Judit Gál, our very own Production Manager at Expat Living, originally from Hungary tells us all about the quirks and convenience of living on Fernvale Road (near Fernvale LRT and Sengkang MRT). It’s really close to all the places she likes to eat at like Fernvale Market, Jalan Kayu and The Oval @ Seletar Aerospace Park and the best places to shop in the area like Seletar Mall and Greenwich V.
The Specifics
What’s the name of your street? Fernvale Road. Closest MRT station? Fernvale LRT/Sengkang MRT (purple North East Line).
How long have you lived here? Thirteen years. We were looking for a short-term rental after selling our apartment and ended up in Fernvale by chance – we hadn’t heard of it before we saw it!
About Fernvale
Sengkang, the neighbourhood to which Fernvale belongs, received its name from a road previously named Lorong Sengkang. Fernvale is one of seven sub-zones in Sengkang New Town, the others being Rivervale, Compassvale, Anchorvale, Sengkang Town Centre, Sengkang West and Lorong Halus North.
The area on which Sengkang stands used to be home to a fishing port, as well as pineapple, rubber and pepper plantations. A fishing village arose in the area, going by the name of Kangkar, loosely translated as “foot of the port”.
The Scene
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? A primary school and tall buildings.
What’s the closest store to your front door? A 7-Eleven.
If your street was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be? Fantasy comedy film The Lorax!
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? Singing late at night.
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street? Bermuda shorts and T-shirts.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? A monkey enjoying a sandwich on the roof of the covered walkway. I have no clue how he managed to get there, as there’s no forest nearby
The Superlatives
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood? The newly opened Fernvale Market is very convenient (near Fernvale LRT and Sengkang MRT), and I’m hooked on their local coffee and youtiao – a great combination for breakfast. Jalan Kayu is walking distance, which is very famous for its prata and latenight suppers, and also The Oval @ Seletar Aerospace Park with all its black-and-white houses turned into restaurants.
What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood? Seletar Mall and Greenwich V.
What are some fun, interesting things to do in the neighbourhood? Kampong Lorong Buangkok, Singapore’s “last remaining kampong”, is just a few minutes’ walk. The Punggol Park connector all the way to Coney Island and the area around Seletar Airport is well liked by cyclists. There’s also the Ubin Thai Temple, which was relocated from Pulau Ubin to Sengkang and is an interesting place to visit.
What’s one thing you’d never change? The view from my window. I hope there won’t be a taller building in the future, blocking the view of Malaysia.
How about one thing you would change? Less development and a big football field (my son’s suggestion) would be nice. There used to be big areas for flying kites that sadly are gone.
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? I would grow more trees
Beyond The ‘Hood
What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? If it’s their first time in Singapore, then the usual attractions such as Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Sentosa, Little India, Arab Street and Pulau Ubin. I like to show them a bit from each culture, and I always make sure they try all the famous local dishes.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? Little India.
If you’re missing home, what do you do? I’ll cook myself some Hungarian food.
This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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