Singapore Expats

I have been living in Singapore for two years now in the Orchard area but have to move. I have two children ( two years and 7 months) and am thinking of moving to the Woodlands so I can be in more of a neighborhood with the hopes of my older child finding some kids to play with and generally being able to get out and be more social. Almost everyone I have spoken to has discouraged me from the Woodlands though none of them actually live there. If you live in the area, or used to live there, and have an opinion to offer, I would love to hear it.

Friends of ours live in Woodlands and quite enjoy it . . . it is greener and convenient to popping over to JB, among other things.

Aren't there a few International Schools there as well?


I don't see why you would discount the place.

I'm not in Woodlands itself but not really too far away and it's all quite nice.

A few good food courts in Woodlands, i think, yes Vaucluse, the American school is in the neighbourhood. Since prices for apartments went through the roof in this town over the last years there have been many people moving out from town into the sticks.

I've noticed far more foreigners around me now than even when i arrived three years ago.

Hi. It kinda out of the way if you want to compare with orchard. but most importantly is your lifestyle. american school is around the corner and if you kid goes there, it will be easy. as to whether they can make friends its really depend on your neighbour.

however, woodland is a self equip neighbourhood. there are cinemas, library, nice eating area. easy access to bt timah [if you drive]. It can be a cosy place to stay in. less building and traffic.

enjoy your stay.

Thanks for the replies. I will continue to try to find people in the area to get their input. My impression of the place was that it was a nice little "suburby" area and with the American school just down the street seemed ultra conve,nient for when my daughter starts school. I agree that it seems silly to discount the place out of hand.

If anyone else wants to add their two cents worth, I'm listening!

It's easy and less expensive here in the Woodlands than around Orchard. Lots of kids (Halloween is VERY big here.) Hawker stands are plentiful and cheap. Good public transportation access. Lots of HDBs so more of a local feel (actually) than Holland Village/Orchard Road area.

Movie theaters, big shopping mall, grocery stores, great public library, walking paths, etc. all a very easy walk away.

We spend less here because we're not walking by those expensive stores. A big shy on restaurants out here, is the only drawback we notice.

Nothing wrong with woodlands other than the time it takes, if you want to get to the City probably cheapest area too! I'm often in that area and there is just as much going on there, as anywhere else, it is a developing area especially for new business

why don;t choose toa payoh?

here has some condos too

take mrt just few mins to orchard.

Hi,

We are planning on moving to the Woodlands also, and have been looking at several apartments there. My husband bought a condo in Clementi before the kids and I arrived (nearly 2 years ago), and I have never been happy in it:( From what I've seen, we can get a lot more space in the Woodlands for less money. We will likely rent this time instead of buying again.

I like the suburban feel of the Woodlands. The problem is there is apparently only one low rise apartment building. My husband and I don't care for high rises, which ruled out a few places, and the split levels seem a bit pricey (5.5K/mth). We are focusing on the Woodgrove complex, which we both like but cannot seem to find the right unit.

Maybe we can compare notes on our home searches!

DT

Was visiting a friend at Woodgrove over the weekend. Saw a unit with 2,300 square feet, furnished, at $4.8 per month. Sounded pretty good but we have a lease in place so couldn't take it.

I've stayed in Wdls for more than 10 years.. Love it cos I do travel to JB very frequently

The strongest argument for moving to Woodlands would be money, and thats a major argument. I dont think you can rent a 1500 sqf condo apartment for less than 2.5 K anywhere else in Singapore.

I have been living in Woodlands for some time and I'm quite happy with it. Its definitely much more quiet than Orchard or Toah Payoh and the air is cleaner.

It does of course take some time to travel downtown from Woodlands, but at the same time it is in general easier to get to the MRT here than in central areas. Where is your workplace? If it is at Jurong or further west it will probably not take any longer to travel there from Woodlands than from Orchard.

Woodlands is definitely suburban, and by far dominated by HDBs (with corresponding amenities), which may or may not be a good thing. There are lots of foodcourts, but personally I think the food here is pretty crappy (compared to foodcourts in both neighboring Yishun and in Orchard).

If you consider to rent a condo in Woodlands I would advise you to read this thread first: http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic68845.html

As I already said, condos are much cheaper in Woodlands than further south. But perhaps you are also considering HDB's. If you do, you will see that HDB's in the suburbs often are newer and of higher quality than HDB's in central areas.

In Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands you can (with some luck/patience) pay 1500 SGD for an HDB apartment of pretty much the same quality as a condo apartment (except the swimming pool of course). In Bishan and further south you have to pay 2500 SGD for little more than a hole in the ground.

Of course, the reason for this price difference is the daily traffic jam at the CTE. If money wasn't an issue, I would not move that far from the city center.