[JimDabell]

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.

[csomar]

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).

[eru]

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.