BABS HOGAN is from the Czech Republic and she’s the owner of F45 Tanjong Rhu. She talks us through where she lives in Singapore, and what she loves (and doesn’t love!) about it. Plus, read her recommendations of shops and things to do.
Living in Tanjong Katong
What’s the name of your street? Crescent Road.
How long have you lived here? Why here? It’s been five years, and I love this ’hood. It’s a short walk to coffee shops, East Coast Park and Katong.
Closest MRT station? Tanjong Katong MRT (brown Thomson-East Coast Line), which opened in 2024.
What’s an interesting bit of trivia about your neighbourhood? Tanjong Katong literally means “turtle point” in Malay; it likely takes its name from a species of sea turtle once seen there (though now extinct). Or it may also refer to the rippling effect of a mirage seen out at sea.
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? Unfortunately, a construction site!
What’s the closest store or business to you? TIBC (The Ice Bath Club, a wellness hub / recovery club).
If your street was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be? Mad Max: Fury Road – only it would be Mad Max: Detour Road, featuring endless barricades, excavators replacing war rigs, and a hero’s mission of getting from one end of Crescent Road to the other without falling into a pothole the size of a crater! Villains: the contractors who keep promising it will be done by next week.
Anything else you wouldn’t mind a little less of? Their dogs barking very loudly past midnight.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? A raft of otters coming to our gate one Sunday morning at 7.30am and wanting to play with our pet Cavapoo.
Tanjong Katong: Fact File
Before land reclamation, Babs’ Tanjong Katong neighbourhood used to be on the seafront. For this reason, a lot of the streets in the area are named for coastal settlements in the UK: Boscombe, Poole, Branksome and Clacton, for example. Another main road in this part of the island is Mountbatten Road: it used to be called Grove Road because of a huge coconut estate owned by Singapore’s first superintendent of police.
Things to do around Crescent Road
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the Tanjong Katong?
• TIBC for a cold dip and sauna, and the best coffee in town!
• The BAR Station for a casual bite to eat and drink – no fuss and the service is great.
• Butcher Box gourmet butchery at Joo Chiat – great choice and quality.
What are the best places for shopping in the neighbourhood? Boutique shops in Joo Chiat (including The Wyld Shop), facials at Skin Glow on Tanjong Katong Road, Lululemon at i12, and Little Farms for a healthy brunch and grocery shopping.
What are some fun or interesting things to do nearby? Walking or cycling to East Coast Park, which is our family favourite thing to do. I also like going to work out at my F45 Tanjong Rhu gym, which is my second home!
What’s one thing you’d never want to see in your area? Someone knocking down the old beautiful houses and building four-storey houses without any charm.
How about one thing you would change? I would divert traffic away from Crescent Road or at least educate drivers when to stop their car when they want to turn to the main road – i.e., give way first before you move your car without even looking; that would avoid lots of other cars beeping their horns 90 percent of the time throughout the day!
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it? Build a proper park for kids – this neighbourhood is definitely missing a nearby one.
Things to do in Singapore
What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? Lau Pa Sat – going for satay on the street at night is always a must-do.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go? We’ve recently loved going to Clarke Quay, walking along the river where kids can scoot around and we can soak in a bit of culture.
If you’re missing home, what do you do? Do a quick video call with my family.
How to feature in our Street Talk section:
Do you love your neighbourhood? If so, share it with our readers – just email us at contribute@expatliving.sg with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
This article first appeared in the January 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version free now.
Interested in knowing about editorial options? Email us at sales@expatliving.sg.
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