• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • Portrait photography in Singapore: the best studios in town
        • Rachel’s peaceful semi-detached house in Singapore
        • Fabulous Father’s Day Present Ideas & Things to Do
        • character developmentAuthentic American Education in XCL American Academy!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • What’s on this week and beyond
        • Floral Atelier flower arrangingLearn the elegant arts of flower arranging and calligraphy!
        • Summer camps for kids in SingaporeSummer holiday camps the kids will love!
        • netflix singaporeWhat to watch (or not!) Netflix Series, TV and Movies
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Portrait photography in Singapore: the best studios in town
        • Fabulous Father’s Day Present Ideas & Things to Do
        • character developmentAuthentic American Education in XCL American Academy!
        • The Children's Showcase at cluny courtWhere to bring kids to shop – Cluny Court of course!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Fabulous dinnerware, crockery and tableware in Singapore!
        • antique furniture singaporeAntique furniture shops – vintage & reproduction furniture!
        • Heveya best mattress and bedsheetsBest mattresses in Singapore – for the best sleep!
        • lamp shopping at Soul & TablesWhere to buy lamps in Singapore – lights galore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • Beach holiday resortsFancy a long weekend getaway at a beach resort?
        • international health insuranceProtecting your health overseas
        • Indonesian holiday Wakatobi Dive Resort and House ReefDive into this luxury beach resort!
        • Travel News & Hotel Deals
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • Hydration: Drinking water for good health
        • 16 of the best breakfast spots in Singapore!
        • good chai people F&B SingaporeMeet Radio DJ, F&B Entrepreneur & First-time-Dad
        • salmon recipesGet the best sustainable salmon in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • JulietteC sandals and beachwearResort wear & beachwear that’s cool and casual
        • Beauty news: New beauty products, makeup and more!
        • Best facial in Singapore? Read our face spa & beauty salon reviews
        • Art N Ash, lab-grown diamondsDo’s and don’ts of buying diamonds & lab-grown diamonds
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • Top personal trainers in Singapore
        • Hydration: Drinking water for good health
        • City Osteopathy & PhysiotherapyWhere to find a good physio in Singapore
        • Ankle sprain solutions for swelling & pain
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Outdoor Living at this West Coast house

22nd February 2021 by Dee Khanduja 6 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/west-coast-house-with-outdoor-living-space-singapore-landed-property/

Choosing a home during lockdown was a bit nerve-wracking, but in the end HEATHER HANSEN got just what her family were looking for – a modern home with interior styling and plenty of outdoor living space. We find out about their different homes in Singapore and their journey here that first started back in 2006. To start the tour of this West Coast house, I am welcomed at the door by Daisy, the cute family dog!

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space
Heather Hansen

Tell us a bit about your family and your journey here.

I’m originally from California, my husband Peter is from Denmark, and our daughters Stella and Victoria were born in Singapore and attend the Canadian International School. I run a communication, consulting and training firm called Global Speech Academy, and Peter is a Regional Director of Operations for a Danish engineering company. We first arrived in Singapore in 2006, and have lived here for around 10 years over two stints.

Where have you lived on the island?

When we first came in 2006, pre-kids, we lived in Bukit Timah for two years in a really family-friendly condo. We were living right by the pool, and it was awful. So we moved out the minute we could renew the lease – I was around eight months pregnant. Then we moved to a house in the Springwood Height area, staying there a few years, and then to The Peak @ Balmeg, which was brand new at the time.

In 2014, we moved back to Denmark and had four years there. About a year and half in, we could see it wasn’t going to work. We gave it a good shot, but we knew we didn’t want to stay in Denmark; we wanted to head back to Singapore, as we had built a life in Asia.

Peter received a Singapore contract in May 2018. It was like “boom, boom, boom” – everything happened really fast. It was a six-month process of discussions, and then a sudden two-week move, just in time for the kids to start school in August.

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

Why did you feel so rooted in Singapore?

Peter and I did our whole “growing up” here. We had our friendship networks here, as well as our business networks, and both our kids were born here. So our family and friend circles really developed in Singapore. It had become our home, providing us with a kind of “multicultural family”. We felt it was neutral ground, away from the US where I grew up, and Denmark where Peter is from. We built our world together here, separate from the influences of either family.

Let’s talk about your lovely home; tell us why you chose to live here?

We like the West Coast area a lot and it’s near the kids’ school; Peter’s office is close by, too. I also have a lot of clients at International Business Park nearby. Previously, we were living just down the street, but we had issues with the landlord to be very honest. So we decided not to renew our lease and we moved out during the Circuit Breaker.

What was it like moving home at that time?

