Looking to move to a new neighbourhood? Nothing would be better than to hear from the residents themselves. We speak to Debbie and Kim Seidelman, about the ins and outs of living at Telok Blangah Road.
The Specifics
Where do you live? Telok Blangah Road.
If it’s in another language, what does it mean? It means “cooking-pot bay” in Malay.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Skyline Residences.” Sometimes we need to add: “Across the street from the Keppel Club.”
Closest MRT station? Telok Blangah (Circle Line), just a five-minute walk down the street.
How long have you lived here? 10 months.
Why here? We live on the 21st storey and fell in love with the view of the sea, Keppel Golf Links and Sentosa Island. It is also conveniently located near an MRT station, just one stop from HarbourFront and VivoCity.
The Scene
When you walk out of your place, the first thing you see is: Telok Blangah Road and West Coast Highway.
The closest store to your front door is: SPC Petrol Station; it’s a good place to get a bag of ice in a pinch.
Your street would make the perfect backdrop for a remake of: The 1968 thriller Bullitt; I can picture Steve McQueen racing through the streets.
Your neighbours are great, but you wouldn’t mind a little less: Yappy dog barking – dog owners not taking responsibility of their pets.
The unofficial uniform of your street is: Shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops.
Which celebrity would you most like to move in next door, and why? Jay Leno, but only if he brought his car collection and gave us access to them!
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Go to the Telok Blangah Market and Food Centre. It’s located directly behind the condo and is as local as it gets. We love it.
If you’re missing home, you: Go to Smokey’s BBQ for some ribs or brisket and a beverage. Also we jump on Twitter and follow the Green Bay Packers during the NFL season. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year.
A mandatory stop for out-of-town guests is: A visit to Gardens by The Bay followed by a drink at the top of Marina Bay Sands.
You’d swap houses in a second with: Either of the nearby condos, Corals or Reflections, which both overlook the Keppel Marina.
If you’re ever woken up at night, it’s almost always due to: The sound of the empty container trailers on Telok Blangah Road, or a thunderstorm.
A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to be: The Buddhist Fellowship Centre at the Yeo Building – they love to party on Sundays!
The Superlatives
Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: Sum Kee Food Restaurant and Beer Garden – the food is delicious and it’s a five-minute walk. Tamarind Hill in Labrador Park is an old black-and-white with a beautiful interior, great history and excellent food. Privé at Keppel Bay Marina has excellent views, good food and service. And the Telok Blangah Food Centre is a favourite for a tasty and quick lunch.
You won’t find better local food than at: New Rasa Singapura.
The strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street is: A man blasting down the sidewalk on his electric scooter carrying a bird in a bird cage.
We love a good bargain. The best deals in your neighbourhood are: Telok Blangah Market. You can find just about any fresh food or household item at a great price.
The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: Sucre Bakery in the Telok Blangah Market. It has the best pound cake, with many flavours to choose from.
One thing you’d never change is: Living close to so many parks that interconnect and have beautiful trails. We love that there is so much green space in the area.
But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: Traffic noise.
Why should your neighborhood be featured in a guidebook? The Telok Blangah area is surrounded by so many parks – Labrador Park, The Henderson Wave, Telok Blangah Park, Mount Faber and Hort Park. There are shopping and dining choices and the people are friendly!
This is an extract from an article that first appeared in the March 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy for the full article, or Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!
We have a whole heap of Neighbourhood Guides to help you get to know your hood, or if you are thinking of moving! Or check out more about Living in Singapore.
