Singapore Expats

All,

For those who are familiar with these areas, could you please comment on the merits and drawbacks of each neighborhood?

I'll likely be commuting to the Raffles Quay area for work.

Our key considerations are: proximity to a nice grocery store, public transportation, children's activities and restaurants/cafe/bars, .

Thank you in advance.

River Valley is typical urban, mixed buildings setting (older shophouses + newer condos) and is adjacent to Orchard Rd area - the shopping Mecca of all the Singaporeans and tourists. River Valley itself, lots of small shops, some bigger malls, lots of coffeeshops, a few more fancy restaurant. Not much more.
Tanglin less urbanized, lots of green areas, many landed houses and low rise buildings, embassies, not so many shopping centers but one pretty good at the begining of Tangling Rd. Close (adjacent) to Botanic Gardens. Inside Tanglin is Dempsey area - restaurants (regular and more fancy), wineries and antique shops mostly, all in pretty relaxing setting (perhaps except Friday nights).
Transportation-wise, River Valley probably better but there may not be any practical difference.

Use google street view to get a better idea

Edited: River Valley, not Riverside.

x9200 - Thank you for the insight! This is very helpful.

I'm also curious to hear from current/former residents about their experiences with each of these neighborhoods. What did they like and what would they change? How happy were they with their grocery options?
It seems as though both are close enough to the CBD although they lack nearby MRT stations.

This is kind of location independent - majority or at least many expats buy their groceries either in Cold Storage (there is one in River Valley Point) or in Market Place (one in Tanglin Mall) (both own by the same business entity I think). These are the chains that offer reasonable choice of both local and Western food.

anthem wrote: they lack nearby MRT stations.

Which is what I like about Tanglin the place doesn't get so crowded. If you can afford the rents around these parts, generally speaking you go to work by car or taxi.

If you are used to the super markets like "Great" in HK or wholefoods in the US then prepared to be a bit disappointed, things have greatly improved over the last few years or my expectations are lower these days. At least Swiss butchery has moved next to tanglin mall.

River valley - near Great World City shopping center. It has a movie theatre, cold storage for grocery, gym, lots of restaurants and shops for kids. There is also the other part of River Valley that is near Robertson quay where there are lots of eatery.

Tanglin - Tanglin mall is much smaller. It has a shop that sell organic food and I believe cold storage. etc. Near botanic garden. Walking distance to Orchard road.

Both places are near Orchard road where you can do some serious shopping. I suspect Tanglin area is a bit more pricey ... if that is a concern.

One thing I don't like about the River Valley area is that there are lots of construction going around.

I used to live in River Valley near Killiney road. I really loved it there. Easy walk to either Orchard road or Robinson Quay area and Sommerset MRT. Killiney has a great NTUC Fairprice which will save you a lot over Cold Storage.

We just arrived in Singapore from the US in early August. We looked at both River Valley and Tanglin/Orchard area.
For us, we have a young, school-aged child, the Tanglin/Orchard area was the best combination of what we were looking for.
Tanglin Marketplace (at Tanglin Mall) great for groceries.
Jason's Deli is on Claymore Rd. also great for groceries.
There is a Swiss Butchery (butcher shop) across form Tanglin Mall in Friven Center, and this are is convenient to Dempsey Hill where you can find specialty grocery shopping like Culina & Jones the Grocer.
I don't know what types of kids activities, but we are close to everything.
Good luck!