Without a doubt, we live in one of the most popular destinations for families to move to. When it comes to raising a family, Singapore ticks all the boxes for security and safety, good schools, top health facilities, on top of having one of the most rich and diverse cultures.
Whether you’re an expat or just a local family in search of a new hood to call home, here are the top nine most family-friendly neighbourhoods in Singapore.
North
1. Punggol
The iconic Lorong Halus Bridge in Punggol
Image credit: @alantravelation
Punggol might’ve once held the reputation for being ulu and one of the furthest neighbourhoods from the city centre, but it’s now a bustling mini town with everything from food and an IMAX cinema to its very own Decathlon store. Its top feature: undoubtedly Punggol’s great outdoors and waterfront views, meaning lots of outdoor activities with your fam.
Image credit: Klook
Bike around the Park Connector Network to Coney Island, Punggol Settlement and even the nearby neighbours of Sengkang and Hougang. Kids can have fun at Splash @ Kids Amaze while Mum and Dad can go get a couple’s massage at The Spa @ The Ultimate.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
For an unexpected outing, head over to the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum with your little ones to learn about the rare world of turtles and tortoises.
For parents with young children, there are plenty of preschool options within the neighbourhood and include your usual suspects: SparkleTots, My First Skool and E-Bridge. They will then be able to progress onto schools such as Global Indian International School, Edgefield Primary and Secondary School, and Punggol Primary and Secondary School.
Worried about getting around? Not to fear, Punggol’s transport options have definitely grown over the years. From Punggol MRT, you can take a direct Northeast line to Serangoon (Circle Line), Clarke Quay, Chinatown (Downtown Line) and even Dhoby Ghaut (Central Line). There are also plenty of bus stations including the Bus Interchange at Punggol and LRT lines: Sumang and Coral Edge.
2. Serangoon
Image credit: @eudiodesign
While having Chomp Chomp in your neighbourhood is grounds enough for some of us to want to live in Serangoon, there are plenty more merits to living in the area thanks to its perfect blend of cosy and vibrant. Whether you’re in the market for a landed house, condo or HDB, you’ll find home options in every category in Serangoon.
Coveted for its charming streets and quaint neighbourhood vibes, Serangoon Gardens has no shortage of amenities and has everything you need from a FairPrice Finest to family-friendly cafes and restaurants like Apollo Cafe, Little Rebel, PLONK and Dan’s Steaks.
Image credit: @charlizeferris
Want to enjoy a little “me” time in a cafe? Drop the children off at Artfully Yours for innovation and educational art lessons or grab a family friend and watch the kids have fun at Little Bear’s House Indoor Playground. Looking for more open spaces? Then, Serangoon Community Park is perfect for the young ones to roam free and use their imaginations.
There are plenty of schooling options in Serangoon that will appeal to all families whether expat or local from St. Gabriel’s Primary School, Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School, Nanyang Junior College to Australian International School Singapore and many more.
For those thinking about the commutes, there are plenty of bus routes available in Serangoon along with the most versatile MRT lines: Lorong Chuan, Bartley and Serangoon, all on the Circle line, that will get you where you need to go.
3. Woodlands
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
We know, Woodlands is faaaaaar, but you can’t think of “family” without thinking of Woodlands. It is the OG of family-friendly neighbourhoods.
While it is one of the furthest from Central Singapore, it has all the comforts and conveniences that you would need from large malls: 88 Plaza, Causeway Point and Vista Point and supermarkets such as Fairprice, Giant, NTUC and Cold Storage within the vicinity of most residential blocks.
Image credit: @tpstargazers
It is also an ideal area for families with young children who are looking to spend more time outdoors and in nature, whether it’s fishing at Woodlands Waterfront or taking a peek at the celestial stars at Woodlands Galaxy CC – home to the Andromeda Observatory, a 30 cm-telescope that’s the second largest in Singapore.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
If you’re looking to let your younglings exhaust some of that energy, then an all-terrain playground with 26 custom design slides will be the solution you need – we’re talking about Admiralty Park. There are three zone areas: Junior Play, Adventure Play and Family Terracing Play – sure to guarantee fun and excitement for kids of all ages.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Don’t miss the chance to hunt dinosaurs, ants and grasshoppers at Fu Shan Gardens and Block 573B and Block 573C at Woodlands Glen either.
There are plenty of educational options from preschool to secondary schools available from Bumble Bee Childcare Centre, Little Footprints Preschool, Marsiling Primary School, Fuchun Secondary School, Singapore Sports School, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore American School and more.
If being in Singapore isn’t enough, one of the greater selling points of Woodlands is just across the Causeway for a family day out in Johor Bahru, when the borders reopen.
EAST
4. Simei
Image credit: @malotsistoso
Amongst the usual “family-friendly” neighbourhood listings, Simei tends to be one of the odd ones out, but we believe there is a hidden beauty to be discovered within the cosy neighbourhood.
Much like its name “four beauties”, Simei boasts beautiful open spaces and playgrounds galore for children to explore and for families to mingle from Simei Wallholla Playground to Arcs and Ropes, Lumiere Playground and more.
For working parents looking to commute to the CBD, you can jump on a straight MRT line direct to City Hall and Raffles Place in 30 minutes. And of course, you will always be the first to the airport with Changi Airport as it’s just a 7-minute drive away.
While there are fewer school options within Simei itself, with only Changkat Primary & Secondary School and Ngee Ann Secondary School, it is nestled between Bedok and Tampines – prime family neighbourhoods which may offer more schooling options.
5. Siglap
Image credit: @yongsheng8883
On the opposite end of the barometer, Siglap is a family favourite neighbourhood for locals and expats alike. While it isn’t a very big neighbourhood with mostly private and landed housing, it scores for being quaint, quiet, and close enough to Katong and Joo Chiat.
