Malaysian expat TAN SZE YOONG explains why living at Seaside Residences condo at East Coast Park ticks all the boxes for her family.
About their home
Who lives here: Sze Yoong, husband Ong Sea Yen, Sienna (13), Seth (10) and Sophie (6)
Where is it: In the Marine Parade area of Siglap, opposite East Coast Park
Type of property: Condo apartment in Seaside Residences with private lift, pool-facing ground-floor corner unit (“We chose the ground floor to give our children the freedom to play in the open areas in the evenings with neighbours – it also gives the feeling of living in a landed property”)
Tell us a little about yourself.
We are Malaysians originally from Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, approximately 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur. We’ve been living in Singapore since 2016. Our relocation was prompted by my husband’s job offer from Spotify; he is now with TikTok. When we first arrived, Sienna was five years old and Seth was just one and a half; Sophie was born in Singapore two years later. We’re currently Permanent Residents (PR).
Where did you first live when you came here and why?
We initially settled in The Meyerise, a condo on Meyer Road, near Fort Road. We chose a condo on the East Coast because my brother-in-law’s family lives there, close to his practice at Parkway East Hospital, and Sea Yen’s work was in town, with a short commute via the East Coast Parkway (ECP). Proximity to Changi Airport was a significant factor as well, with Sea Yen’s frequent travels.
What areas and types of properties did you look at?
We quickly fell in love with the East Coast area, unaware of its hidden charm. Later, we discovered that many cafés, restaurants and gyms had begun relocating here, which made us realise how fortunate we were to have settled here from the outset.
We explored nearly every condominium on Meyer Road and Amber Road but couldn’t find one that felt right. Then, while driving to Jewel for groceries, we noticed a “For Sale” banner on the construction site of Seaside Residences. We initially thought that after so many years since its launch, there wouldn’t be any desirable units left. To our surprise, there was a unit that met our requirements. This was during COVID, so we had to review the floor plans and 3D showroom of the unit online. We had been searching for a place for nearly two years, and we knew this was the right move for us.
We were specifically looking for a four bedroom unit; this one had three bedrooms plus a spacious study that could easily be converted into an additional bedroom. The playground, basketball court and tennis courts were conveniently near, yet not close enough to disturb us with noise. And a beautiful, gently sloping beach pool lay just in front, separated by planters and a grass lawn for privacy – waking up to greenery surrounding our unit has been truly blissful.
What were the first things you bought when you got to Singapore?
We had a relocation package that allowed us to ship some furniture from Malaysia. Our priority was to create a sense of home for our children. We even brought over a large double-decker princess bed for Sienna. Since our unit at The Meyerise was unfurnished, we had to acquire additional pieces to furnish it. We opted for online shopping to purchase major items like the dining table and sofa.
When we moved to Seaside Residences, we were more deliberate in our shopping. We sourced most of our furniture from furniture malls and online platforms to achieve our desired look.
Did you get any help with the interior design?
My husband and I thoroughly enjoy the creative process of designing mood boards for our home. Our condo in Malaysia had previously received a silver award in a home interiors magazine, giving us confidence in our sense of style. Ultimately, despite knowing what we wanted, we opted to hire Bow from 19 Eighty Three, an interior design consultancy, to oversee the renovation for us.
What have been your best furniture or home décor buys?
Investing in a high-quality leather sofa that can last for years with proper care is a wise decision. As evident from our home, we prioritise spending on fixtures and other permanent elements of décor. Loose furniture items, while flexible, must align with the overall theme. It was crucial for us not to acquire pieces solely based on personal preference if they didn’t gel with the entire space. Each piece was deliberately chosen to complement the cohesive look of our home, ensuring a harmonious flow throughout.
What do you love about Seaside Residences and the East Coast?
The Thomson-East Coast Line of the MRT started operations in June 2024, and we’re delighted that the Siglap MRT exit is located next to our condo. Although we primarily use our car, having the MRT option adds flexibility and connectivity.
Most of the restaurants, cafés, gyms and children’s activities are concentrated in the Marine Parade area. There’s Parkway Parade, a substantial mall with a diverse range of tenants, along with smaller niche malls like i12 Katong, Katong V, and Little Farms. The blend of preserved heritage shophouses and modern cafés in the area contribute to the ambience. Joo Chiat Road offers numerous bakeries, fashion outlets and cool lifestyle-driven retail offerings. I find myself rarely needing to go into town anymore.
What’s been your favourite regional holiday and why?
Recently, we took a family trip to Bali with the intention of exposing our children to eco-friendly and off-the-beaten track places. I took Sophie on a waste management tour at Potato Head Beach Club. We went behind the scenes to witness firsthand how they collect, sort and process their waste. It was inspiring to learn that they have reduced waste to the point that they only send three percent of it to landfill.
We also visited stunning homes constructed from bamboo and toured a bamboo processing factory so the children could see the humble beginnings of this eco-friendly material. And we toured a traditional chocolate factory to see the entire chocolate-making process, from bean to bar. The “factory” was in the owner’s home, and everything operated at a slower pace that the owner wanted to impart. He taught us the value of slowing down in life rather than rushing through it.
In the March 2024 holidays, we travelled to Batam and witnessed firsthand the poverty that many people face there. Our church organised a father-and-son trip to a children’s orphanage, with the aim of bringing joy and providing assistance to the home. The experience has inspired us to take our own children on similar trips in the future, for them to understand the importance of making a positive impact and contributing to the world around them.
What trips do you have on your bucket list?
One of my child’s school teachers recommended visiting Terengganu in Malaysia, home to Redang Island. We’re eager to take the children there to participate in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program. Further afield, we’d also love to take the family to the Maldives for a serene beach holiday.
Recommendations
Furniture & Home Décor
Homes to Life (“for customised premium leather”) | homestolife.com
Bed Bath N’ Table (“for stylish home décor”) | bedbathntable.com.sg
School
Tanjong Katong Primary School is well regarded within the expat community, and often described as the ‘local international school’; approximately 40 percent of the school’s student body is international, hailing from 40 different countries and nationalities. Sienna was fortunate to secure a spot there, which subsequently allowed her siblings to enter the school under sibling priority.”
Hairdresser
Elin Ho, Director Stylist, Salon Vim | salonvim.sg
Clothes
The Wyld Shop, Fashion & Lifestyle Boutique | thewyldshop.com
Looqal | looqal.com
Restaurants, Cafés & Bars
Fico (Italian) | ficomasseria.com
Jypsy Parkland Green (Japanese) | pscafe.com/jypsy-parkland-green
Supernova (Western) | supernovaforeva.com.sg
Firangi Superstar (Modern Indian) | firangisuperstar.com
Hotels
“We prefer to stay at Bonvoy Marriott hotels – it’s convenient to stick with a group of hotels that offer perks through brand loyalty.”
Things to Do in Singapore
“Cycle along the East Coast Park (ECP) and beyond, with Changi Airport in one direction and Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in the other.”
This article on Seaside Residences, a condo at East Coast Park first appeared in the August 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
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