Singapore, also known as the Lion City, offers one of the greatest multi-cultural experiences in Asia. A large population of expats intermingles with this city-state's Chinese, Indian, and Malay communities. Singapore's City Center has been turned into an uber-modern, high-tech shopping and business area. Other parts of the city still have old British colonial buildings and ancient Hindu and Chinese temples. English is the predominant language, though you will hear lots of other Asian and Indian dialects. Tourists will find plenty to do in Singapore's diverse districts; let Short Term Stay Singapore assist you in finding the right serviced apartment in Singapore to meet all of your needs. Here below is a brief introduction to some of Singapore's most exciting neighborhoods:

Orchard Road:
Orchard Road, part of Orchard Area, is the glitzy, busy commercial center of Singapore. Many international schools are located in this area and sit alongside the swanky hotels and more than 20 shopping malls. For those who can afford it, this is probably the most popular part of town for expats to rent high-end short term rentals in Singapore. Orchard Road is akin to Paris' Champs-Elysees and New York's Fifth Avenue in its abundant luxury shops, restaurants, and malls. Lots of business also goes on in the City Center; it is one of the most recently built-up areas, so you will have to look hard to find any cultural landmarks amidst the skyscrapers.

River Valley:
If you would like a slightly cheaper - but still quite pricey - Singapore short term rental in a nightlife-rich area, think about settling in River Valley. This district spans the Singapore River and is just south of the Orchard Road area. It can be noisy at night, thanks to the river traffic and nightlife, but many expats choose to live in River Valley for its proximity to international schools and the City Center.

Newton:
Another high-rent district in Singapore is Newton, which sits just to the north of the Orchard Road area. It's an area well suited for many who are seeking out serviced apartments Singapore. Much like in Orchard and River Valley, the expat community in Newton is large thanks to its nearness to the City Center. Newton also features some good shopping.

Bukit Timah:
Nature lovers who would prefer to live closer to green space than skyscrapers should consider looking for a a short term rental in Singapore in the Bukit Timah area. Located north-west of the City Center, here you can stroll in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or choose to go shopping instead. Some good international schools are in this district, though as a whole it is less well-connected via public transport.

Marina Bay:
Marina Bay continues to be built up and hopes to become Singapore's newest elite district in the future. A young, energetic vibe permeates this area of the city, and you can already find plenty of high-end condominiums and offices skirting a Venetian-style piazza. Marina Bay is located in the south of the city, not far from the Financial District area, and has plenty of options for shopping and dining.

East Coast:
If you want a place with a sea view, let us place you in one of our Singapore serviced apartments in the East Coast district, which is right on the water. Outdoors-lovers of all kinds flock to the 20 kilometers of beach and East Coast Park. A largely residential area, East Coast is also known for having myriad delicious seafood restaurants and is well-connected via public transport to the City Center and the airport.

Geylang:
Geylang has retained a local charm because skyscrapers and malls have yet to be built in this area of Singapore. Though Geylang has yet to attract shoppers, it is well-known for its nightlife and legal red light district. You will also find some great food markets here that carry plenty of authentic fresh Asian foods.

Little India:
Singapore would not be the city it is today without the influence of its large Indian population, which was originally brought to the island by the East India Company. Many of them stayed and were key in helping create the city's infrastructure. Much of the Indian population has settled in Little India, just north of the original British Colonial District. Though it's so much known as a place for finding short term rentals Singapore, the district is a must-visit, if only to stroll through the streets smelling perfume and curry, and catching snippets of Indian music and lively conversations. You will feel like you are in India. Grab the chance to try an authentic Indian meal at one of the many restaurants or food stalls. If you're looking for any Indian arts and crafts, Little India is the place to find them.

Chinatown:
Just as Little India is home to much of Singapore's Indian population, so is Chinatown home to many of the city's Chinese. Singapore's Chinatown has existed since the nineteenth century; you can still find traditional Chinese medicine shops and practices if you peek into enough old shop houses. This is a great place to enjoy an authentic Chinese teahouse experience, or to just walk around and look at the beautiful old temples and mosques. Of course, Chinatown also features some of the city's best Chinese food. It should also be noted that this area is not place where you'll easily find serviced apartments in Singapore.

Arab Street District:
Singapore's Malay-Muslim community has long settled in the Arab Street District; Arab traders were doing business in Singapore way before the British discovered the island. In the Arab Street District, don't miss visiting an authentic Malay restaurant or sitting in a cozy coffee shop after visiting the Sultan Mosque. This district has a village-like feel, thanks to the low buildings and few cars. If you are looking for carpets, textiles, antiques, or artifacts of any kind, you will certainly find it in this part of the city.

Singapore's small size makes it easy to get around on foot, in a taxi, or by using the city's excellent public transport. For a more touristy ride, splurge on a trishaw (three-wheeled bicycle taxi) near Chinatown, or hop on a point-to-point bumboat on the Singapore River. Walking will get you around, but beware of the heat and windy streets. You can also take a sightseeing tour on one of the SIA Hop-on buses. If you chose one of our short term rentals Singapore anywhere close to the City Center, you will have access to the great network of transportation options.

