Singapore Prime Districts

As an expatriate working around downtown and Central Business District of Singapore, looking for a luxurious home at the correct pricing could be an arduous task. The rapid increase in downtown housing prices has become a burden to foreigners. Fret no longer because we at Singapore Prime Districts have discovered the ideal area which combines high-end living with affordability - Ardmore Park Drive.

Location
Ardmore Park Drive is conveniently located next to the prominent Orchard Road; in fact it is just a few minutes walk away from the buzzing heart of Singapore. If you intend to drive, you could access Ardmore Park Drive easily through Stevens Road and the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) which is a broad highway that links up many important areas on the island. Furthermore, traveling to the office in Raffles Place will cease to be a hassle. No longer would you need to wake up early in the morning to avoid rush hour traffic because Ardmore Park Drive is merely 15 minutes drive away from Central Business District. Also, responding to the call for using public transport is also made easier because the Orchard MRT station is about 7 minutes walk away.

Education
We at Singapore Prime Districts understand the concern many expatriates demonstrate for their children's education. After all, in this competitive environment, quality education is of utmost importance. As such, living along Ardmore Park Drive is an added advantage because this area is home to a variety of top-tier schools. Widely recognized international schools such as Overseas Family School and Singapore International School are a stone's throw away. Your little ones can stroll to school and save you the trouble of school buses. If you have daughters, you would be delighted to know that the number one girls' school in Singapore, Raffles Girls' Secondary School is also within the vicinity. Staying near this institution would be an added bonus.

Lifestyle
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road, Ardmore Park Drive is rather quaint and serene. All around, you see elegant private condominiums and plenty of lush greenery that soothes the eye. After a hard day's work, you could unwind at the health spa in Tanglin Club or enjoy a scrumptious dinner at the American Club, complete with a glass of good wine. If what you crave for is life in the fast lane, high-end retail like Palais Renaissance and bars such as Ballymoon are just a short drive from your doorstep. After a crazy night out with the girls, you could return to home sweet home for some quiet comfort and solace in Ardmore Park Drive. Now, that is what we call having your cake and eating it, too.

Pricing
Think all the benefits will cost a hole in your pocket? Think again. Ardmore Park Drive is one of the very few areas near downtown Singapore that are still reasonably priced. While developments along Orchard Road and Cairnhill Circle are sold off at record prices of SGD$4000 to SGD$5000 per sq ft, Ardmore Park Drive is relatively much more affordable. Depending on the design and facilities available in each development, the pricing around this area ranges from SGD$2500 to SGD$3500. However, with many expatriates moving out of Orchard Road and into areas around it, we at Singapore Prime Districts predict that prices will rise in the near future. So if you are interested, act fast!

Summary: Ardmore Park Drive provides the convenience of living near Orchard Road at a reasonable price.

For more information of condominiums along Ardmore Park Drive and other prime districts, please feel free to contact Keith at keith@singaporeprimedistricts.com!

(SINGAPORE) The Republic ranks as the best place for Asian expatriates to live worldwide, according to the latest survey by human resources consultancy firm ECA International.

Singapore surpasses cosmopolitan cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Copenhagen in Asian expatriates' view, the survey showed. These cities are ranked second, third and fifth respectively in the top 15 locations for Asian expatriate living.

Meanwhile, Kobe (joint third with Melbourne), Yokohama (eighth), Tokyo and Hong Kong (both 15th) are the only other Asian destinations that made it to the top 15 list.

Conducted annually, the Location Ranking Survey compares living standards in 254 locations globally, taking into account climate, air quality, health services, housing and utilities, isolation, social network and leisure facilities, infrastructure, personal safety and political tensions.

'High quality infrastructure and health facilities, combined with low health risks, air pollution, crime rates and a cosmopolitan population, make Singapore a very appealing location for Asians to live in,' said Lee Quane, general manager of ECA International.

'Although we did see a small deterioration in some factors, such as air quality and accommodation in 2007, it still retains its status as being the location with the best quality of living for assignees in this region.'

He explained that Singapore 'was much more affected by haze in 2007' compared with the preceding year, causing it to lose points in the air quality category. Meanwhile, 'recent market developments in en bloc (property sales) had an impact on the supply of standard accommodation'.

Nevertheless, Singapore has consistently been ranked the best location for Asian expats to live for a decade, said Mr Quane, who believes that it will retain that spot despite 'Hong Kong moving up our rankings' this year after sliding for several years, due to improved personal security scores and the movements of locations around it.

'We now see the narrowing in quality of living between Singapore and Hong Kong, but it is unlikely that Hong Kong will match Singapore. The main reason is (Hong Kong's) air pollution, which is unlikely to go away any time soon,' he explained.

