Pig, fish and poultry farms once filled the landscape but today, Punggol has become Singapore's first eco-town.
Yesterday, it claimed another first: the Punggol Discovery Cube - the first visitor centre in an HDB town where people can learn more about how the area has developed.
Its opening coincided with that of the new Punggol Town Square. Both were launched by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
With a standing capacity of 1,000 people, the 1,620 sq m square just beside Waterway Point shopping mall will give residents a space to take part in activities together, including mass exercises.
"Punggol has seen a huge transformation," said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security. "This town square is part of our latest efforts to bring Punggol residents together."
Since the first public housing project there was built in 2000, the Housing Board has completed some 43,000 flats in Punggol, as of the end of last year. Train services and other facilities have also been added to meet residents' needs.
In the last decade, more than 26,000 HDB homes and 5,800 private housing units have been added to Punggol. The number of residents has also more than doubled since 2007, to 118,100 last March.
Residents said that facilities have made things more convenient. For instance, they are now able to buy groceries at the 24-hour supermarket at Waterway Point instead of having to rely on provision shops.
Civil servant Dennis Tay, 40, who moved to Punggol Sapphire about five years ago, said transport services have improved. When he first moved in, there was no public transport to the MRT station.
He hopes that the new square will add vibrancy to the town.
"There are a lot of young couples here and they usually just go home after work," said Mr Tay.
But there is still room for improvement, said technician Kamisan Kamit, 47, who moved in 13 years ago. He hopes to see more bus services to the city area.
"The traffic can get bad in the mornings along Tampines Expressway," he said.
Other developments, such as the Punggol Regional Sports Centre and the Oasis Terraces neighbourhood centre, which will house one of Singapore's largest polyclinics, will be ready in the next few years.
Hougang and Punggol properties may prove to be excellent choices for those of you who prefer to stay in the northeastern suburbs of Singapore, away from the 24/7 hustle and extremely pricey properties nestled in Singapore's city core. This laid-back part of Singapore has much more to offer than you can imagine. There's plenty to explore here at this district that is a hodgepodge is pretty colossal to say the least. From shopping malls, educational institutions, famous eateries to the different types of residential properties, one is surely spoilt for choice.
In this Hougang and Punggol Lifestyle and Property Guide, which is part of the 2016 Property and Lifestyle Guide series by GET.com, we will run you through the highlights of the Hougang and Punggol areas, show you how much properties cost in District 19 and the cool things you can expect from this district.
District 19 Properties: An Overview
According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, to be considered under District 19, the first 2 digits of the 6-digit postal code must be 53, 54, 55 or 82. It includes general locations like Serangoon Garden, Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol.
Whether you're looking to buy an HDB flat, a condominium or a landed property, you'll never run out of options here in District 19. In case you're new to this northeastern nook of Singapore, there are more private housing options nestled in Serangoon Garden and more HDB flats in Hougang. But in Serangoon as a whole, you can find blocks and blocks of HDB flats as well, if that's what you're looking for. Keep in mind that majority of the HDB flats in Serangoon have been around since the 80's.
Sengkang and Punggol are newer towns, though the latter is the newes, with lots of exciting new developments that'll appeal to any homeowner who has a penchant for waterfront living minus the hefty price tags pegged to their opulent counterparts in Sentosa Cove.
There's no lack of amenities if that's what you're curious to find out as District 19 has literally anything and everything you can ask for in a neighbourhood whether it be schools, community centres, parks and gardens, shopping malls or a public transportation network. There's also the LRT that loops around Sengkang and Punggol respectively, adding greater convenience for those whose homes are farther away from the MRT stations and bus interchanges.
This heartland-esque region of Singapore is a great option for those who'd like to stay in a neighbourhood that's more laid-back but not too east or north if you know what I mean.
Pros And Cons Of Living In Hougang and Punggol
Pros:
Plenty of schools peppered across the district; some coveted schools include Xinmin, Nan Chiau Primary School, Montfort, Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School and Mee Toh School
Mish mash of mature estate and new towns
Lots of hidden gems
Good variety of residential properties
Cons:
Some areas in particular aren't as accessible without vehicles
Hidden Gems In Hougang and Punggol
If you're a fan of no-frills Thai food that'll transport you back to the Land of Smiles without burning a hole in your pocket, visit Nakhon Kitchen. Their food is consistently good while their service staff is always friendly and attentive no matter how busy the eatery gets. Expect to queue if you're visiting them during meal times, though. Try their papaya salad and clear tom yum soup, your tummy and taste buds will thank you.
