The Yishun Curse: My “Never, Never” Challenge
Anyone who’s ever stared at a Yishun property ad knows that rumours can be as sturdy as the concrete blocks on the road. I first came across the Yishun curse last year when I sent a listing to a chill friend who shot back in all caps, “NEVER, NEVER move to Yishun.” That message had me double‑checking if the capital letters were just an accidental emoji overload, but nope—yeah, he was serious.
Why the Fear?
- Crime & Chaos – triple murders and other grisly stories keep popping up on YouTube. The first search you see is usually “Yishun fire,” the second “Yishun triple murders.”
- The Strange Stuff – cat killings, buses that spontaneously combust, ghost sightings, sudden sinkholes, mall stabbings, and concrete blocks that downgrade traffic.
- Branded by Pop Culture – the “Devil’s Ring” nickname landed in Hindustani Times and even on Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Let’s Set the Record Straight
At first glance, Yishun might feel like a horror‑movie set. But over the last decade the crime curve has dipped dramatically. Between 2010 and 2016, criminal activity in Yishun fell by almost 60%, positioning it in the middle‑to‑lower band of Singapore’s neighbourhood ratings. So, if you’re grounded in facts, Yishun isn’t the red‑flag hotspot it once was.
Still Superstitious? Hive‑Mind Map Time!
If your gut says “customary anxiety may bite” you can check this nostalgic map—the one that was streamed on a now‑defunct blog about Yishun’s oddities. It pinpoints the so‑called “Devil’s Ring” where most of the reported oddities congregate.
Even Lee Kuan Yew Had a Word About It
Leaning in, the late PM advised: “I’m a practical guy…numbers but not superstitions. If a house has bad feng‑shui or unlucky digits, you’ll probably pay less when you sell it. So buy low, and expect a lower resale price.” He didn’t want to ruin the vibe, but he practically gave a disclaimer that you’re in for a financial ride.
My Take on a Yishun Property
Honestly, the vibe‑oriented scare don’t sway me if a property matches what I need. That said, I keep a sharper eye on pricing—especially on the 1 Canberra build—because the curse could pepper my future sale with a lower market value.
Bottom line: Yishun’s mysterious past is a headline‑grabber, but the everyday reality has improved. If stability and price fit your needs, Yishun could still be a solid spot—just remember the “Devil’s Ring” and the slightly lower resale prices you may face. After all, some superstitions are just bedtime stories, and we can live with a slight eerie vibe as long as the price is right.
1 Canberra
Meet 1 Canberra: Yishun’s Multi‑Generational Marvel
Before diving into the numbers, let’s chew on the real reason this address keeps the word conversation buzzing: 1 Canberra, the EC that’s practically the Swiss Army knife of Yishun real estate.
What’s the Deal?
This isn’t just any building. It’s a palatial blend of:
- Dual‑Key Duplex Penthouses – Think “BFF twins” offering two separate living spaces, perfect for families that want space but still feel a little cozy.
- Single‑Story Dumbbell Penthouses – Bigger than a typical penthouse, with open‑plan vibes and that coveted river frontage.
All units exceed 2,000 sq ft, so you can host birthday parties, Netflix marathons, or even a small office, all on the same roof.
Town, Not Town: Canberra’s Ambiguous Status
Some folks say Canberra sits in a brand‑new parish between Yishun and Sembawang – technically a separate town. But hey, many still roll with it, treating it as another feather in Yishun’s cap. For this piece, we’ll stick to the “Yishun” vibe.
River Front & Room for Lifestyle
On top of the jaw‑dropping square footage, you’ve got a nice stretch of river frontage. Imagine sipping chai with the sound of water in the background—it’s the kind of luxury that makes you feel a bit like you’re living in a fairy tale.
Quick Take – I’ll Skip the Deep Dive
Unlike my previous deep‑dives into ECs, we’ll keep this overview short. Stay tuned for the numbers that will truly tell you why 1 Canberra is the place to be in Yishun.
Pros
MCC Land: The Lease‑Hold Marvel of 2015‑20
Ever wonder what a lease‑hold looks like when it’s still got a fortune of years left? MCC Land is that dream. The 99‑year lease kicks off in 2012, so we’re looking at a 90‑year lease still breathing. That means no frantic lease‑decay panic at this stage!
Units That Pack Space (No Tiny Tuck‑Ruck Units)
- 665 units in total
- 4 units per floor – no one‑ or two‑bedroom units (starter homes, who needs that?)
- Primarily 3‑ or 4‑bedroom suites – enough room for late‑night Netflix marathons (and guests)
- All penthouses boast over 2,200 sq ft – your personal “out‑of‑the‑globe” space.
Nature’s Backyard (Park Connector Vibes)
Next to a Park Connector life‑line that stretches all the way to Sembawang Park and the beach. Hint: #EveryECIsInATwinPark – that’s just the reality here. Not a novelty, but it sure feels like a green hug.
Rivers, Views & The Great “Water Scene” Debate
- 14 stretches of the Sungei Simpang Kiri chat reading “river.” Now, is it a river or a drain? One might ask.
- Neighbouring landed enclave puts a height restriction on the view; yet the water side looks more like a spreading longkong (a drain) than a glistening vista. Maybe one sunny day, the view will look different!