Public Transportation:
The backbone of Singapore’s public transport is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system which is clean, cool, inexpensive, and reliable. Complementing the Singapore MRT is the LRT, or Light Rail Transit; both systems go through the City Center and extend into the Singapore suburbs. The city also has an extensive network of buses that go everywhere on the island; bear in mind that going by bus will be slower than going by subway and you must have exact change if you pay in cash. Whether you'll be using the MRT trains or the buses, you should consider picking up one of the EZ-link RFID fare cards or a NETS FlashPay Card. Having one of these can save you lots of time and trouble when you pay your fares.

Taxis:
Taxis in Singapore are relatively cheap and quite convenient. Plus, the drivers speak English and keep their cars in good shape. There are taxi stands throughout the city, or you can try flagging one down from the curb. Be aware, though, that it can be difficult to book a taxi during the morning and evening rush hours. Some taxi companies in Singapore are: Comfort Taxi, TIBS Taxi, SMRT Taxi, TransCab Services, Taxi Singapore.

Driving:
Cars are not the best way to get around Singapore, especially if you are staying in one of our serviced apartments in Singapore and plan to sightsee a lot. Traffic can get thick and gas and taxes are high for vehicles. The public transport is so good and so cheap that you're usually better off with this.

Airports:
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) has been consistently rated among the world's top airports, for its cleanliness, friendliness, and efficiency. The airport is so vast that it even has a movie theatre and swimming pool. You will find nothing less than excellent service at SIN, and it can get you to all of your destinations, from Asia to Europe to Australia.

Singapore is a fun city to explore, because there is such a range of activities and attractions, from modern shopping to ancient historical and cultural sights. In addition, you can take advantage of the East Coast's waterfront and enjoy some of the natural parks and gardens. Look for serviced apartments in Singapore in well-connected locations from which you can easily have the city's attractions at your fingertips.

Outdoor Activities:
Singapore's parks and gardens make it a great place to explore the outdoors. Consider looking for one of our short term rentals Singapore in the north or west of the City Center if you want to be close to the Singapore Botanical Gardens, Jurong Bird Park, and the Singapore Zoo. Animal lovers may also enjoy the S.E.A. Aquarium, which is the world's largest, or watch more birds at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. You may also want to stroll through Chinatown and Little India to glimpse some of the beautiful old mosques and temples.

Water-lovers will not be left dry in Singapore; visit Adventure Cove Water Park or the Jurong East Swimming Complex to cool off from the heat. You can also visit the beaches on Sentosa or the East Coast.

Sport for Spectators:
Soccer is the most popular spectator sport in Singapore. The city's professional league is called the S.League and has teams that compete locally as well as all over Asia. Singapore also has a rugby team that competes against Malaysia in the annual Malay Cup.

If you like cars, visit in September to attend the Singapore Grand Prix auto race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. If you prefer horse racing to car racing, head to the Singapore Turf Club for an afternoon, or catch a polo match at the Singapore Polo Club.

Arts&Culture:
Singapore has plenty of museums to visit and hosts a variety of performing arts events throughout the year. Entertainment-seekers may want to consider looking at serviced apartments Singapore in the Marina Bay area, which puts you close to the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. This major theater arts venue hosts concerts by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as well as many other performing arts shows. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra is worth seeing, or you can book tickets for a Singapore Repertory Theatre performance. If you prefer dance, try to see a performance by the Singapore Dance Theatre or Odyssey Dance Theatre Singapore. If you are around in the summer, make sure to visit the Singapore Arts Festival.

If you prefer museums and galleries to music, you are not without options in Singapore. Science-oriented people will enjoy the Science Centre Singapore and the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. Learn about the history of Singapore at the Singapore History Museum and Asian Civilizations Museum. If art is more your thing, Utterly Art and The Substation have eclectic contemporary collections.

Dining:
Along with shopping, Singapore is known for its food. You will find as much authentic ethnic food as you could want, both in restaurants and at the big hawker centers like Newton Food Centre or Makansutra Gluttons Bay, where you can sample a bit of everything. Or visit during July to attend the Singapore Food Festival. Coffee shops - called kopitiam - are popular throughout the city, and often have a good food menu as well as warm drinks. If you prefer tea to coffee, make reservations at Singapore's Equinox Restaurant for a traditional British High Tea, or at Yixing Xuan Teahouse for a Chinese tea ceremony.

Don't leave Singapore without sampling some of the local specialty, chili crab, at UDMC Seafood Centre or another seafood joint on the East Coast. If you want ethnic food every day, let us help you find one of our Singapore short term rentals near Chinatown, the Arab Street District, or Little India; these neighborhoods are where you can find the best of their namesake's cuisine. Singapore's Yum Cha Restaurant is a great dim sum place in Chinatown; if you want world class dim sum, go to Din Tai Fung in Marina Bay. Komala Vilas Restaurant is an excellent old Indian restaurant; Tandoori Corner-Boon Tat Street also has great food. For fine dining, make a reservation at Burlamacco Ristorante or Jaan Singapore, the latter of which also has a great view.

