Tarishi Khanna is a data scientist from Delhi. She’s lived in the River Valley Road area for 6 years. She says “I love this Singapore neighbourhood and I have officially converted my husband into a River Valley person too!”
About River Valley
What’s the name of your street? River Valley Road.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your neighbourhood? That we all are rich!
Closest MRT station? Great World (brown Thomson-East Coast Line).
How long have you lived here? Why here? River Valley has been home for nearly six years now. Even though I’ve moved apartments a few times, I keep staying because the neighbourhood is just beautiful. It has this perfect mix of cafés, running routes and grocery spots that makes daily life so effortless. Gathering thoughts at my favourite local cafés became a huge ritual for me – so much so that it’s where I wrote my first book, Corporate Cocktail – A Happy High.
River Valley Neighbourhood Highlights
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? People jogging around and pets parked outside Valley Point Mall – the cutest thing I have ever seen in Singapore.
What’s the closest store to your front door? Grace Espresso.
If your street was chosen for a remake of a film or series, which would it be? I would say Ted Lasso – it’s a similar warm neighbourhood to Richmond in London.
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? Honestly, I can’t think of a single complaint about the community itself. But if I’m being real? I wouldn’t mind a little less rental inflation! Lower rent and slightly more affordable gym memberships or fitness club fees would make this absolute paradise flawless.
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street? Lululemon everywhere: sports bras, shorts, lulu side bags, lulu yoga pants.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? People not jaywalking at one or two o’clock in the night.
Condo Fact File
Name of condo: Valley Park
Facilities: Tennis courts, grocery store, swimming pools, basketball court, gym, squash court
Size: 1,250 square feet
New or old: Old
Walking distance to the supermarket: Two minutes
Community vibe: “Hyperconnected – we’re so well connected on WhatsApp groups that whether you need a quick favour while waiting for your coffee or an emergency backup item, someone always steps up to help instantly
Things to do Around River Valley Road
What are your favourite places to eat or drink in your Singapore neighbourhood? Grace Espresso is a gorgeous little café that instantly gives me the vibe of sitting somewhere in Europe. And Partners in Crime is my absolute favourite neighbourhood bar for catching up with friends, watching the world go by, and having completely unfiltered conversations.
What are the best places to shop near our River Valley condo?
• For groceries, Cold Storage and Little Farms
• For home items, Bed Bath N Table and Hooga
• For fashion, I love buying one dress a month from Our Second Nature.
What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood? One of my favourite low-key therapies is jumping on the number 65 bus toward Orchard or Sentosa. If you grab a seat right at the front of the upper deck, you get panoramic views of the city that even the expensive tourist Big Buses can’t compete with.
You can also go for a run or a cycle right along the river or just take a slow stroll.
What’s one thing you’d never change? Living here! I actually convinced my husband to move away from his neighbourhood right after our marriage, and I’ve officially converted him into a River Valley person. It’s the one thing I’d never change, and he feels the same way now.
How about one thing you would change? The frequency of the 970 bus into Downtown. The morning commute can be a real struggle – the wait times are long, the tropical sun is brutal, and the bus gets so packed that people regularly get left behind at the stop. Boosting the frequency of that single route would completely transform the morning for so many of us here.
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? I would fund a direct, weatherproof connector gate from the road near Grace Espresso and Valley Point Mall that leads straight to Great World or Tiong Bahru MRT. It’s the one missing link in the neighbourhood and bridging that gap to the green and brown lines would make daily commuting perfect.
Things To Do In Singapore
What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? My absolute favourite is Marina Barrage for sunset, and dining at Arbora @ Mount Faber Peak.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? I go to any nearby hawker centre or Chinatown.
If you’re missing home, what do you do? When homesickness hits, I take bus 54 down to the Silat Road Gurdwara to sit in the quiet and recentre. Then, I’ll grab a mala hotpot at Great World Level 3 food court and call my mum. It’s her favourite dish here, and she always wants a bowl to herself whenever she visits, so sharing that moment over the phone brings home right to me.
Do you love your Singapore neighbourhood?
Share it with others – just email us at contribute@expatliving.sg with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
This article on River Valley road first appeared in The September 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.
Interested in knowing about editorial options? Email us at sales@expatliving.sg.
Don't miss out on the latest events, news and
competitions by signing up to our newsletter!
"*" indicates required fields
