Potong Pasir

Despite being located in the central region of Singapore, Potong Pasir continues to manage and retain a laidback kampong vibe. The sloping roof of some blocks became the most recognizable icon of Potong Pasir. From then till now, the ward has managed to retain its idyllic feel even as the pace of urbanization has caught up with other areas. With plenty of shopping, recreational, and educational amenities, it is a comfortable and well-connected residential area perfect for families. Being near an established estate and the up-and-coming Bidadari Estate, means that Potong Pasir can reap the spillover benefits of additional amenities, excellent connectivity, and improved infrastructure. It won't be long before Potong Pasir catches the eye of homebuyers with the affordable residential housing from condominiums, HDB blocks, to landed houses.

Public transport and amenities in Potong Pasir

Potong Pasir is area that was made up of sand quarries from 1910 to 1937. Hence, its present name. Mining activities conducted there created 4 ponds that are linked to the Kallang River. The rapid change took place for the past few decades, with the construction of a bridge across the ponds in the 1950s, a venue for education introduced in the form of a village community centre in 1952, piped water and electricity in the 1960s. By the 1970s, most of the villagers had already started to move out as the land was acquired by the government for massive redevelopment. After which, a public housing estate, the Potong Pasir Estate, began to take shape in the 1980s, with construction commencing in 1982 and the first blocks completed two years later. 

Stay - Potong Pasir

If you are in search of a property with room for appreciation, the Potong Pasir neighbourhood is the right place. Make your move before it becomes completely gentrified and prices skyrocket. Upgraded and upmarket amenities will serve to push property prices up, and since redevelopment efforts have only just begun, the Potong Pasir neighbourhood has a lot of room to grow.

The ski-slope roof design of the HDB blocks is iconic of Potong Pasir's skyline. But more interestingly, this is where you can still find rare executive maisonettes in Singapore today. These maisonettes can only be accessed via an alternative flight of stairs, so it is like having your private lobby. If you are more interested in a private units, these are several condominiums in Potong Pasir worth considering: The Poiz Residences, Myra, The Tre Ver, and Intero. 

Shop - Potong Pasir

Potong Pasir is centrally located, but it manages to evade encroachment by big commercial interests. It is one of the few neighbourhoods without a major mall within walking distance. Instead, family-owned mini-marts and small retail stores are the norms here. It was only in 2015 that chain supermarkets like NTUC, the largest supermarket chain in the country, found a foothold. You can find groceries, fresh foods, as well as other household necessities at this convenient neighbourhood supermarket.

There is also Ang Mo Supermarket that is a cross between a provision shop and a regular supermarket. The prices beat NTUC's, the selection is wide, and every visit is like a treasure hunt. If you spot great food items, grab them because on subsequent visits, you may never find them again. Moreover, with the recent introduction of The Poiz Centre and The Venue Shoppes, Potong Pasir is now filled with hidden enclaves for you to explore.

Eat and Drink - Potong Pasir

If you are coming from Potong Pasir MRT Station, Broadway Food Centre is the first one to go to. Stalls here cover just about the entire local cuisine spectrum. Find the promised popcorn chicken and thick-cut fries at Alps Western & Salad Bar. There are more fries than popcorn chicken, but it will fill you up with deep-fried goodness. 

Looking for a sweet bakery? Shangri-La Confectionery & Delicatessen is one of the few old bakery shops left, complete with a range of satisfyingly sized 80-cent buns of various flavors and filling- from curry, to prawn sambal, to coconut, to cream buns. The only indication that Shangri-La Confectionery & Delicatessen is easing into the 21st century is its whole country-style apple pie, costing a whopping $15.

And there is PP 881 Food House. At first glance, it looks like any other coffee shop, and it mostly is. A drinks stall, mixed-rice stall, western store, and other eating house staples visually advertise their best dishes on the signboards. Nestled among these is a stall selling dimsum and handmade bao. It has a Star Award for fine culinary skill from Singapore Food Map Web, which it showcases proudly on its shopfront. With more than 30 different food items for sale at reasonable prices, you won’t starve if you’re caught here without much in your wallet.

If you are looking for something special, try Joan Bowen Cafe. The Special Culinary Centre is a place where youths with special needs receive culinary training and a safe environment for them to discover their talents. Whether you're having pasta or just coffee, make sure to save some room for the chef’s recommendation. 

Learn - Potong Pasir

Looking for a school can be rough. It is a very important decision for parents to make. Therefore, 99.co has listed some of the best schools in Potong Pasir to narrow down the search. First, there is St Andrew Junior School whose philosophy is to create a sound student grounded in Christian principles. Next is St Joseph Institution Junior, which rests on the three core values of; Faith, Service and Community, is also a promising option. 

As for parents who prefer international schools education for their children, there is Stamford International School up on Woodleigh Lane. The school has a full international-Baccalaureate Program that is just in sync with US college standards.

Move - Potong Pasir

Since 2015, sheltered linkways have been added to connect to Potong Pasir MRT station to create a seamless walking experience. Potong Pasir MRT station is an underground station along the North-East Line (NEL) located at the boundaries of the Woodleigh and Bidadari planning subzones. The station sits underneath Upper Serangoon Road, at the junction with Potong Pasir Avenue 1 and Wan Tho Avenue. The station is located in the vicinity of the Poiz mixed-use development, both public and private housing estates at Potong Pasir and Sennett, and various educational institutions.

Public Library - Potong Pasir

Alt-text: Children Section at Toa Payoh Public Library

Residents of the Potong Pasir neighbourhood can go to the nearby Toa Payoh Public Library to access literary resources, education, and information on many topics. It is located in the heart of Toa Payoh Central, covering a floor area of 4,125 square metres and is home to more than 240,000 collections. There is an eReader loan service that allows patrons to borrow Sony eReaders and download their favourite ebooks from OverDrive (a popular ebook database). You can find the children’s section at level 1. Meanwhile, the second floor is home to Newspapers & Magazines Lounge and the third one is where the Teens’ Zone is located, with its prominent display of graphic novels as well as audiovisual materials. The Toa Payoh Public Library is also home to several clubs such as the Writing the City Writers’ Group. It is a community of writers committed to the craft of writing, with monthly workshops which offer participants writing exercises.