Roughly 78,000 HDB residents live in Bukit Timah, making it one of the smaller estates in Singapore. However, despite its small status, it is rich with history and has plenty of things for its residents to enjoy. 

In Malay, the name Bukit Timah means tin hill. It's an odd name because it doesn't relate to anything in the area. Its previous name Bukit Temah fits better, as it was named after the tree that grew here on hill slopes – popok temak.  A pronunciation issue led to the name change. It also gets its name from its most prominent landscape feature. Bukit Timah Hill, which is the highest point in Singapore, stands at 163.63 meters high. 

European settlers of the 19th century saw Timah Hill as the perfect spa because of the cooler air and fresh plains. They saw it as eye candy, which then led to its establishment that included private homes, a plethora of amenities, schools and more.  It is the kind of place that allows people who need a break from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities to get away and slow down. 

 

Bukit Timah Lifestyle: Residences, Schools, Hospitals and Other Amenities 

This Singapore town is located in the central part of the country but has been broken down into seven subzones – Coronation, Farrer Court, Hillcrest, Holland Road, Leedon Park, Swiss Club and Ulu Pandan. A lay of the land will highlight the numerous low-rise buildings and bungalows that make it up.  

There are also terrace and semi-detached houses, but more and more condos are being built to deal with the influx of people looking to get away from busier locations. 

Residents of the Bukit Timah HDB estates have their choice of school, from primary to higher education. Some of these schools include:

• Primary Schools - Anglo-Chinese School, Bukit Timah Primary School, Ghim Moh Primary School and Henry Park Primary School
• Secondary Schools – Methodist Girls' School, Nanyang Girls' High School and Singapore Chinese Girls' School 
• Higher-Education Schools – Catholic Junior College, National Junior College, National University of Singapore and Singapore Institute of Management 

When students need to do a little studying, the Moulmein Community Children's Library can be used to help them get further ahead in their studies. 

Despite its small-town feel, Bukit Timah does offer plenty of healthcare options residents can use in times of emergency and checkups. For women and children, there is the KK Women's and Children's Hospital. However, there is the National Skin Center and Communicable Disease Center, along with many, many others. Healthcare is available to all who need it for any reason necessary. 

• Places To Worship – Masjid Al-Huda, Seu Teck Sean Tong and Singapore Hakka Methodist Church

 

Entertainment and Activities

Bukit Timah has plenty of things for people to see and do. For those who love the idea of nature, there is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Here, you can enjoy the views of flora and fauna the land has to offer.  You can also check out the Singapore Botanical Gardens if you love flowers and other things nature has to offer. 

There is also plenty of parks, like Bougainvillea Park and Malcolm Park, and playgrounds families can spend time in and enjoy a day of fun.  Take time out of the day to enjoy any one of the community centers and clubs such as the Swiss Club, Tanglin Community Club and The Pines. 

Bukit Timah's City Ballet Academy offers dance lessons while the ToTT provides cooking classes for people of any age who want to learn how to cook or take their cooking to a higher level.

For the shoppers, there are plenty of places to go that are sure to make you go broke (if you're not careful).  Shopping centers to check out include Balmoral Plaza, Beauty World Center and Bukit Timah Shopping Center.  

However, Orchard Hall is one of the country's biggest shopping centers, and it's within a short distance away from Bukit Timah. What makes this town in Singapore so different from others is that it's home to many home décor boutiques and furniture stores, offering vintage and wooden furniture. 

Take time out of the shopping trip to enjoy a night at the movies – Cathay Cineleisure Cineplexes. 

The restaurants and hawker centers are as diverse as you will have ever seen. Bukit Timah residents could say they are spoiled when it comes to food choices. They have European-style restaurants like the Picotin, Tin Hill Social, Marmalade Pantry and Choupinette. There's also the American cuisines of burgers at the Wildfire Kitchen and Bar or Relish in Cluny Court. There are also Brazilian, Mexican and Italian cuisines to check out. 

If residents are in the mood for seafood, it's Greenwood Avenue that needs to be looked at with its fish market.  Simply Bread and PasarBella are places to go to satisfy the sweet tooth for those looking for pastries and breads. 

Bukit Timah residents can get to and from places by walking, but they can also use the bus and train stations, taxis, and private vehicles. 

 

Noteworthy Bukit Timah Places 

Bukit Timah Hill is the place where two war memorials were set up to the memory of Japanese soldiers who had died and British soldiers who protected the country.

Bukit Timah's Ford Factory witnessed the surrender of Allied Forces head Lt. Gen. A.E. Percival to Japanese Lt. General Tomoyuki Yamashita on Feb. 15, 1942. The factory was transformed into a museum that highlights World War II events. 

 

HDB Resale Flats Prices in Bukit Timah

Bukit Timah HDB Resale Flat Prices
Flat type	Average Price
1-room	N/A
2-room	N/A
3-room	$423,000
4-room	$609,000
5-room	$828,000
Executive	$964,000
Multi-Generation	N/A

Source: HDB resale price index portal, average transaction prices, June 2019 to June 2020

If you’re looking in Bukit Timah for an resale flat you had better be prepared for higher prices. One reason is because this neighbourhood is mostly private property. This is a very nice upscale estate with top-quality schools, elegant restaurants, premium retail shops, and grocery stores. 

Residents have the convenience of public transport with the Downtown Line stations nearby and hawker fair is relatively inexpensive if you want to take a quick trip to the Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre for a little shopping. 

Living here you can spend your leisure time perusing the shops at Beauty World Centre with friends or take time to enjoy the great outdoors at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. People who want the charm of the heartland while enjoying the finer things in life love Bukit Timah. This HDB estate provides plenty of both!