Buying a property in Punggol? Here are the 9 things to know before you proceed

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

Scaled model of Matilda district in Punggol. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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

Being a non-mature estate has its benefits as Punggol offers a tranquil environment. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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.

Punggol's picturesque and tranquil surrounding have made it an in-demand district among homebuyers. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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

Punggol Digital District will be spearheaded by JTC. It is part of Singapore's Smart Nation push. Screengrab from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

​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.
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The bad:
#6: Lack of good hawker food

Lifestyle and dining options are available at the Marina Country Club. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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

The ongoing construction work from the many Built-To-Order (BTO) projects mean plenty of dust at home. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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

Singaporeans taking the MRT during the rush hour. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

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

Flatted factories located in Punggol. Photo: Khalil Adis Consultancy.

​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.