STREET TALK

An insider's guide to life in their 'hood

- Brian Kennett

What's the name of your street and neighbourhood?

East Coast Terrace, Siglap.

If it’s in another language, what does it mean?

Siglap probably got its name from the Malay word gelap, which means “the dark one”. By the way, it used to be on the coast back in the “kampong days” - it was a fishing village.

What’s a common myth or misconception about your ’hood?

The most common one is that it's far from the city centre. But it takes us the same amount of time to get to the city as when we lived on Tanjong Rhu, right near the river and the Singapore Flyer. Let's just say that it’s far enough away to be a super cool, laid-back local suburb, but close enough if you need the city vibe.

Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home?

“Taxi, can go to Siglap, ah?! Cepat!”

Closest MRT station?

Siglap (TE28) on the brown Thomson-East Coast Line.

How long have you lived here? Why here?

Nearly 12 years now. Why? Because East Side is Best Side! We were living in a condo closer to the city, but it felt very “transient” — akin to living in a hotel. We visited a friend in Siglap at his local hawker centre one summer's evening. The birds were singing. There was a live band (yes, at the hawker centre!). The food was incredible. It was packed with families, and not many of them expats. There was a buzz that was just incredible. We immediately fell in love with the suburb and moved as soon as our existing lease would allow.

We've lived in Siglap ever since, and we feel at home. It's close to everything (beach, airport, city), it's a foodie paradise, and it's a close-knit burb where we have made many lifelong friends.

When you walk out of your place, what's the first thing you see?