HDB May 2013 BTO - Sembawang - EastWave@Canberra

Another BTO in Sembawang with only 4 and 5 rooms, just like EastBank@Canberra.

Layout is also pretty similar, although each block curves outwards which means some units facing internal compound may be closer to the opposite unit than the rest.

Unlike EastBank@Canberra, EastWave@Canberra comes with a 7 storey MSCP. It also comes with a 3 storey centre that houses a eating house, a supermarket, some shops and a childcare center for convenience.

Some units facing the car park will have about 35m of buffer so if you only have the lower units to choose from, it is not so bad. However, stay away from the lower units of 301, 303, 305, 317 and 319 as the heavy vehicular traffic it faces will only mean noise. To play it safe, units higher than the MSCP would be better.

Best unit would definitely be 329 as it faces a future park. That means unblock view. Unit 401 and 403 faces the park too but will receive the scorching afternoon sun.

High floor units facing the future school will have unblock views too but as a trade off, it will get the afternoon sun plus the noise from the school.

Units facing the future Canberra Way are facing the morning sun so these are not so bad either, except for lower floor units of 353 as it is very close to the MSCP even though it does not face it directly.

As for units facing the internal compound, units in blocks 120C and 120D are preferred as they face the morning sun as compared to those in blocks 120A and 120B which faces the afternoon sun.

Source - HDB

HDB May 2013 BTO - Sembawang - EastBank@Canberra

Another development in Sembawang which consists of only 4 and 5 rooms but with a single story car park, if that matters to you.

Even if you do not drive, developments without MSCP only means more common space hence the reason why practically any unit you choose will guarantee you some privacy. Unit facing the internal compound, for example, will have at least 60 meters from the next unit. That is very generous and a rare thing compared to many BTOs before this.

Also, if you notice, there are no ugly covered linkways because the whole of the internal compound is the covered linkway between the blocks.

For those who drive, you can park your car, walk to the lift that will bring you straight to your floor unlike traditional MSCP where you are more likely to take the stairs/lift down, walk to your block then take another lift to your floor. If it rains, an 'underground' carpark is not effected at all while for an MSCP, it all depends on how the linkways are built as for some, you may need to walk a distance even though your block is just beside the MSCP.

If you like to be near the waters, then those facing the drainage reserve will suit you, although it is just a drain. That should give you a good buffer of about 40 meters from the next development, Eastbrooks@Canberra. However, all the units will receive the afternoon sun. Units 713, 701, 729 and 717 will receive the afternoon sun on the master bedroom walls.

The best unit among these would definitely be 719 as it will have an unblocked view of almost the whole strech of Sungei Simpang Kiri as it is not blocked by the development in EastBrook@Canberra at all. In fact, this is the best unit to choose from for a 5 room.

For the units facing the internal compound, those facing south-east will be a better choice as compared to those facing north-west as the former will get the morning sun while the latter will get the afternoon sun like units 711 and 747 which will bear the brunt of the afternoon sun on the master bedroom walls.

Units facing the future Canberra Way road will experience noise but it does have quite a buffer from the next development plus it will only get the morning sun except unit 745 which will get the afternoon sun on the master bedroom walls. However, but just like unit 743, it is quite a distance from the next development thanks to it facing the future Canberra Street.

The best unit for a 4 room would definitely be unit 721. It will have a good view, facing the Sungei Simpang Kiri and is a huge distance from the future development - about 100m! Although it receives the morning sun, that is not so bad actually.

Unit 737 has almost the same benefits of unit 721 with practically no morning sun. However the afternoon sun will hit it hard on the master bedroom walls. The plus to that is that your clothes will dry faster, with the service yard getting the sunlight required.

Unit 739 and 741 is not so bad either. It has good buffer and it gets only the morning sun.

As for location wise, hopefully the new NS12 MRT station that will be build will be ready at the same time.

Summary
Pros - Near future NS12 MRT Station. Single storey car park.
Cons - No eatery or supermarkets within development.

Source - HDB

HDB May 2013 BTO preview - Sembawang

Following my previous article on Simpang New Town which touched on development of the said area, it now seems that the area is considered as Canberra part of Sembawang Town with the release of this new BTO information.

Two of the three parcels of land to be developed for the upcoming BTO is along the Sungei Simpang Kiri, which is actually just a big drain but with a park connector running along it, the 'longkang' feel is partially masked.

Source: HDB

The good thing about this new development is that there will be a new Canberra Station (NS12) of the North-South line somewhere along Canberra Link so it is expected to be quite popular.

Source: LTA

Connectivity in terms of road network for the area will also be vastly improved with the new "Proposed Road" to be linked to Yishun Ave 1 via Yishun Ave 6 to the south, allowing quicker access to the Seletar Aerospace Park in Seletar West Link and the future SLE/TPE/CTE interchange as per LTA plan to improve connectivity in the North.

To the north, the "Proposed Road" will be linked to Admiralty Road East which will end up right to the Causeway.

Source: LTA

The new North South Expressway will also be along Gambas Avenue which can be accessed by Sembawang Avenue. The SLE towards BKE is also accessible by using Woodlands Ave 12.

Source: LTA