Is this commute time correct?

[SINexpat]

Doing somesearching and using gothere.sg is indicates that going from Tanjong Rhu Road (East Coast area) to Serangoon Rd North Ave area is a one hour commute.

Is this correct or are there more efficient ways?

I like the fact that Tanjong Rhu Road is very near the ECP area for running/biking, etc but may have to reconsider where to stay if I'm looking at an hour each way.

Access to running/swimming/biking is a prime consideration for where my condo will be.

And advice appreciated. I am by myself in SG so no family issues to deal with such as schools, etc.

[nakatago]

You can compare against Google maps as well. From experience, it's usually an average between the two for most commute times.

[BedokAmerican]

I like this web site for estimating commute times:

http://www.transitlink.com.sg/eservice/ ... il_idx.php

[taxico]

don't forget gothere.sg too...

i don't think it takes more than 20 minutes to drive there (one way). not too sure about public transport...

[Wd40]

I just checked google maps and didnt know the exact points in Tanjong Rhu or Serangoon north road. But, approximate points shows bus journey 43 mins, take into account wait times and it could well be 1hr.

Now, instead of public transport change to car and it takes 8 mins man! Its just 4.2 kms. Buy a motorcycle man! Thats the only sensible thing I did after coming to Singapore.

[the lynx]

How about living within Serangoon/Bishan instead?

Bishan has an amazing park (Bishan Park) for cycling, running. And you will be close to many reservoirs (Macrithie, Upper Pierce, Lower Pierce, Upper Seletar, Mandai Trail) for hiking and more cross-training. Travelling will only take 30 minutes.

[SINexpat]

lynx, thanks for those options will check them out.

Are there any pools in the area with decent hours? I notice very few pools have early AM openings.

[the lynx]

lynx, thanks for those options will check them out.

Are there any pools in the area with decent hours? I notice very few pools have early AM openings.

If you're living in a condo, you already have a pool to swim in. Of course the question would be if that condo has Olympic pool (or any decent sized lap pool for that matter).

If you do not have access to private pools in your accommodation, you can check out these public swimming complexes here: http://www.ssc.gov.sg/publish/Corporate ... mplex.html

[bgd]

Tanjong Rhu only has one bus service in and out. That may be why the commute is so long. There are quite a few private buses but no idea whether they have a route that suits.

Personally I wouldn’t live there. Judging by the queues for taxis I see it’s a difficult place for transport.

[zzm9980]

Yeah, and the other thing about Tanjong Rhu is that the walking/biking path that goes east/north east towards the stadium is quite small and often very congested. The one that follows the coat by Gardens East isn't much better. As of right now, that area doesn't actually connect to the East Coast Park path at all. It's supposed to eventually, but that is likely awhile away.

[nutnut]

Yeah, and the other thing about Tanjong Rhu is that the walking/biking path that goes east/north east towards the stadium is quite small and often very congested. The one that follows the coat by Gardens East isn't much better. As of right now, that area doesn't actually connect to the East Coast Park path at all. It's supposed to eventually, but that is likely awhile away.

Yes it does! It's a bit cobbly, but, I have a friend who commutes by it daily and I have too ridden it in the last couple of weeks - until about 4 weeks ago it was jungle, but, with the construction works they are doing down there (assumed something to do with MRT/new roads around there) they have actually cleared it up. It'll manage a mountain bike commute, but, not a road bike and not one for kids to cycle on really unless they are fairly stable.

The cycle path down Gardens east is great, you connect to it from Rhu Cross (which is a quiet road) and it's wide all the way to the Barrage and in the morning it's fairly quiet, just a few dog walkers and cycle commuters. I commute daily via that.

The 158 bus service from Tanjong Rhu goes to Serangoon interchange, but, yes, it takes an age, it runs every 15 mins though (during peak times), which is fairly regular and has some good change over points at Mountbatten road/Fort Road for other services! There is not much better by train due to the walk to Stadium (15-20 mins in high humidity).

However, Tanjong Rhu is a great area to live in all the same. The new sports hub is due to open next year next to the MRT station (as is the new PCN path from Gardens east to East Coast Park that zzm talks about) If you really want to cycle East Coast Park, it's 20KM from Tj Rhu to the Wakeboarding lagoon return journey and makes for a nice leisure cycle with the family on a Sat/Sun.

Hope that helps.

nutnut

[taxico]

some public pools open at 6.30AM

http://www.ssc.gov.sg/publish/Corporate ... _swim.html

[SINexpat]

Thanks for those pool details! 6:30AM works.

The Bishan Park rentals seem to be a good compromise for amenities vs location to work.

Couple more questions:
1. It is ok to bring a bike on the elevator in a condo? I want to have my bike in the condo rather than locked in a parking area.

2. Is is preferred to be on a lower floor vs higher floor when picking a condo. View vs not having to ride all the way up/down vs ??

[Dert42]

ECP is very crowded. At least on weekends.

Instead of proximity to the park itself, consider being somewhere on the park connector system.
We have the park connecter right outside our condo. It would probably take about 10 minutes to bike there. We often walk there on the weekends.

[taxico]

...Couple more questions:
1. It is ok to bring a bike on the elevator in a condo? I want to have my bike in the condo rather than locked in a parking area.

2. Is is preferred to be on a lower floor vs higher floor when picking a condo. View vs not having to ride all the way up/down vs ??

1. depends on your condo. i don't care, either way.

2. lower floors may also have bugs/noise/privacy issues. personally i prefer a ground floor unit as i am used to it.

really depends on the unit's location...