Address 212 Hougang St 21 #01-341 Singapore 530212
Just a few doors down from Nakhon Kitchen sits Hatter Street, a quaint little dessert cafe that will have you going back for more. I'm quite a picky eater but I absolutely loved their crisp waffles with freshly made pandan ice-cream. Super shiok!
Address 212 Hougang Street 21 #01-333 Singapore 530212
Image source: The Food Pornographer
Alas, who can forget Chomp Chomp when we're talking about Serangoon Gardens, right? To put things into perspective, Serangoon Gardens is practically synonymous with Chomp Chomp. Here, you'll find a multitude of stalls selling things like BBQ chicken wings, oyster omelettes, seafood dishes, BBQ stingray, and sugarcane juice.
Do not attempt to dine here on your first date; it's incredibly smoky inside (those with sensitive noses like mine will likely hack and cough away) and it can be rather difficult to get seats as this place is perennially packed at night.
Address 20 Kensington Park Road Singapore 557269
Image source: Wild Oats @ Punggol Park via Facebook
If you're looking to chug some beer and stuff your face with grub in a nature setting, Wild Oats @ Punggol Park sounds about right. One of my old friends brought me there to chill knowing that I'd spent an entire day holed up in the school library.
All in all, it's a pretty cool place to hang out given that it is rather hidden. Just don't fall into the 5-hectare pond when you get tipsy. Also, I'd suggest you take an insect repellent along with you if you're sensitive to insect bites like I am.
FYI, Punggol Park is in Hougang, not Punggol.
Address Punggol Park 97 Hougang Ave 8 Singapore 538792
Yes, Punggol is where you can take lust-worthy Instagram shots with a pretty lalang field in the background. But that's not the only cool thing that Punggol has to offer. For those who didn't pay attention in history classes, Punggol Beach used to be a massacre site back in the days when the Sook Ching massacres took place.
I'm not sure if this place is haunted, so go explore if you're gutsy enough. The Punggol Beach Heritage Site forms part of the National Heritage Board's World War II Trails.
Address 22 Punggol Road Singapore 828871
Image source: The Punggol Settlement via Facebook
The Punggol Settlement is an ultra laid-back but beautiful place where you can ride, jog, eat and drink. Basically, it's a great place for those who'd like to unwind in somewhere really chill. This hideout nestled in the northeastern part of Singapore offers a curated assortment of F&B options ranging from bistros, restaurants to casual eateries.
Address 3 Punggol Point Road Singapore 828694
How Much Do Properties Cost In Hougang and Punggol
We dug through government data to find out the minimum and maximum per square foot (PSF) prices of private properties, as well as the median resale prices of 3,4 & 5-room HDB flats in this district.
According to data from URA, there were a total of 1758 private residential property transactions for condominiums and apartments in District 19 alone between April 2015 to April 2016.
During the same period, there were 187 private residential property transactions for landed properties (non-strata). The lowest priced transaction for such properties went for $850,000 while the most expensive - a detached property at Carisbrooke Grove - transacted for $8,800,000.
Minimum PSF (condo and apartment): $435 - Rio Casa Maximum PSF (condo and apartment): $1821 - Park Residences Kovan
Median price of a resale 3-room flat in Hougang in Q1 2016: $298,000 Median price of a resale 4-room flat in Hougang in Q1 2016: $383,900 Median price of a resale 5-room flat in Hougang in Q1 2016: $500,000 Median price of a resale 4-room flat in Punggol in Q1 2016: $435,000 Median price of a resale 5-room flat in Punggol in Q1 2016: $450,000 Median price of a resale 4-room flat in Sengkang in Q1 2016: $410,000 Median price of a resale 5-room flat in Sengkang in Q1 2016: $455,000 Median price of a resale Executive flat in Sengkang in Q1 2016: $561,000
*PSF figures for apartment and condominium transactions between April 2015 to April 2016 retrieved from URA *Median prices of resale flats retrieved from HDB
Your downpayment has to be 10% of the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is lower, if you're buying an HDB flat with a loan from HDB. The remaining amount will then be your loan amount from HDB.
