Choosing where to live is one of the first major decisions international students need to make after receiving an offer of admission. Although Singapore is a small country, it has an extensive public transport network, and its universities are located in different parts of the island. Students therefore do not necessarily need to live close to campus.
For international students, the best rental location is not always the one closest to their university. Factors such as MRT connectivity, rental prices, commuting time to campus, dining and shopping options, and safety all need to be considered together.
Whether you are studying at NUS, NTU, SMU or a private institution in Singapore, the following five areas are worth considering when looking for student accommodation.
1. Clementi – One of Most Popular Choices for NUS Students
If you are studying at the National University of Singapore, Clementi is one of the first neighbourhoods worth considering.
Located in western Singapore and close to the NUS campus, Clementi has long been a popular residential area among students. The neighbourhood combines relatively convenient access to campus with well-established amenities, meeting most of students’ everyday needs.
Why students choose Clementi
The biggest advantage is its location. Depending on the exact property, students can generally reach NUS conveniently by bus or by combining different forms of public transport.
Clementi also has well-established amenities, including supermarkets, food courts, cafés, restaurants and shopping facilities. Clementi Mall and the surrounding neighbourhood offer relatively affordable options for everyday spending and meet most students’ daily needs.
Another advantage is the wide range of rental options available. Depending on their budget, students can find common rooms, master rooms, shared accommodation and whole-unit rentals.
Best for
• NUS students
• Students studying at institutions in western Singapore
• Students who value convenient daily amenities
• Students who prefer a mature residential neighbourhood
Things to consider
Clementi is popular, so rental listings can be in particularly short supply during the annual intake and move-in periods. This is especially true for properties close to transport facilities or with convenient access to NUS.
If keeping rent as low as possible is your top priority, it may also be worth comparing Clementi with areas further west.
Overall: Clementi is a relatively safe choice for students who value daily convenience and shorter commuting times, especially NUS students.
2. Queenstown – A Good Balance Between Campus and City Life
For students who want to live relatively close to NUS while also having convenient access to central Singapore, Queenstown is an area worth considering.
Located between Singapore’s western university belt and the city centre, Queenstown offers a good balance between commuting to campus, transport connectivity and urban life.
The neighbourhood is served by the East-West MRT Line, making it relatively convenient to travel to both western Singapore and the city centre.
Why students choose Queenstown
One of Queenstown’s biggest advantages is its flexibility.
Students do not spend all their time on campus. Many also travel to the city centre for part-time work, internships, social activities, shopping or entertainment. Living in Queenstown allows them to balance being relatively close to campus with having convenient access to the city.
Queenstown has both mature HDB estates and newer residential developments, so rental options can vary considerably in terms of rent, room size and residential facilities.
Best for
• NUS students
• Students who frequently travel between western Singapore and the city centre
• Students with internships or part-time jobs in the city centre
• Students who want convenient access to an MRT station
• Students who want to balance their studies with city life
Things to consider
Queenstown is becoming increasingly popular with both students and working professionals, so properties with convenient transport access may command higher rents.
When comparing listings, students should look beyond the monthly rent. They should also consider the actual travel time to campus, the distance to the nearest MRT station and the condition of the property.
Overall: If you do not want to sacrifice convenient access to the city simply to live closer to campus, Queenstown could be a very suitable choice.
3. Jurong West – A Practical Choice for NTU Students
For students at Nanyang Technological University, Jurong West is a practical area worth considering.
NTU is located in the westernmost part of Singapore. For students who need to travel to campus every day, living closer to the university can significantly reduce commuting pressure.
Compared with some central neighbourhoods, Jurong West can also offer more budget-friendly rental options. This makes it particularly attractive to students who want to control their monthly living expenses.
Why students choose Jurong West
The most obvious advantage is simple: its proximity to NTU.
For students with early morning classes, group projects or activities on campus, reducing daily commuting time can make a noticeable difference to their everyday routine.
Jurong West is also a mature residential town with supermarkets, hawker centres, food outlets and other essential amenities. Students can meet most of their basic daily needs within the neighbourhood without having to travel into the city.
The area is connected to the wider western transport network. Boon Lay, together with nearby MRT and bus services, provides access to other parts of Singapore.
Best for
• NTU students
• Students with a limited rental budget
• Students who prioritise living close to campus
• Students who prefer a relatively quiet residential environment
• Students who spend most of their time in western Singapore
Things to consider
Compared with central areas such as Bugis, Jurong West is further from the city centre. If you regularly travel into town for social activities, internships or part-time work, you should factor in the longer commuting time.
