​Punggol and Sengkang are tied at the top spot with 116 transactions recorded last month, followed by Yishun and Tampines trailing behind at 80 and 76 transactions respectively.

By Khalil Adis

​Homeowners in Punggol and Sengkang, hold on tight to your HDB flats (until you get a better offer, that is) as they are the most in-demand HDB estates for September 2020, data from HDB showed.

According to 4-room  transactions captured on HDB's website, Punggol and Sengkang are tied at number one with 116 transactions recorded last month, followed by Yishun and Tampines in the second and third place at 80 and 76 transactions respectively.

In terms of the median transacted price, 4-room HDB flats in Punggol fetched far higher prices at $468,514.97 while Sengkang's figures were $436,909.17.

Other HDB estates that made the cut included Bukit Panjang, Hougang, Bedok, Jurong West, Woodlands, Pasir Ris and Ang Mo Kio.

Of the 11, six (Punggol, Sengkang, Yishun, Bukit Panjang, Jurong West and Woodlands) are non-mature and five (Tampines, Hougang, Bedok, Pasir Ris and Ang Mo Kio) are mature HDB estates.

4-room flats in Woodlands fetched the lowest median average price at $352,380.60 while those in Punggol fetched the highest at $468,514.97, representing a price difference of 32.96 per cent.

HDB estate in northern Singapore (Yishun, Bukit Panjang, Woodlands and Ang Mo Kio) proved to be popular, followed by the north-east (Punggol, Sengkang and Hougang), east (Tampines, Bedok, Pasir Ris) and west (Jurong West).

Here is the ranking from the most to least popular HDB estates.

#1: Punggol and Sengkang

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Punggol
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 116 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $468,514.97

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Sengkang
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 116 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $436,909.17

Punggol and Sengkang continue to be popular in the resale market as some sellers seek to offload their HDB flats once they have hit the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) while buyers are attracted to the relatively new and better-designed flats.  

Accessible via the North East Line (NEL), LRT and Tampines Expressway (TPE), both estates have a relatively young population.

Data from SingStats showed that Punggol and Sengkang had the highest proportion of children aged below 5 years at 9.9 per cent in 2019.

Despite falling to the hands of the opposition during the recently concluded general elections Sengkang has not lost its lustre as HDB's data showed.

Meanwhile, Punggol is set to welcome the extension of the Cross Island Line (CRL) that will link it to Pasir Ris by 2031. 

The 7.3 km line will comprise four stations – Punggol, Riviera, Elias and Pasir Ris.

Punggol MRT station will be an interchange station to the CRL that will connect residents to the North East Line (NEL) and Punggol Digital District via Punggol Coast MRT station.

Rivieria and Pasir Ris MRT stations will be connected to the Punggol LRT line and East West Line (EWL) respectively.

#2: Yishun

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Yishun
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 80 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $365,638.15

While Yishun may conjure images of the morbid and macabre, data from HDB showed that it is the second most popular estate on the island in September 2020 with 80 transactions recorded.

So what gives?

Perhaps, it is the recent rejuvenation programme that Yishun had undergone under the URA's master plan. The estate is now home to the new Yishun Integrated Transport Hub and Northpoint City.  

Other infrastructure projects in the pipeline include the upcoming $7 to $8 billion North-South Expressway (NSE) by 2023. 

This will allow residents to travel to the city in just 20 minutes flat. It will also offer better connectivity to neighbourhoods located in the north-south corridor such as Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Toa Payoh. 

#3: Tampines

​Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Tampines
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 76 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $444,814.16

Tampines is the top-ranking mature estate ranking third in place.

A perennial favourite due to the abundance of shopping malls like Tampines One, Tampines Mall and Century Square, the opening of IKEA Tampines has certainly upped the hip quotient to live within this self-sufficient estate.

Served by the East West Line (EWL) and Downtown Line (DTL) via Tampines, Tampines West and Tampines East MRT stations, connectivity will be further enhanced when the Downtown Line (DTL) connects Tampines to the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) by 2024 via Expo interchange station.

