Most Singaporeans would be familiar with the perennial argument. The one that truly divides our multi-ethnic, multiracial nation, the one talked about both over school lunchtime discourse and on the Reddit boards: Ay, which side is best ah, East or West?
Whilst probably not at all conclusive, the folks at answers.sg have collected 1,791 votes on this pressing matter, which we at Uchify sat down to chew through. Here are the results, and what we think it shows.
The verdict
The mild surprise here is that the best region to live in isn’t East or West at all, but the Central part of Singapore, assuming you have the dosh for it. That said, East side does come close, being a few percentages short of being just as popular.
Sorry West-siders, it seems like either passions haven’t been heated enough for a high voter turnout, or that most Singaporeans concede that it just isn’t as good of a place to live in as compared to the East.
Perhaps it would behove us to have a quick look at what draws these 2 places have that makes them so attractive.
Central: the very best that Singapore can offer
Image Credit: MakeYourAsia
To be honest, when you realise that Central is basically where the CBD is at, it starts becoming a little silly to think about other regions holding a candle to this region, as far as amenities go.
Image Credit: MakeYourAsia
With Gardens By The Bay, Clarke Quay and the entire Orchard Shopping Belt in this area, you aren’t at all short on things to do in your free time, international restaurants to dine at, or places for retail therapy.
When you consider that ethnic enclaves such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam are also located in this region, you’d realise that you also got the cultural card in your corner.
East side: Upscale living close to the city
Image credit: Pinterest
The East side is known for many things: its proximity to East Coast Park, as well as the perceived higher quality of living conditions there. Which to be fair, isn’t at all untrue.
Image credit: Pinterest
With the higher property prices there, how close it is to the city, and picturesque shophouses in the Katong area, sometimes it really is hard for Westies to come up with snide remarks about living in the East. The West may be where the heartland is, but folks on the East side definitely have it better by most metrics.
Image credit: Eatbook
Food is not at all something that is lacking either, with our colleagues over at Eatbook having featured a long list of delectable noms available there. The East side isn’t short on nightlife too, with the number of bars available here, so Easties don’t need to travel to the city to really party the night away.
There are no nightclubs here though; that still remains something you’d have to go to the Central region for.
Is the North really that bad?
Source: Yishun Home Guide
The only region to get a single-digit percentage in this poll is the North side of Singapore, which seems to have once again been relegated to being the unfortunate victim of everyone’s jokes.
Beyond the memes, and sometimes real reasons for Yishun’s poor reputation, the issue with the North side is that it really is that it’s relatively less developed compared to other parts of Singapore.
People who actually live there, even Yishunites, would attest to it being quite livable, just that there isn’t much going for it beyond the basics.
Image credit: Singapat
The undeveloped North does have a few perks though, since it allows this region of Singapore to hold host to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve━encompassing The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, the all-new Bird Paradise, an eco resort, and an upcoming 5th park, amongst others.
The “which side is the best side” debate in Singapore
Whilst not a conclusive assessment of the age-old debate, the poll does provide a brief look at how online netizens in Singapore feel about the various regions of Singapore, which may inform your choices in upcoming HDB sales.
Read other HDB housing explainers and guides:
- Tips on how to avoid buying an overpriced HDB flat
- Why you should buy a home in Jurong
- HDBs with unique designs in Singapore
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