Introducing the Popular Expat Housing Districts
Singapore was formerly subdivided into 28 postal districts and these district references are still being used today in the real estate market although the postal service now uses a 6-digit postal code.
Districts 9, 10 and 11
D9 is the heartbeat of the city where most luxurious high-rise condominiums and the Orchard road shopping belt is located. Known as the commercial hub of the city-state, Orchard Road offers unrivalled access to major shops, entertainment amenities and some of the most prime housing options in Singapore. Here you will find towering condominium and apartment blocks that offer sky-high luxury living, but also has many quiet, leafy pockets.
D10 is a much larger residential enclave and it stretches from River Valley to Bukit Timah Estate and it includes other prime areas such as Tanglin, Nassim and most popular of it all, Holland Village.
As the former home of British Army personnel and their families, Holland Village exudes a subtle European charm with its European-influenced architecture of its quaint shophouses and low-rise buildings. Conveniently situated near to the Botanical Gardens and only minutes away from Orchard Road, along with its wide selections of shops, restaurants and housing options, it is not surprising that Holland Village has become one of the most popular areas for expats.
District 1, 2, 3 and 4
D1, 2 and 3 are considered central business districts and city fringe where a wide variety of river-side restaurants, cafes, retail shops, nightlife, heritage and cultural buildings keep abuzz. D4 is south of Singapore including Keppel Bay and Sentosa Island where waterfront housing and boating is a way of life.
Sitting right in the heart of the city center, Tanjung Pagar (D2) is where many high-income earners choose to live. In fact, it is so close to the main Central Business District (CBD) that you can get there on foot in no time. After undergone a massive redevelopment to keep up with the high-demand, Tanjung Pagar now offers some impressive housing options that come with luxurious amenities.
D3 contains a hodgepodge of modern and historical elements and its most popular expat housing area is Tiong Bahru. Being one of Singapore’s oldest residential areas, Tiong Bahru offers housing options with lower-level, heritage-rich apartments, which might appeal if the idea of a towering condominium block doesn’t suit you.
District 5 and 21
A district where education is the main focus, the Canadian International School and Dulwich College (Singapore) is conveniently located near Upper Bukit Timah in D21. Besides educational institutions, this district is home to Singapore's rich foliage as it is located at the edge of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. There are also a variety of sub-urban shopping centres and an equestrian club within the area. It offers a good mix of condominiums and landed homes at good value.
D5 sits on the south of D21 and stretches from Clementi down past the Southern Ridges towards D4. It is home to the National University, Science and Technology parks and is conveniently located between the city and the Jurong industrial estate.
Districts 15 and 16
D15 and 16 stretches along the east coast of Singapore and they also offer a very good mix of housing options with good value in colorful and vibrant estates. This popular area, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, offers a selection of apartments with excellent beach- or riverfront views, as well as variety of shops and restaurants options.
From the green oasis of East Coast Park where you can cycle, rollerblade, canoe and windsurf to your heart’s content, to the excellent facilities at the Laguna Golf Course and East Coast Tennis Centre, there certainly isn’t a lack of fun things to do in this area.
As such, this area is popular with expat families looking for a quieter living experience with lots of open space to wind down. It’s a little further out, which means that you can usually get a lot more space for your money.
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