The name Jurong comes from the Malay word jerung, meaning shark. The local Chinese community previously called it Peng Kang because of the numerous gambier plantations available. Jurong’s modern development began in the 1970s with various estates being built.  

Thanks to the Remaking Our Heartland program, the area is seeing even more upgrades with the revitalization of Jurong Lake District to become the regional center. 

Jurong was converted from a crocodile-filled swampland into a booming industrial and investment powerhouse. It’s become one of Singapore’s more prominent housing estates with a high number of facilities and amenities that the more than 250,000 residents can take advantage of.

And, with further development and its many amenities, it’s believed the area will continue to grow, and there will be an increase in demand and value. Jurong East’s future is quite bright, and is thought to become Singapore’s next business hub!

 

Jurong’s Residential Community and Its Impact On Singapore’s Economy 

Jurong East, which encompasses the region around Pan Island Expressway and Jurong Town Hall Road, was chosen to be an industrial estate. It focuses on bringing in both native Singaporeans as well as international investors. It’s the hope that investing in the Jurong East properties will entice people to move here, especially with the Urban Redevelopment Authority looking to working toward the creation of a large commercial hub near the Jurong East MRT Station. 

Jurong East has been broken down into multiple subzones, including but not limited to Boon Lay, International Business Park, Jurong Regional Center, Jurong River and Yuhua. There are thousands of flats and condos within the district, and more are being built every year. People looking for a private home can check out the Ivory Heights, Parc Oasis and The Mayfair condos. In all, there are more than 15 condominiums. 

Jurong East also offers both private and public housing as well as shophouses for those who want them. 

With more people moving into the area, it also means more families with children. As such, education is a necessity. Jurong East offers multiple schools for parents to choose from for their children. Some schools available to them include:

• Primary Schools – Dazhong Primary School, Fuhua Primary School, Jurong Primary School and Yuhua Primary School
• Secondary Schools – Hong Kah Secondary School, Jurongville Secondary School and Shuqun Secondary School 

There are also higher education institutions available near the HDB estate for those looking to advance their education. 

Singapore offers many places to seek medical care, including the popular Jurong Community Hospital and the recently built Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. There is also a clinic for residents to use when it’s not a real emergency – Jurong Polyclinic. 

For residents who want to attend church, there are several places of worship they can attend based on their faith – Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Jurong Seventh – Day Adventist Church, Masjid Al-Mukminin and Thong Whye Temple. 

 

Shopping Life and Restaurants 

Jurong East, being a family-friendly residential neighborhood, offers many activities and entertainment amenities. It has numerous places to shop – from local stores to global names. There are several well-designed shopping malls that residents can visit, each one designed to target a specific demographic and shoppers who have a certain purpose.

For instance, IMM is dedicated to offering people quality products at lower prices, meaning most of the mall includes outlet stores. Many people come here for the wide selection of furniture and electronics, as well as groceries.  At Furniture Mall, people who need furniture tend to find what they want here. 

JCube is more of an upscale mall, with numerous affordable fashion stores and blog shop outlets.

JEM is filled with globally-known stores such as Topshop and H&M. The mall also includes a supermarket, making it a one-stop-shop for all your needs. 

Jurong East also includes smaller neighborhood shops, including a wet market in Town Center. 

There is no shortage of food places to eat in Jurong East – so many that listing them all is impossible. There are restaurants and local shops that cater to various cuisine palates. For example, there is the typically seen McDonalds, Pizza Hut and Subways – for those who just want fast food. However, if you want to experience local culture at its finest, you don’t have to look far. Restaurants to try include:

• Ajisen Ramen 
• Bali Thai Restaurant 
• Brilliant Garden Restaurant 
• Zai Shun Curry Fish
• The Usual Place (dessert café) 

You also have hawker foods with true Singaporean dishes. 

 

Family-Fun Entertainment 

Families can enjoy the Yuhua Community Club, Science Center, Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Discovery Center for a break from the hustle and bustle of work and school. There are also more than five parks that allow residents to spend time in and enjoy the sounds of nature. 

Jurong East offers its residents a place to unwind with the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, which features numerous traditional Japanese and Chinese architectural charms.  The Chinese Garden is the place where Chinese Festivals, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year, are held.

The only skating ring in Singapore is in Jurong East and can be found in the JCube Mall. 

Thankfully, the town’s residents have multiple choices in transportation to get from home to shopping to food and back – rapid transit stations, bus interchange and taxis. 

There has been a plethora of growth in this HDB estate, and with more investments being made, the growth in population and diversity is only going to continue. Jurong East provides residents with modern conveniences and amenities that are sure to capture potential investors’ attention. 

 

HDB Resale Flats Prices in Jurong East

Jurong East HDB Resale Flat Prices
Flat type	Average Price
1-room	N/A
2-room	$246,000
3-room	$271,000
4-room	$383,000
5-room	$508,000
Executive	$646,000
Multi-Generation	N/A

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

Jurong is often referred to as the “Orchard Road of the West” because it is a very lively town with a lot of excitement, especially in Jurong East. There are 3 huge shopping centres, a beautiful hotel, a massive industrial estate, a variety of government buildings, hospitals, and an international business park. Yes, this is a busy place! 

But what’s great about Jurong is that the HDB resale flat price for a 4-room unit is nearly half of what you would have to pay for the same size unit on the actual Orchard Road. 

For people used to living in the city who may be concerned about living in the West, there is nothing to worry about. Jurong has great connectivity and transportation networks. It may be in the West, but it is not as isolated as Tuas or Jurong West. Jurong East is a bustling town with a lot of activity, so you will still have the vibrant vibe of a city. 

Residents especially appreciate the green spaces that Jurong East offers, like the Chinese Garden and Jurong Lake Gardens.