Thomson – A Popular Residential Enclave

Exclusivity at Thomson

 

Two words can sum up Thomson, located smack in the center of the island – parks and eateries. Thomson is absolutely brimming with both, which is what makes it such an attractive place to both live in and to invest in property. It has fast become one of the most up and coming neighborhoods on the whole island, and it’s not hard to see why.

 

 

Parklife

Thomson almost has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to greenery, parks and nature reserves. Ranging from wild areas of untamed forests teeming with monkeys, to relaxing burbling streams meandering through meadows, it has it all.

 

 

Central Catchment Nature Reserve

By far the largest nature reserve in Singapore, and incorporating some of the islands most loved attractions, as well as the richest forests in terms of biodiversity this giant green lung offers a wide range of habitats and activities. Covering an area of nearly 3000 hectares this protected area features many carefully planned nature walks and trials; 4 reservoirs including the ever popular MacRitchie with its treetop walk, a 250 meter suspension bridge giving a birds – or monkeys – eye view of the forest; the Night Safari, Zoo and River Safari.

 

The area has literally miles and miles of trails, many incorporating boardwalks giving the unique opportunity to see the last remaining pockets of original forest on the island, and a wide range of animals, birds and insects.

 

 

Windsor Nature Park

This 75-hectare area located just off Venus Drive in the Upper Thomson area is one of four buffer parks surrounding the central catchment area. Predominantly forested, this richly biodiverse park is in the midst of sensitive development, that is due to be completed by the end of 2016. This will restore its original paths, as well as the building of several boardwalks resulting in 3 miles of fully integrated trails giving the perfect opportunity to spot the multitude of wildlife that calls the park home.

 

 

Bishan – Ang Mo Kio Park

One of the largest urban parks in Singapore, and featuring a stunning 2 mile converted canal that meanders between lush flower-strewn banks, the Bishan – Ang Mo Kio Park is equally popular with exercise and nature enthusiasts alike. Its open lawns and gently sloping grassy banks make it the perfect spot for a picnic, or just a relaxing pre or post walk stroll. For the more athletic, the newly renovated tracks are idea for jogging and cycling.

 

 

Foodies Paradise

It’s not all about wildlife and greenery though, unless you include those that you can eat. The other thing this area is famous for – particularly the Upper Thomson Road area – is its eateries. Once just famous for the Roti Prata House, and the handmade dim sum at Hwa Nam Restaurant, over recent years tens of small cafes, bakeries and restaurants have sprung up, making it one of the best places in Singapore to give your taste buds a treat. The list of top places is an ever changing one, and half the fun is to just dive in and discover your own favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for New Launch Condo @ Thomson? You might want to find more about these 3 Singapore Condos below

 

 

 

Recent Launches

 

Coming Soon

 

Toa Payoh Site

A residential site which is located at the junction of Toa Payoh Lorong 4 and 6 was released for sales by Housing Development Board (HDB) on April 2015.  The site which can house up to 500 over residential units attracted an overwhelming response from 14 group of developers.

 

Toa Payoh Site -14 Bids
Toa Payoh Site -14 Bids ( Source : HDB )

 

 

Toa Payoh Site
Toa Payoh Site Tender Details (Source : HDB)

 

Toa Payoh Site

The tender was awarded to Evia Real Estate and Gamuda Berhad at a bidded price of $345 millions. (estimated to be at about $755 psf ppr). The property market in Singapore might have soften in the recent year, however the strong interest drawn for this site has once again proven that there is still a strong demand in lands for developers especially for developments that are sited in a mature housing estate.

 

 

 

 

Looking for new launch in a more mature home estate? Take a look at our list below

 

 

 

What Happens at the End of a 99 Year HDB Lease

 

Are Singapore residents sitting on the biggest housing time bomb in the island’s history?

 

Perhaps the scariest thing in this age of information and knowledge at your fingertips is that nobody knows. You can speak to 5 different people and get 5 different answers. There seems to be a mix between people on the one hand drifting along, certain that everything will all be ok, and that the government won’t turf them out on the street, while on the other hand, we are heading for social disaster.

 

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En Bloc / Collective Sales

En bloc seems to be the buzz word regarding the property market in Singapore at the moment. So what exactly is en bloc, what’s the process, and is it something that you should be worried or excited about?

 

What is En Bloc Sale?

An en bloc sale is simply the sale of an entire private strata development when there is a majority consent among the owners to sell. If there is a unanimous consent among the owners to sell, then en bloc laws do not apply. It was initially brought in as a process to redevelop old property and bring it up to the standards demanded by modern home owners and investors. Read more

History of Public Housing in Singapore

Since 1920s..

Public housing in Singapore has been at the front of government policy for a century, and looks set to be for the foreseeable future. It has come a long way from a very low base, and it hasn’t been a smooth ride, but it is hard to knock what has been achieved in a relatively small timescale.

 

Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT)
 Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) Logo

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) Logo

Housing in Singapore was blighted in the early 20th century by overcrowding, poor hygienic and living conditions. People were crowded into shophouses, slums and squatter settlements, forcing the British colonial government to try and put some island wide initiative in place. The result was the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) which was proposed in 1920, with the bill finally being approved seven years later. Read more

Leasehold or Freehold Property in Singapore

Leasehold or Freehold

 

freehold vs leasehold
freehold vs leasehold

It isn’t the case that it is all about location location location, when it comes to buying property in Singapore. The question of whether to buy freehold or leasehold is something that comes a very close second in buyers’ minds, and the debate about which is best seems to have been raging for almost as long as the country has been independent.

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Singapore Regional Centres

The 4 Regional Centres in Singapore

Regional centres are a government initiative to relieve the burden and focus of the central districts of Singapore, by setting up self-sufficient centres in other parts of the island. These regional centres would provide residents with everything they need – education, retail, leisure and other essential amenities.

 

Regional Centres
The 4 Regional Centres In Singapore ( Source : URA)

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Improving Transport Connectivity across Singapore

Accessible to everywhere

Singapore may only be a small island, but transport has always been an issue especially when it comes to choosing a location to buy new launch condo or resale property, either for investment or to live in. Over recent years, and with many new developments either nearing completion or underway, this has ceased to be such an issue. More and more of the island is now open for business and that perfect location is no longer restricted to the few traditional areas.

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