The Criterion Review

Yishun is gradually shaking off its sleepy, remote reputation and is fast becoming a popular choice for people wanting to move away from the crowded – and expensive – central areas. Home to more than 250,000 residents, Yishun’s name derives from the Hanyu Pinyin version of (Mr Lim) Nee Soon, a renowned businessman who owned large rubber and pineapple plantations in the area in the early twentieth century.

The area isn’t as much as reinventing itself, as brushing itself down and giving itself a new coat of paint. It has so many good things going for it, it would have been a mistake to disregard this in an effort to tempt people whose only impression of the area would be that it’s out of the way.

It is a mature neighbourhood, with a strong infrastructure of schools, healthcare, recreation facilities and parks that rivals other districts on the island, firmly in place. The Yishun Industrial and Seletar Aerospace Parks also mean that it can hold its head up when it comes to job opportunities. The final piece of the jigsaw (or the second from final, see below) is the retail and dining options, and that is the area that is really being developed.

As well as the recent opening of small independent cafés, bakeries and restaurants, the Northpoint Shopping Mall will be the largest in Northern Singapore when it opens its doors in 2018. With over five hundred shopping and dining outlets it is a very bold statement, and a signal of intent that this is an area that is going places.

But as it becomes more vibrant, it has not forgotten what made it such a favoured place for those quarter of a million people who have called Yishun home for a generation and more. Its large network of integrated cycling routes, abundant parks and green spaces coupled with its strong feeling of community mean that here is an area that is trying – and succeeding to have the best of both worlds.

Getting there and away:

The final piece of the jigsaw is actually the transport links to and from the area and in particular The Criterion. With an ever increasing MRT network, more and more residences are within a short 10 minute walk to a station, and that is possibly something that could be viewed as a disadvantage for this new residence. There is no getting away from the fact that it is situated a 20 minute walk from its two nearest MRT stations – Khatib and Yishun, both on the North South line. Once there though, it’s only 20 minutes to Orchard.

There will be a shuttle bus running to and from the MRT stations provided by the development company for the first year.

Khatib MRT station

For those looking to drive, it’s 10 minutes to the SLE, CTE and TPE. There are bus routes outside the residences, and with increased development in the area that is likely to improve. When the NSE (North South Expressway) is completed, driving times into the city from Yishun will be cut from 30 to 35 minutes today to 20 to 30 minutes.

Yishun Green Link

Keen cyclists can take advantage of the park connectors and cycle paths that will pass a stone’s throw from the residences. For those that require motorized motivation, then know that all Criterion residents are provided with solar powered bicycles.

The Area:

Walking around Yishun, you very much get a sense of community, but an inclusive, not an exclusive one. Though it is built up, there is still a sense of space. Buildings aren’t built cheek to jowl with their neighbour, while wide avenues and thoroughfares add to the impression of space and openness. The vicinity around The Criterion is not as developed as the rest of the town but there are many building works in progress, so by the time this one is launched, the area will have a more settled feel to it.

Immediately south of the residences, there is a low rise private estate, before the ground gives way to the Orchid Country Club and Golf Course and the reservoir.

Singapore Orchid Country Club

Education wise, you are spoiled for choice with schools in the area – ranging from E-Bridge Pre-School (by Eton House), through nine primary schools, eight secondary schools, Chung Cheng High School, up to Yishun junior college and GEMS World Academy.

Chung Cheng High School (Yishun)

Both Northland Primary School and Naval Base Primary school are less than kilometre from the Criterion.

Naval base Primary School

Golf lovers have three fantastic courses on their doorstep – literally with the Orchid Country Club Golf Course. Seletar Country Club Golf Course is only across the water a short drive away, as is Sembawang Golf Course.

The nearby Lower Seletar Reservoir Park is ideal for a taking a leisurely stroll with the family, or for jogging beside the still waters, as well as being a popular spot for anglers. For those looking for activities on the water as opposed to beside it, there are kayaking and dragon-boat facilities.

After all that activity, some retail or culinary therapy may be in order. The Sembawang Shopping Centre and Sun Plaza are only minutes away from residences, and by the time The Criterion is completed, Northpoint Mall will be up and running, its vast array of retail options making Yishun a shopping destination in its own right.

Hawker center near The Criterion

Food wise, the area has more than its fair share of choices, with a dedicated F & B area only a couple of hundred yards away from the residences. A new hawker centre is being built next to Yishun Park, while Khatib Central across from the MRT boasts a popular food centre as well as a vibrant market.

More vibrant than it seems