Moving to Singapore? The North Deserves a Serious Look
Most expatriates arriving in Singapore default to the familiar cluster of Orchard, River Valley, Buona Vista, or Holland Village. These are fine choices, but they are also expensive, often crowded, and increasingly homogeneous. For the expatriate who wants to experience a more authentic, community-rooted side of Singapore, the north offers something quite different — and two developments are making it easier than ever to put down roots there: the Chencharu Close Residences and the Upper Thomson Residences.
Why Expatriates Are Discovering Upper Thomson
Upper Thomson has become something of a quiet favourite among expatriates in the know. The neighbourhood’s independent food scene, walkable character, and access to MacRitchie Nature Reserve create a quality of life that is genuinely difficult to replicate in Singapore’s more commercial districts. The Upper Thomson Residences launch is drawing interest from this community precisely because it offers a chance to live in the neighbourhood at a premium residential standard.
For expat families, the proximity to international schools in the Bishan-Thomson corridor is a practical bonus. Getting children to and from school by MRT rather than navigating Singapore’s sometimes congested school-run traffic is a significant daily improvement.
Yishun and the Chencharu Close Community
Yishun, where Chencharu Close Residences is located, has a vibrant and diverse expatriate community of its own — particularly among those working at nearby Seletar Aerospace Park or in the northern industrial clusters. The area’s relatively affordable pricing compared to prime districts means that expat families can access more space for their housing budgets, which is a meaningful consideration for those on fixed allowances.
Day-to-Day Practicalities
Both areas offer excellent supermarket access, healthcare facilities, and transport connectivity. Singapore’s MRT system is one of the best in the world, and both Upper Thomson MRT and Yishun MRT offer reliable, frequent service that makes car-free living entirely practical. For those who do drive, the Central Expressway and Seletar Expressway provide efficient routes to Singapore’s key employment nodes.
Building a Life, Not Just Renting a Room
The best expatriate experiences in Singapore come from genuinely integrating into a neighbourhood — attending community events, building relationships with local residents, becoming a regular at the neighbourhood hawker centre. Both Upper Thomson Residences and Chencharu Close Residences are in areas that make this kind of integration natural and rewarding. Singapore is a country that rewards curiosity, and its northern neighbourhoods are full of it.
