A former expat in Singapore shares: Which area in Singapore suits your lifestyle best?
By Shannon Osztonits -
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Celebrating our nation’s stories this SG61
Whilst some Singaporeans are loyal to their neighbourhood until the very end, like proud East-siders, there are many reasons why you suddenly feel the urge or the need arises to relocate.
For example, you’re getting married and your significant other is from the other side of town, you’re starting a family and have a particular school in mind in a different location that you currently live in, or you’re a complete newbie to Singapore and searching for some direction of the best place to live.
We’re here to break it down and shine a light on some of Singapore’s most popular and beloved areas, from East to West, based on your lifestyle, whether you’re a bachelor, cafe-lover, or someone who frequently travels for work. Let’s dive in!
East Coast Park Picnic Area
East Singapore
Anyone who grew up in East Singapore will testify to how loyal easties are about this part of the island, often laying claim among their fellow east-siders that the East is just simply the best place to be in Singapore!
“Somehow, the air in the east smells fresher and more like home to us,” describes East side born and bred local, Aurora. “The east feels a little more relaxing with at least three beaches (Changi Beach, Pasir Ris Beach and East Coast Park) we can easily go to within 20 minutes – it almost feels like beachside living.
There’s plenty of yummy food around the east like East Coast lagoon, Katong laksa, etc., and it’s easy to go island-hopping to Pulau Ubin from the east too, if we’re up for a bit of a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.”
Popular areas include Tampines, the East Coast, Pasir Ris, Changi and Bedok.
East Coast Park walkway
Landscape
East Singapore is famous for its beaches and nature parks, both of which make the landscape in and around here feel less like a metropolis and more about enjoying the outdoors.
You have residential areas and shopping malls, but there’s a move away from towering buildings and toward coastlines. If you’re visiting places like East Coast Park or Changi Beach, the smell of sea salt carries through the air.
Escape into mangroves, enjoy a cycle around one of the integrated cycling trails, and get in your daily exercise as you jog parallel to the water along the Changi Boardwalk.
Its generous amount of parks and beach parts doesn’t mean it’s completely devoid of buildings. Colourful Peranakan shophouses line the road along Joo Chiat and neighbourhoods spill over with cafes, restaurants and hawker centres. With residential blocks that have been around for some years, in general, Eastern Singapore’s boasts great, well-established infrastructure.
Popular among
- Families, especially millennial and those with young kids
- Parents who want to send their children to some of Singapore’s top schools, including many acclaimed international schools
- Nature lovers
- Foodies
- Expats
- Outdoor and sports enthusiasts
- Shopaholics
- Singaporeans who feel at most peace when near the ocean
Lifestyle habits
There’s no doubt about it: East Singapore feels defiantly more “laid-back” than other parts of the city. If you’re all about leisure than go-go-go, then this part of the city you’ll thrive in.
See how many lifestyle habits you can tick off that make East Singapore so special, and discover if the area is suited to you:
- Cafe hopping
- Shopping
- Doing outdoor activities
- Coffee-drinking and discovering specialty coffee shops
- Swimming, water sports and being close to water
- Trying new restaurants
- Educational priorities
- Travel frequently to and from Jewel Changi Airport for work
- Enjoy waking up and seeing greenery
- Appreciate having a lot of convenient amenities at your fingertips
- Frequently use the MRT
Streets of Holland Village in Singapore
West Singapore
Think the west is best?
“What makes the neighbourhood special is the people. The elderly residents who were among the first to own their HDB flats here, carrying with them decades of memory and neighbourhood history. The adults who grew up on these very streets as children, and chose to return to raise their own families in the same corridors and void decks they once played in. The tenants who came for work or study in the One-North vicinity, and stayed, not just in their units, but in the life of the community itself…
And threading it all together is the ‘HV Little Library’, an unassuming, organic community space that has become something of a neighbourhood heartbeat. A place where a borrowed book becomes a conversation, and a conversation becomes a connection. Neighbours who look out for one another, who share home-cooked food, laughter, and the small moments that quietly make a house feel like a home. It is that spirit of friendliness and camaraderie, unplanned and unpretentious, that keeps us rooted here.” – Wife and mom of two, Grace Lin., who resides in Holland Close.
Popular areas include Jurong, Holland Village, Clementi and Bukit West.
Twin pagoda in Jurong Lake Garden
Landscape
The West feels like it has a little more for everyone, from beaches to nature parks, residential areas, industrial parks, gardens, forests, adventure playgrounds, hawker centres, big outlet malls, Jurong Lake, and reservoirs.
It encompasses the largest area of Singapore, which explains the amalgamation of landscapes, including vast natural ones, but also on the flip side, harbours the city’s biggest industrial area/estate. Comparing the island’s other green hub, the East, the West has a distinctly more wild and rugged sort of feel, nature wise, and feels less “built up.” It’s less crowded than Central and East Singapore.
