Neighbourhood guides: Why Tampines is perfect for a first time home buyer

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Thinking of getting your first property, but don’t know which neighbourhood to pick? We vote for Tampines, which has virtually everything you could want, or ask for, in a neighbourhood. Here’s why!

1. It’s well-connected

Tampines is served by many major roads and highways, including the Tampines Expressway (TPE) and the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) – meaning that if you drive or take taxis, you’ll be in town in 15 minutes, tops.

If you’re taking public transport, it takes slightly longer (about half an hour!) from Tampines MRT to town (City Hall MRT). Good news, though – by 2017, Tampines will be connected to the Downtown Line, making it even easier for residents to travel!

2. You can shop till you drop

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Those in need of a little retail therapy will be spoilt for choice at the three malls  – Tampines 1, Tampines Mall and Century Square – all within walking distance of each other. With high-street fashion and international brands such as Topshop, H&M and Uniqlo so readily available at your doorstep, you won’t even need to head into town!

Bonus: Tampines is also home to Tampines Retail Park, which houses Ikea, Giant, and Courts megastores, where you can stock up on furniture, appliances and everyday necessities.

3. It’s near the airport

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Most Singaporeans make a few overseas trips a year, be it for business or leisure – and nothing can beat the feeling of being able to arrive back at home sweet home within 15 minutes of touching down. Also – if you’ve ever been forced to wake up at an ungodly hour to catch an early flight, you’ll appreciate the extra snoozing time you’ll get because of your proximity to the airport!

4. You get to live in the midst of nature

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Yes, we know that Singapore as a whole is teeming with greenery, but Tampines has some awesome green spaces that you don’t find in any other neighbourhood. For one, the Tampines Eco Green is a 36-hectares large eco-friendly park encompassing hiking trails, bird lookouts, and vegetable swales. Unlike other parks in Singapore, it consists of many different habitats including open grasslands, marshes, freshwater ponds and even a secondary rainforest.

Another space that nature lovers have to check out is the Changkat Butterfly Garden, which is Singapore’s only butterfly garden within a housing estate. This consists of a raised observation deck where visitors can view the butterflies up close, as well as waterfall features. Sounds like a good way to momentarily escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life!

5. The awesome food around the district

Depending on who you talk to, having a variety of good food around your housing estate could be a make it or break it type situation. We’re pleased to report that the area has tons of great food options to suit anyone and everyone’s tastes!

If you’re a cafe-lover, we recommend:

Brothers in Fine Food

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Brothers in Fine Food, located at Tampines West Community Club, is owned by the same people behind Penny’s University. Check out their beautifully plated, Asian-inspired mains – and if you need a recommendation, our top pick goes to the scrumptious Iga Bakar. This is a delicious dish of beef rib braised for 48 hours, served with addictively crispy polenta fries and kecap manis reduction.

For desserts, go to:

Meet & Melt

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Meet & Melt is a family run mom & pop store which has won over many a dessert fanatic with their amazing ice creams and Shibuya toasts. Crowd favourites include the Ferrero Rocher Shibuya Toast and Thai Milk Tea Charcoal Lava Toast (pictured).

If you prefer hawker food, try:

Sarawak Kolo Mee at Tampines Round Market Food Centre

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If you’re a fan of springy, bouncy noodles (or ‘qq’ as the Chinese call it!), you’ll love the Sarawak Kolo Mee from Tampines Round Market Food Centre. The dish also comes with a heaping of ingredients – dumplings, wanton, char siew and braised pork ribs – and the noodles are tossed with an extremely flavourful pork rib sauce. Trust us, you’ll be back for more!

Sarawak Kolo Mee is located at #01-45, Tampines Round Market Food Centre.

Convinced that Tampines is the perfect place for a starter home? If you’re thinking of getting a resale flat, check out our table of average flat prices in the past!

Want to get a condo instead? Here are some great options:

Tampines Court – $636 average psf.

The Eden at Tampines – $816 average psf.

The Alps Residence – $987 average psf.

Waterview – $1,050 average psf.

Q Bay Residences – $1,212 average psf.