If you're buying an HDB flat with a loan from the bank, your downpayment has got to be 20% of the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is lower. When borrowing 80% from the bank, your loan tenure cannot exceed 25 years; you can only borrow 60% from the bank if your loan tenure is between 25 to 30 years! Do note that for both of the above mentioned cases, the sum of the loan tenure and age of the borrower at the time of applying for the loan cannot extend beyond the retirement age of 65.
On the contrary, if you're buying a private property, note that you can only take up home loan packages with the banks. Check out these important things you should know about bank home loans if you're not so familiar with them yet.
Like the case of the bank loan illustrated above, your downpayment has to be 20% of the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is lower. Note that your loan tenure cannot exceed 30 years when borrowing 80% from the bank. And if your loan tenure exceeds 30 years (up to a maximum of 35 years), you can only borrow 60% from the bank. In other words, that leaves you with a whopping 40% downpayment that you'll have to shell out for your private property. For both cases, the sum of the loan tenure and age of borrower at the time of applying for the loan cannot extend beyond the retirement age of 65.
Beautiful Homes In District 19
Image source: Jewel @ Buangkok
Jewel @ Buangkok is a 99-year leasehold condominium nestled in Buangkok within District 19. Located a mere 3 minutes' walk from Buangkok MRT station, this condominium that is expected to be completed in 2017 is great even for families with children of a school-going age. Established schools within the neighbourhood include Nan Chiau Primary School, Montfort Primary School, CHIJ Saint Joseph's Convent and Mee Toh School among others.
Image source: Trilive
Expected to be completed in 2018, Trilive Condo Kovan is a freehold residential development located at 111 Tampines Road within District 19. Residents of Trilive Condo Kovan will enjoy the convenience of living within close proximity to Bishan Junction 8, Nex and Kovan Heartland Mall alongside schools like Australian International School and Stamford American International. The latter should be quite appealing for expats who don't mind living in the suburbs.
Image source: The Tembusu @ Kovan
The Tembusu @ Kovan is conveniently located at Tampines Road, off Kovan. Those who drive will have happy to know that it'll take only 3 minutes to get to Hougang Mall; 5 minutes to Nex Shopping Mall; and 15 minutes to the Orchard Road shopping belt. There are plenty of famous eateries peppered across this area, too. The Tembusu @ Kovan is a freehold development comprising 5 blocks that house a total of 337 residential units.
Image source: Far East Organization
For those who're new to Singapore, Punggol is a new waterfront neighbourhood that's vibrant and uplifting with new developments and amenities such as Waterway Point, SAFRA Punggol and BTO flats. Watertown is the first luxurious, mixed development in Punggol as it seamlessly sits atop the kid-friendly Waterway Point. Watertown is due to be completed in 2017; this 99-year leasehold development comprises a whopping 1001 units.
Image source: The Luxurie @ Sengkang
The Luxurie @ Sengkang is conveniently located just minutes away from Sengkang MRT and LRT station, the bus interchange, the main shopping mall in the heart of Sengkang Central, the polyclinic and prestigious schools like Nan Chiau Primary School and CHIJ St. Joseph Convent. The Luxurie @ Sengkang features 622 stunning residential units complete with quality finishings and lush landscaping. Also, this condominium's units all boast a north-south orientation which is great for those who are very particular about such details.
Useful Tips For District 19
This northeastern district is a pretty massive one on our island; whether you're looking to stay in a more mature area or a new town, you've got your options. Just as a general guideline, Serangoon Garden is more of a private housing residential enclave while Hougang is predominantly filled with HDB flats. Sengkang is considered a new town per se but it obviously isn't as new as Punggol.
If you're looking for a home loan in Singapore, use a home loan website like GET.com to help you compare home loans so you can make a more informed decision.
Also, are you a resident living in this area? We'd love you to get in touch with us via contact@get.com so that we can feature you and your experiences in our property and lifestyle guide!
If you're interested in other properties around Singapore, make sure to check GET.com's property guides to find out which district has the best properties and amenities.
Denise Bay is a staff writer at GET.com. Email: denise.bay@get.com.
Editorial Disclosure: Any personal views and opinions expressed by the author in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of GET.com. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
