Without a doubt, we live in one of the most popular destinations among families. When it comes to raising a family, Singapore ticks all the boxes for security and safety, good schools, and top health facilities, on top of having one of the richest and most diverse cultures.
Whether you’re an expat or just a local family in search of a new ‘hood to call home, here are the 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: 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. The ‘hood 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 from St. Gabriel’s Primary School andKuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School to Nanyang Junior College and Australian International School Singapore.
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. They’ll get you where you need to go in a jiffy.
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 Woodlands is one of the furthest from Central Singapore, it has all the comforts and conveniences that you would need from large malls nearby. There’s 88 Plaza, Causeway Point , and Vista Point, alongside 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. Take them 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 at Admiralty Park with 26 custom design slides will be the solution you need. Over here, there are 3 zones: Junior Play, Adventure Play, and Family Terracing Play which are 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, Block 573B, and Block 573C at Woodlands Glen.
There are plenty of educational options from preschool to secondary schools available. On the list are Bumble Bee Childcare Centre, Little Footprints Preschool, Marsiling Primary School, Fuchun Secondary School, Singapore Sports School, Republic Polytechnic, and Singapore American School—among others.
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.
EAST
4. Simei
Image credit: @malotsistoso
Amongst the usual list of family-friendly neighbourhoods, Simei tends to be one of the odd ones out. However, there is a hidden beauty to be discovered within the cosy part of town.
Much like its name “four beauties”, Simei boasts beautiful open spaces and playgrounds such as Simei Wallholla Playground, Lumiere Playground, and Arcs and Ropes where children can roam around.
For working parents looking to commute to the CBD, you can jump on a straight MRT line 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’s only Changkat Primary & Secondary School and Ngee Ann Secondary School in Simei, more schooling options can be found in nearby neighbourhoods such as Bedok and Tampines.
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 consists of foodies. Whether you are looking to get a quick bite at Plank Sourdough Pizza, Springleaf Prata Place or Chinese-Indonesian cuisine at Kota88, you’ll have options.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
You’ll also have the chance to be that family who cycles or blades through Siglap Park Connector over the weekend. Via the Eastern Coastal Loop, you can head to Bedok and Tampines or make a pitstop at East Coast Park where beachfront restaurants and bars offer picturesque views of the sunset.
Image credit: Kimberly Wong
For kids with tons of energy, a unique climbing structure, and mini traffic course at Kampung Siglap Playground is where it’s at. With real-life-looking lanes and pedestrian crossings, it is enough to give kiddos the road basics and safety they need to give you peace of mind.
Not only is Siglap close to the city, but it’s also located near 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
Jurong, though far away, has become a top destination for young families with an abundance of education options, outdoor activities, and shopping malls. 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. 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. Hit up JEM, IMM, Westgate, and JCube which are 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, and My First Skool, as well as after-school programmes such as NASCANS @ Jurong East, and The Learning Lab @ JEM.
CENTRAL
7. Holland Village
Known for its vibrant and lively environment, Holland Village is often a top neighbourhood for both local and expat families.
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. There’s the infamous Lorong Mambong stretch that comes alive at night with live music and Chip Bee Gardens strip is filled with great restaurants, dessert cafes, and gourmet food stores.
You’ll also find plenty of playgrounds within HDB blocks along Holland Avenue, as well as Sunset Way playground near Clementi Park.
Near Holland Village is Queenstown, also known as the education hotspot. It is home to Singapore’s oldest university, National University of Singapore, and the first polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic. For the younger ones, there are several schools in the area such as MapleBear Preschool, My First Skool, Anglo-Chinese School, and MindChamps.
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 park in Singapore.
From burning energy at the adventure playground to splashing around the water play area and nature-venturing through the ponds and streams, families 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.
When it comes to school, there are plenty of options in Bishan. We’re talking a slew of Montessori preschools, Ai Tong School, Catholic High School, and Former Bishan Park Primary and Secondary School.
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 love things like cycling, paddle boarding, and swimming.
Image credit: @corymeilany
The most frequented places for food, drink, and live music are around Tanjong Beach, Siloso Beach, and Palawan Beach. If you find yourself in Sentosa Cove, have a cuppa at Common Man Coffee Roasters or take a stroll around the marina where million-dollar yachts are docked.
There are also several 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 wine, dine, shop, and catch a movie.
As for schools, there’s a handful of international preschools and kindergartens on the island such as EtonHouseInternational School Sentosa, Mindchamps PreSchool @ Sentosa, and Quayside Isle Prep School.
Central
10. Tiong Bahru
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
If you and your hubby have ever dreamed of settling down in Tiong Bahru, great news: Tiong Bahru is considered one of the most family-friendly neighbourhoods on the island. It’s located a 15-minute bus ride away from pretty much everywhere in the city centre: CBD, Orchard, Marina Bay—the list goes on.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Living in Tiong Bahru also means you’ll get access to fresh produce every morning at Tiong Bahru Market, cheap eats inside food courts, and quality brews at cute alfresco cafes. Add in the train-themed outdoor Tiong Bahru Playground, indoor play areas at Tiong Bahru Plaza, and the fact that you can get almost anywhere by public transport in 15 minutes or less, and you could say Tiong Bahru is perfect for families.
11. River Valley
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
I mean, who wouldn’t want to live in River Valley? It’s young, hip, and peaceful. There’s the serene river in Robertson Quay where jogging, cycling, and taking a stroll are all encouraged. There’s also the newly renovated Great World mega mall with an outdoor playground, giant Cold Storage, and an entire 3rd floor filled with kids’ stores.
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
Granted, the modern condos and trendy walk-up apartments here might be slightly expensive to rent. But what River Valley lacks in budget-friendliness, it makes up for in convenience, proximity to schools, a well-connected network of public transport, scenery, safety, and just general vibes.
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: TheSmartLocal & @cerzee.
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