Serangoon Gardens: Where 5,000 expats call home

Housewife Laura Tamburrini, who is from Switzerland, has never felt anything but welcome since she moved into Serangoon Gardens with her family two months ago.

‘Though I’m just getting to know the area, people here have been very warm,’ said the 34-year-old mother of two.

She and her husband, who works in a Swiss bank, moved to the private estate in the north-east because it is near the Australian International School in Lorong Chuan which her sons attend.

Australian Ron Barnes, 47, a physical education teacher at the school, has been living in Chuan Park, a condominium on the fringe of the estate, for a year.

‘It’s such a friendly, nice little community,’ he said with affection.

Last week, foreigners in Serangoon Gardens made the news, although these weren’t middle-class types like Ms Tamburrini and Mr Barnes but blue-collar ones who work in jobs like construction.

Residents were up in arms over news that the authorities were thinking of turning the premises of the former Serangoon Gardens Technical School in Burghley Drive into dormitories for at least 1,000 workers.

A petition was started and signed by residents in about 1,600 households. There are between 4,000 and 7,000 households in the estate, depending on where the boundaries are drawn. Among other things, the residents were worried that the crime rate would rise.

Even before the possible influx of these foreign workers, the face of the estate has been changing, with more non-Singaporeans calling the area home.

There are an estimated 5,000 foreigners living in the area and many are there because of their children.

In 1999, the Lycee Francais De Singapour, or the Singapore French School, was set up in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, a short distance from the estate. And in 2003, the Australian International School set up home in Lorong Chuan.

By all accounts, shopkeepers and residents have welcomed these expatriates.

Mr N.K. Hazra, 66, general manager of the Serangoon Gardens Country Club, said there are 150 term members - those with short-term membership - at the club, most of whom are expatriates.

‘They seem to feel very comfortable here and mingle with the local residents quite well,’ he said.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, an MP for Aljunied GRC who looks after the area, noted that these expatriates have assimilated so well that they do not seem out of place.

‘I notice that they hang out quite comfortably at the ‘circus’ and shops,’ she said, referring to the area’s roundabout.

Relief teacher Janet Tan, who is in her 50s and has been living in the area for 40 years, welcomes them.

‘During the colonial days, we used to have parties and play together with the European children. It was like one happy family and I don’t mind them here,’ she said.

Even businesses have begun to cater to these expatriates.

Last November, a Cold Storage speciality store opened in the area.

‘It carries over 4,000 products from around the world and it is equipped with additional services such as home delivery, party platters ordering and requests for speciality food,’ said a spokesman.

Long-time residents said this is just one of the many changes that have taken place in the area, which started life in the 1950s when houses were built to accommodate the British soldiers in colonial Singapore. They said their sleepy ‘village’ is now becoming more vibrant, crowded and youthful.

‘There are a lot of younger people these days. Shops that cater to the younger crowd have moved in, like Coffee Bean and Cafe Cartel,’ said Mr Lim Sim Kwang, 56, owner of the New Huak Hing coffee shop. His shop has been around since the 1960s.

Mr Jeffery Wong, 35, owner of the Tuan Kee steamboat restaurant, said he set up his eatery next to the roundabout three months ago because he thinks the area has potential to boom.

‘Traffic here is very heavy and I believe it can become the next Holland Village in two or three years’ time,’ he said.

Denise The Wine Shop opened an outlet eight months ago and it is enjoying roaring business.

‘At first there were fewer than 100 customers on weekends, but in just eight months, it has risen to 200,’ said branch supervisor Joey Liew, 21.

But some residents are worried that the area is changing too quickly.

It has been reported that the Serangoon Gardens Village complex, which opened 50 years ago as the Paramount Theatre, will be torn down next February to make way for a big mall.

‘I used to watch movies there and it will be sad when it’s gone,’ said retiree Jonathan Choo, 61.

Others are worried about the crowds and heavy traffic.

‘Four years ago, on weekends, there would be cars parked outside our house, blocking the driveway. Now they are there on weekdays too,’ said Singaporean polytechnic student Ryan Peterson, 20.

‘People are already fighting for parking. What will it be like with the new developments?’