Singapore Expats

Best area to live for families

Discuss various International School options for your children here.
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divingdave
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Best area to live for families

Post by divingdave » Fri, 10 May 2013 1:25 am

We were told today we will be exbatted to Singapore before school starts in the Fall. We get one trip to look around, find housing, schools, etc. I'm sure you know what I need more than I do. Please give us your thoughts on areas to live, schools (maybe American or British), web sites that will help, etc., etc., etc. You know what we need to know, we don't.

Our life style is upper middle class. We prefer a Manhatten/LA type of area over Suburbs. We eat out a lot. Our kids are very active taking Ballet, Gymnastics, Kumon Reading/Math tutoring, Singing (choir/glee), Martial Arts and Swimming after school throughout the week. We prefer to travel or explore or hibernate on weekends. We usually do everything as a family. I hope this helps and thank you in advance for recommendations.
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Hannieroo
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Post by Hannieroo » Sun, 12 May 2013 9:34 pm

Firstly, you need to research your schools and narrow down what kind of school you want, there are a few American, a Canadian, Australian but no British as such although Tanglin is close. Then you need to look at distances and pick out areas that are easily accessible to your work and the school. You need to figure out bus times, particularly if your children are small.

I'm not sure what an upper middle class Manhattan lifestyle would involve. Eating out and after school stuff for kids is very accessible and everywhere. You could live Orchard Rd or anywhere, really. The accommodation is very mixed and condos are the norm. Grange Rd might suit.

divingdave
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Post by divingdave » Mon, 13 May 2013 7:52 am

Thank you for your reply. I've been looking at schools and Stamford American school may be a good fit. I haven't found where it is located, yet. The map programs I've gotten from this forum aren't working with my iPad. My wife will be working near the airport. Another exbat we know there lives in the Orchard area. When my wife commented they have a nice house but really far from most of the restaurants, etc-they told her the realtor told them they would be in the middle of some of the best restaurants, etc. They wish they had chosen a different area. I get 3 trips, each for one week to look around and figure these things out. I would prefer to have most of it worked out before the initial visit so that we can bring the kids to see before the move.
A Candle Loses Nothing By Lighting Another Candle.

freshmeat
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Post by freshmeat » Mon, 13 May 2013 8:28 am

SAIS is at 279 Upper Serangoon Road (1 Woodleigh Lane). Based on your lifestyle description, perhaps Newton or Holland Village area? SAIS bus route covers these 2. Good luck.

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Post by Hannieroo » Mon, 13 May 2013 12:51 pm

Holland is very family friendly.

I find a lot of sites work better through Google Chrome than Safari.

divingdave
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Post by divingdave » Mon, 13 May 2013 10:29 pm

Thank for the replies and for the school address. I did find the area this morning but still not address. I do use Google Chrome, by the way, most of the time. For some reason yesterday I couldn't get a lot of the sites to open in Chrome and I was limited to the iPad as I have a sick child that required my constant presence yesterday. What area is the "River" area or that is by the "river"?

We are hoping to reduce our visits to the one "looksy" next month. They are trying to have us moved by the end of July and we don't see how we can fit 2 trips in such a short period time with everything we have to do here and work obligations. We get 2 days with the consultant to show us around in June and then the rest of the time is for us to explore. I understand the consultants may not fully understand what your needs really are so I'm planning to be as prepared as possible to take on the exploration on our own and hopefully find the housing on the June trip.
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janiceliu88
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Post by janiceliu88 » Sat, 18 May 2013 12:45 am

I would recommend the Bukit Timah area for living, although it isn't particularly close to any International Schools (but it isn't far away either). There are fun brunch places, restaurants, it's close to the Nature Reserve, shopping centres which house dance classes etc, and it's really close to Holland Village and town too.

katbh
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Post by katbh » Sat, 18 May 2013 8:36 am

Do not forget the east coast - especially if your wife will be working at the airport. Stamford American School is pretty central and school busses can take them to school right from your doorstep.East is a heritage area as well as modern. Lots of children and activities and the fabulous East Coast park at your doorstep.
Tanglin is a good British school, but most schools do IB, IGCSE or American Diploma for high school. Most do IB for middle school.
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sundaymorningstaple
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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 18 May 2013 9:22 am

"fabulous East Coast park"? :shock: I'm afraid to ask where your last posting was! :lol:
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by orangeskies » Sat, 18 May 2013 11:42 am

We are also moving to Singapore in the summer, from Hong Kong though. We stayed with friends in Holland Village in beautiful new appt condo there called Parvis - worth checking it out. You may find you are led by what school your kids get in to though, as it is very late for applying for schools as we are just discovering.... good luck

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Post by katbh » Sat, 18 May 2013 12:15 pm

Yeah well east coast park is the only seaside park where one can sit for a quite beer on a beach within walking distance of my house! So yeah, fabulous with qualifications!
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natureavenue
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Re : Living in Singapore

Post by natureavenue » Fri, 07 Jun 2013 6:03 pm

Good day,

try staying near to International Schools near your kids prospective choices. It save on beating the jams, traffics or long distance (well not that far as the states but nearer is always safer and better) walking/driving.

Bukit Timah is a good area for living/food/transports out to town and there are many condos/apartments/flats/terraces/bungalows and etc in this big area. Secondly, there are many locals/expats living in here in harmony, food are accessible too.

If you like nature, Botanic Garden, Bukit Timah Hill, River Safari and etc are not too faraway too. West Coast Park is a place with Macdonalds and many families get-together on a weekends, even weekdays.

Hollands is one good option too for venue too. Just a reminder that apart from Town area like Orchard, Holland and Bukit Timah are rated as one of the top few expensive living area.

There's a lot more to explore and decide for you and your family, here is just a little assistance. Hope it helps. :)

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Post by Somers » Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:00 am

After reading this thread, I am curious to know if anyone in this forum is familiar with Alameda, CA. If so, could you recommend a similar neighborhood in Singapore?

For those not in the know, Alameda's demographic is shifting toward young families who come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. It is very walkable and kid-dog-friendly. Plus, the downtown often teems with young couples, strollers and kids on the weekends. It's very safe for an urban city, and very community-oriented. If it's possible, I would definitely like to find some of those qualities wherever we land in Singapore.

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