Malls aside, Tampines is conveniently located next to Changi Business Park where jobs abound. 

The business park serves as a hub for data centre, banks and knowledge-intensive industries.

#4: Bukit Panjang

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Bukit Panjang
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 65 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $414,172.08

Meaning "long hill" in Malay, Bukit Panjang is a hilly estate that was once only accessible via bus and LRT. 

However, since the opening of the Downtown Line (DTL), Bukit Panjang is now served by a dedicated MRT line that links it to downtown Singapore in 30 minutes.

Comprising a mixture of flats, condominiums and private housing, residents can now enjoy a seamless transfer to the MRT and LRT stations via the Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub within Hillion Mall.

Located next to Bukit Timah Hill and the water catchment area of Upper Seletar Reservoir, nature lovers can look forward to the park connectors linking Bukit Panjang Park and Zhenghua Park.

#5: Hougang

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Hougang
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 64 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $414,482.05

What's there not to love about the mature estate of Hougang?

Known for its rich heritage and delicious hawker fares, Hougang is also home to several good schools such as Montfort Junior School, Holy Innocents' High School, Xinghua Primary School and Xinmin Primary School and Xinmin Secondary School.

This has perhaps explained why Hougang is the fifth most transacted HDB estate in September 2020.

Hougang is served by Hougang MRT station via the North East Line (NEL). 

By 2031,  this station will be upgraded to an interchange station linking it to the Cross Island Line (CRL) spanning from Jurong Industrial Estate to Changi.

Amenities wise, Hougang Central features two shopping centres, namely, Hougang Mall and Kang Kar Mall.

#6: Bedok

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Bedok
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 55 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $419,888.73

Bedok is the third mature HDB estate to make the list placing it at number 6.

Home to an estimated 289,000 residents, Bedok is the largest planning area on the island offering a mix of HDB flats and private housing options.

Accessible by Bedok MRT station on the East West Line (EWL), residents are now served by three more MRT stations namely, Kaki Bukit, Bedok North and Bedok Reservoir via the Downtown Line (DTL).

By 2023, Bedok will welcome five more MRT stations via the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) - Marine Terrace, Siglap, Bayshore, Bedok South and Sungei Bedok.

The estate counts Bedok Mall, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Bedok Point, Bedok Public Library and Bedok Polyclinic as among some of the amenities that can be found within the town centre.

Food-wise, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre is a foodie treasure trove known for its delightful but affordable cuisines ranging from chicken rice to Mee Rebus.

#7: Jurong West

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Jurong West
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 51 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $397,957.73

Ranking seventh is Jurong West which is home to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Jurong Industrial Estate.

Currently accessible by MRT via Lakeside, Boon Lay, Pioneer and Joo Koon MRT stations on the East West Line (EWL), Jurong West will get its own dedicated MRT line by 2026.

Called Jurong Region Line (JRL), this will be Singapore's seventh MRT line to serve both existing and future development in the western part of Singapore. 

When opened, it will connect Jurong Lake District to Jurong Industrial Estate, Jurong Innovation District, and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Comprising 24 stations over 24 km, JRL will have three interchange stations at Boon Lay, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East MRT stations.

Jurong Town Hall MRT station, in particular, will be an interchange station to the Kuala Lumpur - Singapore High Speed Rail line.

#8: Woodlands

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Woodlands
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 47 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $352,380.60

If you are looking for affordable housing options on the island that is in demand, then Woodlands should be on your bucket list.

Under URA's Master Plan 2019, Woodlands is set to transform in the next 15 years via Woodlands Regional Centre.

When completed, it is poised to take its place as the largest economic hub in northern Singapore.

Some of the industry clusters that are envisioned to take shape here include business, industry, research & development, and learning & innovation.

As we speak, Woodlands last year witnessed the opening of Woodlands North and Woodlands South MRT stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL). 

This is especially good news for those who need to commute to Johor Bahru regularly.

