Monica Pitrelli
Neighbourhood: River Valley
I live in a condo on Leonie Hill
Road, between Grange Road and
River Valley.
Reasons for living here: As much as I lovedTanjong Pagar, three daily drives to my kids’
preschool wasn’t cutting it!
Public transport: The COE on our car
ended a few months after we moved here.
We decided to give carless life a chance;
friends said I wouldn’t last a month. It’s been
a year and counting, and now I’m a total
convert. I walk and take the bus everywhere
- especially since Uber got nudged out. It’s
cheaper, healthier and more environmentally
friendly, and I love it.
Best green space: There is an enormous
area of undeveloped land at the corner of
Grange and Paterson Hill. Its shady and
beautiful, and the kids and I call it “the
forest”. I feel so lucky to live in one of the
most densely packed countries in the world
and look out onto open space and green grass.Local amenities: We grab coffee and ride
bikes with the kids at Robertson Quay, walk
to Paragon to go to the doctor, and all of
Orchard is at our fingertips. Great World
City is two streets away for a quick shop or
movie. The area has so many families with
young ones, which means my kids always
have friends around.Local recommendations: Little Hands
Montessori preschool is divine for little ones;
Kith and Swirls Bake Shop at Robertson
Quay for coffee and mini cupcakes; Jody
Apparel in Far East Shopping Centre for
clothing alternations; and Nonjya Monjya for
okonomiyaki and monjya made at your table.CITY GUIDE 2018 77FIND YOUR HOME