Best Neighborhoods to Live in Singapore
Singapore might be a small country, but it boasts countless amazing features, such as excellent infrastructure, promising job opportunities, and world-class healthcare.
Because of all this, Singaporean citizens and permanent residents all live comfortable lives, and many people from other countries aspire to be just like them. But before you uproot your life and move to Singapore, you may be wondering where to live there.
Which part of Singapore is best to live in? And what exactly makes a neighborhood great and worth considering?
To help you answer these questions, here’s everything you need to know about the best neighborhoods to live in Singapore.
What makes a neighborhood in Singapore great to live in?

People’s criteria on what makes a neighborhood great vary widely, but some of the most common characteristics are the following:
- Safe and convenient
- Friendly and welcoming community
- Variety of housing types
- Green landscapes
- Many exciting things to do
- Great schools
Safe and Convenient
Safety and convenience are two of the most common qualities that people are looking for in a neighborhood. After all, you’ll be living in this neighborhood for a while, so you have to make sure you’ll always be safe and comfortable here.
There are several things that make for a safe and convenient neighborhood.
- Low crime rate: When crimes rarely happen in a neighborhood, you’ll definitely feel safe and calm during your stay. A low crime rate also shows that the neighborhood is improving, which is a good sign.
- Accessibility: A well-designed neighborhood allows you to access all amenities and facilities without a problem. These include healthcare centers, police and fire stations, schools, and public transportation.
- Walkability: Being able to drive is undeniably a great thing, but what’s even better is if you can just explore the neighborhood on foot. You’ll be inspired to walk more often, and you’ll also develop a deeper appreciation for the place.

If the neighborhood you’re eyeing has all the characteristics above, that’s a good sign. It means you can live there in peace, knowing that even if you encounter an accident, it will be easy to reach for help.
Friendly and Welcoming Community
Nothing makes a neighborhood more welcoming than having friendly and warm neighbors. When you’re on great terms with your neighbors, you can trust them to help you out when you’re in trouble, and they will also trust you in turn.
With this mutual trust, your neighbors will start to feel more like friends or family than mere acquaintances. Fostering positive relationships within the community will make life in the neighborhood more worth it.
Variety of Housing Types

Just like other aspects of day-to-day life, a variety of housing types makes a neighborhood more interesting. If all the houses in an area look the same, it becomes boring to look at.
More than that, having a variety of housing types gives you more options.
You don’t have to stick to privately developed houses. Instead, you can also consider government-funded housing.
Long story short, a variety of housing types welcomes everyone, regardless of budget. You’ll find a property that best suits your lifestyle, and you can easily look for a housing loan that works for you.
Green Landscapes

Being out in nature has always been good for us, and that’s why when you’re selecting a neighborhood in Singapore to live in, you should consider its eco-friendliness.
Are there parks with lots of trees and greenery? And what does the neighborhood do in terms of sustainability?
When the neighborhood takes care of the environment, you can expect to live a healthier life here. You’ll be inspired to partake in all the eco-friendly activities and explore the green parks in your spare time.
Many Exciting Things to Do
When we’re done working for the day, we always look for fun things to do to unwind. For this reason, you might want to consider neighborhoods that offer a slew of exciting activities.
It will even be better if the neighborhood has a variety of these entertainment options—from coffee shops to family-friendly activity centers to bars and many more.
When you have many options, you won’t run out of things to do, and that makes for an exciting life.
Great Schools

Education is incredibly crucial, so if you have children or are planning to have children in the future, be sure to check out what kind of schools the neighborhood has.
Research the school’s ratings if you can, and read reviews. It’s best to ensure right from the start that your children will go to a school that will provide them with the best education the country has to offer.
Which part of Singapore is best to live in?
Singapore features many neighborhoods, and some of the ones that have been regarded as one of the best parts to live in include
- Holland Village
- Tiong Bahru
- Bukit Timah
- Serangoon
- Sentosa
Holland Village

