Why We Bought A 4-Bedroom Unit At The Arden For $2.4m

Get The Property Insights Serious Buyers Read First: Join 50,000+ readers who rely on our weekly breakdowns of Singapore’s property market.

Cheryl has been writing about international property investments for the past two years since she has graduated from NUS with a bachelors in Real Estate. As an avid investor herself, she mainly invests in cryptocurrency and stocks, with goals to include real estate, virtual and physical, into her portfolio in the future. Her aim as a writer at Stacked is to guide readers when it comes to real estate investments through her insights.
In the world of property, two things tend to draw the most attention: the priciest projects and the most affordable.
As we approach the close of 2024, The Arden in Bukit Panjang* falls firmly into the latter category as one of the most affordable new launches of 2024, rivalling the recently launched Kassia (in District 17) and Norwood Grand (District 25).
*Do note that while the reader mentions Bukit Panjang, URA officially classifies The Arden as part of the Bukit Batok planning area.

As a neighbourhood, Bukit Panjang tends to polarise opinions – some love its peaceful, green environment, while others avoid it due to perceived inconveniences. But for L and his family of four, the area checked the right boxes, offering a perfect balance of convenience and comfort, especially with his wife working from home and his workplace close by.

This made The Arden, a 105-unit, 99-year leasehold project in the heart of Bukit Panjang, an appealing option for them. Slated for completion in 2027, the development’s layouts and unique features, like its 3.2m ceiling height and low-rise structure, set it apart. Although the project’s smaller plot size meant that it had limited facilities, it was these distinct qualities that attracted the family.

“The show flat was unique in the way it walked us through the different typical condo ceiling heights before entering The Arden’s unit layout, where the 3.2m ceiling height really made an impact (as compared to the typical 2.9m). Some buyers might not find this an important factor but the higher ceiling gives a sense of space and volume, which makes the home feel less claustrophobic”, he shared.
Having grown accustomed to the high ceilings in their previous home, this was a key feature they prioritised when searching for their next place.
“It’s something our guests always commented on as it just makes the space feel so much more open and airy,” he explained.

As a small aside, the next thing that they liked was the bathroom fittings and included appliances. This includes the wall-hung WCs and basins from Roca, alongside Hansgrohe mixers.

Kitchen appliances feature gas hobs and hoods from Bosch, although L mentions that his unit was upgraded with SMEG appliances, adding to the overall value.
How their home search went
The family’s search for their perfect home wasn’t just about meeting current needs; it was also about planning for the future. Key criteria included ample space, good connectivity (particularly to the Downtown Line) and potential for long-term appreciation.
“We knew space was one of our priorities,” says L. With their son soon entering National Service and their daughter still in school, having enough room for both children was non-negotiable.
In addition to space, they sought a development close to their current home to minimize disruption to their daily routines. Although some might find it surprising that a family prioritizing connectivity would remain in Bukit Panjang, L and his family have deep ties to the area and are comfortable in the neighbourhood.
Currently renting a maisonette in the vicinity, they previously owned a 3-bedroom condo nearby. “To us, there is convenience here in Bukit Panjang. If you drive, major highways are easily accessible, and for public transport, the Downtown Line is just nearby. Plus, the number of malls in the area makes dining and shopping simple,” L explains.
Bukit Panjang’s reputation for its nature reserves and scenic trails is another selling point, especially for nature lovers. “Beyond the peaceful surroundings, many of Singapore’s top tertiary institutions, like NUS and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, are close by, so staying here was an easy choice for us,” he adds.
Moreover, the family values Bukit Panjang’s proximity to Jurong District malls and the future Woodlands RTS to Johor Bahru, both important lifestyle factors for them.
Why The Arden stood out
Before their purchase, they also were looking at other new launches in the vicinity, such as The Myst and The Botany at Dairy Farm.
The Myst was a strong contender but they were not as convinced about the immediate location as it was behind a row of old shophouses along the main road. They noted that the road to get home was narrow and that there may be some traffic congestion to contend with during peak hours.
More from Stacked
A Behind the Scenes: ‘What Really Caused Singapore’s Impending Property Oversupply’?
Singapore has a property oversupply. And it isn’t going away anytime soon.
As for The Botany, it was a project that was launched earlier in 2023. Hence, the available units left didn’t leave them much to choose from.
Ultimately, it was the pricing at The Arden that tipped the scales in its favour.
“During our search, the 4-bedroom units at The Myst and The Botany @ Dairy Farm were priced between $1,900 to $2,000 PSF, whereas The Arden was slightly above $1,700 PSF,” L recalls.
Although The Arden’s location was slightly less convenient, the price difference provided a peace of mind with a safer exit strategy if they ever decided to sell. They also saw an opportunity in the scarcity of 4-bedroom condos in the Bukit Panjang and Chua Chu Kang areas, which they believe will appeal to future upgraders.
“We realised that nearby developments like Hillsta and Phoenix Residences don’t offer 4-bedroom units, which was exactly what we were after. This scarcity in the area makes me feel more secure about our future exit strategy,” L explains.
They also preferred the location within a landed enclave, which offered a more peaceful environment.
“We prioritise a quiet and peaceful lifestyle and The Arden’s setting within a landed enclave is a huge plus. While it’s a smaller, low-rise development, I like to be able to return to a tranquil home,” he shared.
A more underrated factor that sealed the deal was the Feng Shui suitability of their unit.
“Our unit has a regular shape with no missing corners, which is important from a Feng Shui perspective. Additionally, it faces Bukit Gombak Camp, which provides us with a supportive back structure, known as ‘靠山’ in Feng Shui,” L explains.
He also appreciates that Qingjian has a strong understanding of Feng Shui, consulting with experts and hosting talks at their other projects like JadeScape and Forett at Bukit Timah.
The limitations of The Arden
One of the main downsides to The Arden is its smaller size, which limits the range of condominium facilities.
“We realize that compared to other new launches, The Arden doesn’t offer the full suite of facilities since it’s a boutique development with limited space.”

