Singapore is a beautiful island-state, renowned for its safety, high standards of living, world-class infrastructure, and mouth-watering food. The island’s position at the heart of Southeast Asia also means that it’s a place where history, art and culture intersect – everything you could ask for in a new home
But where on this island should you settle in? Here’s a guide to the neighbourhoods of Singapore to help you decide.
Located in Singapore’s northern region, Woodlands is a neighbourhood popular with families who enjoy living in suburbia, away from the bustle of the city centre. Here, you’ll be able to take your family (and furkids) out for strolls, cycling or skating at verdant spaces such as Marsiling Park, Admiralty Park and Treehaus Park.
In Woodlands, there is a large American expat community due to the presence of the Singapore American School. They’re known to host fun events – particularly during Halloween – which can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the neighbours.
As for housing options, in addition to the usual flats, you’ll find plenty of landed houses with gardens at reasonable prices. Families with children and/or pets may enjoy the extra space as an alternative to apartment living.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable housing, with variety of options | Further from city centre |
| Quiet environment with many green spaces | |
| Easy access to Johor Bahru, Malaysia |
Tanglin is excellent for families looking to live in low-rise condominiums or houses with gardens. Located between Holland Village and Orchard, the neighbourhood is sufficiently removed from the din of busy roads, yet mere minutes away from Orchard Road, Singapore’s prime shopping belt. This is also where you’ll find Tanglin Trust School, a British International School.
Just a stone’s throw away is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site where you can go jogging, lay out a picnic, or enjoy musical performances at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. Finally, Tanglin also encompasses Dempsey Hill, a former army barracks turned dining enclave known for its superb range of restaurants and bars (and free parking – a rare luxury in Singapore).
| Pros | Cons |
| Close to city centre | Costlier housing |
| Wide range of restaurants and shops | Major roads can get crowded |
| Excellent access via public transport |
Located in the northeast of Singapore, the fairly central Serangoon neighbourhood has something for everyone. Housing ranges from HDB apartments to new condominiums to terraced houses, and residents are a good mix of locals and expatriates – particularly Australian and French, since the Australian International School and the International French School are right around the corner.
Serangoon Gardens is a particularly charming subzone organised around a dining cluster with bistros and cafes, Italian restaurants, and the famous Chomp Chomp hawker centre.
| Pros | Cons |
| Mix of affordable housing types | Quite densely populated |
| Good mix of local and international schools | Certain areas can get noisy |
| Good public transport access |
Love living close to nature? Besides its excellent cafes and restaurants, Bukit Timah offers a variety of outdoor activities. Explore the hiking trails and summit Singapore’s highest natural peak in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, or take up horseriding at Horsecity, located at the former racecourse.
The recently restored colonial-era Bukit Timah Railway Station is worth exploring as well. It lies along the 24km Railway Corridor, which is popular with hikers and cyclists. The area also contains several top Singaporean schools, along with the Swiss School in Singapore and Chatsworth International School.
| Pros | Cons |
| Beautiful green spaces | Costlier housing |
| Close to the city centre | Fewer shopping destinations |
| Many top local and international schools |
Another neighbourhood popular among nature lovers is Bedok, which stretches from Bedok Reservoir in the north to East Coast Park in the south. The former is a regular spot for fitness enthusiasts who run, cycle, kayak or dragon boat, and features a tree-top adventure park with four giant zip lines running across the water.
At East Coast Park, you can fish at the jetty, visit famed seafood restaurants, or simply enjoy the sea breeze by the beach. As Singapore’s most populous residential estate, Bedok is also ideal for making friends with new neighbours!
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable housing | Fewer shopping options |
| Lots of outdoor activities | Less culturally vibrant |
| Generally serene environment |
If a quiet respite is what you’re looking for, West Coast – along with the adjacent Clementi district – is the neighbourhood for you. This underrated counterpart to East Coast is less congested but offers similarly beautiful, open spaces to relax in. There’s also a sizeable Japanese expat community, thanks to a number of Japanese schools being situated in the area.
West Coast Park hosts a slew of amenities such as a dog park and an adventure playground, plus spaces for archery, kite flying, and waterfront cycling. Further to the west are even more natural spaces to explore, including the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, Pandan Reservoir, and Jurong Eco Garden.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tranquil, green environment | Further from city centre |
| A mix of newer and older developments | Fewer malls and dining options |
| Good mix of schools, including National University of Singapore |
Established in the early 20th century by the Dutch community, Holland Village has evolved into a buzzy hub of great food and vibrant nightlife. Its quaint shophouses house everything from bakeries and noodle shops to wine bars and pubs with live music. Across the road is Chip Bee Gardens, a private housing estate fringed by a stretch of cafes and restaurants.
Situated close to the Orchard, Downtown and Dempsey areas, Holland Village offers varied housing options including condominiums, bungalows and terraced houses.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lively precinct with art, dining and shopping | Higher housing prices |
| Vibrant nightlife | Can get rowdy at night |
| Good mix of housing types |
Located downtown, Tanjong Pagar is a great option if you’re commuting to the Central Business District (CBD) for work, which is just a 10-minute cab ride or one MRT stop away.
The neighbourhood is a well-known food haven. As one of four districts under the Chinatown area, Tanjong Pagar boasts many beloved hawker centres, such as Maxwell Food Centre, alongside world-class restaurants. Many dining establishments have ranked on international best-of lists, including Jigger & Pony at the Amara hotel, No Sleep Club on Keong Saik Road, and Tippling Club on Tanjong Pagar Road.
The area has also undergone significant redevelopment, and most condominiums come with pools, gym facilities and views of the skyline. If you’re interested in more unique accommodation, here’s also where you’ll find 18th-century shophouses available for rent.
| Pros | Cons |
| Centrally located | Higher housing prices |
| Top restaurants and bars alongside affordable food options | Can get congested |
| Rich in culture and history |
Steeped in Peranakan and Eurasian heritage, Katong is a district that’s full of character. Its main artery, Joo Chiat Road, is lined with trendy shops and cafes that make the area a favourite hangout on weekends, plus bars and restaurants that make it ideal for a fun night out. There’s a variety of housing suited to different needs, from terraced houses in the suburbs to high-rise apartments with a stunning ocean view!
| Pros | Cons |
| Rich in culture and history | Less accessible by public transport |
| Excellent dining options | Higher housing prices |
| Close to the city centre |
With Art Deco walk-up apartments that date back to the 1930s, Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore’s oldest housing estates. This eclectic hipster neighbourhood is characterised by heritage hawkers, chic cafes, stylish boutiques, as well as the juxtaposition of historic low-rise apartments with newer condominiums.
The area is also home to several hidden gems if you know where to find them. For instance, contemporary yakitori joint Bincho is concealed within a heritage coffee shop; art residency studio and gallery Grey Projects may be found on the second storey of a shophouse; and a World War II air raid shelter opens to the public only for official guided tours.
| Pros | Cons |
| Beautiful Art Deco apartments alongside new condos | High rental prices |
| Contemporary cafes and shops | Fewer green spaces |
| Rich in heritage |
Welcome to the Singapore’s flashiest and most fashionable neighbourhood. Here, you can live out your Crazy Rich Asians dreams, with swanky retail and dining establishments right at your doorstep.
Premium condominiums dominate the affluent River Valley area, which is bordered by the Orchard shopping district to the north. To the south is Robertson Quay, by the Singapore River, which offers a classy array of dining options and is especially lively at night.
| Pros | Cons |
| Centrally located | Very high rental prices |
| Vibrant dining and nightlife | Congested on weekends |
| Bustling shopping district |
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