Located along the boundary between Bukit Timah and Queenstown, Holland Village is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Singapore.
It was established by Singapore’s Dutch community during the early 20th century, and it formerly housed British Army personnel and their families. Because of this, this area of Singapore boasts infrastructure with European-influenced architecture.
Holland Village’s Ratings
What makes Holland Village great is its eclectic vibe. Because of its stunning buildings and rich history, the neighborhood has attracted creative people.
Eventually, Holland Village earned the reputation of being a creative commune. Here, you can find a wide array of modern art galleries, trendy local cafes, and unique shops.
The best part is that everything is accessible in this neighborhood. People can easily walk from one place to another, and if they need to travel to other corners of Singapore, the Holland Village MRT is close by.
Holland Village also has a few schools, including a nearby international school, which is perfect for people with families.
If you like the idea of living in a vibrant neighborhood surrounded by art and history, Holland Village might be the right fit for you. In particular, this area might appeal to couples without kids, singles, professionals, and families the most.
What are the best things to do in Holland Village?

As a buzzy and vibrant neighborhood, Holland Village is most famous for its dining and shopping scene and nightlife. In fact, the area currently has an estimated number of 84 restaurants, 60 shops, and 17 nightclubs.
For this reason, the best things to do in Holland Village are dining, shopping, and clubbing.
What is the median home rent and price in Holland Village?
The home rent and prices at Holland Village tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum. But there’s still a good mix of affordable housing, so you don’t have to rule out this neighborhood just based on the price.
To illustrate better how much the median home rent and price is in Holland Village, refer to this table:
Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru started out as a forgotten section of Singapore. It once served as a cemetery, but in the 1920s, the Singapore Improvement Trust embarked on a project to build mass public housing here.
Eventually, Tiong Bahru transformed into an affluent area that became the home of the middle class and upper class. But during the economic boom in the 70s and 80s, the population began to decline, and it’s now become an estate for retirees.
That said, the younger generation has begun to show interest in the neighborhood once again.
Tiong Bahru’s Ratings
What makes Tiong Bahru great and appealing to many people is the fact that it exudes hipster vibes and historical charm. Art galleries here are housed in conversation shophouses, while cozy record stores boast an impressive collection of vinyl.
In addition to its charming atmosphere, Tiong Bahru offers more affordable options for housing. Because of this, even though elderly and retired Singaporeans make up most of this neighborhood, young couples and professionals have taken an interest as well.
Tiong Bahru is also popular among families because of the number of schools available here.
What are the best things to do in Tiong Bahru?

With over 127 restaurants and 118 shops, it’s safe to say that two of the best things to do in Tiong Bahru are dining and shopping. This place will also appeal to history lovers because it’s one of Singapore’s oldest residential estates.
If you are a history geek, be sure to go on a heritage tour around Tiong Bahru. Doing so will give you a lot of insight into the area’s history.
You should also check out the eclectic shops and galleries that have been standing for decades.
What is the median home rent and price in Tiong Bahru?
Here is a table that gives you an idea of how much rent and house prices are in Tiong Bahru.
Bukit Timah

Bukit Timah, which translates to “tin hill” in Malay, is located at the natural highest point of Singapore. Because of its location, the neighborhood boasts a high concentration of native tropical greenery and rainforests.
Aside from that, Bukit Timah features restaurants and shops that aren’t part of franchises. Instead, you can find small artisanal businesses and independent stores, making the area quite a charming one.
Bukit Timah’s Ratings
There are three things that make Bukit Timah a great place to live in: its vast green spaces, its numerous landed properties, and its array of good schools.
Bukit Timah’s tropical greenery and rainforests will undoubtedly delight nature lovers. There’s a nature reserve in the northern part of the neighborhood, and you can also find several unique eco-spots where you can enjoy the fresh air.

Bukit Timah also has countless landed properties, which is impressive if you think about how Singapore generally lacks land and space. In this neighborhood, you can find multi-story houses with private pools and spacious backyards.
And last but not least, Bukit Timah features a great many schools—and some of them are renowned international schools.
With these three characteristics, Bukit Timah tends to attract plenty of families and active people who love to explore the outdoors. This area is also popular among expats who want a comfortable neighborhood with easy access to modern facilities.
What are the best things to do in Bukit Timah?