When it is ready at the end of 2026, Woodlands North will allow commuters to transfer to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) link.

#9: Pasir Ris

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Pasir Ris
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 46 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $448,130.43

Located on the other end of the island, Pasir Ris conjures up images of rustic and laid back Singapore thanks to the numerous chalets and resorts that can be found here.

Home to Lorong Halus Wetland and Pasir Ris Beach, the estate is currently served by Pasir Ris MRT station on the East West Line (EWL) that is integrated with the bus interchange.

By 2031, however, the MRT station will be upgraded to an interchange station to the Cross Island Line (CRL) linking Pasir Ris to Punggol.

Offering a good mix of HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes, Pasir Ris is home to two malls namely, White Sands and Elias Mall.

Despite its far-flung location, prices for 4-room HDB flats here are the third most expensive after Punggol and Sengkang reflecting strong demand.

#10: Ang Mo Kio

Flat Type: 4 Room
HDB Town: Ang Mo Kio
Resale Registration Date: Sep 2020
Total number of records found: 39 (Data as at 4 Oct 2020)
Median transacted price: $407,904.51

Ang Mo Kio is among one of the very first housing estates in Singapore making it the final mature neighbourhood to make it on the top ten list. 

Known for its delicious hawker food, Ang Mo Kio has a relatively older population with approximately one in five residents were aged 65 years and over in 2019, data from SingStats showed.

The heart of Ang Mo Kio lies at its vibrant town centre located just next to the MRT station.

Home to Ang Mo Kio Community Library, Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic and Market & Hawker Centre, the town centre has been rejuvenated over the years to cater to the younger generation. 

A new shopping mall called AMK Hub is now integrated with the transportation hub linking residents from the MRT station to Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange. 

To make the transfer a seamless experience, residents can look forward to a wide array of amenities ranging from NTUC FairPrice to banking options at Bank of China and UOB. Meanwhile, further down the road, a new mall called Djitsun Mall offers four levels of dining, retail and edutainment and fitness experience.

To meet the demands of the upwardly mobile, a private condominium called Centro Residences has also been built just across AMK Hub. 

There's more to come that will increase the attractiveness of Ang Mo Kio.

Under the URA Draft Master Plan 2019, the estate will be rejuvenated with new housing precincts and amenities while retaining its current charms. 
​
In terms of connectivity, Ang Mo Kio will witness the additions of four new stations - Lentor and Mayflower MRT stations on the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) and Bright Hill and Teck Ghee MRT stations on the Cross Island Line (CRL). 

Bright Hill will be an interchange station to the TEL and Cross Island Line (CRL). 

Meanwhile, Ang Mo Kio MRT station will be upgraded to an interchange station to the North South Line (NSL) and Cross Island Line (CRL).

Despite the tepid HDB resale market, Punggol has bucked the trend with a loft unit at Punggol Sapphire recently changing hands for almost a million dollars. Here are the lowdowns about living in Punggol.

By Khalil Adis

Punggol has indeed come a long way from being an ‘ulu’ area.

Once known as a rural settlement complete with kampungs and farms, Punggol has since 1998 transformed itself from a backwater area to a vibrant, modern yet green satellite district.

Amid Punggol’s oasis of calm, you can see LRT trains whirring through the residential areas, passing by the ample lush natural landscape before taking you directly to the heart of the district, Punggol Central.

While Punggol’s rustic charms may appeal to outdoor lovers, there are certain downsides about living here.

We list them down here:

The good:
#1: It’s oh so quiet

Punggol has an estimated population of 161,570 as of 2018 with a projected 96,000 housing units once the entire "Punggol 21-plus” master plan is completed.

Despite its high density, Punggol is surprisingly very quiet at night save for the traffic whizzing by the Tampines Expressway (TPE).

This is definitely good news for those wanting some peace and quiet but bad news if you want the buzz of city life.

If you still want to move to Punggol, fret not as Waterway Point has all the modern conveniences and amenities for your city living.

