Whether you’re already living in Singapore and looking to move to a new neighbourhood or moving here from overseas, nothing beats hearing from the residents themselves! We speak to Guilia Di Stefano from Italy, about the ins and outs of living on Havelock Road in Robertson Quay.
The specifics:
What’s the name of the street where you live? Havelock Road.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? I just say “Riverplace!”
What’s the name of your neighbourhood? Robertson Quay.
Closest MRT station? Chinatown and Clarke Quay MRT.
How long have you lived here? Since March 2017.
Why here? The river, the peace and quiet, and the greenery. It’s like living in a small village, but with the benefits of being in the city centre!
The Scene
When you walk out of your place, the first thing you see is: The river and loads of nice little restaurants.
The closest store to your front door is: 7-Eleven right across the road.
Your street would make the perfect backdrop for a remake of: It has to be Desperate Housewives!
Your neighbours are great, but you wouldn’t mind a little less: There is always a mess in the bike parking lot. Some bikes are parked in such a way that it makes impossible to pick up your own.
The unofficial uniform of your street is: Spartan Race t-shirts on people running beside the river.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Cross the road and go to the Singapore Repertory Theatre. They always have unique plays.
If you’re missing home, you: Visit an authentic Italian restaurant! I love D.O.P. Mozzarella Bar & Restaurant just across the road. Nothing is better than an entire restaurant dedicated to Italian mozzarella!
A mandatory stop for out-of-town guests is: Cycling from Clarke Quay to the East Coast – a great way to explore the city!
A common myth about your neighbourhood is: Only families with kids live here.
The Superlatives
Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: D.O.P., Wine Connection and Bakalaki Greek Taverna a little further out.
You won’t find better local food than at: Lau Pa Sat. Probably not the best but definitely the most impressive setting.
The strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street is: A doggie school bus that picks up a dog every morning at 8am sharp!
We love a good bargain; the best deals in your neighbourhood are: One-for-one happy hour at District 10 Bar and Restaurant.
The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: There are a dozen incredible places, but the go-to place on a “cheat day” is Wine Connection for cheese fondue.
One thing you’d never change is: The river view.
But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: Modified scooters that look like motorbikes and go speeding down the footpaths.
The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street. You use it to: Create cycling lanes.
The Condo
Name of condo: Riverplace
Age: 17 years
Facilities: Swimming pool, kids pool, tennis courts, gym, club house, steam room/sauna, playground, bbq pits, dog areas and more
Size: 500 units
Closest supermarket: Four within walking distance
Community vibe: Peaceful and laidback
Like this? Hear what another expat had to say about Sentosa Cove or read more at our neighbourhood guides section.
This article first appeared in the December 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
Michaela Bisset
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