Orchid & Vista Spring at Yishun 4.17

Both BTOs are near Yishun Park and SAFRA Yishun. It would be good to know that Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is nearby too. If you like fishing, there are plenty of spots nearby and the Seletar dam that crosses into Seletar promises plenty of angling action (legally and illegally).

There is also a mini-town centre at blocks 414-418 up north of Floral Spring, along Yishun Ave 11. You get plenty of coffeeshops, clinics and provision stores right there. It might be a longer walk for folks living in Vista Spring though.

Take note also that the future NSE will pass by Yishun Ave 1, so it will really cut travel time to the city. Though you have to wait till 2020 for that to happen.

In general, most units are north-south facing and obviously those getting units facing the inner courtyard will get to see your neighbours across the block watching Channel 8's 'Ai' in their rooms. One plus point will be the planned eating house in the 7-storey carpark, it's close by.

Vista Spring is surrounded by future high-rise developments, though according to the Masterplan 2008, the area across from Yishun Ave 1 (bottom-right corner of the map) has a planned plot ratio of 2.1 vs Vista and Orchid Spring's 2.8.


What this means is that the blocks in both BTOs will be higher than any planned development on that area of the street. So there is a chance that highest floor units in the BTOs will get a view of the reservoir.

Best units for Vista Spring
Units in 541 and 539 look like the best as they face The Shaughnessy, which only go up to 4 storeys high (thanks to the planned plot ratio of 1.4!). If you get a good number and can afford a 5-RM, go for high units in 541 and 539, they will surely get a view of the Seletar Reservoir.


The next best would be high floor units along Yishun Ave 1 facing the reservoir (505, 507, 509, 517, 519, 521 and 523). They do get a bit of morning sun and road noise, but high floor units might get a chance of the reservoir view even if the land opposite gets developed.


Third-choice goes to units in 533, 535, 589 and 611 as they look like they are the furthest away from any voyeur neighbour and the don't get any afternoon sun.

Pretty odd layout from the usual BTOs we get - this site is crescent-shaped. It looks like they tried to squeeze everything into the area. Look at unit 372, it's right next to Blk 427. (That's too close lah HDB). You look at the distance between the old blocks built in the 80s-90s 425 and 423 and compare it with the distance between the blocks in this BTO (424C and 424D for example), no wonder resale HDB is much more popular.

Also, there is a series of corridors that connect the units on each floor to the lift lobby. Does this mean that it's a common corridor? I guess you have to take a look at the architectural model to have an idea of how they would fit. Units dwellers in 340 and 342 of Blk 429A will have to walk a long distance to get to the lift lobbies.

Best Units for Orchid Spring
If you get a good ballot number, we think 364, 366 and 380 are the best of the lot. Get as high floor as you can. The site directly opposite you has a plot ratio as mentioned previously of 2.1, so you might get a view of the reservoir even when the land opposite gets developed. These units are a good distance away from the road and any future development opposite too


The next best would be units along Yishun Ave 1 (350, 352, 354, 360, 362, 402, 404, 406 and 408) if you don't mind the morning sun. You get a lot of greenery and a potential view of the reservoir if you're on the high floors.

Third choice goes to north-south facing units surrounding the multistorey carpark 429, namely 330, 332, 326, 328, 356, 358 and 370. Just make sure you get floors 7 and above as the carpark goes up to 5 floors.

The five-roomers look quite decently priced. Compared with the new EC - The Canopy, this BTO is half the price cheaper and actually comes with a reservoir view!


Quick thoughts
All in all, Vista Spring and Orchard Spring might be a bit off the beaten track, but the greenery and the quiet should make up for it. Those worried about amenities should not be as the neighbourhood centre is close by. Judging by the ballots received, this place is not as popular as places in Punggol, but it still has its merits, after all, Yishun is a much more mature estate compared to Punggol.