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 Sydney Irwin, a Canadian working as a business manager in Singapore, about the ins and outs of living in Namly Place.
The Specifics
What’s the name of the street where you live? Namly Place.
Do you know how it got its name? The street was named after the Ceylonese Tamil surveyor Arumugam Annamalai Pillai. As his full name was too long, the British government shortened it to Namly.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? Depends on how many Pinot Grigios I’ve had…
What’s the name of your neighbourhood? Namly Estate.
Closest MRT station? Sixth Avenue (Downtown Line).
How long have you lived here? One year with my husband Matt and our dog Tusker! This is the first place we’ve lived in since moving to Singapore.
Why here? Ask our 70-pound Italian Spinone who demanded a proper backyard!
The Scene
The closest store to your front door is: Plank Sourdough Pizza.
Your neighbours are great, but you wouldn’t mind a little less: Construction!
The unofficial uniform of your street is: Spandex and flip-flops!
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Order a kopi-o kosong peng and some kaya toast for breakfast. I had to have a kaya intervention after moving here and discovering it!
If you’re missing home, you: Think about the potential 60-degree temperature swing in the winter.
A mandatory stop for out-of-town guests is: Our list is very long, but if we had to pick one, it would be a walk through the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to be: A dog-barking medley
The Superlatives
Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: Champions Golf Driving Range – it’s a weekly tradition for us. We are proud Picotin members; after you make a few slices, you gotta eat a few slices.
You won’t find better local food than at: Old Airport Road Food Centre.
The strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street is: Three rhinoceros hornbills squawking so loudly in front of our house that you could hear them throughout the whole neighbourhood. They look prehistoric!
We love a good bargain. The best deals in your neighbourhood are: 6th Avenue Wanton Mee at Good Good Eating House. We get the Char Siew noodles for $3.50. They close at midday, so it’s best to get there early. Not ashamed to say my husband and I have ended up here more than once after a morning run through the neighbourhood!
The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: The extensive prata menu at Casuarina Curry.
One thing you’d never change is: The quaint neighbourhood charm. It’s so quiet and peaceful.
The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street. You use it to: Put in an off-leash dog park and an ice-cream store.
For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section.
A structured day keeps the doc away
It’s time for a good family portrait
This article first appeared in the November 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
