Singapore Expats

Hi,

My husband are relocating to Singapore. Actually he is already there. Because he is a pilot for an air ambulance company, they are specified that SengKang is an area they would like us to consider living as its inbetween the two airports.

We both lived in HK for two years, so love the Asian lifestyle..hes from the US, i'm from the UK, but I'm worried that SengKang is a bit far out from everything.

Has anyone got any insight into the area?? What its like etc etc. Its on the Main MRT line and doesn't seem that far away from the centre, but I've no idea...?

I will be looking for work in either teaching or the animal industry when I arrive.

Any advice would be great, thanks xx

I live out in the same area (Serangoon North) and I wouldn't live anywhere else. We are far enough out to have a little peace and with the MRT lines (I'm between 7 and 15 minutes away from 3 stations - with Serangoon on the NE line (the same as SengKang). The run into Dhoby Ghaut is only around 15 to 25 minutes) Bishan around the same (using the Circle line). And the company is correct in that it puts you close to three airports, Changi, Paya Lebar & Seletar (But Paya Lebar is a military one).

It is worth noting that SengKang is a relatively new development. It was built to help provide more affordable accommodation for locals after the last big property boom in 1996. So it would be less than 15 years old.

It provided a good standard of homes, but they are smaller than those in some of the suburbs built decades earlier. So you have a trade off of a smaller, modern apartment, vs a larger, less modern one.

Lots of locals moved there as the first home owner families and the upgraders were the markets the local authority for housing (HDB) was targetting.

I guess the best thing to do is to check it out and see if you feel like you can fit in.

If your hubby's company is paying for accommodation it is a more affordable area too!

i feel you should consider somewhere nearer bukit timah or orchard road. unless you are very into the local culture and don't mind not seeing another expat for miles. granted singaporeans are generally pretty decent and there is no crime to speak off... but you will get homesick and a fellow brit or american is more easily found nearer the city centre.

Obviously you don't get out too much. There as plenty of us out here, matter of fact several of us are on this board as well. Of course if all you want are "expats" then you will need to isolate yourself to places like Holland Village. Broaden you experience. Don't waste several years in Asia by not assimilating with Asians. It will definitely broaden your experience.

imogenben, how dou you actually know what is the life "out there"?

imogenben wrote:i feel you should consider somewhere nearer bukit timah or orchard road. unless you are very into the local culture and don't mind not seeing another expat for miles. granted singaporeans are generally pretty decent and there is no crime to speak off... but you will get homesick and a fellow brit or american is more easily found nearer the city centre.

What a crock! Expats everywhere... from Woodlands "ghetto" to Holland Village to Bukit Timah to all over Clarke Quay, Robinson Quay, East Coast.

Best part of my experience is to assimilate as much as possible... otherwise you live the isolated life... OK in Saudi Arabia maybe... but uncalled for here.

Savellino wrote:Hi,

My husband are relocating to Singapore. Actually he is already there. Because he is a pilot for an air ambulance company, they are specified that SengKang is an area they would like us to consider living as its inbetween the two airports.

We both lived in HK for two years, so love the Asian lifestyle..hes from the US, i'm from the UK, but I'm worried that SengKang is a bit far out from everything.

Has anyone got any insight into the area?? What its like etc etc. Its on the Main MRT line and doesn't seem that far away from the centre, but I've no idea...?

I will be looking for work in either teaching or the animal industry when I arrive.

Any advice would be great, thanks xx

You are worrying too much. You will be fine

I am staying at punggol just a train station away from sengkang. Sengkang is quite a nice peaceful area. It's very convient as there is a mrt over at sengkang. There is an apartment "compass eight"above the mrt station and it's also within the shopping mall "compasspoint". It's just a 30 mins to town by mrt. Very convient.If you do need any help. U can pm me! Cheers