ℹ️Hougang Neighbourhood Guide: What You Should Know?

Source: HDB

The recent August HDB’s BTO launch saw an overwhelming response for 2 projects in Hougang; Hougang Citrine and Kovan Wellspring with 10,602 applicants.

There is a total of 1,335 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats for these 2 projects.

For first-time applicants, this means only one in more than 17 first-time applicants will be able to buy a unit and second-time applicants face even bleaker prospects, with more than 55 vying for each available unit.

This is one of the highest application rates seen in recent years.

So why is Hougang so popular with BTO applicants? In today’s article, we take a look at the attractions of Hougang town.

Rainbow flat

Hougang has probably the only rainbow flat in Singapore. Located at Block 316, Hougang Avenue 7, this block has a spectacular rainbow painted on the façade.

Block 316 is among the first generation of buildings built by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) for Hougang, in the 1980s.

With its vibrant colours and rainbow design, Block 316 is now an icon of Hougang.

Source: roots.sg

Places of worship

Phoh Kiu Siang T’ng can be found at Simon Lane, having moved from Upper Circular Road.

This Teochew charitable hall moved to Hougang due to the large concentration of Teochews living here. Besides its religious activities and a place of worship, Phoh Kiu Siang T’ng also operates a free Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic that is open for all.

Source: roots.sg

For muslims living in Hougang, there is the Masjid Haji Yusoff. Built-in 1921, this is the oldest mosque in Hougang. The mosque now serves as a hub for the Malay-Muslim community living in the Hougang and Upper Serangoon areas.

Source: muis.gov.sg

Next to CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity, one of the eleven CHIJ schools in Singapore is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This is one of the earliest Catholic churches built in Singapore. Over the years, the church has faithfully served the spiritual needs of the predominantly Teochew-speaking Catholics living in Hougang.

Source: allabout.city

Recreation areas

Punggol Park has facilities and activities for the whole family.

Covering more than 16 hectares in size, it also has a large pond, plaza area, bicycle tracks and a restaurant outdoor dining area. With an “Active Zone” located at the southern part of the pond and a “Passive Zone” at the north of the pond, there is something for both young and old to enjoy.

Source: nparks.gov.sg

This park located in the middle of Hougang is well-loved by families and active residents living nearby.

A short walk from Punggol Park is the Sungei Serangoon park connector which stretches all the way to Punggol.

You can go for a run by the river and enjoy the scenic views, or continue your workout at the various exercise pit-stops along the river.

Kovan Sports Centre

For avid footballers, the Kovan Sports Centre has futsal courts for hourly bookings. This venue offers other interesting activities as well including water soccer, archery tag, laser tag, bubble soccer, dodgeball, and touch rugby.

Hougang Sports Hall

This public sports hall is operated by Sport Singapore and includes facilities such as a well-equipped gym, badminton courts, as well as various other sports programs. This is an ideal place for local residents to enjoy sports and working out.

Shopping malls

The main shopping complex is Hougang Mall. Located next to the Hougang Central Bus Interchange and Hougang MRT station, this mall has a wide range of F&B outlets, retail shops, beauty and health services as well as the NTUC supermarket.

Smaller malls in these towns are Heartland Mall and Hougang 1.

Heartland Mall is connected to the Kovan MRT station and has a variety of retail shops and services as well as F&B outlets and the Cold Storage Supermarket. Hougang 1 is a family-focused contemporary shopping mall located in the heart of the Hougang neighbourhood estate to cater to families nearby for their lifestyle and dining pleasures.

Food choices

Kovan Market and Food Centre is home to some 66 cooked food stalls and 74 market stalls.

A go-to place for many locals looking for fresh produce or a simple meal of delectable local foods, such as wonton noodles, chicken rice and others.

Source: Lola's cafe

For something cosy with a good menu selection, head down to Lola’s Café. A stone’s throw from Kovan MRT, this laidback cafe offers brunch classics such as eggs benedict, croissants burgers and waffles. This hipster place is constantly crowded with students and office workers, so remember to make reservations before heading there.

For those craving Nasi Lemak (a traditional Malay coconut rice meal), there is the Ponggol Nasi Lemak and for bean curd lovers, there is the Selegie Soya Bean, known for its traditional silky smooth tau huay.

For Thai food, look no further than Nakhon Kitchen. Serving affordable no-frills Thai favourites such as tom yum, pad Thai and mango salad, this joint is constantly packed with hungry customers, so be prepared to join the queue.

Education

Among the schools in this town are the popular Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary and Secondary), CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity (Primary), Xinmin Primary and Secondary, Holy Innocents’ Primary, Holy Innocents’ High and Bowen Secondary.

There are also numerous childcare centres and tuition centres such as Junior Champs and Kinderland Preschool available in the area.

If you wondering about the 2 BTO projects here, below are the details, just bear in mind that applications are closed with both projects heavily oversubscribed.

1. Kovan Wellspring

Projected to be completed by 2026, it is located next to Kovan MRT Station. With 586 units consisting of 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room and 4-Room flats, its convenient location and nearby amenities are strong selling points.

2. Hougang Citrine

Due to completion by 2025, it is located along Hougang Avenue 3, next to the future Kim Chuan Bus Depot, which is scheduled to be operational by 2025. This development consists of 749 units of 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, 4-Room and 5-Room flats. However, the nearest MRT station is Bartley station, which is about 3 km away.

So even though applications for the current BTOs are closed, you can still find a resale if you like this town and thinking of buying a unit there.

Are you looking for a new home or the latest resale listings? Head to MOGUL.sg to browse your preference of properties for sale in Singapore.

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