Some notable omissions include a BBQ pit and a tennis court, and the pool is only 30 metres long. So while that may be typical for a boutique project, it may be too small for buyers who are moving from a bigger project.
Also due to the compact layout, the blocks are relatively close to each other, with distances ranging from 12.5 to 14.2 meters. As a result, only high-floor units will enjoy unblocked views of the surrounding landed enclave.
Final thoughts
Reflecting on their home-buying journey, the family acknowledges that navigating the property market can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. For them, it wasn’t just about securing the right price, but finding a home that matched their lifestyle needs while offering long-term growth potential.
However, L admits to having one lingering regret. “Looking back, I wish I had considered purchasing the penthouse, it might have been a better investment.”
When asked to elaborate, L highlighted the pricing difference. “If I remember correctly, the penthouse above us was initially priced around $1,500 PSF at launch. We bought our unit in the $1,700 PSF range, so there was a difference of over $200 PSF. Now, that same penthouse is listed at over $1,600 PSF.”
Despite the missed opportunity with the penthouse, L and his family feel comfortable about their decision. As they look forward to settling into their new home, they see it as the ideal fit for their evolving needs and an investment for the future.
“We’re excited to see how the area continues to grow,” says L. “The Arden feels like the right place for our family, both now and in the years to come.”
If you’d like to get in touch for a more in-depth consultation, you can do so here.
Cheryl
Cheryl has been writing about international property investments for the past two years since she has graduated from NUS with a bachelors in Real Estate. As an avid investor herself, she mainly invests in cryptocurrency and stocks, with goals to include real estate, virtual and physical, into her portfolio in the future. Her aim as a writer at Stacked is to guide readers when it comes to real estate investments through her insights.Read next from Editor's Pick

Property Investment Insights Treasure at Tampines Pricing Review: How Its Prices Compare to D18, OCR, and the Wider Market

Landed Home Tours We Toured A Freehold Landed Estate Next To Mount Faber – With Semi-Detached Units From $5.2million

Overseas Property Investing Singaporeans Are Buying More Overseas Homes — But Few Have Prepared For These Things

Property Investment Insights Why I Bought A $1.47M 2-Bedroom Stirling Residences Condo Unit: A Buyer’s Case Study
Latest Posts

Property Investment Insights Which Resale Two-Bedroom Condos Quietly Made Buyers Six-Figure Profits In Singapore?

Property Market Commentary Why Developers Are Now Building for Families in Singapore’s Most Expensive Districts

Singapore Property News Why More Singaporeans May Soon Trade Condos For Resale HDBs

Singapore Property News This 5-Room HDB in Clementi Just Sold For $1.458M: Here’s What The Seller Could Have Made

On The Market We Found The Cheapest And Biggest 5-room Flats Over 1,400 Sq ft You Can Buy Right Now

Pro Low Floor vs. High Floor: What Transaction Data Reveals About the Premium

Singapore Property News 14,000 Homes In Kranji And A Transformed Woodlands — Will The North Become Singapore’s Next Hotspot?

Property Advice The Math Behind Why 30–35 Is The Sweet Spot To Upgrade From HDB To Condo

Pro Can a One-Bedder Outperform a Two-Bedder? We Analysed 5 Years of Data

Singapore Property News Springleaf Residence Sells 870 of 941 Units (92%) At Launch — What’s Driving Demand?

Singapore Property News Could Your East-Side Condo Be Worth More Now? Singapore Just Raised Height Limits Near Changi

Singapore Property News From SERS to VERS: What Every HDB Owner Needs to Know About the Big Shift

On The Market 5 Cheapest 3-Bedroom Condos To Buy Right Now In 2025 (From $980K)

Pro Analysing 10 Years of District 15 Boutique Condo Transactions: Insights Into What Drives Profitability

Property Advice 5 Mistakes You Make When Comparing Condo Prices – Your ‘Good Deal’ Might Be Hiding a Secret

Should be Choa Chu Kang instead of Bukit Panjang
I’m curious as to why they chose a unit which cost $1700 psf when they could get a penthouse which cost only $1500 psf. Firstly, why is the penthouse cheaper and secondly, what is the consideration behind not choosing a penthouse?