Advice on Where to Live, Please!!

[toobusy2]

I've been searching the board for awhile and can't seem to find any answers. My husband will be working in Tuas, my teens are at Singapore American School. I am at a loss as to where I should look to rent.

We are on a local package so we have no housing allowance, but education has been paid for by the company. For that, we are extremely grateful.

My husband likes to be in the center of it all. He is from Manhattan. My kids are teens so they want to be able to explore with their friends.

Currently, we are in temporary housing about a 20-25 minute walk from Orchard Station. I am not so thrilled with the area because of the walk. I am not fond of having to take a bus to the MRT, I would prefer to be able to walk directly to the MRT. We have been commuting 1.5 hours each way to SAS since there is currently no space on the school bus. I'd like something closer in commute for the kids and for the husband. One last wish, we would like to be near a hawker center. (Does not have to be a large center)

Where would you all recommend as a place I should look? And what would we have to give up? I know we can't expect to have everything.

As for rent, we can go up to $8K but I would be happier staying at $6K for a 3 bedroom.

Thank you for all your advice!

[Fortan]

A couple of suggestions from me > I used to work in Tuas and lived in Jurong West in The Lakeshore condo, which is just across the road from Lakeside MRT. From the condo to I was in Tuas by car, took me app. 15 mins. There is a huge park (Chinese Garden/Japanese Garden) right across the road from the condo too.

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapor ... eshore.htm

Another option and one that will make it even MORE convenient for you, is The Centris. It is on top of Jurong Point shopping mall, so you can literally take the elevator down into the mall and do all your shopping there. It is connected to Boon Lay MRT and you walk straight from the condo to the mall to the MRT. About 1-2 km closer to Tuas than Lakeshore.

http://condo.singaporeexpats.com/condo/2498/THE-CENTRIS

Your kids would have a bit of ride though to the school.

[iloverice]

Well, if you allow me to comment. I worked in Tuas before, and if your husband does not mind to travel for around 30 minutes to work, you could consider Choa Chu Kang area, or Bukit Panjang area, or Bukit Batok area, it will be more ideal for your kids travelling time as well. You could always check out the online map, it's very useful to help you to decide which location suits you and your family.

[zzm9980]

You're between a rock and a hard place as far as locations. Either your husband or your kids will have a crappy commute. Or they're both have a not so hot commute, and you'll be in CCK or Bukit Panjang like Iloverice suggested. And you'll find that's about as far from Manhattan or excitement as you can get.

We are on a local package so we have no housing allowance, but education has been paid for by the company. For that, we are extremely grateful.

...

As for rent, we can go up to $8K but I would be happier staying at $6K for a 3 bedroom.

Be careful who you gripe about that package to. Being able to afford $8k a month on rent and having two students paid for at an International School (probably almost another $8 there) is hardly a 'local' package, as the average local family income is under $7k/month. It doesn't bother me, but it could rub others the wrong way if you frame it as a hardship and gripe about it a lot

[caonamhai]

You may explore to rent a car to drive your children to school and work and enjoy your manhattan. With your budget, you can have good apartment/landed house.

[toobusy2]

Thank you for your advice. I will check into all that has been suggested.

[the lynx]

I've been searching the board for awhile and can't seem to find any answers. My husband will be working in Tuas, my teens are at Singapore American School. I am at a loss as to where I should look to rent.

We are on a local package so we have no housing allowance, but education has been paid for by the company. For that, we are extremely grateful.

My husband likes to be in the center of it all. He is from Manhattan. My kids are teens so they want to be able to explore with their friends.

Currently, we are in temporary housing about a 20-25 minute walk from Orchard Station. I am not so thrilled with the area because of the walk. I am not fond of having to take a bus to the MRT, I would prefer to be able to walk directly to the MRT. We have been commuting 1.5 hours each way to SAS since there is currently no space on the school bus. I'd like something closer in commute for the kids and for the husband. One last wish, we would like to be near a hawker center. (Does not have to be a large center)

Where would you all recommend as a place I should look? And what would we have to give up? I know we can't expect to have everything.

As for rent, we can go up to $8K but I would be happier staying at $6K for a 3 bedroom.

Thank you for all your advice!

I agree to what iloverice and zzm9980 said.

With that $6-8k condo rent per month, you can afford a nice condo in prime area like Orchard, CBD and Keppel Bay. So I'd say you rent a little cheaper in Hillview (where your taste may find its liking) near Bukit Batok East Ave area or any way along the Upper Bukit Timah Road, and use the rest of the money to get a car.

Hannieroo may have better idea because she lives around there (Toh Tuck near Upper Bukit Timah area), with kids at school (don't know which school though) and husband works at Tuas.

[ryanngwk]

Since your husband is working in Tuas, you might wish to consider Jurong East condos. There are plenty of condos within walking distance to the MRT!