American expat Katrina Lim loves her neighbourhood. If you are moving to Singapore or looking for a new place to live, our neighbourhood guides are a great way to get insights on living in Singapore. Here Katrina, who works as an English teacher and freelance scriptwriter, spills the beans on the ins and outs of Bedok North Drive.
The Specifics
What’s the name of the street where you live? Bedok North Drive.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Bedok Mall.”
Closest MRT station? Bedok MRT (green East-West Line).
How long have you lived here? Thirteen months.
Why here? It’s super convenient to everything: food, transport and shopping. I love Bedok because my relatives also live in the East. I left the neighbourhood for America when I was three years old, and now I’m back!
The Scene
When you walk out of your place, the first thing you see is: McDonald’s.
The closest store to your front door is: Ya Kun Kaya Toast.
Your neighbours are great, but you wouldn’t mind a little less: Noise. Also, my Korean neighbours like to cook with their front door open. I know it’s specifically to make me jealous because everything they cook smells so good! I’m still waiting for the dinner invite…
The unofficial uniform of your street is: An SBS Transit uniform. The bus interchange is right below my home.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Go to Katong. My mom grew up in Katong and I love hanging out at all the cool eateries along East Coast Road. If you’re missing home, you: Cook corned beef hash and poached eggs for breakfast.
A mandatory stop for out-of-town guests is: Chilli Padi Nonya Restaurant in Joo Chiat. I’m Peranakan and ayam buah keluak is my favourite food of all time. It’s a must try! If you like it, cool; if you don’t, even better – more for me!
A common myth about your neighbourhood is: It’s haunted. Not sure if it’s just a myth or true, but sometimes there are things that go bump in the night. I don’t mind at all, so long as there’s no snoring.
A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to be: Crazy old uncles in taxis!
The Superlatives
Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: Bedok Chwee Kueh and Springleaf Prata Place in Siglap. Cheese and mushroom prata FTW!
You won’t find better local food than at: Block 216 (Bedok North Street 1 Market and Food Centre).
We love a good bargain. The best deals in your neighbourhood are: The kaya toast set for $2.80 and masala dosa for $1.50 at Block 216.
The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: Bedok Chwee Kueh (steamed rice cakes with a preserved radish topping called chai poh).
One thing you’d never change is: All the mom-and-pop bakeries in the neighbourhood. I love to walk past them and just sniff. (No calories in sniffs.)
But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: The HDB construction next door.
The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street. You use it to: Build a grocery store offering more imported products from America.
The Condo
Name of condo: Bedok Residences.
Facilities: Goodsized gym, huge pool and six spa pools.
Size: Eight blocks.
New or old: Since 2015.
Within walking distance of a supermarket? NTUC Finest right downstairs.
What’s the community vibe? Homey modern heartland.
Are the facilities kid-friendly? Yes.
For more helpful tips head to our Living in Singapore section!
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This article first appeared in the May 2018 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
