The husband or wife may put up with the inconvenience of driving to downtown to work. Driving takes at least 30 minutes if there is no traffic jam along the expressway. There will be no jam if the husband leaves before 7 a.m. If the husband has to take the subway from Marsiling subway to Raffles Place, the ride is over 30 minutes. Away from the main expatriate populated area .
Woodlands is north of Singapore.
On-going construction activities. Woodlands has construction of houses in progress and the noise and dust deters some Americans. New construction site just adjoining the American School is in progress. Just have to be careful with so many construction workers eyeing your movements. A prestigious residential address near downtown may be one reason for not living in Woodlands.