Do you plan to moving to Singapore? If you are a parent, then moving to a foreign country is more overwhelming than when relocating alone.
Find out which neighbourhoods in Singapore are family-friendly to make sure your children will feel comfortable. When you’re fresh of the boat, picking the right place to relocate can be a daunting task.
Singapore is a small country, but it’s packed with kid-friendly neighbourhoods, reputable schools, green parks, and high-quality accommodation. All neighbourhoods have their unique allure and you need to decide which one fits your lifestyle. Our handy list of the best places to live in Singapore for expats should help you find the house of your dreams.
Tiong Bahru
If you want to raise your children in a retro chic neighbourhood, Ting Bahru is a traditional housing area. The estate has a horse shoe shape encircling the community centre. Because it’s located 15 minutes away from the city centre, it’s a peaceful and tranquil area, perfect for new parents. It’s nice to come home in the evening, especially if you work in a skyscraper because you can enjoy the quietness of the place.
Available apartments are walk-ups, so decide if stairs are an issue. Some buildings feature post-war apartments, but they’re modernized and they advertise elegant and even vintage elements as sophisticated window grates and covered porches.
During the last decade, Tiong Bahru witnessed the birth of fancy stores and modern cafes restaurants. You’ll find here kid friendly restaurants that prepare delicious pasta and pizza. Tiong Bahru also has a wet market where you can find fresh vegetables and meat to prepare healthy meals for your kids.
Its inhabitants call this region Singapore’s Brooklyn because it offers them the same feeling.
Holland Village
Holland Village is located near Orchard Ares, Singapore Botanic Gardens, and MacRitchie Reservoir, so it’s no wonder expats prefer it. Because it’s house to many expat families, it looks like an eclectic neighbourhood with a mixture of restaurants, shops, and bars.
If you work in one of the office complexes in the area, Holland Village is perfect for your family.
And where do you count that here you can find exquisite schools and various housing solutions, from landed houses to apartments and bungalows?
Sentosa
You need a generous budget to rent accommodation in Sentosa because it’s a high-end region. It’s often referred to as Singapore’s resort-island because you need a boat to get home. If you want to raise your kids in a breezy and peaceful place with the beach at your hand, choose Sentosa Island as your home.
It’s famous for its neighbourhood feel because it includes many facilities (it even has a golf course) that encourage socialisation.
Your kids will love the island because it offers tons of attractions. You can explore together aquariums, zoos, the Universal Studios, and waterparks. All children love animal encounters, and when you live in Sentosa, you don’t have to leave the neighbourhood for them.
Tanjong Pagar
It’s located close to the central business district, so if you are a banker this is the best place where to live in Singapore with family. The best part when living close to your workplace is that you don’t spend time in traffic.
Tanjong Pagar has a picturesque beauty that promotes Singapore’s Malay tradition and gives the location a unique charm. You have access to countless places to meet with friends, and you don’t even have to leave your children at home because most of them are kid-friendly.
Tanglin
Because it’s home to many embassies, Tanglin is a prestigious area in Singapore, expats often choose. It also offers diverse accommodation solutions like apartments, condos, low-rise townhouses and large villas.
It’s near the Orchard, so it’s a cosmopolitan area that encourages families to dive into various activities. It allows you to discover the culture of Singapore without leaving the neighbourhood because it provides access to shopping facilities, fine dining solutions and top-notch health services. And we should not forget the wealth of entertainment you can have together with your children.
Considering the large number of embassies located here, many of its schools are international, so expat children have no issue adapting to the educational system.
For the families who love nature and greenery, Tanglin is ideal because of its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Botanic Gardens. The Gardens offer more than sight to greenery life, it often hosts open-air nights and music performances.
River Valley
River Valley is the neighbourhood that constantly reinvents itself to keep up with the modern era. It’s proximity to the city and the serene vibe make it ideal for expat families who need all the tranquil moments they can get, to catch up with the culture of the new place. River Valley is one of the best family neighbourhoods in Singapore because it offers access to various bars, malls and shops, and a wide range of restaurants and bars that fit all tastes. It’s difficult for an expat to accommodate with the new taste of food, especially during the first months, but the mixture of places from the River Valley makes them feel more at home because they can definitely find one that prepares their local food.
In terms of housing the range is diverse, and many accommodation solutions guarantee a picturesque view of the city. For the ones who like to dine out, the Robertson Quay area offers many restaurants, cafes, and river vistas.
Keep the children entertained by taking them to the Asian Civilisation Museum located nearby. It offers sights to interactive exhibitions both adults and kids love.
River Valley is also known for the A-list schools, fantastic entertainment options (J H Kim Taekwondo Institute, Amazonia), and well-organised indoor playgrounds. Other best places to live in Singapore for expats are Woodlands, East Coast, Geylang and Katong.
Singapore is a great place to relocate. Boasting everything from sunny beaches to cultural institutions, A-list schools, and diverse restaurants. And we should not forget it’s an outstanding environment to raise your children because its neighbourhoods promote the idea of family spending time together.