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0 pointscsomar3mo ago0 comments

Most of Singapore looks like the Soviet Union: https://www.google.com/maps/@1.3756813,103.9459007,3a,90y,26...

Sun/Light has a lot to do with it. The place linked looks fine/tolerable but put that in the northern of Europe/America and you'll looking at the edge of depression (at least for myself).

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JimDabell3mo ago

Funnily enough, I live a couple of minutes walk from this spot, I guess you are nearby? HDBs can look a bit samey, but that photo does a bit of a disservice to Singapore. There are also quite lovely HDBs as well:

https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/unique-hdb-blocks-desi...

And of course the surrounding area there is pretty amazing, loads of green spaces and wildlife on your doorstep. A large part of this video was filmed just around the corner, for instance:

https://vimeo.com/494315018

They are currently building a new HDB estate right on the edge of a coastal park five minutes from that location. Even without the sunlight, it’s a pretty great place to live.

csomarOP3mo ago

It is a good place to live. I was just comparing how climate can make a place okay/fine versus not okay/depressing. You mentioned greenery: I'm a bit up north (Malaysia) and it's plenty green here too. Though that's more due to the area climate than anything they are doing (i.e., Dubai can't match that no matter how hard they try).

eru3mo ago

Well, yes, Dubai can't match it, but even Johor Bahru just across the border from Singapore looks much less lush and green in the city than Singapore.

HPsquared3mo ago

Bearing in mind that is literally a construction site, I think it looks pretty good.

eru3mo ago

Yes, that's how a lot of Singapore looks like. It's an HDB car park.

But your picture of the Soviet Union is perhaps a bit too rosy.

I'm not sure why you'd be depressed? It's a picture of a construction site in a car park. Sure, I'd love having the car infrastructure being less front and centre, too. But otherwise it's fine.

csomarOP3mo ago

> I'm not sure why you'd be depressed?

I was saying I'd be depressed or it would be depressing, in Singapore. What I was saying is that if you match that place with a grey sky, in cold climate with slow rain, that will be the definition of depression (at least for me).

eru3mo ago

Well, we don't do cold climate in Singapore. Fortunately or unfortunately.

Slow rain is also rather rare: mostly it's either sunny or it pours.

For the occasional few weeks I like to escape Singapore. And I'm currently rather enjoying a cold and wet and grey London winter. No need for sunscreen, hurrah!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

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JimDabell3mo ago

https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/unique-hdb-blocks-desi...

And of course the surrounding area there is pretty amazing, loads of green spaces and wildlife on your doorstep. A large part of this video was filmed just around the corner, for instance:

https://vimeo.com/494315018

They are currently building a new HDB estate right on the edge of a coastal park five minutes from that location. Even without the sunlight, it’s a pretty great place to live.

csomarOP3mo ago

eru3mo ago

Well, yes, Dubai can't match it, but even Johor Bahru just across the border from Singapore looks much less lush and green in the city than Singapore.

HPsquared3mo ago

Bearing in mind that is literally a construction site, I think it looks pretty good.

eru3mo ago

Yes, that's how a lot of Singapore looks like. It's an HDB car park.

But your picture of the Soviet Union is perhaps a bit too rosy.

I'm not sure why you'd be depressed? It's a picture of a construction site in a car park. Sure, I'd love having the car infrastructure being less front and centre, too. But otherwise it's fine.

csomarOP3mo ago

> I'm not sure why you'd be depressed?

eru3mo ago

Well, we don't do cold climate in Singapore. Fortunately or unfortunately.

Slow rain is also rather rare: mostly it's either sunny or it pours.

For the occasional few weeks I like to escape Singapore. And I'm currently rather enjoying a cold and wet and grey London winter. No need for sunscreen, hurrah!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse