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Woodlands, Singapore is a popular location for expats who want the modern amenities of Singapore close to Malaysia and the natural beauties of the islands. The town is well-connected to the rest of Singapore via public transportation and offers a lower population density than more central districts.
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Are you considering moving to Singapore? Perhaps you’re trying to find the perfect spot close to hiking and the wilderness rather than the hustle and bustle of the Central Business District. Keep reading because we have found the spot for you!
In this article, we will offer an overview of everything from shopping to healthcare, and we will provide highlights of everything from transportation to available housing. Don’t miss out on this guide to Woodlands Singapore.
Introducing Woodlands Singapore To Expats
The Woodlands is a large neighborhood in northern Singapore popular with expats. It’s on the main island and has access to Malaysia via a bridge. The neighborhood is the perfect location for expats who love the wilderness. It’s also great for families who want to be close to an international school.
History And Background Of Woodlands
The Woodlands got its name because of its appearance. From the other side of the Strait, you can see the forested appearance of the area. The area is full of amenities as well as recreational areas but isn’t as densely packed as downtown areas in Singapore.
The current area of the Woodlands used to be a series of small villages called kampungs. In the 1970s and 80s, the villages were transformed into a town to pave the way for modernization. Today, the Woodlands has more recreational spaces being created on its beautiful beaches.
There are also several shopping and housing developments to cater to the growth of the region.
Living In Woodlands As An Expat
The great news for expats living in Singapore is that English is a popular language in the country, so moving somewhere like the Woodlands within Singapore may be smoother than moving to other countries. Although housing is expensive, there are many options to meet your needs!
Housing In Woodlands
In general, rental prices in the Woodlands are cheaper than rent prices in towns closer to the Central Business District of Singapore. The Woodlands also offers landed homes for expats who would like to live in detached homes or have their own yards.
Condominiums in Woodlands, Singapore
The minimum rent price per square foot in the Woodlands is about S$1.04, with the maximum being about S$4.21. This means that an apartment in the Woodlands costs somewhere between USD $0.77 and $3.12 per square foot per month.
Using those figures, here are some estimates of rent prices for condominiums:
- USD $770-$3,120 per month for a 1000 sqft apartment
- USD $1,155-$4,680 per month for a 1,500 sqft apartment
Landed Property in Woodlands, Singapore
Rent prices for a detached home with land in Woodlands are more affordable than other areas. We looked at rent prices for homes on Woodlands Street 41, with square footage ranging from 6,500 to 8,000. On that street, rent prices for a landed home range from S$9,128 to S$12,653.
In USD, renting a very large home in the Woodlands would cost $6,755 to $9,363 per month.
In order to purchase landed property in Singapore, an expatriate (foreign national) must have approval from the LDAU (Land Dealings Approval Unit).
Visas For Expats To Singapore
To obtain a visa for Singapore to live in Woodlands, you must meet the criteria for a permanent resident visa.
- Spouse of a citizen or a permanent resident of Singapore
- Minor children of citizens or permanent residents of Singapore
- Be an aged parent of a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore
- Have an employment pass
- Be a foreign investor in Singapore
- Be a student studying in Singapore
Keep in mind that male permanent residents will be required to register at 16.5 years old and be scheduled for enlistment at age 18 unless exempt.
Woodlands Tips For Expats
Make sure that you are ready to respect the culture of any destination country like Singapore. Since a lot of the people in Singapore have a variety of Asian ethnicities, be aware that respect for elders will be important everywhere, including Woodlands.
Even though Woodlands is further out from the Central Business District than other areas, rely on public transportation as much as possible to avoid the extra headache and cost of driving a car in Singapore.
Dining And Entertainment In Woodlands
The Woodlands is home to a lot of entertainment and dining options. The town offers plenty of high-quality dining options with a variety of cuisines from around the world. Expats looking for entertainment will love the recreational opportunities.
Since there are too many delicious restaurants in Woodlands to list here, we will narrow it down to eateries with 4.5-Star reviews or higher on Google Maps as well as at least 100 reviews, but you can find many more with complimentary reviews to try.
