Two places I would spend a million dollars on ...
Ever wondered where you would want to stay when you grow old and retire in Singapore? I lived in several areas on the island including Jurong East, Bukit Batok, East Coast, Geylang and Hougang and I have visted friends living in Bukit Timah, Little India, Jurong West etc. I think I would choose to stay in two areas if I have a million dollars (which is not much nowadays). A million dollars would probably get me a 700 square feet (sqft) apartment - same size as a HDB three-room flat. Not much space for Edwin and I actually, given that we are bigger sized.
The lure of the East
East Coast Park/Siglap/Marine Parade/Katong
I stayed for about a year at Marine Drive (right smacked in the middle of Marine Parade), between the library and Parkway Parade. There was a whole lot of work-life balance there that it was almost unbelievable. I used to wake up on Saturdays and walk over to the gym at Parkway. On Sundays, I will bring my dog for a jog at the beach. It takes only 10 minutes (without a jam) to reach work. I even jogged home from work twice when I was working at Milennia Towers - how fun was that!
I like the East. I like it that it is near the sea, basic amenities are nearby and it is close to the city. It feels good when a famous eatery or cinema is just a walk away. And, it feels nice when it rains there. When we looked out from the 3/4 length glass window, we are able to see the sea view from afar. Edwin used to be able to tell when it is going to rain about 15 minutes before it starts. He can tell when grey clouds hover on top of the sea.
I miss Marine Parade but for some personal reasons I have to move to Hougang. But, it is not that I am not happy staying at my current place. When I was walking home today after Edwin called me to tell me that there is no need for us to buy food back or go out to eat because my mom-in-law (MIL) is warming up some rice dumplings - I feel warmth in my heart - looking forward to going back to a family of six (seven plus Toto) and having dinner with them. For friends who don't know - my MIL is my next door neighbour. Yes. She lives right next door.
The convenience and good life at Kovan
Kovan/Serangoon/Lowland Road/Simon Road
Kovan is more "heartlandish" than the East - there is no lure of the sea, not a lot of landed housing and nice and pretty condominiums. But, I like Kovan. I like the simple convenience of being near the North East Line (NEL) where I can travel to Plaza Singapura, Little India, China Town very easily. There are two main condominiums near Kovan MRT - Kovan Melody and Kovan Residences - both are very expensive. But the advantage is you don't need to bring an umbrella out at all during rainy days. All you need to do is to take MRT via the underground tunnel. And after you reach the MRT and travel to say, Plaza Singapura (which is 15 minutes away), you are still sheltered. Isn't that amazing? You can't do that in Marine Parade - there isn't a lot of shelter all over the place.
Another thing I like about Kovan is - actually that area is very pet friendly. There is a vet and a dog supplies store nearby and you can walk your dog at the parks surrounding that area. Nex Mall is nearby anyways (just an MRT stop away) and there is a dog friendly restaurant called "Doggiestyle Cafe" that Edwin, Toto and I frequent.
For food - Heartland Mall has a good variety of cuisine - Nonya, Japanese, Western, Korean, Japanese, Hong Kong...it is small and yet very self-sufficient. There are three petrol stations at the area, which can get quite bothersome when you drive during the weekends because the traffic can get quite heavy when parents fetch their kids for lessons at the central area. There is even an Amore fitness gym that I usually go to for yoga lessons. There are places for massage, pedi & mani and facial.
The best part is - things are not expensive at Kovan. There is a CK department store that sells bathing equipment at very low prices. And there is a hawker centre and wet market there as well.
The gist is...
While I have friends and colleagues staying in the central area (Bukit Timah, Novena, Little India), I still prefer places away from the city but yet quite accessible. And, I also prefer places that is within walking distance from the air-conditioned shopping centers and the cheaper non-airconditioned retail outlets where you can find good bargains. If I won Toto or have a million dollars, I wouldn't mind staying at either East Coast or Kovan. But, I do hope that I can stay in a condominium that is at least 1000 sqft. I want to stay in a condominium because I like the feeling that the swimming pool is just downstairs, I have a sheltered car park and guards.
When can my Singapore dream come true?
CC
The lure of the East
East Coast Park/Siglap/Marine Parade/Katong
I stayed for about a year at Marine Drive (right smacked in the middle of Marine Parade), between the library and Parkway Parade. There was a whole lot of work-life balance there that it was almost unbelievable. I used to wake up on Saturdays and walk over to the gym at Parkway. On Sundays, I will bring my dog for a jog at the beach. It takes only 10 minutes (without a jam) to reach work. I even jogged home from work twice when I was working at Milennia Towers - how fun was that!
I like the East. I like it that it is near the sea, basic amenities are nearby and it is close to the city. It feels good when a famous eatery or cinema is just a walk away. And, it feels nice when it rains there. When we looked out from the 3/4 length glass window, we are able to see the sea view from afar. Edwin used to be able to tell when it is going to rain about 15 minutes before it starts. He can tell when grey clouds hover on top of the sea.
I miss Marine Parade but for some personal reasons I have to move to Hougang. But, it is not that I am not happy staying at my current place. When I was walking home today after Edwin called me to tell me that there is no need for us to buy food back or go out to eat because my mom-in-law (MIL) is warming up some rice dumplings - I feel warmth in my heart - looking forward to going back to a family of six (seven plus Toto) and having dinner with them. For friends who don't know - my MIL is my next door neighbour. Yes. She lives right next door.
The convenience and good life at Kovan
Kovan/Serangoon/Lowland Road/Simon Road
Kovan is more "heartlandish" than the East - there is no lure of the sea, not a lot of landed housing and nice and pretty condominiums. But, I like Kovan. I like the simple convenience of being near the North East Line (NEL) where I can travel to Plaza Singapura, Little India, China Town very easily. There are two main condominiums near Kovan MRT - Kovan Melody and Kovan Residences - both are very expensive. But the advantage is you don't need to bring an umbrella out at all during rainy days. All you need to do is to take MRT via the underground tunnel. And after you reach the MRT and travel to say, Plaza Singapura (which is 15 minutes away), you are still sheltered. Isn't that amazing? You can't do that in Marine Parade - there isn't a lot of shelter all over the place.
Another thing I like about Kovan is - actually that area is very pet friendly. There is a vet and a dog supplies store nearby and you can walk your dog at the parks surrounding that area. Nex Mall is nearby anyways (just an MRT stop away) and there is a dog friendly restaurant called "Doggiestyle Cafe" that Edwin, Toto and I frequent.
For food - Heartland Mall has a good variety of cuisine - Nonya, Japanese, Western, Korean, Japanese, Hong Kong...it is small and yet very self-sufficient. There are three petrol stations at the area, which can get quite bothersome when you drive during the weekends because the traffic can get quite heavy when parents fetch their kids for lessons at the central area. There is even an Amore fitness gym that I usually go to for yoga lessons. There are places for massage, pedi & mani and facial.
The best part is - things are not expensive at Kovan. There is a CK department store that sells bathing equipment at very low prices. And there is a hawker centre and wet market there as well.
The gist is...
While I have friends and colleagues staying in the central area (Bukit Timah, Novena, Little India), I still prefer places away from the city but yet quite accessible. And, I also prefer places that is within walking distance from the air-conditioned shopping centers and the cheaper non-airconditioned retail outlets where you can find good bargains. If I won Toto or have a million dollars, I wouldn't mind staying at either East Coast or Kovan. But, I do hope that I can stay in a condominium that is at least 1000 sqft. I want to stay in a condominium because I like the feeling that the swimming pool is just downstairs, I have a sheltered car park and guards.
When can my Singapore dream come true?
CC
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