<![CDATA[Convenience or serenity?]]>If you dun drive, have a family of 3 kids (all below 6yrs old) and given a chance,


Wld choose to stay at a place where’s it’s a stone throw away from a park and rerservoir BUT absolutely no amenities? No hawker centers,7-11, atm machines not even a mama shop until like few bus stops away…

Or

An unit above shopping malls, interchange and mrt? You’ll also be surrounded by shops within neighborhood centers, library, banks, clinics…


So far most feedback given to me is option 1…according to many if stay at 2 will be tempted to spent lots a money coz so convenient to shop and likely the kids will be distracted from study… Also for 2 there is noise and air pollutions…

What are your views?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/19916/convenience-or-serenityRSS for NodeWed, 22 Apr 2026 04:13:19 GMTSat, 05 Mar 2011 09:59:48 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:28:53 GMT]]>

Admummy:
If you dun drive, have a family of 3 kids (all below 6yrs old) and given a chance,


Wld choose to stay at a place where's it's a stone throw away from a park and rerservoir BUT absolutely no amenities? No hawker centers,7-11, atm machines not even a mama shop until like few bus stops away...

Or

An unit above shopping malls, interchange and mrt? You'll also be surrounded by shops within neighborhood centers, library, banks, clinics...
Definitely not option 1 for me, and I'm sure my spouse would think so too.

Singapore residential estates are now well connected (or at least most) to the parks via park connectors. So, recreaction is surely not an issue. Well-connected to amenities (convenience) is a plus, because the weekly marketing, bring kids to enrichment classes, etc would not be a hussle with aplentiful public transport.

Option 2 is out as well. I wouldn't opt for an unit above shopping malls, interchanges and MRT stations; even worst, anywhere facing a MRT track or major road. Just my opinion, air pollution, noise pollution, presence of all kinds of \"funny\" people are my prime concerns for my kids and our healths as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/400668https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/400668Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:28:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:02:45 GMT]]>I think it's good to have sunlight into the house at certain times of the day, the house will be brighter and more cheery, the laundry gets some sunshine. For me, I get direct afternoon sun and I like it because my plants benefit. I don't feel the house is baked at all. Higher level may get more intense heat. If you have plants around, they seem to cool the house a bit. Of cos, it's just my personal opinion. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375694https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375694Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:02:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:03:42 GMT]]>If don’t drive, convenience beats serenity.

Then again, noise pollution should be tolerable.

Anyone can offer me opinions regarding east facing house.
I have not stayed in one before though I like the morning sun.
Will the house feel ‘baked’?
Any difference if you stay on high or low floor facing the east directly?

TIA.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375573https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375573Mon, 07 Mar 2011 14:03:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:18:37 GMT]]>Which option to go for really depends on several considerations.


Firstly, if you’re buying it for investments, it’s really about location. For public housing and mid to low end private properties, proximity to public transport (particularly MRT station) and amenities is key.

If you’re buying to stay, then it’s really what you and your family want. Picture the lifestyle in either property and decide which work better. For me, I find it a little difficult to live far away from amenities with 3 young kids, esp when you don’t drive. How are you going to get your children to and from school? How are you going to get around, to work or otherwise? And how often do you envisage going to the park or reservoir? How much time would you and your family be spending on travel? What about the transport cost?

Finally, do consider the market if you need to sell or rent out the place in future.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375546https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/375546Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:18:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:20:40 GMT]]>

Admummy:

MummyThreeSteams, 3 shopping malls!!! Wow :lol: how long did you take to get use to the new environment?
It took me about half a year...but one bad thing about being too close to shopping malls ...spending more money! Every time I go to the supermarket, I will pick up some knick-knack from the shops...sometimes I go to buy bread, and come back with a pair of shoes or a new top...
Admummy:
Seems like convenience beats it all..my hubby was joking with me if we take opt 2, dun even mid to buy fridge, whatever food we need, just go down and buy...food fresher, no need big fridge, save electricity on air con too :lol:
Your hubby funny ah...I guess that means you'll have to finish that pint of ice-cream in one sitting!
:lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374678https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374678Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:20:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:12:07 GMT]]>Admummy,

no lah, no expert here. :oops: Just sharing experience.

When we bought the first unit here, we did not think so far like you did. So just anyhow hum-tam, and thank God, the unit was generally ok except for 2 things: 1) unit facing road and on higher floor, was rather noisy (never really got used to it cos I'm a light sleeper) n 2) walls had crack line surfacing after a while, and was told by the \"experts' that it is due to the proximity of the MRT track, although we did not verify further, but just give up on doing touching-up work on the wall.

Years later, we sold the first, and bought another unit within the same estate (block is further away from the track, not facing road, and high floor). We did look elsewhere, but I just couldn't convince myself to give up the convenience of having the amenities at my door step MRT, supermarket, mall, library, swimming complex, polyclinic, enrichment centers, music schools....

