( Junction 8 provides entertainment and good food for Bishan residents. Image courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.)
iProperty: Do you think you will live in this area when you decide to buy your own place? Why?
Joel Vijay: I would definitely buy a house in Bishan when the time comes. This neighbourhood is quaint, and I enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with it.
iP: What are the pros of living in this area?
JV: There are many fine amenities here. The bus interchange, Bishan MRT station, and Junction 8 are all a short five- to 10-minute walk from my flat. As an avid reader I appreciate that the Bishan Public Library is close by; it has a sizeable collection and great reading spaces. The community centre and neighbourhood police post are also within easy reach, so staying here affords me this feeling of a safe, close-knit community.
I think my flat, in particular, is situated at quite a strategic position. Supermarkets FairPrice and Shop ‘n Save are just across the street from my place, the latter operating 24 hours a day. On top of that there are also a number of convenience stores. The food centres offer pretty good chicken rice and minced-meat noodles. There’s also a sprawling park with good exercise facilities and a basketball court.
iP: Are there any negatives about living in this area?
JV: Truth be told, I don’t really have anything negative to say about this area. Perhaps if I have to nitpick, I’d say that since everything in Bishan is so close, noise at void-deck functions nearby tend to travel into people’s homes. But these occasions are rare and far between.
iP: If there was one thing that would improve this area, what would you like to see?
JV: It would be nice to have more sheltered walkways between HDB blocks and the MRT station, so I could do away with an umbrella on rainy days. Also, having a bar in the vicinity would be nice.
iP: Would you advise people to move to this area? Why?
JV: Yes, I would. It’s a fantastic place to live and grow up in. I highly doubt anyone can find a better area, with such fine facilities just a stone’s throw away.
iP: What is your favourite place for dinner in the area? Why?
JV: I usually go for the duck rice at nearby Kim San Leng food centre. It’s one of the best I’ve tried and a good, fuss-free place to have dinner with friends and family.
iP: Do you have a local bar or pub?
JV: Unfortunately, this is one thing Bishan does not offer. I usually make my way down to Chijmes or Clarke Quay when the mood or occasion strikes. It would be really nice to see one pop up here soon!
iP: Where do you do your shopping? Why?
JV: For groceries and everyday items, FairPrice is the place to go. If I’m looking for clothes and such, Junction 8 has good stores like Cotton On and BHG. It gets rid of the need to travel all the way to town on days you feel like staying closer to home.
iP: Are there any special finds in the area?
JV: I can’t think of anything particularly special, but there’s a great salon offering haircuts at $3! There’s also this nifty store which has a huge variety of everyday items at ridiculously cheap prices.
For our District Guide, featuring Bishan living, eating and drinking, click here.
For professional analysis of the Bishan property market, click here.
