Among all the friendly rivalries in Singapore, the battle between the Easties and Westies – those who live on the East and West sides of the country respectively – is one of the longest-running and most pervasive. Since both sides vocally proclaim to be the better region, let’s take a closer look at what each has to offer.

Living in the East – an eclectic mix of familiar and fresh

What makes the East such a sought-after residential address is its diversity. There’s always something to see and do that delights you. There are experiences waiting to be discovered. Food to be savoured and devoured. Rich heritage to be uncovered. Here’s why Easties are convinced they’re living on the better side of Singapore.

 “We’ve got way more food choices.”
How much more? For starters, there are almost 3 times more hawker stalls in the East compared to the West¹. Hawker stalls aren’t the only eateries Easties are proud of though. The East boasts a smorgasbord of culinary delights from local favourites to international fares and creative fusions you won’t find anywhere else. For a feast of flavours, be sure to visit:

 “We have better places to shop.”
Bargain bins? Check. Bespoke outfits? Sure. Higher-end items? You’ll find everything from Lacoste to Samsonite and Yankee Candle. When you’re in the mood for shopping, the East has plenty to offer from thrift stores to heritage-inspired boutiques and malls. There are lots of shopping places to cover so we’d start with:

“Singapore’s largest Park is in the East.”
East Coast Park is Singapore’s largest and most popular park². With over 7 million annual visits, locals and expats alike love a good barbecue and a run here. It’s also well-connected via the Eastern Coastal Loop on the Park Connector Network so you can easily explore the East coast by foot or bike if you desire.

“Our amenities cannot be beat.”
It’s easy to care for your loved ones in the East, since it has the highest number of childcare centres, vets and subsidised clinics in Singapore³. Plus, Changi Airport is right here on the East, which makes it an even more compelling place to live.

3 places you don’t want to miss if you’re thinking of moving East.  

Now that we know what the East has to show, let’s dive into what the West has to profess.

Living in the West: vibrant and charming

Gone are the days when the West is considered a sleepy town. Today, the West bears the vibe of old Singapore. Its decades-old businesses and laid-back pace give the West its vibrant and charming character. So why are Westies adamant about their region’s superiority? 

“We’ve got food as good as the East, if not better.”
The East may have lots of hawker stalls and avant-garde food options, but the West is no slouch either. Touting delicious seafood, Western delights and more, you’ll find plenty of places that tingle your taste buds such as:

• Ayer Rajah Food Centre
• West Coast Market Square 726
• Timbre+ Gastropark
• Jimmy Monkey Café & Bar
• W39 Bistro & Bakery

“West side has many shopping malls too.”
Just Jurong East and Westgate malls give Orchard Road, Singapore’s prime shopping belt, a good run for its money. Add on outlet malls like IMM, it’s easy to see why the West is a paradise for air-conditioned shopping. Don’t miss:

• Westgate
• Jem
• JCube
• IMM

References

¹ and ³https://mothership.sg/2017/10/data-gov-sg-so-here-is-eternal-debate-instead-of-he-says-versus-she-says-lets-look-at-what-data-says/