We were in the middle of the COVID lockdown and our end-of-lease was coming up. We really didn’t want to stay another two years in the previous house; I found it difficult to settle there. We wanted to find a home we could live in for at least 10 years, until the girls are done with school and we decide the next steps. It was a tricky time to be relocating as there wasn’t a great selection of homes being advertised due to the Circuit Breaker. Eventually, we came to terms with the idea that we may just have to extend our existing lease and stay put. So we began preparing the paperwork to sign an extension. Then, our agent suddenly called to tell us about our current house, which had just come onto the market, though it was above our budget.

We couldn’t view the house in person because of the restrictions, so we had to make our decision based on a prerecorded video sent via WhatsApp by the previous tenants. We sat there watching it over and over. Then we took the dog for a walk and peeked through the fence. The next day we put an offer in, and the landlord accepted it.

bedroom in west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

What was it that sealed the deal?

Most definitely the outdoor space was the big winner. This house has a very different layout and flow than our previous one, plus we have more open areas. The pool is double the size of our old pool. When we saw the kitchen, the maid’s room and bathroom, we were like, “This is perfect.” There’s a better “flow” with this house, from the kitchen to the outdoors.

We spend most of our time in the outdoor area – it’s so private. Sometimes we’ll spend all weekend just sitting out there. The kids will be in the pool, which gets them away from devices too, and we have barbecues and eat our dinners mostly outdoors. And I’ve never been so in love with landscaping. Every now and then, we get little squirrels who visit, and some beautiful birds.

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

Let’s talk interiors; did you have to buy any specific pieces for the house?

We were so happy to get the outdoor sofa setup from the previous tenant, because we didn’t have that before. I bought some original artwork from a US gallery for this house and some rugs from irug.com.sg. We also bought a beautiful Chinese cabinet, bookcases and an entire bedroom set.

What are your favourite furniture items?

I think it’s my new bed and my reading chair. I also can’t live without my “up and down” desk in my office; and I like the pink armchair in my bedroom and our recent Chinese cabinet purchase from Lims.

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

Your office setup looks great for home-based working.

I had to redo my office furniture and layout, as this house has nice walls that I wanted to make use of. I wanted to use the walls as a professional-looking backdrop for video. If I’m being filmed on one side, I have the office with a map behind me. Or, I can be filmed on the other side of the office, and have a “library” look. So I can switch back and forth between backgrounds.

I also placed my reading chair in the office, which is one of my favourite spots to hang out.

What’s the neighbourhood like?

It’s a really “neighbourly” place. We have lovely neighbours who have been here for many years – there’s an interesting mix of locals and expats. We also joined the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club, which is also very close.

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

What do you love about Singapore?

My favourite thing is how “international” it is here. I just love that! We could have a dinner party and have a dozen different countries represented. Also, since I’m from California, I do love the climate here. The Danish winters were not easy for me at all – darkness and cold is not my thing. I love that I can go swimming every day here.

Finally, what’s on your bucket list for travel?

Well, I already have a trip to the Maldives booked! We would also love to head back to Ho Chi Minh City. We just love it there and would even head there just for the weekend to go for dinner.

west coast house for expat family with lots of outdoor living space

Heather’s Favourites

Restaurant – Alati Coffee place Baker & Cook (Faber Heights)

Breakfast place –  Super Loco

Hairdresser – Calvin Gan at Hairloom

Furniture store – Taylor B

Touristy thing to do Singapore – River Cruise

Go-to doctors – Dr Shiv Gill at My Health Partners Dr Gary Tho at ChiroWorks

Clothing shop –  Style Theory (online clothing rental)

Bar – Beacon Bar at Republic of Singapore Yacht Club

Hike  – VivoCity to Henderson Waves and Kent Ridge


This article first appeared in the February 2021 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the
latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

If you want to get your home in Singapore looking fab, here are some of the best furniture stores with plenty of home décor accessories for indoors and outdoors! Not sure where to live in Singapore – this article will give you some ideas.

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

Categories: Homes Living in Singapore Neighbourhood Guides Readers Homes Tags: west coast readers house

Dee Khanduja

A Brit expat living in Singapore, Dee loves books! She also loves anything boho, rustic or vintage, and fine Earl Grey tea. Dee writes across education, fashion, F&B, careers, home and property themes. She shares her adventures with her hubby and two kiddos, plus a dog, turtles and fish.

You May Also Like

character development

Authentic American Education in XCL American Academy!

prenuptial agreement marriage contract

Should you have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement?

Serviced apartments in Singapore with FEH

Family-friendly serviced apartments in Singapore

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.