Popular among
- Those who work in the industrial areas
- Students
- Nature lovers
- Trail runners
- Families
- Dog owners
- Those who work or train for the armed forces
- Young professionals seeking a balance between nature and convenience
- People who want to live near to the coast
- Families with young children who prefer quiet evenings and weekends
Lifestyle habits
With the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the West comprises a strong student life. Those who work in the industrial area find the west more convenient for commuting reasons, and it is also home to a strong residential hold. All the while, it maintains a green quality about it, suiting a wide variety of lifestyle habits.
See how many lifestyle habits you can tick off that make West Singapore so unique. Explore if the area is suited to you:
- Enjoy adventure activities
- Love being close to nature
- Work in the industrial parks
- Are studying
- Work at the universities
- Find a thrill in trying local foods
- Own a car
- Prefer a less busier neighbourhood
- The outdoors is your happy place
- Are budgeting for a more affordable lifestyle
Streets of Little India in Singapore
South Central Singapore
“I love Little India for the vibrancy, convenience, casualness and the cultural heritage. My partner and I were drawn by the location with close proximity to our workplace and favourite hangout points, and also the larger floor area and the great view from the high floor over the heritage shophouses,” says homeowner, Patrick, who lives with his partner and interior designer, Ian. The homeowners recently bought their home in Little India after searching through various city areas.
When asked about their favourite activities to do in Little India, Patrick says: “Sampling good food and coffee, shopping in the markets and walking around the neighbourhood. “The area suits our current lifestyle with the convenience of taking public transport to reach places.”
Landscape
Rich in heritage and culture, Little India oozes an artsy vibe, where traditional shophouses line the roads and beautifully old buildings now front cafes of all varieties.
In comparison to other parts of the island, like West and East Singapore, there’s not an abundance of big nature-y spaces, such as parks, reserves, or beaches. It’s got that city feeling but retains a colourful charm, and is brimming with trendy spots to eat out or grab drinks after work.
Around the area are temples and amazing architectural delights. There’s a blend of modern high-rises surrounding the neighbourhood coupled with Little India’s famous historic shop houses.
Popular among
Due to its historical background, properties tend to be high, but it also makes it a popular choice among expats, or locals who can afford it.
- Expats
- Bachelors and singletons
- Creatives
- Digital nomads
- Young professionals renting houses
- Millennials with no kids
- People who are less outdoorsy and more cosmopolitan
- Those who work in the CBD
- Night owls
- Foodies
- Students attending one of the art schools or colleges
Lifestyle habits
Little India is not for everyone.
See how many lifestyle habits you can tick off that make Little India Singapore so attractive. Explore if the area is suited to you:
- Frequently dine out at restaurants
- Enjoy a vibrant nightlife
- Are into art and culture
- Lead a bachelor/bachelorette lifestyle
- Thrive off of meeting new people
- Enjoy visiting museums and learning about new cultures
Woodlands Waterfront Park Jetty
North Singapore
City life isn’t for everyone. Whilst Singapore, in general, is a small island, if you are desperate to escape the bustling metropolis, consider North Singapore. It’s suburban living defined.
“I love Choa Chu Kang because I grew up here. My home is in the area as I have lived here since I was young and have never moved out of Choa Chu Kang,” tells local Terry Tan. “I am used to living here, and all my friends and family stay in the area.”
Landscape
Situated over the river; the moment you cross the bridge into North Singapore, you leave behind the towering monopoly of buildings and skyscrapers. An entire waterway separates the North from Central Singapore, and the landscape is home to many reservoirs.
Compared to the East and West it is further removed from the city’s Central heart, giving the nature around these parts an energy of its own. Even the wildlife would agree.
Due to its positioning, it’s closer to Singapore’s neighbour: Malaysia. Johor Bahru (JB) is connected to the city via the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Popular among
- Families
- People who frequently travel or work between Singapore and Malaysia, especially JB
- An older generation of Singaporeans
- Community-driven neighbourhoods
- Those who wish to escape a busy city life
- Animal and nature lovers
- Those who prefer inland landscapes to coastal settings
- Expat families, especially Americans
Lifestyle habits
Talking urbanitity, it’s not as advanced, but this adds to the appeal of the North…It’s a part of the island for Singaporeans after a simpler, more relaxed way of life.
See how many lifestyle habits you can tick off which make North Singapore so appealing to grasp if the North is suitable to your lifestyle, habits and personality.
- Love going on weekend escapes
- Being active
- Hang out at waterfront reserves and parks, where you can partake in a variety of water sports and activities
- Prefer a very residential style of living
- Spending time outdoors
- Enjoy taking your kids to wetlands, nature reserves and farmlands instead of watching Netflix all weekend long.
- Want to be close to the Kranji countryside
- Aren’t phased by a longer commute into the city centre
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