Finding a place to live while still abroad/neighborhoods?

[nakatago]

Serangoon/Kovan is where I live. Well, 2.4 km from the Serangoon MRT station and the largest Shopping centre in Singapore (at the moment) called NEX which is incorporated over top of the NE and Circle MRT lines. I like it out there but I guess it all depends on where you work as well. I use a feeder bus to the station in the mornings but often walk home in the evenings as it doesn't matter that I get sweaty on the way home. I rarely go to the CBD area so the Circle Line I make good use of (one direction to work and the other direction to the indoor stadium.

MRT frequency between 3 minutes and 7 minutes depending on whether it is peak travel times or not.

Thanks for the info SMS. What do you like about the area? You've been around Singapore for a long time and you've picked that area, so I guess I'm curious what factors drove your decision to live there.

We will both likely be working in the CBD, but it seems like the actual time on the train to Clarke Quay is only 15 mins, so that definitely seems doable to me. That being said, if you add a feeder bus onto that time, it gets longer. Ideally, we would like some place within walking distance of a purple line station (or red, but then that gets us further from the school for our son).

As posted before, google maps and gothere will give you estimated travel times--walking directions (beta) too. They may give different results but at least you get a ballpark figure. You can also use streetview (gothere uses mapping data from google) to get a visual. Both services, I think, use LTA info--they just use different priorities in plotting travel routes.

[SingLaw]

Thanks for the info SMS. What do you like about the area? You've been around Singapore for a long time and you've picked that area, so I guess I'm curious what factors drove your decision to live there.

We will both likely be working in the CBD, but it seems like the actual time on the train to Clarke Quay is only 15 mins, so that definitely seems doable to me. That being said, if you add a feeder bus onto that time, it gets longer. Ideally, we would like some place within walking distance of a purple line station (or red, but then that gets us further from the school for our son).

As posted before, google maps and gothere will give you estimated travel times--walking directions (beta) too. They may give different results but at least you get a ballpark figure. You can also use streetview (gothere uses mapping data from google) to get a visual. Both services, I think, use LTA info--they just use different priorities in plotting travel routes.

Thanks nakatago. I think I have a pretty good sense of how to figure out the distances now, but it's always good to have confirmation.

I'm still hoping for more information on any of the prospective neighborhoods as personal experiences and recommendations often mean a lot more than something written by a real estate agent. If anyone has any thoughts, particularly those that are more detailed than the standard paragraph or so you can find on real estate websites, that would be great.

[Girl_Next_Door]

You mentioned that you are looking for at least a 4 bedroom so I would recommend for you to search for cluster houses. It is similar to a condo with facilities, except it is a house. I think there are a few cluster houses around Hougang area (search Kovan MRT) which is on the same line as Woodleigh. You might want to investigate that area.

Do note that it is a very local area, but I think the cluster houses there are of a good size. Having said that, I won't be surprised if there is a big expat population there as well. You should get one of your colleauges to go there on a weekend, so that he/she can have a better idea. It is also 2 train stations away to Woodleigh and its probably one of the more affordable cluster houses you can find in Singapore that doesn't cost an arm and leg. The school is likely able to provide bus services to pick up your son from your place, considering the close distance. There is the occasional hipcup in the train but it is nothing close to a London's tube or Paris' daily train strikes.

SAIS is not within City Center. So, you would have to decide if you want to stay nearer to the City Center (aka your office) or nearer to your son's school.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Serangoon/Kovan is where I live. Well, 2.4 km from the Serangoon MRT station and the largest Shopping centre in Singapore (at the moment) called NEX which is incorporated over top of the NE and Circle MRT lines. I like it out there but I guess it all depends on where you work as well. I use a feeder bus to the station in the mornings but often walk home in the evenings as it doesn't matter that I get sweaty on the way home. I rarely go to the CBD area so the Circle Line I make good use of (one direction to work and the other direction to the indoor stadium.

MRT frequency between 3 minutes and 7 minutes depending on whether it is peak travel times or not.

Thanks for the info SMS. What do you like about the area? You've been around Singapore for a long time and you've picked that area, so I guess I'm curious what factors drove your decision to live there.

We will both likely be working in the CBD, but it seems like the actual time on the train to Clarke Quay is only 15 mins, so that definitely seems doable to me. That being said, if you add a feeder bus onto that time, it gets longer. Ideally, we would like some place within walking distance of a purple line station (or red, but then that gets us further from the school for our son).

I'm a farmboy. I don't like cities. Also, as my wife & I are the two smallest minorities, we were limited on what we could buy re: HDB housing so it all worked out okay.

[Zeenit]

There are some wonderful looking cluster homes at Oasis@ Mulberry. They new and not far from SAIS, I believe.