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Clean, well-connected, well run and safe, Singapore is such a beautiful and organised city-state, the newcomer may have difficulty deciding where to live, but for all the right reasons.
Considered to be one of the cleanest cities in the world, Mercer ranks it the 25th city on their list for quality of living. With strict controls on smoking and chewing gum, it is no surprise that even the most urban, built-up areas are spotless.
The city’s vibrancy is a fusion of many ethnicities from around the world. With traditional Malaysian seafood bars, Italian pizza parlours, South Indian street food stands, and Japanese noodle kitchens, to name just a few, there is an abundance of great places to eat and even more choice to be found at the city’s many markets. When it comes to things to get out and do with the family on the weekends, the island is surprisingly green and spacious in areas, considering that this relatively small space is home to more than 5 million people. There’s a zoo and a bird park, as well as beautiful surprises like the Botanic Gardens. Places to become immersed in art and architecture from ancient cultures make an ideal afternoon escape, including the city’s many galleries that are home to more contemporary works. Fascinating museums house everything from colourful Peranakan artefacts to sombre reminders of those who lost their lives in World War II. Singapore has a wealth of things to see and do for residents and short stay visitors alike.
Singapore is divided into districts, each with their own personality and advantages.
The City
The most hustle and bustle can be found in the south of the island and housing in this area is mainly in high-rise condominiums. Many are serviced and furnished and designed to be modern, vertical communities with shared amenities such as pools, gyms, bars, and open spaces for residents to enjoy. The restaurants, shopping and entertainment along Marina Bay, Robertson Quay, and Clarke Quay are on the doorstep, and it is home to the main business and financial district. Naturally, homes in this area command the highest prices and are popular with young professionals. With bright lights, cutting edge architecture, such as the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and a buzzing nightlife, this is the most exciting area to live in.
The North
This green area is popular with expat families as it’s home to the Singapore American School. It is a little way away from the main city, but with a connecting highway covering the 12 miles, it is relatively easy to get to the south. In the more residential areas of Singapore, most people live in housing estates with schools, supermarkets, medical and recreational facilities on site or in cluster housing developments, which are gated communities often with their own pool, gym, and outside spaces. The north is no exception, and with the added benefit of green areas, golf courses, and reservoir parks, it is an ideal place for outdoor fun — although main traffic routes can be congested during busy periods.
The East
Once covered in coconut plantations, it is now home to the airport and a beautiful district, richly influenced by Peranakan culture. Colourful, diverse, quaint: modern and old world charm meet in the shopping streets, restaurants and antique houses of this unique quarter. With beaches and parks along the coast, this popular area has a range of quality housing to choose from. Public transport links are not as good from this corner of the island, so owning a car is recommended if you can afford to.
The West
Densely populated in areas, but with farms and more open spaces in others, this is a lush, green corner of the island. It has more privately owned houses than any other area and the wealth and choice of international schools mean that it’s popular with expat families. The main route into the city is one of the oldest roads in Singapore, the Bukit Timah. Congestion is a problem, but a modern underground rail line was opened below this in 2015, making the commute far easier.
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