Neighbourhood Estate Guide: Is Bedok The Best Value Estate In Terms Of Affordability And Amenities?

One of the many achievements of modern Singapore is our transformation from a kampung landscape to one of the most liveable cities in the world. This is achieved through the well-planned layout of each estate and the continued maintenance to ensure the amenities are up-to-date to meet the living needs of the residents. As a result, we are able to live in any town in Singapore without experiencing a drop in living standards.

For instance, even a mature town like Bedok, which was developed in the 1970s as Singapore’s fifth housing estate, remains attractive despite the development of newer housing towns. Located in the southeast of Singapore, Bedok sits in a sweet spot where it is close to the seaside and within reasonable commute time to the city centre. It is also the most populous estate in Singapore, with many newer and exciting developments set to revitalise and rejuvenate the estate.

Here’s our neighbourhood guide to knowing more about Bedok and its 8 subzones, namely Bayshore, Bedok North, Bedok Reservoir, Bedok South, Frankel, Kaki Bukit, Kembangan, and Siglap.

[Editor’s note]: Check out the other neighbourhood estate guides that we have written on: Bukit Merah, Hougang, Jurong West, Kallang, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang, Serangoon, Sentosa Cove,  Tanjong Pagar, Tengah, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, and Yishun.

History: Named After The Wooden Drum Used To Call For Islamic Prayers

The town’s name, Bedok, may have derived from the Malay word “bedoh,” which represents a wooden drum formerly used to issue Islamic calls to prayer five times a day. This association came about as a result of the mosque in that area. Another assumption is that it refers to the word “biduk”, which means a riverine fishing boat.

This is not surprising given that Bedok used to be a seaside area that also had the Sungei Bedok (Bedok River) coursing through it. This led to the formation of many villages along the river and the coast, where people engaged in fishing and farming tapioca and vegetables as their trade.

Bedok’s transformation as a modern housing town began in earnest in the 1960s, when HDB embarked on the East Coast Reclamation Scheme, which levelled the hills at Siglap, Bedok, and Tampines. This paved the way for high-density housing developments at Chai Chee and Bedok New Town, along with other commercial and industrial interests, to be built in one area.

Read Also: May 2023 BTO Sales Launch Guide: Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa, Serangoon, And Tengah

Business Activities:  Home To Large Manufacturing Companies And Bedok Food City

Employment opportunities can be found in Bedok, with notable employers including big industrial companies like Matsushita, Hitachi, and Fuji located on Bedok South Road. Residents can also find employment with many other small & medium enterprises in the general manufacturing industry housed at the multiple industrial parks like ESR Bizpark @ Chai Chee and JTC Bedok Industrial Park E, located at Chai Chee and Bedok North Avenue 4, respectively.

Another catchment area for workers is the JTC Bedok Food City, a five-storey, multi-tenanted development targeting the food industry. It consists of 137 factory units and is designed for food businesses and operations such as food processing, catering, and central kitchens.

Unlike the typical office-bound jobs found in the central business district (CBD), residents would be able to find more manufacturing and service-related employment opportunities within Bedok.

Accessibility: Served Mainly By Bus Routes But More Rail Connectivity Can Be Expected

One of the yardsticks of a good town is its connectivity, both within the town itself and to other parts of Singapore.

For public transportation, residents can rely on the Bedok Integrated Transport Hub, which connects the bus interchange and the Bedok MRT station, which sits on the East-West Line (EWL).

The bus interchange serves 23 bus routes, including one new route. This comprises 5 feeder bus services, 4 express bus services, and 14 trunk bus services that allow commuters to travel to the west (Clementi, Jurong East, and Boon Lay); the north (Woodlands); and the east (Airport Cargo Road and Pasir Ris).

As for rail connectivity, residents could conveniently travel to the west using the EWL, to town using the Downtown Line (DTL), or to the north through the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. This would enable residents to enjoy a short commute to major employment nodes despite being in the outside central region (OCR).

Read Also: [2023 Edition] How Much Salary You Need To Earn (After Government Subsidies) To Afford The Different BTO Flat Sizes In Singapore

Housing: More Affordable Compared To Other Towns

HDB towns in Singapore are classified as either mature or non-mature. Typically, housing in mature estates costs more. However, as Bedok is in the OCR and has a large number of flats built in the late 1970s and 1980s, it offers relatively more affordable housing compared to other HDB estates.

For instance, based on the median resale prices for 3- to 5-room HDB flats, we can see that the prices in Bedok are relatively lower than the average prices across the different HDB towns. The exception is only for the executive flat types, which cost more than the overall average.

Source: HDB Resale Statistics Q12023

That said, public housing only comprises around two-thirds of all residential accommodation types in Bedok. The remaining properties consist of condominiums and landed properties, which make up around 21% and 15%, respectively.

Similar to public housing, the prices of private housing are also relatively more affordable based on the price per square foot (PSF), despite the accessibility to the city centre and a wide array of amenities.

Source: EdgeProp (Based on transactions from Jan 2021 – Apr 2023)

On top of the existing housing options, plans are also underway to develop a new housing precinct at Bayshore, which could possibly revitalise the Bedok town. Located near East Coast Park and the sea, the 60-hectare site will provide a new lifestyle waterfront residential estate. It is expected to be ready by the mid-2030s and will accommodate 10,000 new homes.

Read Also: HDB Price Guide: 5 Cheapest HDB Estates For 2023

Education: Good Number Of Schools At Different Education Levels

One of the advantages of a mature town like Bedok is the availability of a wide selection of learning institutions at different education levels. This is unlike newer towns, where schools might only be constructed when sufficient demand is present from the growing population.

For parents with school-going children, they may be pleased to know Bedok has 2 kindergartens, 11 primary schools, 10 secondary schools, and 2 junior colleges.

Here is a list of the Ministry of Education (MOE) schools:

Source: MOE – SchoolFinder

Given its numerous well-known and reputable schools, Bedok will certainly continue to remain attractive to new young homeowners who have school-going children.

Recreation: Adventure At Bedok Reservoir

The Bedok Reservoir is one of the main recreational sites in the estate, spanning an area of 88 hectares. It is open to water sports activities such as wakeboarding, canoeing, and kayaking. It also has a popular jogging route that spans 4.3km.

Residents can also unwind at the HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, which touts itself as the only reservoir-fronting clubhouse in Singapore. It offers unique recreational options like the Action Motion, where you can time yourself completing various obstacle challenges, or enjoy a splash at the Aqua Adventure. There are also dining options where you can enjoy a meal with your family.

It is also easy to enjoy the sea-side facilities using the 4km-long Outdoor Play Corridor that connects Bedok Reservoir Park and East Coast Park.

Read Also: Why HDB Resale Flats Can Be Affordable If We Choose To Purchase Within Our Means

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