The convenience of having a mall is not a issue for me. Being a SAHM, I gotta be very careful with my spending. And yes, we do spend a slightly longer time in the library on exceptionally hot afternoons - to enjoy the free aircon n I don't hv to stock up my fridge. On days when kitchen is closed, dd will run downstairs to tar po. It is no fun if I have to lug a toddler with me to run errands.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374673https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374673Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:12:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:32:34 GMT]]>Hi,


My husband has a stressful job, so he prefers a more 'laid-back' environment. Our unit is 15min brisk walk away from MRT station and 'market central' and surrounding is pretty serene with abundance of greenery. Husband said that his stress melts away the moment he stepped into the compound; one of the reasons he looks forward to going home everyday. Child said that the 'temperature drops' when he steps into the compound ie much more cooling that areas around his school.

Accessibility-wise, we have direct buses to 3 shopping malls (10-15min bus ride exclude waiting time). My child's school is accessible from bus-stops around these 3 shopping mall, so I do my daily grocery shopping before picking him up from school (via bus). Shopping for bulky items are reserved for Husband's off-days. In days when my child needs to stay back in school, I will pick him up and we detour to the nearest shopping mall for early dinner, library, pack dinner for husband and waits for him to pick us up.

Convenience or serenity, it all boils down to mutual agreement between spouses to make whichever decision works. 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374661https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374661Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:32:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:24:24 GMT]]>

DesertWind:

Also for Saturday dinner or Sunday meals, must ask hubby to drive out to tar bau. Sometimes hubby lazy or not well but I told him no choice, he just got to drive out otherwise eat what? Told him it is a trade off between \"exclusiveness\" and convenience. I will take convenience anytime!
😉
Hahha! This sound so familiar to me, DesertWind! Sometimes, I've to ask DH to drive out and pack food too at times will get answers like just heat pizza or cook instant noodle lor or by the time he comes back with food my children may already faint out of hunger :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374655https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374655Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:24:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:14:28 GMT]]>

MummyThreeStreams:
But now i've moved closer to town. There are 3 shopping centers within walking distance. So much more convenient! It's near a very busy main road, so it's noisy. Buses till late at night and early in the morning. Peak hour gotta endure jams at our front door. House also gets dusty fast. At first I thought it was unbearable. But after awhile I got used to the noise and learnt to appreciate the convenience so much more. Anytime I need anything, i can pop out quickly for it. I can't imagine living at my old place anymore.

MummyThreeSteams, 3 shopping malls!!! Wow :lol: how long did you take to get use to the new environment? Seems like convenience beats it all..my hubby was joking with me if we take opt 2, dun even mid to buy fridge, whatever food we need, just go down and buy...food fresher, no need big fridge, save electricity on air con too :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374648https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374648Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:14:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:12:35 GMT]]>

Admummy:
LOLMum:


even with a car, i do find it troublesome to drive out to buy stuff. need to find parking lot, pay for parking and waste time on travelling. worse if stuck in a car park jam etc..

LOLMum, at least you can drive out to buy..I can't drive, feels like handicap gotta rely on my hubby to drive me out to run errands..otherwise, taking public transport is quite challenging (imaging lugging maid and three kids out.. ) just crossing erm shld be jay walking to opposite bus stop sometimes make my heart skips a beat!!!

there was a period, we dont have a car too. like you taking bus is a huge challenge like going to war :lol:

some shops do offer home delivery but i prefer to either take taxi or die die must take bus. dont understand myself too.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374644https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374644Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:12:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:05:35 GMT]]>

bebebub:
I think u need to check out the exact unit that u r planning to buy becos certain units may experience certain disturbances, depending on facing n how the entire place is mapped out above the MRT station..

Bebebub, wow u sound like an expert leh! Any tips to share on choosing units that is less prone to disturbances? Actually, we are deliberating on whether to move to forthcoming new mixed development at Bedok interchange...of course very much depend on the psf there...from the stats of recently launch bedok waterfront collection, seems like the new one will fetch an even higher psf...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374636https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374636Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:05:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:56:44 GMT]]>

LOLMum:

even with a car, i do find it troublesome to drive out to buy stuff. need to find parking lot, pay for parking and waste time on travelling. worse if stuck in a car park jam etc..
LOLMum, at least you can drive out to buy..I can't drive, feels like handicap gotta rely on my hubby to drive me out to run errands..otherwise, taking public transport is quite challenging (imaging lugging maid and three kids out.. ) just crossing erm shld be jay walking to opposite bus stop sometimes make my heart skips a beat!!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374624https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374624Sun, 06 Mar 2011 14:56:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:08:17 GMT]]>Convenience is everything for me and especially if you have kids all so young, where got time to drive out some where far away just to buy something?


Last time I live in a condo. next to a public park and a hawker centre, market, cum some sort of \"central\" nearby within a few minutes of walking distance. So convenient, every Saturday can bring my boy to have a run at the public park and then walk to the central to buy breakfast!

Now I am staying in a private estate with great serenity and a small (but usually deserted) park nearby. I really miss the Saturday outing to buy breakfast since there is no nearby shops within walking distance. Also for Saturday dinner or Sunday meals, must ask hubby to drive out to tar bau. Sometimes hubby lazy or not well but I told him no choice, he just got to drive out otherwise eat what? Told him it is a trade off between \"exclusiveness\" and convenience.