Nightlife:
Don't let Singapore's small size make you think that it is not an exciting place for nightlife; on the contrary, there is plenty going on every day of the week. Beer has become popular in recent years, and a few microbreweries, like Archipelago Brewery and The Pump Room Singapore are worth visiting. Drinks are expensive in Singapore, so think about visiting bars during happy hour to get the best deals at places such as Cafe del Mar Singapore, where you can enjoy a cocktail on the beach. Ku De Ta is new and pricey, but the view from the top of the Sands SkyPark is worth it. Martini Bar at Mezza9 offers what the name suggests and has won awards; New Asia Bar also has a great drink menu.

The best nightlife is centered near the waterfront's Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. You can look for serviced apartments Singapore near this area if you want to be in the center of the action. The Cannery in Singapore operates a few different clubs at Clarke Quay: Zirca is for dance lovers, Rebel Boutique Club offers plenty of hip-hop, and Yello Jello Retrobar has a more nostalgic music selection. For a choice of two dance floors, one with hip-hop and one with house music, head to dbl O nightclub. Gay clubbers are not left in the dark, and often congregate at Velvet Underground at Zouk, which is part of the vast Zouk Club Singapore complex. For a more laid-back evening, sink into a sofa at Harry's Quayside Bar and take in the atmosphere and live music.

Shopping:
Shoppers in Singapore have so many choices that it's hard to know where to start. Traditional mall-strollers should look for short term rentals in Singapore near Orchard Road, which is home to more than twenty shopping malls. You can find anything and everything in the malls, from inexpensive clothing to designer apparel; start by visiting Suntec City Mall and Ngee Ann City, or stop into John Little Singapore, the oldest department store in the city. For electronics, your best bet is Funan Digitalife Mall. For a vintage shopping experience, walk along Haji Lane to visit Ohsofickle and Dulcetfig.

Malls and big departments stores are not the only thing that Singapore offers to shoppers. Some of the most interesting shopping is in the city's ethnic districts: Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street. Get souvenirs at Chinatown Point (also known as the Singapore Handicraft Center), which houses many small shops full of Chinese crafts. While in Chinatown, stroll through Singapore's Chinatown Street Market to gaze at the silks, batik, and lacquerware. On Arab Street you will find Malaysian and Indonesian handicrafts. Visit Basharahil Brothers to see modern batik styles, and pop into Gim Joo Trading Co. to look for antiques. Jamal Kazura Aromatics is worth a visit if you are a fan of perfume. Little India also has plenty of shopping to offer; the 24-hour Mustafa Centre has a huge selection of goods imported from India.

No matter where you decide to stay in one of our short term rentals in Singapore, you will be close to a general hospital and private clinics. Singapore also has a broad range of schools and places of worship to keep you and your family functioning physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Hospitals:

• Johns Hopkins Singapore International Medical Centre
• Singapore General Hospital
• National University Hospital (NUH)
• HMI Balestier Hospital
• Camden Medical Centre
• Tan Tock Seng Hospital
• KK Women's and Children's Hospital
• Changi General
• Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

Schools:
If you have children who will need to go to school during your stay in Singapore, your best bet will be to let Short Term Stay Singapore find you a Singapore serviced apartment near the international schools. Most of these schools are located in or near the City Center and are combined primary and secondary schools.

Primary Schools:
British Council Nursery School
One World International School Singapore (OWIS)
Canadian International School (Singapore)
International Community School (Singapore)
Tanjong Katong Primary School
Stamford Primary School
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School
Nanyang Primary School

Secondary Schools:
SJI International School
Singapore American School
Stamford American International School
Tanglin Trust School
United World College of South East Asia
Broadrick Secondary School
Geylang Methodist School (Secondary)
Hong Kah Secondary School
National Junior College

If you will require higher education while in Singapore, there are many choices. Singapore has a good network of universities and specialty schools, and some U.S. and U.K. universities also have campuses in the city. Here are some of your options:

• National University of Singapore
• Singapore Institute of Technology
• Singapore Polytechnic
• SIM University
• Singapore Raffles Music College
• LASALLE College of the Arts
• James Cook University Singapore
• Temple University Singapore
• Cardiff Metropolitan University: Asia Campus

Places of Worship:

Churches:
Singapore Telugu Methodist Church
Living Waters Methodist Church Singapore
Aldersgate Methodist Church Singapore
Kampong Kapor Methodist Church
Foochow Methodist Church
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
Saint Joseph Church Singapore
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea

Buddhist Temples:
Siong Lim Temple
Thian Hock Keng Temple
Jin Long Si Temple
Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
Poh Ern Shih Temple

Mosques & Islamic Centers:
Masjid Sultan
Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka
Masjid Hajjah Fatimah
Masjid Taha
Masjid Al-Istaqamah