but at present I wouldn't want to live in The Sail for instance.

[the lynx]

We may be relocating to Singapore from Australia in the first half of this year with my husband's work and have been looking at accommodation options.

We currently live in Sydney and are very close to the beach and I can't really see myself living right in the heart of Singapore considering it is very busy.

We have come across a few options in Sentosa Cove and I was hoping to get some opinions on this? It looks attractive to us as we love the beach and going for walks etc and my husband loves golf. We also have a 3 year old son and would love to retain as much of our "normal" lifestyle in Australia as possible for him over there. I am just unsure as to how easy it is to get around from Sentosa? Can you get into the city easily enough and are there shops for groceries etc within easy reach from here? What about kindergartens and schools for a 3 year old? Would these be accessible from Sentosa Cove?

Staying in Sentosa island is like staying in a bubble. You only have one access in and out of the island (and it gets crazier during holidays due to the crowds). As for schools, the last time I checked, there is none on the island itself (probably a daycare centre but that, I don't have the info in my hand at the moment).

The other option we have considered is the Marina Bay area...again because it is close to water and we love eating out at restaurants etc and this area seems to offer quite a bit in that way?

Just for you to know, no swimming is allowed in waters around Marina Bay and both Sentosa and Marina is pretty close to the passage of oil tankers and large ships (with minor exception to beaches in Sentosa allocated for beach goers).

Any advice anyone can offer would be appreciated..so many options and decisions to make

Just another note, Sentosa Cove is a very expensive place and one pays a high price for the exclusivity that comes with it (hence my 'bubble' remark). Marina Bay is convenient in terms of location and proximity (to CBD area) but it is also quite busy.

If you like beaches very much, I would recommend Pasir Ris (if distance is not an issue - you didn't mention where your husband will work) and East Coast (the popular East Coast Park and Changi beach is not far away - and still close enough to the city).

As of golf courses, there are plenty all around the island (Raffles CC, Tanah Merah CC, Orchid CC, Jurong CC, endless!) so do not worry if your husband still wants to be close enough to the greens to swing.

[Strong Eagle]

As of golf courses, there are plenty all around the island (Raffles CC, Tanah Merah CC, Orchid CC, Jurong CC, endless!) so do not worry if your husband still wants to be close enough to the greens to swing.

Bring a LOT of money if you plan on playing at any of these member courses... visitors can play with a member.

Much cheaper in Malaysia and Indonesia (Batam).

[zzm9980]

Agreed, consider East Coast if you want to swim. If you're looking at places in Sentosa or Marina Bay, a condo right off ECP (and the beach) should be in your price range. Plus you have schools and such, and it is relatively (slightly) quieter than other areas like CBD.

[Di79]

Thanks for your quick replies

It sounds as though Sentosa might be moving further down the list..my husband is very keen on marina bay and I must admit, I quite like the area also...although I have only ever stayed there as a tourist so i imagine it would be a little different to actually live there.

It's good to know that there are other golf options around for my husband too.

Can anyone recommend a high quality low rise condo or town house in a central location at all?

[daviedue]

Thanks for your quick replies

It sounds as though Sentosa might be moving further down the list..my husband is very keen on marina bay and I must admit, I quite like the area also...although I have only ever stayed there as a tourist so i imagine it would be a little different to actually live there.

It's good to know that there are other golf options around for my husband too.

Can anyone recommend a high quality low rise condo or town house in a central location at all?

Did you find somewhere to live close to the water? We are also looking into Sentosa or ECP to be close to the beach - low rise condo also ?

[zzm9980]

Thanks for your quick replies

It sounds as though Sentosa might be moving further down the list..my husband is very keen on marina bay and I must admit, I quite like the area also...although I have only ever stayed there as a tourist so i imagine it would be a little different to actually live there.

It's good to know that there are other golf options around for my husband too.

Can anyone recommend a high quality low rise condo or town house in a central location at all?

Did you find somewhere to live close to the water? We are also looking into Sentosa or ECP to be close to the beach - low rise condo also ?

Most of the condos on the water on East Coast are not low-rise. However, if you don't need a sea-view, and just want to be close (say 5-15 min walk), look in the Telok Kurau area. Plenty of nice new low rise condos in there. Most of them are along a park connector (paved bike / walking / nature trail) that leads directly to the beach, complete with overpass over the expressway.

[BigSis]

If you're still looking - check out the Caribbean at Keppel Bay and Reflections @ Keppel Bay - very close to water, not really beaches but the beaches around here are all grotty anyway IMHO, even on Sentosa.

You can walk to Labrador Park now from those condos too and Vivo City Mall and the road is behind the condos rather than in front - which is how it is on the East Coast. I've lived on the East Coast for years - there is always a constant road noise if you live in the condos along there because the ECP is between you and the beach.

[arifin.alexander]

Thanks for your quick replies

It sounds as though Sentosa might be moving further down the list..my husband is very keen on marina bay and I must admit, I quite like the area also...although I have only ever stayed there as a tourist so i imagine it would be a little different to actually live there.

It's good to know that there are other golf options around for my husband too.

Can anyone recommend a high quality low rise condo or town house in a central location at all?

Did you find somewhere to live close to the water? We are also looking into Sentosa or ECP to be close to the beach - low rise condo also ?

Most of the condos on the water on East Coast are not low-rise. However, if you don't need a sea-view, and just want to be close (say 5-15 min walk), look in the Telok Kurau area. Plenty of nice new low rise condos in there. Most of them are along a park connector (paved bike / walking / nature trail) that leads directly to the beach, complete with overpass over the expressway.

Agree....beside Telok Kurau, condo around Marine Parade road is also a good choice. Marine Parade road (especially condo closer to Parkway Parade shopping mall) has lots of amenities and nice eateries, good kindergartens and also close to the beach. Some of the hi-rise condo even have sea view.

In terms of getting to east coast park, you can access by car (only 5 mins drive from Marine Parade), park connector and there is even a bus (no. 401) to east coast park.

[zzm9980]

Yeah theyre good, but no low-rise which is what he wanted The few low-rise there are are too old to get a loan on. And if you have that much cash, you wouldn't want to buy them