Our neighbourhood guide series for the upcoming August 2023 BTO launch is coming to a close with Choa Chu Kang, one of the two non-mature estates in this exercise. Don’t be fooled by its location in the West, Choa Chu Kang has become a lively and bustling hub over the years, while still being close to some beloved nature spots that are perfect for weekend hikes.
So, if you’re looking for a new home in the West, and you want to be part of a community that’s already thriving, then the new flats at Choa Chu Kang are the perfect fit for you.
Largest number of flats launched
Image credit: HDB
Choa Chu Kang will have a whopping 1,870 units available for sale in this BTO exercise, from 2-Room Flexis to 5-room units. What sets Choa Chu Kang apart is that it’s the only estate offering 3Gen flats, which are larger units with 2 master bedrooms and ensuite toilets.
This is the largest offering in this BTO exercise and one of the largest in recent times for a single project within an estate. Tengah had a significant number of flats in the May 2023 BTO exercise (1,980 flats) and the Nov 2022 exercise (2,077 flats). In the upcoming August 2023 launch, Kallang/Whampoa will have around 2,910 flats for sale, spread across 3 separate projects.
The flats are situated along Woodlands Road, which is a long stretch of road that connects Kranji all the way to Bukit Panjang, and directly to Upper Bukit Timah Road which gives you access to places like Bukit Batok and Beauty World. Right now it is just an empty plot of open land, but we expect construction to begin soon enough.
Image adapted from: Google Maps
Choa Chu Kang is one of only two estates offering 5-room flats in this launch. 5-room flats are always in high demand as they provide more space for larger families and have greater potential for price appreciation. Throughout history, 5-room flats have consistently received a higher application rate than smaller units.
Past application rate for 5-room BTO flats in Choa Chu Kang.
Image credit: HDB
If you’re willing to settle for a smaller flat, or are on a tight budget where a 5-room flat is a little out of reach, then you’ll stand a better chance in securing a 4-room flat or smaller:
Past application rate for 4-room BTO flats in Choa Chu Kang.
Image credit: HDB
Indicative prices for flats
As with all BTO exercises, the HDB will not release the selling prices of new BTOs until the exercise officially begins. To get a rough gauge of how much these flats will cost, we can refer to past launches in the area and nearby estates.
The last time Choa Chu Kang featured in a BTO exercise was back in Aug 2022, when 987 flats were launched as part of a project named Keat Hong Grange. Unfortunately, Keat Hong Grange is geographically nowhere near the site for this upcoming project for the Aug 2023 BTO, and so admittedly this reference point may not be the best out there:
Image adapted from: HDB
The closest reference point would be the Senja area, specifically Senja Valley and Senja Heights, although these were launched in 2016. Here are the selling prices at launch for Senja Heights:
- 2-room Flexi: from $73K
- 3-room: from $147K
- 4-room: from $239K
- 5-room: from $315K
For the upcoming August 2023 launch, online estimates suggest that a 4-room flat could range from $280K-$370K, while a 5-room flat might be priced above $400K. However, these are just speculative figures.
Senja Heights. Image credit: MyNiceHome
Estimating the price range for this Choa Chu Kang project is challenging since there haven’t been recent launches in close proximity for comparison. However, it is likely that Choa Chu Kang will offer the cheapest or second cheapest prices in this exercise, with Tengah possibly being the most affordable option.
What we love about the Choa Chu Kang site
An abundance of schools in close proximity
For homebuyers with young children or future plans for kids, having schools in close proximity is a major advantage, especially if there are primary schools within a 1km radius. In this case, the nearest primary schools would be Teck Whye Primary School or West View Primary School, both within the 1km range of the site.
Other schools in the area include PCF Sparkletots Preschool, Little Footprints Preschool, Choa Chu Kang Secondary School, West Spring Secondary School, and Jurong Pioneer Junior College. There are also options further out, such as Delta Senior School for special education and ITE College West for tertiary education. There are plenty of choices available to cater to different educational needs!
Right next to recreational spots like Rail Corridor and SAFRA
Image credit: TheSmartLocal
One feature of the upcoming BTO project at Choa Chu Kang that stands out is the new flats’ proximity to the interim Rail Corridor trail, as seen on the site map. Similar to the Queenstown project launching in Aug 2023, having the Rail Corridor right next to your doorstep will provide easy access to the trail, which stretches from Tanjong Pagar to Kranji.
This means you can enjoy scenic walks or cycling trips amidst Singapore’s lush flora and fauna, making it an excellent recreational activity for the family.
Image credit: SAFRA
If you’re looking for other recreational options, there are a few nearby that are easily accessible by car or public transport. The brand new SAFRA Choa Chu Kang, which opened last week, is not too far away and offers activities for everyone in the family. If you own a car, there are even more options a short drive away, such as the Kranji countryside or the Mandai Wildlife Reserve precinct (Zoo and Bird Paradise).
Well-connected with many public transport options
Image credit: Land Transport Guru
Another thing we love about the upcoming project is that it is fairly well connected in terms of public transport options. There are two LRT stations within a short walking distance, and the Bukit Panjang MRT station is only slightly further out. Additionally, there are many bus services that ply the surrounding roads.
Image Credit: Sim Lian CMS
The main transport nodes in the area are connected to the nearby shopping malls. You can head to Lot One, where there’s a Choa Chu Kang MRT and bus interchange, or Hillion Mall, where the Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub (MRT and bus interchange) is located. With so many convenient options, getting around will be a breeze.
Most affordable flats for this upcoming BTO exercise
Overall, we believe that the upcoming BTO project in Choa Chu Kang is an excellent choice, especially if you want to live in the West without being too far out and missing out on amenities (like Tengah).
While it’s not directly next to an MRT station or bus interchange, the good news is that these public transport options are just a short walk or commute away. Plus, with an abundance of schools in the area and popular recreational spots like SAFRA, Kranji countryside, and the Zoo nearby, this project is sure to be one of the more popular picks this time around.
Check out our other HDB BTO August 2023 reviews here:
Read more about BTOs:
Cover image adapted from: MyNiceHome, SAFRA, Alchetron
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