Over the years, the Indonesian Chinese community in Singapore has grown and expanded into considerable force. This group of hardworking and innovative expatriates appreciates the wonderful life on the island nation because such standard of living is something that they may not receive back in Indonesia. Singapore Prime Districts discusses the reasons that attract and retain this community.

Political stance
Unlike the Indonesian government that gives priority to their fellow natives, the Singapore government is renowned for their emphasis on meritocracy. This ideology provides an equal chance to all and ensures fair competition. Meritocracy in real life application means there is no quota to university entrance or application for business licenses because everyone is judged not based on race but on talent and diligence. In school or at work, the Indonesian Chinese community could maximize their potential through opportunities that may not have been available to them in Indonesia.

Clean and corruption-free
Many South East Asian countries suffer from dire consequences of corruption in both their political and corporate arenas. The case is starkly different in Singapore where our government adopts a harsh stance against every kind of corruption. This leaves Singapore almost corruption-free as we score 5^th out 163 countries in the Transparency International Perceptions Index. Clean public and private sectors enhance efficiency and productivity throughout the island nation; as such quality of life for the Indonesian Chinese community is much higher.

Economic development
Poised as one of the powerful Asian Tigers, the Singapore economy has performed surprisingly well in the past 20 years. Even after the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, this determined island state picked herself up relatively faster than any other city in the region. This was due largely to the well-planned development routes by the local government that places huge importance on economic performance. As such, the Indonesian Chinese community has over the years, accumulated great faith in Singapore's investment prospects.

Value of investments
Due to the limited land size of Singapore, property is often viewed to be extremely valuable and precious. In comparison with Indonesia where land is in abundance, property investments in Singapore are more lucrative with greater returns. This is especially true for prime districts where the crème de la crop developments are located. Due to the openness of our condominium and private apartment markets, the increase in prices can occur swiftly in a few years, generating profits for investors. Recently, a surge in downtown property demand has in fact done so for the Indonesian Chinese community who prefer to live near Bukit Timah and Somerset.

Home away from home
Singapore is truly the home away from home for many Indonesian Chinese expatriates. They may start off treating this island as a place for business but most of them eventually move their entire families over. This is because Singapore has a lot to offer in terms of standard of living, security and stability. Furthermore, our metropolitan culture means that these expatriates could easily enjoy Indonesian cuisine like beef noodle soup or a relaxing Javanese message in Orchard. So really, home is not that far away.

Summary: For Indonesian Chinese looking for new investments and living prospects, Singapore is the ideal location due to its political stability, economic strengths and equal platform for competition.

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Talented executives around the world are looking for opportunities in the Asia Pacific region; most are raring to move into a new life with exciting projects and investments. However, one problem constantly bugs them and stops them from taking the step forward – their children. Downtown Singapore could be the solution. Hailed as second home to many expatriates, it is well equipped with holistic education and family oriented entertainment for your little ones. Growing up in a foreign country has never been this fun.

Quality International Pre-schools
Kindergartens in downtown Singapore are sophisticated education institutions that understand that a good and early start in learning is important. They mostly adopt an internationally recognized teaching method such as the Montessori system. Where kindergartens develop their unique teaching styles, these methods are also certified by the Ministry of Education and not to mention, avid parents. One such pre-school is the famous Eton House which promotes multiple learning goals for their students. This kindergarten has frequently ranked top among its competitors for its emphasis on learning through interaction and building confidence.

Kids-Friendly Malls and Restaurants
In a bid to cultivate a pro-family environment, various shopping centers and restaurants have transformed themselves to a haven for both the parents and their young ones. These malls feature fashion for juniors, major toy stores playgrounds and specially designed nursing rooms. Housing the largest Toys R’us store in Singapore, Forum Shopping Centre is one of the children’s favorite hangouts. Restaurants like Globetrotter at United Square swear by their slogan of where you can eat and kids can play as they serve up a conducive dining environment for families with energetic little ones.

Close to Nature
A dream-like childhood is not complete without exploring the beauty of Mother Nature. While this may be difficult in severely polluted cities like Jakarta and Beijing, Nature is just beyond the doorstep at downtown Singapore. Apart from the ubiquitous lush greenery along the streets, our National Botanic Gardens is a short drive away at Bukit Timah – the perfect picnic spot. For adventurous tots, the Sungai Buloh Conservation Area provides an adventure in a paradise of tropical flora and fauna. During specific periods of the year, your children can even go bird-watching!

