Which Feb 2020 BTO Launch Location Should You Get a Flat At?

We take a closer look at the recently announced estates at Sembawang and Toa Payoh.

Just last December, HDB made an announcement that there would be an estimated 6,700 new units to be launched over 7 locations in the first half 2020. And for this quarter, we can expect to see a trio of launches happening in February: two in Toa Payoh and one in Sembawang. But out of these three estates, which one has the best homes for your needs?

To save you the hassle of going down to these locations, we’ve done the legwork for you by summarising what’s great about them (read: amenities, schools, transportation, and more!) as well as the different flat types you can expect to find in these developments. So, keep scrolling for a neighbourhood ‘tour’!

1. Toa Payoh Ridge

Toa Payoh is a mature estate and that means residents can expect one thing: plenty of convenience.

For a start, Toa Payoh Ridge is within walking distance of two MRT stations, Caldecott and Braddell, which give easy access to both the Circle and North-South line respectively; there’s also the future North-South Corridor (slated to be completed by 2026), which features continuous bus and cycling lanes, that will pass through nearby Toa Payoh Rise.

Other notable amenities include Mount Alvernia Hospital that’s about 1.5km away as well as Toa Payoh West Market and Food Centre, where you can go to satisfy your cravings for delicious handmade Teochew pau and Bib Gourmand-worthy fried carrot cake in the mornings.

As for the type of flats available, there are a total of 920 homes at Toa Payoh Ridge, with a mix of 2-room flexi, 3-room and 4-room units across 4 residential blocks (402A, 402B, 403A, 403B) – this makes it a suitable location for not just couples and small families, but also the elderly who are looking for a convenient location to settle down.

Why that’s the case is because the 2-room flexi units at Toa Payoh Ridge (as well as Kim Keat Ripple and Canberra Vista, more on these developments below!) are planned to have short-term lease periods of between 15 and 45 years (in 5-year increments) and will only be offered to senior citizens who are 55 years old or older.

So, if you have any elderly family members or know an elder who’s living independently, Toa Payoh Ridge could be an ideal BTO location for them.

2. Kim Keat Ripple

Although Kim Keat Ripple doesn’t have MRT stations within walking distance like Toa Payoh Ridge, there are currently direct bus services nearby (8, 26, 31, 90, 142, and likely more in the future) to HDB hub where Toa Payoh Interchange is, which makes it a fairly convenient location in terms of public transport accessibility.

On the topic of convenience, popular amenities near to Kim Keat Ripple include Toa Payoh Stadium, SAFRA (Toa Payoh), and the Toa Payoh Public Library to name a few.

Families with schooling children will also be delighted to know that there are numerous reputable institutions in the area, such as Pei Chun Public School, St. Andrew’s Junior School, St. Andrew’s Secondary School, St. Andrew’s Junior College, and Kheng Cheng Primary School.

That said, all of these perks mean that you can expect reasonably high demand for the 700 units (2-room flexi and 4-room) that are available at all three of Kim Keat Ripple’s residential blocks (268A, 269A, 270A). And the reason is that the previous BTO launch in the area, Kim Keat Beacon, was oversubscribed by nearly five times in 2018!

Layout-wise, one of the key features to note about the 4-room units at Kim Keat Ripple are the positions of their household shelters.

Looking at the floor plans, you’ll see that some homes have their shelters situated in front of the kitchen, while others have it by the front entrance:

Why does this matter? That’s because it could have an impact on the look of your future home, especially for ardent home chefs as it’s possible that you won’t be able to have your dream open-concept kitchen. Fortunately, we have a couple of design ideas that’ll help you tackle your household shelter’s position.

3. Canberra Vista

Compared to both estates at Toa Payoh, the biggest difference about Canberra Vista is its selection of flats: There are 1,467 BTO units across a whopping fifteen blocks, including 2-room flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room, and even 3Gen homes, so there are plenty of opportunities to find a home that’s ideal for your family’s size, needs or personal preferences.

Moreover, Canberra Vista’s close proximity to the recently-opened Canberra MRT station makes it a great location to plant your roots. And despite being a non-mature estate, you can expect to have access to a range of amenities in the future, including the upcoming Canberra Plaza and Bukit Canberra integrated sports and community hub.

Remember the North-South corridor? Yes, the same one that passes through Toa Payoh Rise – it’s also located along the vicinity of this upcoming estate and that will make travelling downtown easier for residents. So, if you work in the CBD, living in Sembawang is going to be a plus in the future, whether you drive or travel by public transport.

When it comes to flat types, what’s unique about Canberra Vista compared to the Toa Payoh developments is the availability of 5-room as well as 3Gen homes, which are both suitable for large families at 113 and 120 square metres respectively.

Also, the 3-room flats at Canberra Vista are worth mentioning as they feature a new layout that provides “more flexibility in the use of the kitchen space and yard”.

Essentially, homeowners get to decide if they want to build a partition at a) between the yard and kitchen, b) between the wet and dry kitchens or c) outside the kitchen area. And of course, there’s the option to not build any partition, which is surely desirable for those who want an open-concept home.

How much can you expect a home renovation in Toa Payoh and Sembawang to cost?

To give you an idea of the cost range of renovating a 2-room flexi/3-room/4-room/5-room in Toa Payoh and Sembawang, here are some examples that you can refer to for renovation prices, and also some interior inspiration for your future home!

A 2-Room Flexi Flat at Canberra Crescent (Renovation Cost: $34,000)

A 3-Room Flat at Toa Payoh East (Renovation Cost: $38,000)

A 4-Room Flat at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh (Renovation Cost: $47,000)

A 5-Room Flat at Canberra Street (Renovation Cost: $50,000)

A 5-Room Flat at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh (Renovation Cost: $85,000)

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