The short version
West Coast is a broad belt rather than a compact centre. Private apartments, older estates, parks and industrial facing roads sit between Clementi and Pasir Panjang. Pleasant pockets exist, but they are separated, so the address matters more than the district name.
The coast and West Coast Park give the area an open edge, while the roads towards Pasir Panjang and the industrial areas can feel utilitarian. A home near Clementi has a different transport proposition from one on the southern side. Check the bus route, the road noise and the path to everyday shops rather than assuming the coast makes the whole belt walkable.
West Coast suits renters who want a quieter western base and can live with buses or a car. I would choose it for a particular building and routine, not as a generic coastal lifestyle.