Concrete jungle, we are often called. But in land scarce Singapore, that could hardly be avoided. Thus similarly in most cosmopolitan cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, Sydney, snagging a spot near nature could mean a costlier price tag.
In Singapore, homes in areas near the Rail Corridor, or the 24km pathway stretching from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands where the old Malaysian railway track used to pass through, may fetch a juicy sum as they bring along with them the option of being near nature, and a piece of history. It certainly increases the hip factor.
Most of the properties in the 6 main areas along this track are landed homes in Bukit Timah along Holland road and Rifle Range road. But in 3 areas near Bukit Merah, the Kranji and Buona Vista MRT stations, and also the Sungei Pang Sua canal in Choa Chu Kang, majority of the properties are still currently only for industrial use.
Depending on how URA allocates and develops the plots of land not the defunct railway track, home owners may expect a rise in home prices along the stretch. New properties planned for the future could also be priced accordingly. Already without the noise that comes with the railways, values of property in the vicinity have risen slightly.
But if you are looking for something already in the market, some of the latest properties which are near pockets of greenery and nature include Thomson Three near MacRitchie reservoir, The Foresta at Mount Faber and with some landscaping, the Botanique @ Bartley.