- Citrus By The Pool has more than 15,000 reviews and a 4.8-star average rating
- Takagi Ramen @ the Woodlands has more than 4,000 reviews and a 4.8-star average rating
- Aburi-EN (Causeway Point) has more than 700 reviews and a 4.7-star average rating
- Buey Thahan See- Food X Thai BBQ Woodlands has more than 1,100 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars
For entertainment in the Woodlands, you won’t want to miss some of the popular local attractions like these highly-rated establishments:
- Timezone Causeway Point-Arcade with more than 1,000 reviews, this arcade has an average rating of 4.8 stars on Google Maps
- Karaoke bar, Teo Heng KTV Studio, is another popular spot for a fun night out
For more entertainment, don’t miss the recreational areas in the Woodlands as well.
Shopping And Markets In Woodlands
You won’t lack shopping opportunities in Woodlands, Singapore. There are many supermarkets that are loved by grocery shoppers. There are also a number of malls and shopping centers for expats who love hanging out at the mall.
Here are the top four supermarkets recommended by Google Maps ratings. Each one has an average rating of at least 4.5 stars, with many more great options on their heels with 4.4 stars.
- Sheng Siong Supermarket on 785E Woodlands Rise
- New Market at 548 Woodlands Drive 44
- Sheng Siong Supermarket at 202 Marsiling Drive
- Sheng Siong Supermarket at 573 Woodlands Drive 16
To enjoy the various modern shopping centers in Woodlands, Singapore, you’ll want to explore these shopping centers:
- Stellar@TE2
- The Woodgrove
- Causeway Point
- Woods Square Mall
- Vista Point
- Marsiling Mall
- Admiralty Place
- 888 Plaza
- Woodlands North Plaza
Cultural And Recreational Activities In Woodlands
The Woodlands has ample opportunities for recreational opportunities. There are playgrounds, gardens, and beaches for both expats and locals to explore. There are also many gyms and a thriving community center within the town.
While you’re visiting the gardens and parks of the area, don’t miss out on the Woodlands Waterfront Park. This national park is a gem for walking, biking, and photography.
You can find any number of local events and cultural events on the local Woodlands Community Facebook page.
Education And Healthcare In Woodlands
Even though Woodlands doesn’t border the downtown regions of Singapore, you can still find highly-rated healthcare options. Woodlands is also popular with expat families because of its proximity to the international school. It’s a great location for choice education and healthcare.
Healthcare facilities with high ratings in Woodlands include:
Make sure that you have access to the best medical facilities in Woodlands by securing international health insurance. Even if you qualify for national health insurance, there are limits on coverage.
Education in and around Woodlands:
One of the most popular schools for American expats in Singapore is not far from the Woodlands. Stamford American International School offers competitive educational opportunities including International Baccalaureate programs.
Transportation For Woodlands
Wherever possible, it’s best to use public transit to get around Singapore. Fortunately, the Woodlands offers convenient access to the Mass Rapid Transit in Singapore. Parking in Singapore is often hard to find and expensive, so having a car can be a big financial liability.
Woodlands, Singapore has multiple stations on the MRT(Mass Rapid Transit). Stations are located on the North-South Line as well as the Thomson-East Coast Line. This means that despite being on the northern end of Singapore, the Woodlands still offers convenient transportation to other areas.
In addition to the MRT lines, the Woodlands also offers bus routes. The public transit system offers a convenient trip planner to help travelers plan the best route using public transportation. The planner will also help you determine fares.
Using a car in Singapore is difficult because of the traffic congestion throughout the island. Expats should also be aware that many major roads have tolls. The cost of using the road depends on the time of day and the road in question.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Woodlands
Woodlands, Singapore is a fabulous spot for expats to call home. It’s well-connected to the MRT, has a lower cost of living than other areas, and has lots of recreational parks and beaches. Woodlands is near a top international school. There are also a handful of drawbacks for expats to consider.
Benefits of living in Woodlands
- Multiple MRT stations
- MRT Stations for two lines
- Near an international school
- Restaurants and entertainment
- Near Malaysia
- Recreational parks
- Lower rent prices than other towns
- Plenty of supermarkets and shopping centers
Drawbacks of living in Woodlands
- Higher cost of living than other cities in Asia
- Expensive to own and drive a car
- Longer commute times to the Central Business District
Conclusion
Woodlands, Singapore is one of the best places to live in Singapore for expats. Don’t hesitate to begin making the town your home away from home! It has recreational opportunities without sacrificing modern amenities like supermarkets, shopping centers, and entertainment.
Not sold on the Woodlands? Are you still trying to decide where to live in Singapore?
- Check out our guide for the Best Places to live in Singapore!
- For expats hoping to live closer to the Central Business District, check out Holland Village.
- To live closer to the airport to make international travel easier, check out the East Coast neighborhood of Singapore.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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