The Newton area – part of District 11 for property purposes- is located in the central area of Singapore. The district is probably most famous for its food centres, specifically the Newton Food Centre, which offers mouthwatering local fare.
Live: There is a good mixture of condominiums and landed properties – encompassing everything from bungalows to semidetached and terraced houses – but none of it is going cheap. Newton Suites, located within walking distance of Newton MRT and Food Court both, had a median per square foot price of just over S$6.61 for rental properties, and you would be lucky to rent anything for under S$3,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
This area attracts families who are looking for houses as well as singles and couples who are attracted to the high rise apartments in the Newton area. Most of the European schools are located in this district, as are the British Club, the Raffles Town Club, the Swiss Club, the Polo Club, and the Island Country Golf Club. Orchard Road and the Central Business District are easily accessible.
(Newton Circus Food Court. Photograph: Singapore Tourism Board)
Eat: Newton Circus is probably Singapore’s most famous food court, and while some may dismiss it as a tourist trap – always check the price in advance before ordering the barbecue seafood – judging by the numbers of locals there every night its reputation remains justified. Try the butter prawns and steam fish at stall number 82. There’s good Italian too at Al Borgo on Bukit Timah Road – the lamb chops and caprese salad are a must, but really it’s the food court that dominates the culinary scene here.
Drink: Newton isn’t exactly blessed with good watering holes. There’s the usual KTV and after work Chinese-style bars, a Harry’s bar in the Velocity in Novena and one of the Bojangles chain of bluesy live music-style bars close by to Newton MRT.
Shop: Newton itself is not a major shopping destination but nearby Novenna has the most child-friendly mall in Singapore United Square. Orchard is only an MRT stop away and tends to be where most Newton-ites head for their retail therapy.
Transportation: The North-South line stops at Newton MRT Station, while the Downtown line should be open in the next few years, which will connect Newton to the Upper Bukit Timah area. Presently, it’s only connected by the perma-jammed Upper Bukit Timah Road.
