Living near the American school - a must?

[Liya]

Since my daughters are going to study at the American school next year, i want to know if it that needed, to live near, in woodlands town.
We thought looking for a condo at Bukit area, or Holland village. How long it takes to reach school with the transportation bus from Bukit/Holland?

[SAS Mom]

I have 1 child attending SAS and live in the Watten Estate area, near Bukit Timah Road.  The bus travel time to the school is approximately 15 - 25 minutes and all SAS kids get on the bus anywhere from 6:55am - 7:10am no matter where they live in Singapore.  The difference is just the amount of free time they have once they arrive at school.  I've heard the Woodlands area is great to live with lots of American families and a short walk to school, I just find that living half way between downtown and SAS gives me more options to do things and less time spent driving.  Good luck with your decision.

[another SAS mom]

Actually we live not far from Holland Village and have a 7.20 am pick up time   (probably the latest possible pick up time)getting the kids to school just in time.  Travel time on the bus is very dependent on whether you are the first pick up  or last or the first drop off or last.  Being the last drop off means my kids can be on the bus 30-40 minutes, so times really do vary greatly. Even if you check with the bus office at the school to verify a time before you want to commit to accommodation, the transport arrangements are always subject to change as kids move in and out all the time and routes change accordingly.  Best to be prepared for worst case scenario.  I think around 80 buses service SAS so plenty of people don't live at Woodlands and even if you do, not all of Woodlands is considered walking distance  by some to SAS and a bus does service that area also.