I will take convenience anytime!
😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374558https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374558Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:08:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:47:11 GMT]]>I would go for convenience! I used to stay at a very ulu place. It was near a reservoir and forest. Every morning, we’ll wake up facing greenery and beautiful birds. Sometimes we’ll get exotic insects appearing in our apartment. It was very serene and i loved it. It wasn’t so bad, as we had coffee shops and a market and small ntuc within 5 mins walk, and it was a short drive to a shopping mall and library.


But now i’ve moved closer to town. There are 3 shopping centers within walking distance. So much more convenient! It’s near a very busy main road, so it’s noisy. Buses till late at night and early in the morning. Peak hour gotta endure jams at our front door. House also gets dusty fast. At first I thought it was unbearable. But after awhile I got used to the noise and learnt to appreciate the convenience so much more. Anytime I need anything, i can pop out quickly for it. I can’t imagine living at my old place anymore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374532https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374532Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:47:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:45:24 GMT]]>Admummy,

There’s only a few places in Singapore that has what is described in your option 2. I think u need to check out the exact unit that u r planning to buy becos certain units may experience certain disturbances, depending on facing n how the entire place is mapped out above the MRT station.

As for the temptation, only u can answer that question. Likewise for the kids. JMHO.

I think the convenience of MRT n amenities is priceless! Pm me if u need more infor.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374497https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374497Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:45:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:42:17 GMT]]>

Admummy:
Sleepy, what's wrong with directly above mrt? Is it a nightmare? Any personal experience? ..

No personal experience but hearsay from a friend whose friend owns a unit above mrt. Supposedly can feel some slight vibration when train arrives at station.
Admummy:
For opt 2, got concern over security too since downstairs is \"open to public\"? But guess it's worth investment in the long run subsequently if I wanna resale in the near future since it's so convenient? Dilemma..
LOLMum:
you may have done your weekly grocery shopping but once in a while, you realise you need that ingredient or something urgently, so it is good if supermarket or mini market is near your place.
Strongly agreed. My current house is not near NTUC. Need to drive once a week to buy in bulk. I always have a long shopping list. By mid week, I usually run out of vegetables so have to rely on carrots & potatoes till my next trip to supermarket.

My previous house merely couple of minutes walk to mrt and NTUC. So much more convenient! Not that I would take train or go NTUC everyday but at least it is available as & when

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374470https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374470Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:42:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:17:34 GMT]]>Hi Admummy, I'm not disturbed by the noise at all and I also don't feel the vibration. Maybe I'm so used to it. 😄 Actually I rather hear the train than to hear children screaming at the playground.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374454https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374454Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:17:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:57:56 GMT]]>definitely convenience beats all for me.


even with a car, i do find it troublesome to drive out to buy stuff. need to find parking lot, pay for parking and waste time on travelling. worse if stuck in a car park jam etc.

you may have done your weekly grocery shopping but once in a while, you realise you need that ingredient or something urgently, so it is good if supermarket or mini market is near your place.

my sis' place has a library, hawker centre, food centre, mrt, clinic, ntuc, post office. so convenient but wish there is a shopping mall.

if possible, i would like to stay as near to shopping mall as possible, like parkway parade, tampines mall, eastpoint mall, bugis, white sands, toa payoh. :lol: :lol: :lol:

but i am sure there are places in spore whereby it has all the amenities yet peaceful and nice view. just our luck in finding them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374360https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374360Sun, 06 Mar 2011 07:57:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:19:23 GMT]]>The MRT track is just outside my mom’s flat in Bedok. Initially, it was really very noisy whenever the train passes by. But in the long run, you do get used to it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374305https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374305Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:19:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:08:47 GMT]]>

sall:
My flat is directly in front of MRT station and I love the convenience.

Sall, is it very noisy to stay in front of the MRT station? can tolerate the noise? how about vibration?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374074https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374074Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:08:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:21:12 GMT]]>For option 1, you must have a car, otherwise it is such a hassle to do grocery shopping, marketing. Imagine lugging all those heavy shopping bags and taking public transport.

My flat is directly in front of MRT station and I love the convenience.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374014Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:21:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:08:43 GMT]]>Sleepy, what’s wrong with directly above mrt? Is it a nightmare? Any personal experience?


For opt 2, got concern over security too since downstairs is "open to public"? But guess it’s worth investment in the long run subsequently if I wanna resale in the near future since it’s so convenient? Dilemma…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374009https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374009Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:08:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Convenience or serenity? on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 10:25:15 GMT]]>I would opt for option 2 - not unit directly above mrt station though.

A stone throw or 5 minutes walk is good enough


Option 1 is good only if you don’t mind travelling a distance just to buy breakfast. And must have huge cabinets and fridge to store food. Crisis if your supply runs low! Cannot sukat sukat run downstairs to 打包

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/373968https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/373968Sat, 05 Mar 2011 10:25:15 GMT