Australian TikToker says Yishun HDB estate is ‘a bit filthy’ but has friendly people

An Australian tourist in Singapore drew mixed reactions online after posting a TikTok video of himself walking through what appeared to be a HDB estate in Yishun, describing the area as “not that Crazy Rich Asians type” and “a bit filthy”.

The TikTok video, posted by user Connor, who goes by @cozzau, was captioned: “This is how Singapore really is.”

“This is how most of the country lives”

@cozzau This is how Singapore really is #foryou #travel #singapore ♬ original sound - Connor

In the video, Connor appeared to be walking through a residential estate, with HDB blocks, void deck spaces and the rear service areas of shops visible in parts of the clip.

He said: “This is how most of the country, I’m assuming, lives. Not that Crazy Rich Asians type."

He also came across laundry that appeared to have been left on top of an air-conditioning compressor, and remarked, “Why do you need a clothesline when you have a heater?”.

He then speculated that the items could belong to someone living nearby, or possibly a homeless person, saying they may have been placed there so “no one else can get them”.

As he continued walking, he said the area was “starting to look a bit like, not sketchy, but a bit filthy here”, adding that it seemed like “people aren’t picking up after stuff”.

Connor also commented that people were looking at him as though he was “the first Westerner to come through here in a while”, especially since he was carrying a camera.

Towards the end of the video, however, he appeared to greet several people he passed, before concluding: “Friendly people here.”

Locals amused he chose Yishun, says he is in heartlands

Several commenters were also amused that Connor had chosen to explore Yishun, which has long had a reputation online as one of Singapore’s more “colourful” neighbourhoods, often compared to a certain state in America.

One commenter said he might not have seen many residential areas in Asia, adding that such areas are “matured neighbourhoods” and “not meant to look polished”.

The commenter also pointed out that Connor appeared to have walked through back alleys and service areas near the drains, which they said were “not really representative of the neighbourhood as a whole”.

Other commenters made similar observations, saying such neighbourhoods were a normal part of everyday life in Singapore and were not unique to Yishun.

Others also pointed out that while the estate might look old, public housing in Singapore can still be expensive.

Not all responses critical

A few commenters welcomed Connor to the heartlands, while others offered to show him around Singapore.

The video also led some viewers to note the contrast between Singapore’s tourist-facing image and the everyday reality of its residential neighbourhoods.

While Singapore is often associated overseas with landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the luxury settings featured in Crazy Rich Asians, much of everyday life here takes place in HDB estates across the island.

In Connor’s case, the video appeared to have given some overseas viewers a look at a more ordinary side of Singapore, though locals were quick to point out that a back alley in Yishun might not tell the whole story.