Singapore is a popular relocation destination and is home to many exapts who have decided to take advantage of Singapore’s glorious weather, fantastic beaches and the active job market.
We’ll take a look at the best places to live in Singapore for work opportunities, for families, immigrants and more.
Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Singapore.
Best Places To Live In Singapore
District | Reason |
---|---|
Central Business District | Best for work |
Bukit Panjang | Best for affordability |
Holland Village | Best for families |
Woodlands | Best for immigrants |
East Coast | Best for retirement |
Bugis | Best for young adults |
Orchard | Best for students |
Club Street | Best for food and nightlife |
Orchard | Best for singles |
East Coast | Best for weather |
Sentosa | Best for beaches |
Bukit Timah | Best for mountains |
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Work
Singapore is an island country and city-state (one of only three in the world). Many expats relocating to Singapore already have a job before they arrive in the country, but Singapore is very open to foreign workers and has plenty of foreign nationals in their workforce.
There is an active job market for highly skilled international workers but there is also high competition which expats should be aware of and prepared for.
The Central Business Centre is particularly good for expats and is a popular choice due to the convenience of the surrounding amenities, and many of the neighbourhoods are leafy and relaxing.
Cheapest Places To Live In Singapore
Singapore is one of the most expensive places to live in the world, so you should make sure you have the budget to afford living there before deciding on the relocation.
One of the most affordable residential towns is Bukit Panjang which is located in the West Region of Singapore. There is a mix of old and new housing in Bukit Panjang with several established communities.
The region also has shops, restaurants, parks and sports centres.
Sembawang is another residential town that’s a good option for those looking for more affordable housing in Singapore. Sembawang is located in the North Region and there is a mix of housing on offer as well as good transit options.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Families
One of the best locations in Singapore for families is Holland Village. Located in the Central Region of Singapore, Holland Village is near iconic sites such as Singapore Botanic Gardens and MacRitchie Reservoir.
Though known to be a good spot for families, there are still plenty of restaurants and bars in the area, creating a diverse community that can take advantage of the central location of the neighbourhood.
Holland Village is also near some of the best schools in Singapore and there is a wide range of housing options available – from condos to bungalows – which should suit a variety of budgets.
Another good family neighbourhood is Tiong Bahru – one of the oldest residential neighbourhoods in Singapore. This is a population spot for families with very young children as it has a very quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Immigrants
A hugely popular location for international expats in Singapore is a district called Woodlands located in the North Region. Woodlands is known for having lots of green spaces and parks, as well as having close access to several different shopping malls.
It is further from the central district than some other neighbourhoods, but the amenities in the area make it a well-developed spot. There are plenty of housing options there and the atmosphere is slightly more relaxed than in more central neighbourhoods.
Holland Village is another famously popular spot in Singapore that is very close to the central business district for those who need to commute in – though keep in mind that there is good transit in Singapore, and well-connected towns make it easy to get from one place to the next.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Retirement
Singapore offers some of the best world-class healthcare services, a high quality of life and is known to have extremely low crime rates. This makes it a popular location for international expats looking to retire.
One of the more relaxed areas of Singapore is the East Coast. This is a choice location for expats who don’t want to be quite so close to the hustle and bustle of the central district.
The East Coast has plenty of housing options to choose from – mainly apartments – offering beautiful river or seafront views, along with an abundance of amenities for eating, drinking and entertainment activities.
Another popular area is Woodlands, which is located in the north, and is another good choice for those hoping to reside somewhere slightly quieter. Woodlands is well-liked by families and is also popular with American expats.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Young Adults
Young adults are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the perfect location to relocate to in Singapore. While the country is small, there are plenty of diverse neighbourhoods to choose from depending on the type of lifestyle you want to lead.
The Bugis neighbourhood is perfect for young adults who would like to be close to the centre but still slightly removed from the busy Central Business District.
There are lots of eateries in this district as well as bars, and being close to the CBD means there are lots of entertainment options nearby, as well as good transport links.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Students
Thousands of international students in Singapore are drawn to the country for its outstanding business hub and fantastic university options.
Some renowned universities in Singapore include the London School of Commerce, the American Centre for Education and the International Executive Education Centre (IEEC).
Orchard is one of the best neighbourhoods for international students. Though it does come with expensive costs, it’s perfectly located for easy access to most of Singapore’s best universities as well as being particularly close to the Central Business District.
As well as access to restaurants, bars, galleries and shopping malls, Orchard Library is renowned for being a fantastic place to study.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Food and Nightlife
Singapore’s cuisine takes influence from Indian, Malaysian and Chinese cultures and is characterised by the plentiful use of spices and herbs to create dishes with powerful tastes.
Singapore’s famous national dish is Hainan Chicken Rice (poached chicken served with rice and cucumber sides). There are plenty of neighbourhoods in Singapore which are a foodie’s dream, with the Central Business District home to many outstanding restaurants.
When it comes to nightlife in Singapore, expats are in for a treat. Several good streets offer all kinds of nightlife experiences from laid-back cocktails to upbeat music venues.
In particular, Club Street, Marina Bay and Clarke Quay are known to offer the best nightlife in the country and those who enjoy drinking and dancing will find tons of entertainment in the Clarke Quay neighbourhood.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Singles
Singapore isn’t only attracting expats with families to the country, there are plenty of attributes of living in Singapore that are very appealing to single people.
For most singles, Orchard (located in the central region of Singapore) is one of the best places to choose to live. Orchard has access to all the amenities one would expect of a developed city, and there are plenty of dining and entertainment options in this area also.
Due to the convenience of the location, the cost of rent and living in this area is quite expensive, which singles who are hoping to keep to a smaller budget may want to keep in mind.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for The Weather
As it is located near the equator, Singapore is a popular choice for expats hoping to move somewhere with more exotic weather. Singapore has a tropical climate with consistently high humidity throughout the year, as well as an abundance of rainfall during the wet months.
This climate is why Singapore is known as the ‘garden city’ as there are plenty of natural parks and green spaces. The eastern side of Singapore is known for being slightly hotter while there is much more rainfall on the western side of the country.
Best Places To Live In Singapore Near Beaches
For beach lovers, Sentosa is an island resort that is connected to the main city by road, cable car, pedestrian boardwalk and monorail. Costs of living and rent prices in Sentosa are slightly more expensive than other parts of Singapore, but the payoff is well worth it for those who want to live close to some of Singapore’s best coastlines.
There are condo and house options on Sentosa and though the island is more resort-focused (you’ll need to plan for grocery trips!) it’s ideal for those looking for a relaxed beach lifestyle that still has a sense of community.
The East Coast is another popular option for beach lovers. There are plenty of apartments with beach views and the costs are slightly more affordable than Sentosa.
Best Places To Live In Singapore for Mountains
While Singapore may be more well-known for its beautiful beaches, there are various hills in the city-state which are ideal for those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
Several of the hills are easily accessible from the main city centre and plenty are surrounded by stunning natural parks. Many of the trails that are used for hiking and mountain biking are well-maintained and offer outstanding views.
Singapore is also known for its rich fauna and flora and many people enjoy the country’s hills for the close encounters with nature that they offer. Bukit Timah is a popular location with expats due to the good housing options offered and the easy access to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which has some remaining pockets of natural rainforest.
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- 21 Secrets About Living In Singapore To Know Before Moving
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