District 20 is generally residential in nature, consisting of large-scale, older residential estates in Ang Mo Kio to newer, upmarket residential estates in Bishan and Thomson. Being easily accessible to the Central Business District (CBD), the prices of the houses here are costly. Nevertheless, many Singaporeans are drawn to live in this area because of its ample amenities and facilities.

Central Singapore

Ang Mo Kio

Ang Mo Kio derived its namesake from a bridge built in Thomson Road by J.T. Thomson, the former government surveyor of Singapore. It means 'large and prosperous bridge' in Chinese. The history of Ang Mo Kio started with its villagers rearing farm animals, growing fruits and vegetables, running small-scale businesses and doing menial work. In the recent years, it has developed into a housing estate with spacious units, sufficient parking space and outdoor leisure areas. Only the well-heeled Singaporeans are able to afford the private housing here but there are also a number of high-rise apartments and HDB units. The Ang Mo Kio Town Centre, which is part of the Ang Mo Kio Planning Area, is undergoing a facelift, to provide better facilities in the future

Estate by the park

Bishan

In the Central Region of Singapore is a small neighborhood named Bishan, measuring just three by three kilometers. Like its neighboring housing estates, Ang Mo Kio and Thomson, the homes here are dearer than other estates. Bishan or Bi Shang Ting is derived from the Cantonese word for large burial ground. In the past, there was a burial ground in the area and it has since been excavated to make way for residential development. The main concern for this development was that this town will not be successful because of the burial ground but conversely, it became popular with the residents because of its central location. Bishan was previously known as Kampong San Theng and Soon Hock Village, occupied by two different dialect communities. Kampong San Theng was set up by members of three prefectures from Canton, China, while Soon Hock Village was occupied by the Hokkiens and was well known for its sesame oil and noodles. Today, the residential area is a high-cost housing area consisting of 19,000 flats.

Thomson

Lying on the fringes of the city centre is Thomson, a mixture of housing area, hotels and shopping centres. The prices of everything here is high but comparatively lower than Orchard Road. Named after John Turnbull Thomson, Singapore's first government surveyor, Thomson includes Kallang Bridge, a portion of St Andrew's Cathedral and the waterworks for town supply. Upscale condominiums in this district include The Compass at Chancery and Espana. Here, most of the housing estates consist of condominiums, serviced apartments and landed property.

Upper Thomson and Yio Chu Kang make up District 26, where there are plenty of places to see, food to eat and even a country club for leisure. Located in the North-eastern part of Singapore, it is a residential area with an assortment of facilities and amenities.

Mixture of landed housing and condominiums

Upper Thomson

An extension of the Thomson district, this estate is bustling with activities at its golf courses, reservoirs, plant nurseries and historical places. The residential area of Upper Thomson is mainly comprised of landed property. There is a place called Teacher's Estate in Upper Thomson. It is where public teachers and civil servants used to live and the Singapore's Teachers' Union is currently situated. Another fascinating street is called Tagore Avenue, named after the Nobel Prize Winner poet and artist, Rabindranath Tagore. Now, it is an industrial estate. Close to Tagore Avenue is Kalidasa Street, which is also named after another famous Indian literary genius.

Bringing nature closer to home

Yio Chu Kang

At close proximity to the Seletar, Serangoon districts is Yio Chu Kang, a residential precinct. Yio Chu Kang is the namesake of a Chinese immigrant, Mr Yeo who built his 'chu' (Chinese word for house) by the 'kang' (Chinese word for river). Yio Chu Kang is noted for its low-density, high-rise HDB flats and condominium estates.