Woodland vs Upper Bukit Timah

[yangchy]

We are planning to move to Singapore from the US in July, 2012. We have two kids (age 7 and 5) who will go to SAS in August.

My husband and I went to Singapore last week to check out some housing options. Unfortunately, there was no clear winner. We went there thinking that we would like to find something walking distance from the school. We saw a nice semi detached house very near the school, but it didn't have a swimming pool. We also saw a brand new condominium in Upper Bukit Timah area with a nice swimming pool. I can totally picture my kids loving the pool. But my question is: Is it worth the commute of 45 minutes on a school bus (one way)? My husband's work will be near Raffles Place, so his commute is not going to be short, either.

We saw a couple of condominiums in Woodland, but one was in front of a major construction and the other one was a little small and old.

Do you think we should decide now/in the near future if we want to move in July or we can wait longer until, let say, June?

Thank you so much in advance for sharing your thoughts.

[zzm9980]

Woodlands is rather remote, and not a lot to do up there. You might start to feel a bit isolated.

[cxxx]

I don't have any advice re those two areas but would suggest looking at moving into serviced accomodation for a month or so to give you time to find a suitable place to live which ticks all the boxes. We did this when we moved out as I felt that 1 week to get to know a new country and to choose where we were going to live for the next two years was just not enough!

[MaryO]

We are coming out at the end of May to look for a place and my husband will be heading out there in July with me following in August. I have a 5 year old as well. We have a budget of $7 to $9k for housing. Will we be able to find a decent place for that? I would like to be somewhat near the school but a coworker moved to Woodlands 3 years ago and says that they are very far from the activity. I think I'm going to want to be closer to the activity. Do you have any recommendations based on what you've seen so far?

[zzm9980]

What kind of "activity" do you seek? Are you looking for the bars and trendy restaurants? The tourist/shopping district? Or something else?

If "something else", then it's everywhere in Singapore. If the first two, you want to be near Districts 9, 10, 11. But that will be far from the school you're looking at. (from other thread).

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Hi yangchy ~

The Woodlands is for families who put proximity to SAS above all else. They don't mind long commutes to town, or usually to Dad's work. It's all about the school. It makes a lot of sense for families with lots of kids, in lots of after-school activities because you sacrifice A LOT to live in the Woodlands. Causeway point is a chaotic, frenetic mess, there are little or no restaurants, etc. Many places to live within the small 'American Ghetto' are not walking distance to school for tiny kids (and in the pouring rain) so keep in mind you'll have to factor that in.

Upper Bukit Timah is a nice compromise. It should not take the kids 45 minutes on a bus each way. Call the Yeap and ask them about the commute times to specific condo complexes. If you won't have a car, then play dates might get a little more complicated. In the Woodlands they'll have tons of friends in the neighborhood and the school playgrounds at their disposal.

Re: construction - it is unavoidable in Singapore. I wouldn't choose a place next to a big project if I could help it, but there is no guarantee that the nice quiet place you chose won't be surrounded by construction later.

Good luck with your move,

MHB

[zzm9980]

Causeway point is a chaotic, frenetic mess, there are little or no restaurants, etc.

It's honestly not much better or worse than most malls in the "heartlands". At least they have a Starbucks in the CC across the street! (Something you actually CAN'T count on all of time time, as funny as that may sound to an American...)

[the lynx]

At this point of time Causeway Point is as good as new with more food options laid out, thanks to the renovation. And I personally think that Woodlands is quiet, well that still depends on how close OP wants to be near the 'activity', which is subjective.

And the proximity to Causeway for weekend getaway in Malaysia? Priceless (minus the jam).

[zzm9980]

At this point of time Causeway Point is as good as new with more food options laid out, thanks to the renovation. And I personally think that Woodlands is quiet, well that still depends on how close OP wants to be near the 'activity', which is subjective.

And the proximity to Causeway for weekend getaway in Malaysia? Priceless (minus the jam).

I've only ever gone through Tuas on weekends. Is Causeway that much worse?

[the lynx]

At this point of time Causeway Point is as good as new with more food options laid out, thanks to the renovation. And I personally think that Woodlands is quiet, well that still depends on how close OP wants to be near the 'activity', which is subjective.

And the proximity to Causeway for weekend getaway in Malaysia? Priceless (minus the jam).

I've only ever gone through Tuas on weekends. Is Causeway that much worse?

Yes. In comparison to Tuas link. But the fee to cross is cheaper than Tuas, which I think at less than SGD3. How much do you pay to cross through Tuas?

[zzm9980]

At this point of time Causeway Point is as good as new with more food options laid out, thanks to the renovation. And I personally think that Woodlands is quiet, well that still depends on how close OP wants to be near the 'activity', which is subjective.

And the proximity to Causeway for weekend getaway in Malaysia? Priceless (minus the jam).

I've only ever gone through Tuas on weekends. Is Causeway that much worse?

Yes. In comparison to Tuas link. But the fee to cross is cheaper than Tuas, which I think at less than SGD3. How much do you pay to cross through Tuas?

It was 3.something. Maybe 3, but definitely less than 4.

I did go through quite a few tolls in the MY side those once over. Probably 15-20RM just to the outlets. And of course, had to buy my touch and go. The girl had such a cute smile while explaining I could buy it for 20RM or 20SGD, and that her exchange rate was 1:1. I bet those toll booth attendants make a fortune on that scam.

[the lynx]

I could buy it for 20RM or 20SGD, and that her exchange rate was 1:1. I bet those toll booth attendants make a fortune on that scam.

Tsk tsk tsk... Shame. Are you sure she could understand English?