Stories of Serangoon
Tales of Serangoon
Step into the heart of Serangoon through the voices of its people. Whether it’s a personal memory, everyday moment, or hidden gem, these are the stories shared by residents and reflect the soul of the neighborhood.
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Each story is a window into what makes Serangoon special - told by those who knows it best!
From Kampong to Community
We often say, "Times flies," and recently I found myself reminiscing about how true that is. In the 1990s, when we received our first BTO flat in Serangoon North marked the beginning of a new chapter as we started our family in a place that quickly became home.
Before it transformed into the modern HDB estate we see today, Serangoon North was a semi-rural kampong. There were wide open spaces, banana farms, pottery kilns, and traditional attap houses where families raised chickens. Life was simple but the community spirit was strong. All races lived side by side helping one another during festive seasons. Children filled the fields playing marbles, chapteh, and flying kites under the open sky.
In the 1970s and 80s the government began clearing the Kampong to make way for new HDB flats. Slowly, new neighbors moved in. However, it wasn't just a new building - it was building a community. Serangoon North began to evolve but the sense of togetherness remained at its core. The Serangoon North Centre has since become a vibrant hub of activities of dancing classes, exercise groups, singing sessions and so much more. One of the charming features I love is The Petwalk - a place where pet lovers gather and stroll with their furry companions, building new friendships along the way. There’s also a Bird Corner where enthusiasts bring their beautifully kept birds to chirp in harmony each morning over cups of coffee or tea and yummy roti prata. It’s such a joyful sight and sound that reflects the unique character of our neighborhood.
Another initiative close to my heart is the Art Corner which started just a year ago. I still remember walking into the classroom for the first time. My first art piece which is a stone art was incredibly special. What made it even more memorable was our dedicated teacher. Her passion and encouragement reignited my love for art. With all gratitude to her. I always look forward to our art lessons.
Serangoon North isn’t just where I live- it’s where I connected and created. It’s more than a neighborhood - it’s my community, my memories, my story.
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-Chris Lim, Resident of Serangoon North-
Memories of the Past
Things used to be simpler - less crowded, less developed.
Growing up in the 1990s and 2000s, I have witnessed Serangoon Garden transform into what it is today. The secondhand bookshops that once lined the area are no longer around. The LCD rental shop changed into a video rental shop, and there were small shops selling clothes, shoes, stationary. Hock’s Department Store stood out, especially with owners' two children would catch my school bus to go to the Zhonghua Primary School nearby. There was magazine shop run by the Indian uncle, and a Coffee Bean branch that used to be outdoors. Where myVillage now stands was once a street-level NTUC. A barber shop once occupied the space where a pet grooming salon now stands. And of course, the familiar McDonald’s and KFC.
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Life back then felt quieter - less built-up and more laid-back.
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-Stacy Ooi, Resident of Serangoon Garden-