Areas and Suburbs in Singapore

The best places to live in Singapore

The areas and suburbs of Singapore provide a variety of options, despite the city-state's small size. Deciding where to live can be daunting, and the best neighbourhood in Singapore for one expat may not be another's cup of tea. Factors to take into account include budget, lifestyle priorities, family situation, workplace location, and personal preferences.

Singapore is divided into 28 districts, grouped into five main regions: Central, East, North, North-East and West. Here's an overview of some of the best areas to live as an expat in Singapore.

Central Region of Singapore

Situated towards the south of Singapore, the Central Region includes the main business district (known as the Central Area) as well as several popular residential neighbourhoods, such as Bukit Timah, Bukit Merah, and Orchard. Living in this region provides easy access to some of Singapore's best spots for shopping, entertainment and eating out.

Although the Central Region offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle and excellent access to almost everything, it's significantly more expensive than living outside the centre. High noise levels from traffic and ongoing construction can also affect quality of life, although there are some areas within the Central Region that are leafy and quiet.

Holland Village

Known as Singapore's 'bohemian enclave', Holland Village is a trendy and lively area that's a particular favourite among younger expats. Holland V, as residents call it, is pedestrian-friendly and has easy access to the MRT. There are plenty of places here to shop and eat out, but the main strip on Lorong Mambong is the hub, packed with restaurants offering all kinds of local and international fare.

Bukit Timah

Bukit Timah is a lush, green area set upon Singapore's highest hill. Housing options in this prime area, ranging from bungalows and standalone houses to high-rise condos and apartments, are attractive and spacious but tend to be pricey. Bukit Timah is a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood, especially compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the island. It's well connected to the rest of Singapore by several MRT stations.

Expats with kids will be spoilt for choice when it comes to international schools in Bukit Timah, with options such as Chatsworth International School and Swiss School in Singapore.

Orchard

The well-connected and vibrant Orchard area is an incredibly popular place to live among expats due to the good schools (both government and international) and central location. It's one of Singapore's most convenient areas, with all the amenities you could possibly need right on your doorstep. 

There are a number of expat clubs near Orchard, including the American Club, the Tanglin Club, and the Singapore Polo Club. Housing here consists primarily of luxury condos and high-end apartments.

North Region of Singapore

Although the north is considered to be “far” from the city, in truth it's only about 15 miles (25km) and is easily accessed by car, MRT or bus. That said, those commuting to the city centre for work might find the North Region a bit too far out, as traffic in peak hours can be nearly an hour each way. Still, this area is spacious and peaceful, featuring golf courses, plant nurseries, and reservoirs.

Woodlands

The lush greenery of Woodlands and the estate lifestyle it offers, along with easy access to the Singapore American School, attracts expats with children to this area. Housing here is largely in the form of landed and terraced homes. Woodlands is considered a more reasonably priced area than the central parts of Singapore, though housing here still can't be described as "cheap".

Families and nature lovers can enjoy the hiking trails within the leafy 27-hectare Admiralty Park here. Malaysia can be seen from this district, and the Johor Causeway bridge connects the two countries. Woodlands is otherwise well connected to the rest of Singapore by road and MRT.

Sembawang

A tranquil area, Sembawang offers residents easy access to Sembawang Park, which includes a natural beach, and Sembawang Hot Spring Park, one of Singapore's few public hot springs.

Once a British naval base, Sembawang has plenty of historic colonial housing, including Singapore's famous black-and-white houses, many of which are still used as residences today. There's also a number of apartment blocks in the area.

East Region of Singapore

The East Region of Singapore includes the districts of Bedok, Pasir Ris, Tampines, and Changi. Neighbourhoods here have a unique character that marries old and new. Most areas offer excellent access to amenities, restaurants, schools, and shops.

Changi

Changi is situated along the east coast and is an aviation hub, home to the Changi International Airport. The area has a diverse population, and many residents work in airline-related industries. 

Residents here enjoy a coastal lifestyle, with beach facilities and numerous parks. It's a fairly quiet corner of the island, with the upside that the condominiums here are larger and less expensive than in the city.  And while there may not be an abundance of bars, there are numerous exquisite eateries in the area to make up for it.

Tampines

Slightly further inland is Tampines, a well-established neighbourhood with lots of amenities. Plenty of parks, several of which are connected by Tampines Nature Way, make this an attractive neighbourhood for families. The presence of UWC of South East Asia's East Coast campus is an additional draw. 

West Region of Singapore

The western area of Singapore includes Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi and Jurong. The neighbourhoods in this space vary widely but are generally densely populated and have exceptional amenities.

Jurong

Jurong is a bustling area, seen by some as Singapore's secondary CBD. There are some excellent shopping malls in the vicinity, as well as a wide variety of good places to eat. Another plus is the presence of some lovely outdoor areas, such as the Chinese Gardens and Jurong Lake Gardens.

The Nanyang Campus of One World International School is located in Jurong, making it an ideal spot for expat families with kids.

Bukit Panjang

Bukit Panjang is a hilly neighbourhood ideal for families. The area has a good balance of nature and amenities. There are some good international schools in Bukit Panjang, including GESS – International School and The Perse School (Singapore). 

A mixture of old and new apartment blocks and condominiums can be found here. Rentals tend to be affordable but the commute to the Central Region might be rather long for some expats.

North-East Region of Singapore

Singapore's northeast is an ideal place to live for expats with kids, thanks to the area's fantastic range of international schools and family-friendly activities. Terraced homes, semi-detached houses and bungalows can all be found here, and there are also lots of spots to shop and dine out, as well as an abundance of green spaces. 

Punggol

Plenty of amenities make Punggol a convenient place to live, and there are some good international schools in the area – Global Indian International School Singapore is situated here, as is One World International School's Digital Campus.

Though there are good public transport links in Punggol, the rush-hour commute can be crowded and draining. On the upside, there are many new housing estates in the area, offering a range of options.

Serangoon

Expats looking to settle in Singapore's northeast are often drawn to Serangoon, home to Stamford American International School's Early Learning Village and the French School of Singapore.

There are some good housing estates and a plethora of dining options here (with Chomp Chomp Food Centre being among Singapore's most beloved hawker centres). Rental prices can be rather expensive, though.