Hougang is a popular residential community called “heartland” due to being a centralized region of a larger area. It’s located in the northeast part of Singapore and has been broken down into seven subzones: Hougang, Trafalgar, Rosyth, Lorong Ah Soo, Tai Keng, Defu Industrial Park, and Sungei Serangoon. What makes Hougang different from other communities is that it’s comprised mainly of flats and condos – mostly four bedrooms and executive flats. 

Hougang comes from the Hokkien and Teochew word Au-Kang, meaning river end. The name is fitting as it’s located upstream from the Sungei Serangoon. The land was once inhabited by pig-rearing farmers, and the last of the pig farmers actually moved into the new HDB flats when they were built in the 1990s. 

Many of today’s Singapore Chinese residents speak the language Teochew, which is not that big of a surprise as many Teochew community settlers from Kampung Punggol moved to Hougang. According to the Remaking Our Heartland Program, Hougang was one of three heartland regions that would go through expansive redevelopment, highlighting its heritage and history. 

 

Hougang Residences, Education and More 

Development of Hougang began in the 1980s, and more and more condos and flats have been erected. This, and the vast array of amenities and facilities, has led to a steep rise in town residents (now around 180,000). It’s become the largest HDB development to date. Hougang’s HDB flats are often recognized by the large, semi-circular balconies – a feature not usually seen in other places in Singapore. 

There are all kinds of people with various lifestyles with different age groups, income classes, communities, etc.  Many of the residents of Hougang are a part of the student community. As such, Hougang is home to many prominent schools, including but not limited to:

• Primary Schools – Hougang Primary School, Xinghua Primary School and Yio Chu Kang Primary School 
• Secondary Schools – Bowen Secondary School, Holy Innocent’s High School and Montfort Secondary School 
• Higher Education Schools – Hougang Japanese Language School, Serangoon Junior College and University of New Brunswick Students can take advantage of the Fu Hui Library or Cheng San Community Library to help them with their studies. While both libraries are open to the public, students are often using them to get further ahead in their education. 

Hougang is one community that offers its help to people struggling with mental issues at the Hougang Institute of Mental Health – once called the Woodsbridge Mental Hospital. Other hospitals that focus on problems not related to mental health include Buangkok Green Medical Park and Bright Vision Hospital. No matter what health condition you are suffering from, these hospitals employ only the best and brightest medical professionals to help you. 

Although Hougang is more of a school community, religion is still an important aspect of it. There are many places in which to worship, including the Glad Tidings Church, Hong Lai Sze Temple and Masjid En-Naeem Mosque. 

 

Good Times and Entertainment 

Hougang residents have many places to go if they want to have fun. For example, they have the Hougang Mall, Hougang Green Shopping Mall, NTUC Hougang Mall, Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Center, Hougang Community Club, Hougang Swimming Complex and Surin Avenue Neighborhood Park. 

Punggol Park is located in Hougang and is often filled with residents getting in some play time and exercise. The park is adjacent to the North Eastern Riverine Loop.

There are quite a few choices for places to eat in Hougang, including Suki Sushi (for those students who love sushi), Jack’s Place and Kopitiam. 

 

Interesting Tidbits About Hougang

A well, located at Hougang Street 21, is the place where the former Teochew Village known as tua ja ka was. This was a village well-known for its street operas, called wayangs, and food. The area is currently called Kovan City and offers a plethora of shopping spots and restaurants and other foods. 

 

HDB Resale Flats Prices in Hougang

Hougang HDB Resale Flat Prices
Flat type	Average Price
1-room	N/A
2-room	$218,000
3-room	$288,000
4-room	$403,000
5-room	$527,000
Executive	$686,000
Multi-Generation	N/A

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

 

HDB resale flat prices in Hougang are quite inexpensive when you consider the similarity between these prices and those of similar sized flats in non-mature estates. Residents of Hougang enjoy all the amenities that a mature estate offers, so the average price of a 4-room HDB resale flat a total bargain. 

The North-East Line serves Hougang residents at the moment, however the Cross Island Line is due to open in 2030, which will definitely benefit residents in this location. People who want a short commute can work in the newly redeveloped Defu Industrial Estate or Lorong Halus Industrial Park near the waterfront.