Siglap is a great place to call home if your family are foodies, whether you are looking to get a casual neighbourhood bite at Plank Sourdough Pizza, Springleaf Prata Place or Chinese-Indonesian cuisine at Kota88 – you can head into the neighbouring Bedok or Marine Parade for equally delicious food.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
You’ll also have the chance to be that family who cycles or blades through Siglap Park Connector over the weekend. With the Eastern Coastal Loop, you can head to Bedok and Tampines or make a pitstop at East Coast Park for beachfront restaurants and bars to watch the sunset or fish by the boardwalk.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
We are always on the lookout for kids with tons of energy, so Kampung Siglap Playground is the place to go for their unique climbing structure and mini traffic course. With real-life looking lanes and pedestrian crossings, it is enough to give them the road basics and safety they need to give you peace of mind.
What makes Siglap appealing to families is not only the proximity to the city but also to a cluster of reputable schools such as Tao Nan School, Ngee Ann Primary and Secondary School, CHIJ Katong Convent Primary and Secondary School, and Victoria Secondary School and Junior College.
WEST
6. Jurong
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Like Woodlands, Jurong, though far, has become a top destination for young families with the abundance of education options, outdoor activities, shopping facilities and more. Plus, on a straight MRT line, you can get to the CBD in less than an hour.
Professor Crackitt’s Light Fantastic Mirror Maze in Science Centre Singapore
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
You can enjoy a well-rounded weekend with the family at the Science Centre, Jurong Bird Park, or the Chinese Garden. And for Instagram worthy family photos, you will definitely want to add Jurong Lake Gardens to the list.
If you are more of an indoor-family, Jurong has you covered with shopping malls that could rival Orchard Road with JEM, IMM, Westgate and JCube, all located in close vicinity to the Jurong East MRT station.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
To escape the sweltering heat in Singapore, head over to Snow City and The Ice Rink at Westgate Mall where you can enjoy a winter experience all year round. No travel expenses needed.
Nearby schools include Jurong Primary and Secondary School, Maple Bear Preschool, My First Skool as well as after-school programmes such as NASCANS @ Jurong East, and The Learning Lab @ JEM.
CENTRAL
7. Holland Village
Holland Village is often a top neighbourhood listing for families, known for its vibrant and lively environment and its cross culture of local and international.
Given its location, Holland Village has easy connectivity via buses and MRT to other central areas such as Orchard, Bukit Timah, Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Image credit: @bennysaik
The neighbourhood itself is not one without entertainment, with the infamous Lorong Mambong stretch that is soon to come alive again with live music and Chip Bee Gardens strip filled with great restaurants, dessert cafes and gourmet food stores.
If a playground is needed on your list, there are a couple of HDB playgrounds to be explored at Holland Avenue or at Sunset Way Playground near Clementi Park.
Near Holland Village is Queenstown, also known as the education hotspot. Home to the oldest university in Singapore, National University Singapore and the first polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic. For the younger ones, there are several schools for them in the area from MapleBear Preschool, My First Skool, Anglo-Chinese School, MindChamps and more.
8. Bishan
Image credit: @cerzee
As a former cemetery, Bishan isn’t a neighbourhood that you would assume to be family-friendly, or even… friendly, but we are open to changing our mind. As a central location, Bishan retains the heart of Singapore, keeping its kopitiams, heartland malls and HDB shops. It’s nostalgic in a less cliche way, and we are here for it.
The highlight of living in Bishan is the vast green spaces to explore with the family, especially at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, the largest and child-friendly parks in Singapore.
From burning energy at the adventure playground, to splashing around the water play area and nature-venturing through the ponds and streams; the family will have plenty to do and see. If you own a dog and are looking for a family and pet friendly neighbourhood, Bishan should be on the top of your list!
Image credit: @meemamoohoo
Speaking of hidden gems in Bishan, mum and dad – treat yourself to a luscious spa date at Aramsa Spa within Bishan Park and get a top-to-toe pampering session amongst the greenery.
For another family-fun day, head over to MacRitchie Reservoir for a well-marked hiking trail, or canoe at the Paddle Lodge.
There are a few school options available in Bishan from Ai Tong School, to Catholic High School and Former Bishan Park Primary and Secondary School. Bishan seems to be quite popular with montessori preschools.
SOUTH
9. Sentosa
Image credit: @fexis3_desertmoon
It’s impossible to mention “family-friendly” and “Singapore” without mentioning Sentosa, but living on the island does come with a hefty price tag. Best known for the idyllic fantasy life where you are on a permanent holiday 24/7, Sentosa is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who are looking to sun chase, paddle board and swim.
Image credit: @corymeilany
Most frequented places for food, drink and live music are at Tanjong Beach Club and bars at Siloso Beach. If you are looking for some quiet time, have a cuppa at Joe & Juice at Quayside Isle and people watch, for some added main character vibes.
There are also a number of famous attractions to enjoy throughout the year from Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and Adventure Cove. In addition, Vivocity is just a stone’s throw away to get everything you need for your daily essentials, shopping and more, including an IMAX theatre for movie nights.
There are only a handful of schools available and mostly International Schools such as EtonHouseInternational School Sentosa, Mindchamps PreSchool @ Sentosa, Quayside Isle Prep School.
Family-friendly neighbourhoods in Singapore
All in all, in our most humble opinion, most Singapore neighbourhoods are family-friendly, it depends on what your own priorities are as a parent, and as a family. There are a number of other considerations we didn’t factor in, for example – whether it is close to your own community or family. After all, it does take a village to raise a child and the closer they are, the better.
We hope that the list can at least provide some foundational knowledge for new parents or families looking for a new neighbourhood to explore.
Cover image adapted from: @yennychristina, @cerzee, TheSmartLocal
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