I'm considering EC at sembawang and quite intrigued by the discussion here.
Attracted by the price, but when I ask some ppl for opinions, they felt that sembawang is the most ulu, undeveloped and worst district to get. After reading these I kinda start to agree.
When I take a closer look, currently the amenities are really limited. Even with the upcoming canberra integrated hub, i will say the amenities are still pretty lackluster even if compared to other non-matured estates.
Pricing for the HDB not ideal and happy_family also mentioned that even PC pricing isn't good or ideal as compared to EC in boon lay. Furthermore, just opposite the road will have HDB which will be likely to affect EC/PC pricing for that area.
Tho I'm not looking at profitting thr getting an EC. I also don't want to lose $.. otherwise want to upg in future also hard..
PLus point is really the MRT tho, at least go town/city hall is only abt 1/2 hr via MRT. and the NSE seems like a bit of hope for convenience.
Anyone been living in SBW region care to share abit on their opinions?
Hmm..I don't stay in SW area but currently in the extreme west side, near pioneer mrt for more than 10 years. About 10 years ago, this part of Singapore is simply ulu, especially before Pioneer MRT was built. Amenities were few, and population density in the area was also quite small as compared to Jurong East area.
When Pioneer MRT station was built and more flats being built around the area, it is definitely much more crowded and I guess..with the increase in population density, more amenities will need to be built eventually. Currently, new amenities such as polyclinic, new hawker centre, a mega childcare centre has emerged (under construction). Now, this place is quite crowded already.
Coming back to SW, currently, if you compare population density in SW as compared to Woodlands and Yishun, SW is actually many times smaller. I'm not really worried that there will be lack of amenities in SW/Canberra in the future when more HDB flats are going to be built in the area according to the URA masterplan and already many flats are in the pipeline.
Just across the road, there may most likely be a new education institution. In addition, the new community hub across V will house a polyclinic, hawker centre, swimming pool...I think these amenities are more than sufficient. (In fact, I went to Google Street Maps the other day and realised that not too long ago, Canberra area was actually a forested area! Now, the difference in landscape has immensely changed from the streetmaps. Can forsee the area going to be quite crowded with more flats coming up oppositve V/BS, just like any other part of Singapore in the future.) Plus the North region, Mandai region coming up with more transformations etc etc...
In terms of transportation network, the new Canberra Mrt will be a plus point considering that I usually take public transport and can just take a shorter trip down to Orchard at times, instead of staying put at one mall, e.g Jurong Point all the time becos of the dreaded time spent travelling (around 1 hr 15 min). Also, the NSE will be built to connect SW/North area to the central area, thus increasing connectivity. Yishun Avenue 8 is going to be extended and easily accessed from V, which will provide more direct access to Seletar Aerospace Park. There will definitely be more bus services established in the area etc..
Of cos, to many SW is still an 'ulu' place because ultimately, it is located at the far north of Singapore. Just like Pasir Ris and my current place at Pioneer. To me, it is a mindset that may slowly change with time. (Just like in the past, Jurong was also an 'ulu' place with all the industries)
Oh..btw, just to sidetrack alittle (perhaps if you are interested), there is a new Yio Chu Kang EC coming up in Q3 this year called "Hundred Palms Residences" by Hoi Hup. But personally, looking at the location, some may say it is slightly better than SK/Punggol. But it is not anywhere near an MRT station. But it's rare to find an EC in Yio Chu Kang area. Those with young children and aim to register them in Rosyth sch nearby may find this new EC an attractive option.
