Living
Marine Parade & Siglap
The eastern section of Singapore’s East Coast area, Marine Parade and Siglap have a comfortable community atmosphere about them. Life is definitely a bit more laidback here. The location is great if you’re a frequent flyer, but might be a drawback if you have children to send to school, as there aren’t any in the area. Most needs are catered to with the existing amenities, but they’re not on par with the malls further west.
Accommodation
Accommodation here tends to be older, bigger and have more character than the new blocks in town. That said, the mix of landed houses, terrace houses and older condo blocks is slowly giving way to new, larger condos. Landed houses range from $3,000 to $8,000 per month. Condos start at $1,500 and go up to around $5,000 for the newer blocks.
Shopping & Amenities
There are plenty of smaller shops and stalls in Marine Parade and Siglap, but for proper shopping you’ll have to head up to Changi Road or west to Katong. It really is a residential area and malls are kept to a minimum.
Entertainment & Leisure
This area is great if you enjoy being outdoors and on or near the water. East Coast Park runs the full length of the coastline and is dotted with facilities. These include the Singapore Tennis Centre, Pasta Fresca Sailing Club and the East Coast Seafood Centre. There are also the walking, biking and inline skating paths that wind through the park. While it can be crowded at weekends, you’ll have it all to yourself during the week.
Healthcare
East Shore Hospital is the main medical facility servicing the Marine Parade/Siglap area. Further to the east is the government-run Changi Hospital. Both provide a full range of services including accident and emergency care. There is also the smaller St. Andrew’s Community Hospital.
Education
There are no international schools in this area and a significant commute is required to get to any of the schools in town or in the west.
Traffic & Parking
Traffic is usually fairly smooth in the area and easy access to the ECP makes for relatively fast travel times into town or to Changi Airport. The MRT line runs along Sims Avenue and is convenient for those living further inland, near Eunos and Kembangan MRT stations.
Safety & Annoyances
The main disturbance comes from the construction sites where older buildings are being torn down and new condos put up. The noise can continue into the weekends, which doesn’t make for a relaxing day by the pool if you’re next door to a site.
