SearchThomson Road is a major trunk road connecting the northern residential areas with Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD). It is named after John Turnbull Thomson, the Chief Engineer of the Strait Settlements from 1841 to 1853. This road’s primary purpose was to connect the former British Naval Base at Seletar to the city center during the colonial era.
After Singapore gained its independence, Thomson’s convenient location and ease of access to the CBD areas led to numerous housing development projects springing up within the estate. However, despite the town’s popularity, the properties in the area often do not compare to the demand generated by the houses found in Novena and Toa Payoh.
It is not uncommon to find many property buyers choosing the houses in the latter two areas when they are given a choice between Thomson or Novena/Toa Payoh. But, our property agents believe the public should not overlook the gems that can be found in this estate.
Why you should buy a new property in Thomson
Convenience is often the primary factor for many Singaporeans when they look to buy a new property. However, with various other locations that offer close proximity to the CBD areas, what does Thomson have to provide that makes this estate stand out? Allow us to share why you should consider buying a property in Thomson.
1. The aesthetics
Located within the central catchment area where reservoirs like Upper Pierce Reservoir, Lower Pierce Reservoir, and MacRitchie Reservoir are located, Thomson boasts a pleasant and calming aesthetic that is sure to please nature lovers. These reservoirs are a popular retreat with the locals, who often take a jog or a hike around these areas to enjoy the tranquil setting.
However, it is not just these reservoirs that provide Thomson with a unique charm. It is not uncommon to see rows of shophouses lined up along the streets of Thomson Road, providing the estate with an old-school vibe not found in the newer estates such as Punggol and Sengkang. Some of the cafés and food establishments located within these shophouses, such as The Roti Prata House, are famous island-wide, with plenty of Singaporeans travelling the extra mile to sample these delicious cuisines.
2. The amenities
While there is only one shopping center, Thomson Plaza, within the estate, this mall has recently undergone a renovation to better serve its community. You can find a host of dining and entertainment options to meet your needs. In addition, there is a FairPrice Finest located within the mall should residents need to shop for their daily groceries. If you cannot find what you are looking for, you can head over to the two shopping malls located at Novena, as they are only a few minutes drive away.
Your shopping needs are not the only concern that will be well met when you live in Thomson. There are various medical facilities, public and private, situated nearby should you or your family members require medical attention. If the waiting time at Tan Tock Seng Hospital is too long, you can consider other alternatives such as Thomson Medical Centre and Mount Alvernia Hospital.
With the various amenities located within and around Thomson, a robust transport system is a necessity so residents can travel to and from the area without a hitch. Currently, there are two existing MRT stations, Marymount (CC16) and Caldecott (CC17), within the estate. However, with development on the Thomas-East Coast Line continuing apace, you will soon find it more convenient to travel around thanks to the two new stations, Upper Thomson (TE8) and Caldecott (TE9) MRT stations, which have begun operations on 28 August 2021.
3. Education
Thomson is also home to various prestigious schools of varying educational levels. Families with young children will be delighted to know their kids do not have to travel far to get to school. Let us share a list of the notable schools in the area.
Primary Schools
- Anderson Primary School
- Ang Mo Kio Primary School
- CHIJ Primary School
- CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School
- Guanyang Primary School
- Kheng Cheng School
- Marymount Convent School
- Tech Ghee Primary School
- Townsville Primary School
Secondary Schools
- Catholic High School
- CHIJ Secondary School
- CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School
- Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
Several of the schools on this list are popular with Singaporeans, with the yearly applications often exceeding the available slots. If your child is not among the initial selection, you will have to participate in a balloting process to secure the remaining spots available. Should this scenario occur, your child will stand a better chance of being selected if your family stays close to your desired school.
4. Future developments for Thomson
Understanding the need to refresh and update the amenities found around Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced new developments and enhancements planned for the various landmarks found in Thomson. However, due to the segmentation of the landscape, these projects are listed as part of Novena’s and Toa Payoh’s master plans. Nevertheless, here are some of the future developments you can expect for Thomson.
New park connectors along Sungei Whampoa and Adam Road
If you are an avid cyclist, you will be delighted to know that the agency is planning to enhance the recreational and transport connectivity for residents by implementing new park connectors that will link Sungei Whampoa and Adam Road. If you wish to cycle to Botanic Garden to enjoy the scenic views, you will soon be able to do so.
Expansion of existing healthcare facilities
As Singapore faces an ageing population, it is more crucial than ever that our medical facilities are equipped to cope with the increased demand for healthcare services. Mount Alvernia Hospital is currently in the midst of its expansion, with the St Anne’s Mother & Child Wing expected to focus on family-centric healthcare services once construction is completed in 2021. There are also developments planned for Tan Tock Seng Hospital, with a new Integrated Care Hub and Skin Center expected to be completed by 2022.
Refreshed facilities at Thomson Community Club
You can also look forward to a newly upgraded Thomson Community Club by the end of 2021. New facilities include larger dance studios for the center to host dance lessons, a culinary studio for baking and cooking classes, and a covered basketball court where everyone can play basketball without worrying about the weather conditions. Moreover, a new bridge will be installed, linking the center to the nearby Shunfu Market, thereby improving accessibility for residents within the Thomson community.
Properties to keep an eye on
With all the exciting developments happening in Thomson, we will advise interested parties to strike while the iron is hot as we believe the property prices will appreciate within the next few years. In fact, our agents have already noticed an upward trend after the URA’s announcement of its Master Plan 2019.
The properties located in Thomson and Upper Thomson Road, which are part of the D20 and D26 districts, respectively, have seen their prices appreciate by more than 15%. The average price per square foot of a house in Upper Thomson Road (D26) was $901 in January 2015 but has since risen to $1040 after the URA’s announcement.
This trend is also replicated in the property located in Thomson (D20). The average property price was $1477 per square foot but has since risen to $1936 per square foot in the same time frame. We expect this movement to continue upwards in the near future once the newly announced developments in Thomson are completed.
Two properties that we believe would interest investors are the OKA Semi-Detached @ Thomson Hill and OKA Semi-Detached @ Thomson Hill 2. Both houses are located near Lentor MRT station. Moreover, they are only a stone’s throw away from renowned educational institutes such as Anderson Primary School and CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School. The former property has an estimated size of 5221 square feet and will cost you approximately $1005 per square foot. Meanwhile, the latter home is around 5105 square feet and is priced at roughly $1015 per square foot. These prices are attractive and below the average cost per square foot typically found in the properties in district D20.
Conclusion
We hope what we have shared has convinced you that investing in a property in Thomson is a wise decision. If your mind is made up, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a property agent to help you with your house-hunting.
At Selling Singapore, our team has vast experience transacting numerous properties island-wide. Allow us to provide you with peace of mind by assisting you with the bulk of the house-hunting work. In addition, should you require help in selling your property, we guarantee we can sell your condo or HDB flat fast so you can reinvest the proceeds from the sales into your new property in Thomson. Feel free to contact us at 8157 4855 for a quick catch-up session so our agents can better understand your requirements and assist you in finding your dream home!
