Suburban Living

Changi Village Off the beaten track near the Eastern tip of Singapore, Changi Village is a sleepy district in contrast to the bustling city. The local beach attracts fishermen and bathers alike, especially on weekends. Getting There: Take the MRT to Tanah Merah Station (EW4) and board SBS Transit bus 2. Click here to view MRT route map.

Holland Village Dubbed the “bohemian enclave” of Singapore, Holland Village is a microcosm of Singapore life, a curious mix between old and new. Traditional coffee shops and a wet market jostle for space aside ritzy wine bars and fine dining restaurants. Getting There: Take SBS Transit bus 7 or 106 from Orchard Boulevard.

Katong The distinctive charm of Katong can be traced back to its Peranakan roots. A quiet residential area formerly dominated by wealthy Straits Chinese families or the Peranakans, many of the older Peranakan homes in Katong, once seaside villas, still stand tall and picturesque. Getting There: Parkway Parade: Take SBS Transit bus 14 or 16 from Orchard Road. Eurasian Heritage Centre: Take the MRT to Bugis Station (EW12) and take SBS Transit bus 12 from opposite Bugis Junction. Alight at Katong Swimming Complex. Click here to view MRT route map.

Tampines Tampines (pronounced “Tam-pe-nees”), a HDB (public housing) estate in the eastern part of Singapore, has the distinction of having won the coveted United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellent Housing Design. Getting There: Take the MRT to Tampines Station (EW2). Click here to view MRT route map.

Toa Payoh One of Singapore's earliest public housing estates, Toa Payoh has developed a distinctive character through the years. The area bustles with activity and is a great place to soak in the local lifestyle.

Yishun Yishun is a satellite suburb in the northern part of the island. Step straight off the MRT into the six-level Northpoint Centre, a modern shopping mall complete with all the brand names to be found along Orchard Road.