We are relocating to Switzerland and have the option to live in Chatel St Denis in Canton Fribourg or Port Valais, St. Gingolph, Bouveret or Vouvry in Canton Valais. The school bus can pick up our kids from both locations so it comes down to which location we prefer. Not having had a chance to visit beforehand I was hoping some of you may be able to tell me about these places. I do not drive so would rely on walking or public transport. We also really like living near the lake and I am not sure if one can see the lake from Chatel St. Denis? As a family we value being in nature and spending time outdoors.
Unless your husband/partner is an EU national you don’t have the option. If Canton Vaud is granting your permits then you must live in that canton. You could possibly request new permits from Canton Valais, but that would likely have to go through the whole permit process again.
Maybe the employer has offices in both Cantons and they are being given a choice of location....... being so “precise” with possible locations of home makes me think this is maybe the case.
There are places on the motorway driving past CsD where you can just see the lake down the valley, but of course the road itself is in the valley so that kinda helps. So there may be some parts of the area where the same is true, but for the most part, no, you can't see the lake from there. I've only stopped there a few times to pop into the Laendi which is close to the motorway, so can't really comment on it as a place.
The other bits of Valais that you mention are so small that I've never really got a feel for them as individual places. Le Bouveret has the miniature railway and lakeside park/leisure area which I've visited, but apart from that there's not really much there. For all of them your nearest proper commerce is Villeneuve/Aigle where you have pretty much every shop going, bar Ikea. You're also close to Evian for French supermarket shopping, which is a definite point in its favour.
Port-Valais et al. are cool for someone who wants the lake and cheaper taxes than in VD. But I'll say quite subjectively that if you like Valais for the climate and the people, central Valais and the north shore of the Rhône are the only places to be!
Most people from places outside of Schengen are not allowed to enter Switzerland right now. Singapore however (just checked) is on the safe travel list right now.... so the OP could visit if they wished.