Exciting Holiday Activities
School holidays for a child in Singapore are constantly exciting because there are so many fun-filled activities. You could bring them to the inspiring Science Centre or gaze at the galaxy at the Planetarium. If your children love wet rides, Downtown East has some of the wildest yet safest water slides. Furthermore, arts and music festivals throughout the year carry programs specially catered to children in order to spark off their creativity. These programs often invite children to join in the fun of producing art which can be very enriching at a tender age.

Summary: Singapore is an ideal place for young children to grow up because of its quality pre-school education and pro-family lifestyle malls. If you intend to expand into Asia, don’t hesitate in choosing this island state! Contact us for more details about children and parenting services in downtown Singapore.

Ever since Singapore gained her independence in the late sixties, westernization has crept into this city state’s architecture. Eastern influences in private residences were for a long time deemed out of touch with the changing times. Developers forsake the local flavors for modern designs imported from Europe. However, lately property buyers are gaining a new interest in the unique local cultural roots, especially Peranakan and Chinese buildings from our parents’ era. As such, Emerald Hill Conservation Area is once again in the spotlight of downtown property market.

Peranakan Heritage
Nestled between Orchard and Somerset, Emerald Hill was originally the high-end residential area for wealthy Peranakan families in the early 19^th Century. Today, the Singapore government, in a bid to preserve the terrace houses and shops rich in local tradition has listed Emerald Hill as a conservation area.

These buildings feature the special Chinese baroque architectural styles only available in very few places of the world, such as Malacca and here in Singapore. They usually spot white-washed walls with wooden windows and a black slanted roof. The design is reminiscent of the colonial era.

Buzzing Night Life
The beauty of Emerald Hill does not stop at mere tradition. Life in the area is a fascinating mix of both Peranakan culture and modern night entertainment. Well known for its exotic bars and eclectic late night establishments, Emerald Hill is a glazing spot for drinks and music.

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Que Pasa an exquisite wine bar offers one of the best wine-and-dine experiences in this part of town. After a hard day’s work, unwind and rejoice at the Acid Bar with a good drink and some live band performances.

All the exciting night life happens in renovated Peranakan shop houses with wooden furniture and dim yellow lights. Such contrasts between the new and the traditional make Emerald Hill as attractive as an oriental jewel.

Convenient Location
Emerald Hill does not stand alone. Due to its proximate location to Orchard Road and Somerset, you can easily access the shopping belt of Singapore. Retail moguls such as Heeren and Centrepoint are within walking distance. The nearby Cuppage Centre, house to at least 30 different dining establishments would also please every difficult taste bud.

Education for your little ones can be taken care of at the prestigious Chatsworth International School at Emerald Hill Link. This renowned international school is a very popular choice among the expatriate community in Singapore. Save your children the hassle of bus and car rides by staying at the Emerald Hill area as they can stroll to school every morning.

Affordable Prices
Don’t let exorbitant property prices in Orchard scare you off. The apartments and condominiums in Emerald Hill are still relatively affordable because most people are not familiar with the area as a residential site yet. Currently, the average floor rate ranges from S$1000 to S$2000 which is very rare in downtown Singapore.

With property prices rising madly in Orchard, buyers are likely to shift their attention beyond Orchard Road itself and notice areas on its peripheral such as Emerald Hill. As such, our guess is property at this area would increase in value in the foreseeable future. It is perhaps better to buy now than later.

Not many people know much about Draycott. Some may have never heard of this place. Even when the downtown property market is in full bloom, most investors are too focused on the heart of Orchard Road to notice this petite stretch right next to the buzz. However, there are very good reasons to start looking in this direction.

Convenience of Orchard
Draycott is located on the outskirts of town. Tugged away at Tanglin and Scotts Road, you could enjoy the convenience of living less than 5 minute drive away from Orchard Road. Yet, still remain spared from the hustle and bustle.

Shopping
If you fancy retail therapy, trendy malls such as Palais Renaissance and Forum shopping centres are just a throw away. When these places fail to deliver, you could always drop by Orchard Road.

Education
In a competitive island state that worships premium education, sending your children to branded schools is often of top priority. Draycott Drive provides an extra edge in that respect because some of the best schools, such as Raffles Girls’ Secondary School, are located within the vicinity.

Lifestyle
For those who indulge in the finer things in life – a scrumptious dinner with friends or a game of golf to rewind from the week; the American Club is the place to be. The neighborhood is also surrounded in luscious greenery. In fact, families are often spotted taking a long weekend stroll in the relaxing environment.

Prices
All these come at an affordable price. With property prices in the downtown region shooting through the roof, most areas in Orchard Road or those close enough to be in District 10 are expensive. That makes Draycott exceptional. No other neighborhood in town can offer a floor rate as low as $1000.