- Top‑floor penthouses get fancy, but remember: a higher floor does not guarantee a spectacular panorama. It’s all about how the greenery, distance, and water width play together.
School Scene and Property Magnetism
Four primary schools within 1 km lift the property value factor. Kids coming to school = potential buyers, right?
Thoughtful Design & Stay‑cation Feel
- Dry & wet kitchen combo – total comfort for chefs.
- High ceilings in the yard give you space to float a ceiling laundry rack – laundry day never looked so chic.
- The pool area is a resort vibe: waters surround the seating areas, making you feel like you’re on vacation without the plane tickets.
All in all, MCC Land marries modern living space with natural perks, all wrapped in a lease‑hold that says “I’ve got plenty of years left in the game.” Dive in and make it yours!
Cons
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School & Its Jungle of Possibilities
Why Canberra’s Travels Are a Comedy of Errors
Let me paint you a quick picture: I drove to the far‑flung corner of the city just to drop off some vegan Belgian chocolate truffles. The journey felt like a marathon—just with more greenery and fewer cheering crowds. Even though the roads were clear, the distance turned my GPS into a dramatic saga.
The Paradise That’s About to Wear a Hard Hat
Imagine a stretch of open fields, the kind that make you feel like you’re living in a postcard. The government’s master plan is to swap this pastoral charm for a swarm of construction crews, noisy cranes, and the inevitable smell of freshly poured concrete. In a few short years, those rolling meadows might be replaced by a maze of roads and skyscrapers.
List of Things I’ll Be Missing
- Serene mornings with the sun peeking over open grass.
- Glorious sunsets washed in quiet hues.
- My trusty vegan chocolate truffles deli‑delivery journey—still the longest after all.
- Schools that feel like a cozy corner of the world.
In a Nutshell
We’re at the brink of turning endless lawns into bustling labor zones. It’s a bittersweet chapter: the future’s bright, yet the present’s momento is slipping. For now, let’s cherish the calm before the construction.
My thoughts on the pricing
Getting the Scoop on Sembawang/Yishun: Singapore’s Most Wallet‑Friendly Neighborhoods
Why Sembawang/Yishun Still Holds the Crown
When you crunch the numbers, Sembawang/Yishun emerges as the second most affordable spot in the Lion City, right after Admiralty/Woodlands. In February 2023, the average price per square foot (PSF) dipped to $951 from $766 in 2021.
Still, there’s a twist. The Admiralty/Woodlands area (often called D25) blew through the year, raking in the second highest PSF appreciation in 2021—no brand new launches but the market still danced.
Yishun/Canberra: Not Yet in the 10‑Fast‑Lane but Full of Potential
I know what you’re thinking: “What’s the deal with Yishun/Canberra? They’re affordable yet didn’t crack the top 10.” The trick is that Canberra used to trade for a bit less than Yishun but caught up in early 2018, leveling their average PSF.
This “lackluster” performance may actually be a sign of a future upswing for buyers eyeing the area.
What’s Sizzling Next in Yishun/Canberra?
- Chong Pang City is set to open in 2027, with an integrated development that will push demand for housing.
- Canberra will get an extra expressway to the CBD by 2026—the North‑South Corridor—shifting from the current CTE.
Competition Heat‑up: Where the Choices Live
There’s a smorgasbord of condos and ECs in the vicinity of 1 Canberra that will leave buyers or tenants spoilt for choice.
New ECs cap at 1,722 sq ft, so Watergardens in Canberra isn’t the direct play against the 2,000+ sq ft penthouses at 1 Canberra. The top-tier options nearby are:
- 8 Courtyards – 1,800+ sq ft
- Yishun Sapphire – 1,900+ sq ft
For the big‑budget folks craving the maximum space, Yishun Emerald (penthouses over 2,000 sq ft, but not yet on the market) or 1 Canberra remains the clear picks.
Price Fluctuations at 1 Canberra – The Numbers
Late 2020: a duplex penthouse took two dollars—$1.5 million ($660 psf). This year, we saw two penthouse sales at $711 psf (Feb 2021) and $785 psf (May 2021), a sharp 19% rise in just six months.
The current asking price for a penthouse is $2.388 million ($879.88 psf), flagging a 33.3% jump within a year. The Singapore market has been on fire, but this surge is a GIGANTIC lift, in my view.
Parc Canberra vs. 1 Canberra: Weighing the Options
Parc Canberra, located a touch farther from 1 Canberra but boasting a fresh lease and a slick spot right beside Canberra MRT, trades for $998‑$1,253 psf. That makes the $879.88 psf penthouse at 1 Canberra look on the pricier side. Honestly, I’m not buying on that bandwagon—no nearby locations, no bargains.
Is the Market Ready for Large Units?
1 Canberra stands out as one of the few developments offering large units. My worry? With interest rates rising, demand for such big‑housing pieces might take a hit. Do we have enough people craving spacious units and living in Canberra? The answer? I don’t know—yet.
Next Steps: Heron Bay & 1 Canberra
All in all, Heron Bay and 1 Canberra have piqued my interest for affordable waterfront living. Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll dive deeper into these options.
That’s a wrap for now—catch you next week!
This article was first published in Stackedhomes.
Home Buyers • Yishun • Property
