The East Coast

The East Coast area has long been popular with ex-pats for its spacious and breezy condominiums and houses. It runs from Kallang for 18 kilometres (approximately 11.18 miles) to Loyang and Changi Airport. If you love going to the beach or doing water sports, the East Coast is also the perfect place for you. With the sea right at your doorstep, you will never lack refreshing sea breezes, white sands, and waving coconut palms. With so much heritage also attached to the area, emblematic of its influences are the well-preserved cuisines as well as the conserved houses that line the myriad of little streets.

Public transport and amenities in The East Coast

Since the late nineteenth century, when seaside mansions started to stretch along the beachfront, there has been an influx of the more affluent segments of society to the East Coast. Presently, it still exudes a certain gentle, old-world, charm and is a favourite stomping ground for architecture buffs and heritage enthusiasts. Heritage aside, Singapore’s unrelenting economic growth has not been lost in the neighbourhood, and state of the art amenities including: a mall, ice-skating range, bowling alley and cinema have been built in close proximity. While still home to sundry locals who have resided in the East Coast for generations, many an expatriate have moved in over the years, giving the neighbourhood a discernible cosmopolitan vibe.

Stay - East Coast

The East Coast is home to many a landed property. While there are plenty of types to choose from, the distinctive Peranakan shophouses and terrace houses that have been restored to their former glory are the jewels of the neighbourhood. That said, the neighbourhood has its share of modern designs, especially in the vicinity of Joo Chiat.

For those who prefer apartment living, there are plenty of condominium developments in the East Coast that will suit a variety of lifestyles and budgets. The condominiums run the gamut from the older (and oftentimes more spacious) developments such as the Bayshore Park and Mandarin Gardens nearer to Siglap all the way to the newer and shinier (yet more space-constrained) offerings around Telok Kurau and Amber Road.

Got a budget that is better suited for flats? The East Coast also has plenty of HDBs around. If it is an option for you, aim for the ones situated along the Marine Parade Road, and wake up every day to stunning views of the Singapore Straits’ blue waters.

Shop - East Coast

Residents of the East Coast neighbourhood will find their shopping needs more than adequately met by the shops and stores in Parkway Parade, 112 Katong, and Siglap Centre as well as by the smaller, more eclectic shops in the shophouses along the side roads and lanes. More than just clothes, bags, shoes, and stationery, the range of shops here include services from healthcare (for both human and pets) to grooming (also for both humans and pets).

On a practical note, Parkway Parade houses the larger supermarket chains (Cold Storage and Giant), home good stores (Best Denki and Harvey Norman), as well as the major department store (Isetan). Lastly, Citibank, DBS, HSBC and UOB have branches here too.

Eats and Drinks - East Coast

Living in the East Coast neighbourhood grants you an advantage in terms of seafood. The proximity to the ocean is definitely reflected in the restaurants and food vendors around. Seaside eateries offer a wide variety of top-quality crab, lobster, shrimp, and fish. Among others, the East Coast Lagoon Food Village is one reason why the East still reigns as the best place to eat in Singapore.

Situated right along the beach and the cycling path, the East Coast Lagoon Food Village is the perfect place to refuel after a long day of frolicking in the sun. Plus, that constant sea breeze ensures you stay cool while you feast on all that the place has to offer.

Another culinary highlight is the Peranakan cuisine. With a mix of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian influences, Peranakan chefs are distinct in their inventive use of spices, making for heavy flavours in their dishes. Inside scoop: check out Glory Catering or PeraMakan along the East Coast Road.

Moving forward, those who like to wind down over a drink, whether it is a glass of wine, a pint of cold beer, or a cuppa cappuccino, will be pleased with the array of pubs and cafes in the East Coast neighbourhood. Case in point, if you are a British expat or a local with a bit of an Anglophile in you, be sure to venture onto Sidewalk Tavern on the Siglap side or the Trenchard Arms for a taste of Britain’s ubiquitous pubs.

99.co's picked out a few places to get your afternoon cuppa within homely shophouse cafes - especially great for cafe-hopping dates. Head down to the Dutch Colony Coffee Co. or Coast & Company in Siglap; British Hainan or Common Man Coffee Roasters in Joo Chiat; or Cafe Melba on Goodman Road.

Learn - East Coast

With well-reputed schools such as St. Patrick’s School, CHIJ Katong Convent, Tao Nan School, Dunman High School, and Victoria School, the East Coast can be considered a good, future-building, neighbourhood for children. 

Notably, the East Coast, being home to a number of well-regarded international schools such as the Canadian International School and EtonHouse International School, is the neighbourhood of choice for expatriates with children.

The East Coast also has a wide variety of extracurricular activities on offer. Whether you are keen on learning new skills yourself or wish to enlist your child in after-school programs, you can find it at the East Coast. Home to, for instance, the Kawai Music School at Parkway Parade, and the Ballet & Music Company, Han Language Centre, and Mind Stretcher at 112 Katong.

Move - East Coast

Compared to most other neighbourhoods, the East Coast is comparatively less well-served by the MRT network. However, in the near future, it would be no more problem. The Marine Parade and Marine Terrace MRT, underground stations built underneath Marine Parade Road, both in the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) are targeted for completion and are opening in the year 2024. Commuting to the neighbourhood, that has been able to preserve its laid-back charms for so long, will soon become a lot easier.

Public Library - East Coast

Residents of the East Coast neighbourhood can easily access the Marine Parade Public Library which is located within the Marine Parade Community Building. The library has a total collection of about 214,000 books, magazines, and audio-visual items. 

The unique thing about the library is that it is the only one in the city with a mezzanine level. The mezzanine level boasts an all-new design that defines the space as a teen zone, with cozy seating and reading areas. This teen zone houses the young adult collection, including comic books and visual novels. As for other age groups, younger children are free to read, learn, and roam at the dedicated kids' section on the second level. 

This children’s section deserves a special mention as it has been transformed into a colourful, innovative, space that promotes learning through exploration and active play. Its programme zone at level 2 has also been given a fresh look with the aim of hosting even more exciting programmes, such as storytelling sessions for families. Meanwhile, on the third floor, you can find all sorts of things to indulge your senses, ranging from food to music.

Parks and Gardens - East Coast

Be it for a BBQ night, a family outing, or a casual date with your darling, the East Coast Park is truly a treasured destination for an urban getaway. It is even kind of fair to say that every Singaporean has been to the East Coast Park at least once in their lives. This scenic coastline that stretches over 15 kilometres offers an invigorating and exciting diversity of sporting, dining, and recreational activities. The East Coast Park itself is a beach and a park encompassing the Marine Parade, Bedok, and Tampines areas along the southeastern coast of Singapore.

While the East Coast Park has always been in the spotlight over the years, there are other parks in the neighbourhood that are worth visiting. One of them is Katong Park which provides excellent opportunities for families to engage in a variety of recreational activities. The exciting playground there will surely keep the children entertained all day long.