Considering its vast green landscape, it’s no surprise that the best thing to do in Bukit Timah is hiking or exploring the great outdoors.
There are many walking trails that will inspire people to engage in outdoor activities and breathe in the fresh air.
Some of the landmarks you definitely want to see to appreciate Bukit Timah’s greenery are
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
- Tree Top Walk
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
- National Orchid Garden
This neighborhood also has 174 restaurants, 136 shops, and 28 nightlife options, so you’ll never run out of exciting things to do here.
What is the median home rent and price in Bukit Timah?
Here is a table that shows you the median home rent and price in Bukit Timah.
Since Bukit Timah features more private developments than government-funded housing, the property prices here tend to be higher than those in other neighborhoods.
But since most properties here offer much bigger space than the ones in other residential areas, many people would consider the hefty price tag worth it.
Serangoon

Centrally located in Singapore, Serangoon used to be the home of Tamil Muslim traders in the 19th century. Though trade eventually stopped in the subsequent decades, the area has already been influenced by Indian culture.
Because of this, Serangoon now houses a vibrant Little India enclave, and most of the citizens here are of Indian descent.
Serangoon’s Ratings
There are three reasons why Serangoon is a great place to live in Singapore: its central location, its affordable housing options, and its variety of schools.
To begin with, Serangoon’s fairly central location means that it’s well-connected to other parts of Singapore. This neighborhood has multiple MRT lines and public bus routes, so commuting is a breeze.
Secondly, government-funded housing is also available here, so home hunters will be able to take advantage of apartments and even multi-story houses at an affordable cost.

The school system in Serangoon is impressive as well. There are schools at all levels—and there are even top private schools, such as the International French School and the Australian International School.
Because of all these qualities, Serangoon is particularly attractive for families or those people planning to build a family in the near future. Professionals also love staying here because of the seamless transport system.
What are the best things to do in Serangoon?
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Serangoon, especially since this neighborhood houses NEX, which is one of the biggest malls in Singapore with seven levels of retail stores and restaurants.

Checking out Little India is another great thing to do. This enclave is so vibrant and boasts so many nooks and crannies worth checking out—plus, the eateries offer delectable Indian cuisine.
What is the median home rent and price in Serangoon?
Properties approved by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) are abundant in Serangoon, which means you can possibly find a home at an affordable rate.
Here’s a table of the median home rent and price in Serangoon:
Sentosa

The island of Sentosa played a major role in Singapore’s military history, which is ironic considering the name means “peace” in Malay. In the 19th century, forts were built here as a form of security, and during World War II, it was a British military fortress.
Once the war ended, Sentosa became a training ground for various military forces. But in the 1970s, the government made the decision to transform the island into a tourist destination.
Right now, Sentosa is arguably one of the most popular places in Singapore. Its residents have the highest net worth in the country, and it’s also home to countless pristine beach clubs—and, of course, Universal Studios Singapore.
Sentosa’s Ratings

Sentosa is the epitome of luxury living in Singapore, and that’s what makes it so great to live in. All the retail stores and dining options here are high-end, and the prep schools are well-renowned.
On top of that, Sentosa is relatively isolated from Singapore’s center, making it an ideal place to live for people who just want to get away from the hectic city life.
That said, Sentosa’s location also means that there’s a lack of public transportation, which is why residents here need to have a car to get around.
Since Sentosa Cove is the only place in Singapore that allows non-Singaporeans to purchase property, this neighborhood is teeming with foreigners and expats.
What are the best things to do in Sentosa?

Sentosa’s gems are its beaches, so understandably, one of the best things to do here is to go to a resort or a beach club.
Universal Studios Singapore is also located in Sentosa, so be sure to enjoy the exciting rides in this famous theme park.
You can find numerous classy dining options and bars in Sentosa as well. Because of this, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get a taste of the local cuisine.
What is the median home rent and price in Sentosa Cove?
Because of its surge in popularity throughout the years, Sentosa Cove has some of the most expensive properties in Singapore. To give you an idea of the median cost of rent and home price here, refer to the table below.