Wondering where to live in Singapore? If you’re looking for a room to rent in the eastern part of Singapore, make sure Tampines is on your shortlist.
A mature estate, Tampines is considered the regional centre of the east of Singapore … much like how Jurong is considered the regional hub in western Singapore.
Fun fact: Tampines derives its name from the native “Tempinis” trees that used to grow abundantly in the North-eastern part of Singapore. Once an area that was covered in forests and rubber plantations, Tampines is today a vibrant, self-sufficient township.
Where is Tampines?
Located in the eastern area of Singapore, Tampines is a large and popular residential and commercial estate with plenty of amenities. Tampines is situated near the Changi Business Park and Changi Airport is a mere 10 minutes way.
The Tampines township spans an area of over 20 kilometres. It consists of the following areas: Tampines North, Tampines East, Tampines Changkat, Tampines Central and Tampines West.
Who should live in Tampines?
Most East dwellers will tell you that the east of Singapore has a different vibe from other parts of Singapore. Some will cite the laid-back charm of the east as a reason why they prefer living in this part of Singapore.
Well, if you work in the East (say in Changi Business Park or just a few MRT stops away from any of the MRT stations in Tampines), then living in Tampines will surely save you the hassle of travelling far for work. If you tend to travel overseas for business trips, then Tampines is also an ideal place to stay because of its proximity to Changi Airport.
If you value convenience and are the type that loves to live in an area bustling with activity, then you should seriously consider living in Tampines.
Why is Tampines a good place to live?
Tampines is the third-largest as well as the third most populous residential town in Singapore, and for good reason. It’s very accessible and well connected with plenty of shops, parks, eateries and other amenities.
In short, you have everything you need in the town – from food, retail and recreation to employment and education. It’s a pretty self-sufficient town, we must say. Now, let’s dive into the details of why Tampines makes a good place to live.
Well-connected transport links
Tampines is served by two MRT lines – the East-West line and the Downtown line. There are a total of three MRT stations in Tampines. The main Tampines MRT station (both the East-West line and Downtown line) is located in Tampines Central. There’s also the Tampines East MRT Station (Downtown line) and Tampines West MRT Station (Downtown line). Oh, and there’s also a future MRT station being planned: the Tampines North MRT station on the new Cross-Island line.
In addition, there’s a major bus interchange very near to the Tampines MRT station in Tampines Central which makes this very convenient for commuters who need to switch from train to bus or vice versa.
From Tampines, you can also easily link up to the following major expressways: Pan Island Expressway (PIE), Tampines Expressway (TPE) and East Coast Parkway (ECP). Another option if you want to head west is to drive from Tampines Avenue 10 through to Bartley Road East.
If you have to travel often for business or simply love to travel for leisure, one of the major plus points of living in Tampines is its close proximity to the airport. Plus you have one more F&B, retail and entertainment option to explore in the form of Jewel Changi Airport – the entertainment and retail complex that’s the pride of the airport.
Plenty of shopping choices
There are three major shopping malls in Tampines, located conveniently in Tampines Central and right at the doorstep of Tampines MRT Station. They are: Tampines Mall, Tampines 1 and Tampines Square.
Tampines Mall has the GV cinema, NTUC Fairprice supermarket and department store Isetan as well as plenty of other retail stores. If you love Daiso and Don Don Donki, head on down to Tampines 1 to get your fill of Japanese snacks and products. Century Square is home to a mix of interesting stores too include The Green Party, the ToTT Store, OWNDAYS and more.
If you prefer to do your shopping in large retail centres, IKEA, Courts and Giant are all located along Tampines Avenue 10. The IKEA in Tampines is its largest store in Singapore.
Vibrant food scene
Finding food is no problem if you’re living in Tampines. There are plenty of hawker centres in the area such as the Tampines Round Market & Food Centre in Tampines Street 11, the Hawker Centre at Our Tampines Hub, Hawker Centre 201 in Tampines St 21 and the Hawker Center in Tampines Avenue 5.
Plus there are numerous restaurants in the shopping malls in Tampines Central including favourites such as Din Tai Fung, Swensons, Fish & Co, Sushi Tei, Dian Xiao Er, Nando’s, Putien, Seoul Garden, 4 Fingers, Crystal Jade and many more.
Plenty of amenities
When it comes to amenities, there are plenty of supermarkets (NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Shiong, Cold Storage) and a couple of wet markets (Tampines Mart Wet Market, Tampines Round Market & Food Centre) where you can stock up on your daily necessities and buy fresh meat and produce.
Integrated facilities in Our Tampines Hub
A feature that sets Tampines apart from other areas is that it has the integrated facility that is Our Tampines Hub. This community and lifestyle hub boasts a stadium, sports centre, swimming complex, a library, shops, F&B outlets, recreational facilities such as a bowling alley and rock climbing wall, and even a one-stop government agency centre. You’ll find a whole range of leisure activities to keep you occupied on weekends.
Parks and nature at your doorstep
If you’re into nature and the outdoors, there are several pockets of greenery in Tampines where you can go for a morning walk or evening jog. Tampines Central Park, Sun Plaza Park and Tampines Eco Green and the Tampines Green Forest Park offer nature lovers some lovely walking trails. And don’t forget the popular East Coast Park is just a 15-minute drive away along the ECP highway. Biking, hiking, walking, jogging or even bird watching – you can do it all in Tampines!
Easy access to healthcare
With a polyclinic situated in Tampines, as well as many other private clinics, you’d have no problem finding a doctor if you are sick. For more serious health issues, there’s the Changi General Hospital which is nearby in Simei.
Easy access to banking services
If you need to pop down to the ATM or visit the bank to attend to banking matters, there are several bank branches situated in Tampines Central. These include: UOB, DBS, OCBC, Citibank, Standard Chartered and Bank of China.
Conclusion
So if you’re looking for a room rental or co-living accommodation in the east of Singapore, be sure to check out Tampines as it has plenty to offer. Explore rooms for rent and don’t forget to check out our room rental checklist to narrow down your choices.