#2: Well landscaped parks and gardens 

Nature and outdoor lovers will revel in the many landscaped parks and gardens that Punggol has to offer, including the award-winning My Waterway@Punggol.

From the Matilda District, you can enjoy a stroll or jog by the Punggol River before reaching Punggol Dam and Punggol Point. 

This is part of the comprehensive Park Connector Network (PCN) linking the entire island.

The view is awe-inspiring and enough to make even the laziest couch potato get up and explore nature

#3: Properties here are in demand.

Being a relatively new township development with a young demographic, Punggol has proven to be popular among homebuyers as a few HDB housing projects are now eligible to be sold in the resale market.

According to the fourth quarter of 2018 data from the HDB, the Resale Price Index (RPI) fell by 0.2 per cent, from 131.6 points in the third quarter to 131.4 points in the fourth quarter in 2018. 

For the whole year, the RPI declined by 0.9 per cent in 2018.

Despite the lacklustre market, a five-room, loft unit in Punggol Sapphire was sold for S$910,888 in January 2019.

This was considered a record for an HDB flat in northeastern Singapore.

Additionally, OrangeTee & Tie's research showed that in the third quarter of 2018, Punggol was the fourth most popular area for HDB resale flats with 469 units transacted followed by Jurong West (505 units), Woodland (516 units) and Sengkang (528 units).

On the overall, resale statistics from the HDB showed that the median prices of three, four and five-room flats were transacted at S$343,000, S$455,000 and S$445,000 respectively in the fourth quarter of 2018.

#4: Comprehensive public transport network

Commuting in and around Punggol is very convenient as there is a comprehensive transport network comprising MRT, LRT and buses.

In fact, the township has been planned such that each housing estate is located within 300 m away from any LRT station.

An exception, however, is the new housing area at the Matilda district.

#5: Punggol Digital District

​Come 2023, a new smart city is set to rise in Punggol called the Punggol Digital District. Housing technology firms involved in key growth fields as well as the new Singapore Institute of Technology Campus, Punggol Digital District will create around 28,000 jobs while providing residents with more lifestyle and dining options.

In the pipeline includes the new Punggol Coast MRT Station which will be an extension of the North-East Line.

Punggol Digital District will also enjoy enhanced connectivity via the Cross Island Line (CRL) which will link it to Jurong Lake District and Changi by around 2030.

Collectively, they will act as property boosters for Punggol.
​
The bad:
#6: Lack of good hawker food

Food. That’s our favourite national past time that defines if we love or hate or neighbourhood.

Having lived in Taman Jurong, I must say I was spoilt for choice with various options of mouth-watering hawker fares such as the famous Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak.

However, the choices have become extremely limited in Punggol unless you are into fast food.

While there are coffee shops serving local cuisines, they pale in comparison to the well-established hawker fares that you can find elsewhere.

You are better off cooking your own meals. 

#7: Dust

If you hate spring cleaning, be prepared for a rude shock.

With many construction works going on, you will find yourself dusting up every single day.

Windows, top of shelves, cupboards and other surfaces collect dust easily.

This certainly isn’t good news if you are asthmatic or are prone to allergies.

If so, you might want to invest in a good ioniser to keep your indoor air free of particles and other irritants.

The ugly:
#8: Get ready to jostle with the early morning crowd

If you think Singaporeans are a kiasu lot, be prepared to see that word taken to new heights when you commute to work in the morning.

In fact, many would play ‘musical chairs’ as they hustle for seats at on the MRT.

Meanwhile, getting a Grab or taxi would be almost impossible.

To get around this, I would leave home by 6 am and get to the office by 7 am.

#9: That acrid smell in the air

​While Punggol may be planned as a green township development, be prepared for a strong burning smell that would emanate from time to time.

Located just opposite the industrial area of Pasir Gudang, Johor, the smell has become increasingly acrid over the past few days that it will linger from night till dawn.

In fact, it can get so bad that you might have to get up in the middle of the night to close the windows.

This is something perhaps developers and HDB will not tell you.