The best part about living on campus is that while everything you need (and want!) are available on-campus. Yet at the same time, there are so many fun events and experiences that await off-campus, every day. Sometimes you just want to explore new spots outside of campus – be it a new shopping area, a hip cafe, or even a new supermarket.
Let’s be honest: Bugis and Orchard are fascinating places, but they are a bit too far away from school. So, in this week’s post, we have gathered places you can explore in your free time without having to take a long bus ride or walk for more than 20 minutes!
…we wish. For the time-starved student, fret no more – now you can go cafe hopping, cycling, and grocery shopping near school!
Photo retrieved from: https://makeameme.org/meme/Typical-weekends-and
- Supermarket options outside campus
While the 24-hr stores and supermarkets on-campus offer both choice and affordability, sometimes you might not be able to find some products while at school. If you have some spare time on the weekends, try exploring these supermarkets! They may require you to take some time walking, but we guarantee you that they have the best quality, range of choice, and price in the area!
Sheng Siong
Located on the other end of Casa Clementi, this supermarket is favoured by residents who have unfortunately missed the opening hours of UTown FairPrice, but want a bigger variety than Cheers or 7-Eleven. Drop by for some amazing deals, but be careful not to binge-grocery-shop!
From UTown (center-right), you can find FairPrice, Sheng Siong and Cold Storage (West Coast Plaza, bottom left star) nearby.
Photo retrieved from: Google Maps screenshot
FairPrice
If you feel like grabbing a snack or two past midnight, head over to FairPrice on Clementi Avenue. It takes around 15 minutes of slow walking from UTown.
Cold Storage
Cold Storage in West Coast Plaza might be a bit far to travel to, especially for those living outside of UTown. However, with just a 15 to 20-minute stroll from UTown, you can get access to high-quality items (and maybe some side shopping at the Plaza, we hear there’s a Nike Factory Store!).
- Entertainment
We Cinemas
Located on the third floor of 321 Clementi, We Cinemas screen the newest movies daily. On weekdays and weekend afternoons, many of the halls are quite spacious, so it’s a great place for those who are planning a casual movie outing. Student promotions are on, starting from $7 for 2D movies on Mondays to Wednesdays. For more information, visit: https://www.wecinemas.com.sg/promotion-details.aspx?promotionid=23
Kent Ridge Park & West Coast Park
One of the best things about Singapore is that nature is all around. NUS is fortunate to be surrounded by two beautiful parks: Kent Ridge Park, and West Coast Park. Why not grab a sandwich or a salad, and head over to one of the parks for an afternoon of cycling, or just soaking in the sea breeze? GoCycling offers bike rentals with affordable hourly rates. Find out more about their rates and bikes here: https://www.facebook.com/GoCyclingSG/
It’s not the Great Ocean Road, but it’s ours!
Photo retrieved from: http://www.meetup.com/Singapore-Adventurous-Group/events/219473581/
- Nearby cafes for weekend brunches
Travelling to and fro from campus can be a bit taxing, especially on weekdays. But during the weekends when we may get a slight reprieve, look no further than a few MRT stops away, to chill at these nearby ambient cafes!
Cafes in Holland Village (Affectionately known as Holland V)
Whether you want to get a chocolate fix from the well-known Awfully Chocolate, sun yourself on the open-deck roof of D’Good Cafe, or get your fill of eggs at the egg-themed cafe Hatched, Holland V has the full set of choices ready for you. For those with a more discerning palate, you may even want to check out the famous 2am:dessert bar, helmed by Janice Wong – a Singaporean dessert chef who has won numerous awards, and even appeared on Masterchef Australia 7 before! The best thing about Holland V is that its vibe in the evening is completely different from that in the afternoon. Go see it for yourself! Get the lowdown on HV’s best eateries and cafes here: http://www.ladyironchef.com/tag/holland-village-cafes/
Cafes in one-north
With Fusionopolis and a start-up launchpad complex by Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) dominating the area, you wouldn’t expect petite cafes at one-north. But there are many hidden gems in the area where you can enjoy not only great coffee, but also a satisfying bite and some quiet ambience. Popular places include Cafe Melba and Envy Coffee. Walk a bit further to the Rochester Park area to find one of the best-looking Starbucks stores in Singapore. You may be tempted to mug at these cafes, seeing as they look so good, but do note that Starbucks at Rochester Park does not allow its customers to use laptops for long hours on weekends)!
It’s so beautiful that some eager tourists even include the store in their itineraries!
Photo retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.sg/favourite-starbucks-stores-singapore/
Do you know any good places near campus that you would like to share with other residents? Please leave your comments below or on our Facebook page!
