In our latest instalment of Street Talk, Singaporean INDRANI DAS tells us why she and her family settled in Loyang 14 years ago, and what they love about the area. Loyang Avenue, located close to Changi Beach, has provided a convenient base for Indrani, who’s FedEx Express offices are now in Changi Business Park. As both Indrani and her husband travel frequently, being close to the airport has also been an advantage. We find out more about what it’s like living in Loyang Valley condo and her local area recommendations.
Condo Fact File
Name of condo: Loyang Valley
Size: 362 large units
Build date: 1985
Nearest supermarket: Sheng Shiong and Giant at Loyang Point
The vibe: “Kampong style – homely and friendly. Everyone knows everyone as they have been living here for a long time.”
Living in Loyang
What’s the name of your street? Loyang Avenue.
If it’s in another language, what does it mean? The name means “brass” or “tray” in Malay. Loyang Avenue was previously called Kuala Loyang Road before it was widened. It leads to Changi Air Base. Kuala means “estuary” in Malay. This area used to be swampy land filled with mangroves before it was reclaimed. Some of these can still be seen in Pasir Ris Park.
What’s a common myth or misconception about living in Loyang? That it’s very ulu! The area is also believed to be haunted by the restless souls of those who died here during World War II. It was very close to the POW camps during the Japanese occupation and not too far from Changi Beach.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “The red brick condo on Loyang Avenue, opposite the Chinese temple, near the MINDEF camp.”
Closest MRT station to Loyang Valley? Pasir Ris (Green Line) and Tampines East (Blue Line).
How long have you lived here? Since 2010. We fell in love with the greenery and quietness of the area and the associated history. Loyang also fitted in very nicely for us. It was the centre of our universe with kids studying in UWCSEA East Tampines and OFS Pasir Ris. Also my office was in ALPS (Airport Logistics Park) near Changi Village and then later Changi Business Park. The close proximity to the airport was also useful as both hubby and I travel very frequently (at least monthly).
Around Loyang Avenue
When you walk out of Loyang Valley, what’s the first thing you see? Lush greenery with lots of giant trees all around. It used to have a lot of the original tropical rainforest around, and large trees along the road and on the dividers. The new MRT construction, bus interchange and redevelopment of the MINDEF camp means all that is gone. There used to be a popular cycle track, too, with people cycling along Loyang Avenue to the Changi coastline up to the ECP.
What’s the closest store to your Loyang Valley condo? Loyang Point is one bus stop away; over the years, it has been modernised and expanded to include many shops and eateries. It was one of the first fully independent airconditioned HDB-owned shopping malls to open in the 1990s.
If Loyang Avenue was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be? If it was chosen for a movie it would be because it’s very picturesque.
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? There’s not much of a neighbourhood as such. We’re the only residential complex along the stretch. Our neighbours are the squirrels, lizards, snakes and many varieties of birds that live in this area!
What’s the unofficial uniform of Loyang Avenue? Free and easy, shorts and t-shirts.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? Nothing that I’ve seen myself, but there are often sightings of different types of snakes including pythons and vipers.
Things to do in Loyang
Which are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood? Chinese food from the food court at Loyang Point. Changi Village for the best nasi biryani and Indian food at Dynamic. And The Bark Café on Upper Changi Road for Western and local food.
Where are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood? Loyang Point is good for everyday stuff and groceries, and eHub at Downtown East in Pasir Ris has a wide variety of shops. White Sands in Pasir Ris is great for clothes and home items.
Name some fun or interesting things to do around Loyang Avenue? This area has a lot of unique things to do, including cycling, bird watching, the Wild Wild Wet theme park, bowling in Downtown East, and fishing. You can also watch planes taking off and landing from Changi Beach.
What’s one thing you’d never change about living in Loyang? The tropical greenery and quietness in this area.
How about one thing you would change? Mosquitoes! Loyang has been one of the highest dengue-prone areas.
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? I would retain and restore all the trees on the road and thick patches of jungle like it was before all the construction started.
A short history of Loyang
Loyang is a subzone of Pasir Ris and takes its name from a Malay kampong that once existed in the area. Before redevelopment, there was also a village mosque, Kampong Loyang Besar Mosque. This area is also well known for the Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple, located on Loyang Way. This multi-religious temple is dedicated to the Taoist God of Wealth and other Chinese deities, and also has shrines dedicated to Hindu deities and to the Malay religious belief of Datuk Keramat. It’s open 24 hours a day for worship and is especially lively during Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Loyang area was also home to a big military establishment, the former School of Basic Military Training (SBMT). This camp was used to train fresh recruits joining national service. It later moved to Pulao Tekong, the island to the east of Pulau Ubin.
This article on living in Loyang Valley first appeared in the February 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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