However, for NTU students who spend most of their time on campus, this trade-off may be worthwhile.
Overall: If you are an NTU student and rental budget is an important consideration, Jurong West deserves to be high on your list.
4. Bugis – Ideal for Students Who Want to Live in the City Centre
If your priority is being close to the heart of Singapore, Bugis is difficult to overlook.
Located in central Singapore, Bugis offers a very different lifestyle from Clementi or Jurong West. Instead of prioritising proximity to one particular university campus, the area offers excellent access to the city, shopping, restaurants, entertainment and multiple educational institutions.
Bugis is particularly popular among students from private institutions and schools located around central Singapore.
Why students choose Bugis
The biggest advantage is convenience.
From Bugis, students can easily access many central neighbourhoods, including the Civic District, City Hall, Orchard and Marina Bay areas.
The area is also surrounded by shopping malls, cafés, restaurants and food options. For international students who want an active lifestyle outside school, Bugis can be an attractive choice.
It can also be useful for students whose campus location may change, or for those who have internships and part-time jobs in different parts of central Singapore.
Best for
• SMU students
• Students at private institutions in central Singapore
• Students who enjoy city living
• Students who frequently visit the CBD
• Students who prioritise transport convenience
Things to consider
The main downside is cost.
Living in or close to the city centre generally comes with a higher rental price compared with many western residential areas. Smaller rooms or older apartments may still be available, but students should compare the overall value carefully.
If you are willing to live slightly further away from Bugis while keeping convenient MRT access, you may find more affordable alternatives.
Overall: Bugis is a strong choice for students who value lifestyle, central location and transport connectivity more than having the lowest possible rent.
5. Bishan – A Convenient Middle Ground for Students
For students who do not want to live in Singapore’s westernmost areas or directly in the city centre, Bishan is a neighbourhood worth considering.
Located in central Singapore, Bishan offers good connections to different parts of the island. It is therefore particularly suitable for students who need to travel between different campuses, workplaces or activity areas.
Why students choose Bishan
One of Bishan’s biggest advantages is its central location.
For students who have not yet decided where they will spend most of their time, living in a relatively central neighbourhood can reduce the inconvenience of being too far from any one campus.
Bishan is also a mature residential town with established shopping, dining and recreational facilities. Junction 8 and the surrounding neighbourhood provide convenient access to students’ everyday needs.
The area is served by both the North-South MRT Line and the Circle Line, giving residents multiple transport options for travelling to different parts of Singapore.
Best for
• Students who need to travel to different parts of Singapore
• Students without a fixed preference for a particular neighbourhood
• Students attending schools in central Singapore
• Students who value MRT connectivity
• Students who prefer a mature residential environment
Things to consider
Bishan is not particularly close to either NUS or NTU. If your main goal is to minimise the daily commute to one specific university, Clementi or Jurong West may be more practical.
However, for students who place greater value on overall connectivity, Bishan offers a well-balanced option.
Overall: Bishan is a good middle-ground choice for students who want greater commuting flexibility rather than choosing their accommodation entirely around one university district.
Which Area Should You Choose?
There is no single “best” neighbourhood for every international student. The right choice depends on your university, budget and lifestyle.
For students who are unsure where to begin, a useful approach is to identify their university and daily commuting needs first, then compare rental prices across different neighbourhoods.
A cheaper room does not necessarily offer better value. If it adds an extra 30–40 minutes to your daily commute, it may not be worthwhile in the long term. On the other hand, paying a premium to live next to campus may not make sense if you only need to attend classes a few days a week.
Before signing a tenancy agreement, students should also check the distance to the nearest MRT station or bus stop, the actual condition of the room, whether utilities and Wi-Fi are included in the rent, the house rules, minimum lease requirements and the total monthly cost.
Final Thoughts
Singapore is relatively compact and has an extensive public transport network, giving international students considerable flexibility when choosing where to live.
For NUS students, Clementi and Queenstown are two practical areas to explore. For NTU students, Jurong West can offer a good balance between campus accessibility and rental cost. Students studying in central Singapore may prefer Bugis, while Bishan is worth considering for those who want a relatively central location with convenient access to different parts of the island.
Ultimately, the best rental choice is not necessarily the cheapest room or the property closest to campus. It is the option that offers the right balance of rent, commuting time, living environment and convenience for your daily student life.
If you are looking for a room or apartment in Singapore, comparing different neighbourhoods before making a decision can help you find a home that suits both your budget and your lifestyle.
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