Opinions on Southbank @ Lavender

[Plotting]

I live near Southbank in a much older condo. In our experience, you're spoilt for choice in terms of food and transportation. There are tons of good eateries around (both cheap hawker fare and classier joints). There is a HUGE number of bus lines within walking distance (Beach Rd, Jalan Sultan, North Bridge Rd, etc.), and you're close to Nicoll Highway and Bugis MRTs in addition to Lavender. We feel that we can get almost anywhere we want on a direct bus/train line.

You're also right next to breezy Kallang Riverside Park, which is a big plus for us. You can follow the river all the way to Marina Bay and the downtown area (about a 30-min walk?). My husband runs to work in the CBD every other day and loves how easy it is. Just be aware that the park can be a bit dark at night, although it doesn't feel unsafe. The area has more "character" and local flavor than traditional expat enclaves as it's full of HDBs and shophouses.

That said, we LOVE the accessibility of food and transport. The only gripe we have is that being in a more local area means dealing with terrified people every time we take our 40lb golden retriever out for a walk.

Thanks foxinabox, this sounds really positive.

The area does sound appealing and your comments on transport links, food places and it not being too much of an expat area are definitely making me think what with the close proximity to work that it's definitely worth at least taking a look at the place when I do eventually move over.

I'm not too worried about the dark as although perhaps naive, I've never felt anything but 100% safe in Singapore. I think walking home to my current flat is of far more concern for both myself and my fiancee.

Thanks.

[Plotting]

Took your advice and had a play around on the property site and followed the train lines in various directions including around Kallang and going further North and East. The Modules (SOHO) looked interesting as did One St Martin's although that's without really knowing what the neighbourhoods around there are like.

Nor do I so I shan't comment

8 @ Mount Sophia was another one I was looking at before I posted on the forum which I'm assuming is around Mount Sophia.

My guess is it is probably at #8 Mount Sophia! But I haven't checked.

Ha! You can tell I'm quite the Sherlock Holmes.

Wasn't too sure as it looked like the area might be a bit hectic and business orientated but the apartments and area (from the photos) looked pretty nice.

Mount Sophia (the area not the specific road of that name) is a funny area. Central but a back-water. Now the lift in the Cathay building has been taken out (it used to go up from the cinema on Orchard Road to an exit on Adis Road) it is certainly less convenient on foot than it once was which is a real shame. Only thing I'd watch now is the mother of all condo building plots there (just look at Google Earth) and there is only one route for site access Wilkie Road/Mount Sophia. If that condo is still going up, sorry to say but I'd avoid the vicinity like the plague...

That sounds a shame as minus the building site element, it seemed like an interesting place. Might go and have a look to see what the noise and dirt is like during the day.

Toa Payoh sounds interesting, think I might have to investigate that further.

Toa Payoh has a lot going for it. It's not bohemian, but it is not touristy, or ex-patty - it feels like a SGn neighbourhood. The two established condos are Oleander Towers, and Trellis Tower. There's a 3rd one somewhere there now. When we return it is somewhere I'd look at living again as it is so central and convenient. As the new-town facilities include a huge pool-complex etc I'd need persuading the premium for a condo, vs HDB, is worth it.

Right, time to get back to Google and check out these two condos. In all honesty, if I had access to a nice pool then HDB would definitely be an option. I love swimming so this plays quite a bit role in making my decision on where to live. Probably not that sensible but can't think of much better than a morning/evening swim in a tropical climate.

Thanks again.

Good luck!

[Global Player]

8 @ Mount Sophia was another one I was looking at before I posted on the forum which I'm assuming is around Mount Sophia. Wasn't too sure as it looked like the area might be a bit hectic and business orientated but the apartments and area (from the photos) looked pretty nice.

8 @ Mount Sophia are nice apartments and a great location, close to Plaza Singapura and Doby Ghaut MRT. But don't consider an appartment facing Handy Road. The Suite@Orchard construction site there is very noisy, very close to the Mount Sophia apartments, and goes for 6 more years.

[ganeshiyerv]

Like the idea of somewhere a little bohemian, local feeling, quiet and with decent transport links.

You should definitely try Little India

[Mi Amigo]

I guess you were being ironic, right?

Don't get me wrong, I like Little India, but the OP did mention the word 'quiet', which is not something I've ever experienced there.