Guide to living on Everton Road in Spottiswood

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 Matthew Elton who is the owner and chief auctioneer at HotLotz. Matthew who is originally from the UK tell us about the ins and outs of living on Everton Road.

The specifics:

What’s the name of the street where you live? Everton Road.

Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Everton Park please, Uncle/Auntie.”

What’s the name of your neighbourhood? Spottiswood.

Closest MRT station? Two minutes to Outram Park MRT.

How long have you lived here? Five years.

Why here? For some spacious “on the ground” living after years of living in a condo. It’s also equidistant from the CBD and the HotLotz salesroom for a quick commute to work. There’s an eclectic and historical streetscape; from my bedroom window, I can see shophouses, classic 60s HDBs, ultra-modern HDBs (The Pinnacle) and skyscrapers at the CBD. The markets and shops of Tanjong Pagar are a few minutes’ away, as are the hip bars and restaurants on Keong Saik Road.

The scene:

When you walk out of your place, the first thing you see is: Lots of pots of trees and flowers. I rescue dried out and discarded plants and bring them back to life!

The closest store to your front door is: The Everton Park HDB hawker centre – all the basics covered when you’re in a rush.

Your street would make the perfect backdrop for a remake of: A Singaporean remake of Pretty Woman. The shophouses all have first floor balconies and there are five-star hotels and ritzy shopping a stone’s throw away.

The unofficial uniform of your street is: Havaianas! We are a laid-back street.

When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Head down to see what’s on at The Esplanade – failing that, fly to London!

If you’re missing home, you: Check the UK weather forecast – that usually resets things!

A mandatory stop for out-of-town guests is: I love PS Café at Dempsey; it’s a great spot for alfresco dinners and has amazingly consistent quality.

A common myth about your neighbourhood is: Despite what people might say, it is possible to leave the underground maze that is Outram Park MRT, by the correct exit. Practice makes perfect!

A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to be: A house party – maybe even one of ours!

The superlatives:

Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: The LoKal – easily the best brunch spot. They make everything from scratch, even butter! There’s now a dinner menu, too. If you’re in the mood for a burger and cocktail, then it’s hard to beat the rooftop of Potato Head.

You won’t find better local food than at: Ya-Mahyuddin Al-Jailani Restaurant on the corner of Kampong Bahru and Blair Road – especially for a murtabak at 4am after a big Saturday night when you’re starving. It’s open 24 hours, so it’s good for all sorts of hunger emergencies! There’s great coffee at Highlander Coffee Espresso Bar and Nylon Coffee Roasters; they’re right on our doorstep and the beans are house roasted.

We love a good bargain. The best deals in your neighbourhood are: We head five minutes up the road to HotLotz to see what treasures are up for auction.

The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: Homemade gelato from the Everton Creamery.

One thing you’d never change is: Living on the ground – I love to relax on the porch and watch the world go by.

But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: I’d rehouse everyone that lives in the block in the Everton Park HDB that has the same number as our shophouse. Taxi drivers always go there by mistake!

The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street. You use it to: Pedestrianise it and throw an annual carnival! I’ve lived in West London for 10 years, so maybe Everton Road could become the new Notting Hill?

Like this? Hear what another expat had to say about Sentosa Cove or read more at our neighbourhood guides section.

This article first appeared in the October 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!