Where to live in Singapore.......

[XMNEXPAT]

Hi.......
I'm wondering if anyone can recommend areas to live in Singapore????

My husband will be working at the airport and our son will hopefully be attending one of the English curriculum schools.

Which areas would people recommend? I know nothing is ideal, and its probably more important that we have a good community, perhaps in an area with other expat families? We only have half a day to view properties next week when we visit so we would like to have areas narrowed down!

Any thoughts?

Thanks x

[Lahlahfizzyfizzydoda]

Nexus international school is moving east in 2020. It’s has a large cohort of British children (and staff) and follows the English/IB curriculum.

[tomhazard]

International schools in Singapore can only be attended by foreign children so you cannot possibly be in the same situation as you were in China- all children are international! Are you British? You could also look at SJi, UWCSEA and I have heard good things about One world - the head is British Here. Wait lists are long for that age group unfortunately - but people come and go a lot so I wouldn't worry too much

[XMNEXPAT]

Your absolutely correct... The is so much choice for schools in Singapore... Almost too much!

I can see wait list troubles ahead, Tanglin said he could start 2021 🙄

Where we live in China, Xiamen, is not particularly international, my son is the only 'international' child in the class at the only international school there is.... His education has suffered massively, the whole move for me comes down to finding the right school..... We are open to all recommendations. We have an appointment to look round the Canadian international school along with Dover Court and Dulwich, fingers crossed!

[tomhazard]

Ah well In that case I'd def go for bukit Timah or Holland Village areas. If you can get your son into one of those schools then the bus routes are pretty established round there and there are loads of expats.
I don't know much about China schools but there are a lot of schools in Singapore and many combine aspects of the British curriculum with other things to make great curricula and opportunities. If you have wait list troubles then do look around a bit as there are a lot of good schools in Singapore - you're spoilt for choice really !

[XMNEXPAT]

Thank you so much for your amazing reply!! You obviously know Singapore very well!

We are looking school wise at Dulwich or Dover Court, we are quite set on following the UK curriculum, only because our personal experience in China with the IB hasn't been great and our 6yr old son hasn't got on well with its enquiry based format.

Our school requirements are limiting us quite a bit we know, but hopefully we can find somewhere thats a good fit for our son without a massive waiting list.... I know I can dream on the waiting list bit! 😂

[tomhazard]

Lots of expat families love living on the East Coast which would be good for you DH job as Changi is in the East. It's nice round there, good food, East Coast Park is really nice and a diverse expat community. There are schools in the east such as UWCSEA east campus and Eton House Broadrick which have good reputations.

If you are set on Dulwich or Tanglin for school then East Coast might not be such a good choice as Dulwich is the other side of the island and Tanglin is more central. If it was one of these schools I would recommend Bukit Timah and Holland Village which are both central West and have good school bus routes and lots of nice condos with expat populations. Your dh would have a bit of a commute but nowhere is that far in Singapore.

[redwoodmazza]

Lucky you! My SS lives and works there and we have just returned from a holiday to see him.
Although I am not that familiar with the different areas, train travel [MRT] is very cheap and very efficient, as are the buses. Taxis are also very reasonable. The Singapore Government promotes public transport [and imposes very high taxes on personal cars.]
So wherever you end up, rest assured it will be very easy to get around as Singapore is not very big.
I love Singapore - and am very envious!
Good Luck!