5 Uniquely Designed HDBs Within 1 KM Of Singapore’s Top Primary Schools

With how the primary school registrations are set up now, being within 1 km of your desired primary school is more important than ever. Here’s how the admissions are decided from a distance standpoint:

Priority admission is given in this order:

1. Singapore Citizens (SC) living within 1km of the school.
2. SCs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
3. SCs living outside 2km of the school.
4. Permanent Residents (PR) living within 1km of the school.
5. PRs living between 1km and 2km of the school.
6. PRs living outside 2km of the school.

As such, as we’ve written a piece before on the cheapest HDB flats near Singapore’s top primary schools recently – here are some of the 5 best ones that have caught our eye.

Missed last week? You can view the previous issue here.

You can also join our free weekly newsletter so you stay up to date on our latest curations weekly.

Now let’s get on with the list of curated units this week!

Near Rosyth School

1

633 Hougang Avenue 8

$899,999

Why I like it

Executive Maisonette’s are still the flavour of the pandemic, and there are many people still looking out for one of the most unique HDB layouts that you can find. 

It’s within 1 km to Rosyth Primary School, which has always been a very popular one, and is part of what makes staying in this particular area desirable. Besides the primary school though, you do have basic amenities about a 15-minute walk away at Hougang Village – where you will find a wet market, Giant supermarket, and various eateries.

MRT wise it is less of a plus point here as it is not within walking distance to an MRT at the moment. Although it must be said, you will be a shorter walk away to the future Serangoon North MRT station (targeted to complete in 2030). 

Besides the location, this is a really nicely renovated EM unit, with the minimalist theme and light colour tones that help to make the house appear more spacious and airy. There are also under cabinet lights in the kitchen that help to brighten the space and highlight the contrasting texture of the backsplash. HIP is done here too so you don’t have to worry about water seepage which could be an issue for older flats.

– Ryan

View this property

Near Nanyang Primary

2

5 Farrer Road

$1,180,000

Why I like it

Nanyang Primary is an ever popular choice in the Farrer area, and is a contributing reason to the jams seen here after school hours. It’s in a very central location, just 2 minutes walk to Farrer Road MRT station, and you do have Empress Market and Food Centre just across the road (although the selection here is rather average at best). 

The biggest issue you’d probably face here is the road noise and the traffic during peak hours.

This particular unit is located on a high floor with unblocked views all around – so there’s lots of natural light and cross ventilation. It’s a point block, so there’s just 4 units on each level, and with 2 balconies it does make it more airy and bright. The unit is 1,324 square feet, a very decent size in today’s context. The renovation isn’t the most modern, but the neutral-ness of it does mean that you could do without much renovation either if you aren’t super fussy. 

– Druce

View this property

Near Catholic High

3

255 Bishan Street 22

$910,000

Why I like it

As if Bishan wasn’t already a popular enough location, the presence of Catholic High here certainly adds even further demand for the place. This isn’t the closest walk to an MRT station though, as Bishan MRT station is a 12-minute walk away (you do have the North South and Circle line here though). Junction 8 is here too, where you have a proper mall and there’s no doubt this is a hugely busy one. 

Besides that, you are just 2 blocks away from Bishan AMK park, which is a pretty massive one that even has a McDonald’s, ToriYard, and Canopy for some western food. 

The unit is a 1,130 square feet 4 room HDB. It’s done up in a modern Victorian design, which isn’t a design type that you’d typically see in Singapore. The layout has changed a little though, with one of the common bedrooms here converted to form part of a huge master bedroom. As such, the space outside the the master bathroom is now a dressing room with a bathtub which is rarely seen in HDB flats these days. The kitchen island is a nice addition to the space too, as it creates more storage space and doubles up as another dining area. 

– Reuben

View this property

Near Nan Hua

4

312B Clementi Avenue 4

$958,000

Why I like it

Near Nan Hua

For those who are looking to send their kids to Nan Hua Primary School, Clementi Ridges would naturally be part of one of your considerations. It is a less than 10 minute walk to Clementi MRT, Clementi Mall and 448 Clementi Market and Food Centre, where you’ll find an always bustling crowd and lots of different food selections here. The malls here aren’t fantastic on the shopping front, but for food it’s definitely good enough.

It is also a stone throw from the Ulu Pandan Park Connector which runs along the Ulu Pandan river – great for a stroll/run in the mornings or evenings. 

The unit itself is a 4-room 1,001 square feet unit. It’s done up in a minimalist Scandi aesthetic – it’s easy on the eyes and yet bright and homely. One of the common room was hacked to become a walk in wardrobe and study area – that change in layout creates a more functional space for small families that dont need the extra bedroom. There is an open concept kitchen too, which does open up the space but if you do a lot of heavy cooking this might not be as ideal. 

It is a high floor corner unit too, so you get the advantage of increased privacy and an elevated view of the area! 

– Stanley

View this property (Unavailable)

Near Henry Park

5

29 Ghim Moh Edge

$1,178,000

Why I like it

Near Henry Park

Henry Park Primary School is a firm favourite and is location among the landed enclave at Holland and Mt Sinai means that this is one of the places that is just less dense overall. That said, the Ghim Moh location does mean that while you are within the coveted 1km mark, it is a bit of a walk if you had to do it daily.

The location itself is about 11-minutes walk away from Buona Vista MRT (Circle and East West line), and as a result of that, Star Vista as well. Star Vista has a lot of fantastic food options, but without a cinema or proper retail outlets isn’t what you’d typically consider as a full-fledged mall. There is the advantage of Rochester Commons soon though, which will add to the character of the area.

The unit is a 1,001 square foot 4-room HDB unit. It’s done up really impeccably in a scandi theme – the clean lines, neutral colours and different wood tones come together really well.

The owners opened up one of the common bedroom making the living room more spacious and converted it into a study area and library – great for individuals working from home. And the open concept kitchen does go a long way to help open up the space even more. One final detail is that the bomb shelter entrance is hidden behind a huge wooden feature wall that blends in seamlessly with the design of the house – it’s a great touch.

– Sean

View this property