An Expat’s 2026 Guide To Tiong Bahru Singapore
This expat guide about Tiong Bahru, Singapore, will explain the plentiful housing, shopping, entertainment, educational, and healthcare options this neighborhood has to offer. This central southern community in Singapore has charm and history worth your consideration.
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By the end of this article, you’ll have a much better understanding of the quaint appeal Tiong Bahru has for expats and digital nomads. We always suggest knowing all your options including insurance options, though, and highly recommend looking into more of the best places to live in Singapore.
Introducing Tiong Bahru to Expats in Singapore
Tiong Bahru is one of the oldest residential areas in Singapore, and it may appeal to expats for its historical feel. Tiong Bahru is south of River Valley, west of Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar, north of Bukit Merah, and east of Alexandra. It has plenty of stores, parks, restaurants, and schools.
History and Background of Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru became the first public housing estate in Singapore in the 1920s. It has architectural, cultural, and historical significance to the area. Before the first estates were built, there was a burial ground created in the area, which gave the area its name, “New Cemetery.”
In its early days, Tiong Bahru had hilly patches and swampy lowlands, and it was used for cultivation. When the first housing accommodations were erected in 1920, however, the hills were leveled, the swamps covered with sand, and the cemetery was moved to Bukit Brown Cemetery.
Over the years, the housing units have gone through several renewals and expansions, and today the housing has a blend of imported and local styles.
Living in Tiong Bahru in 2026 as an Expat
For expats wanting to live in Tiong Bahru, some of the housing locations you may consider include Tiong Bahru Estate, The Regency at Tiong Bahru, and Tiong Bahru Road. Rentals and sales are available at each location, though as an expat, you can’t buy a landed property unless approved by the LDAU.
The LDAU is the Land Dealings Approval Unit, and it may be easier to simply buy or rent a home or apartment without land.
Here are some price estimates for these apartment and condominium complexes:
- Tiong Bahru Estate: Average sales price for apartments and condominiums at the Estate is S$1,289-1,628 (USD $1,000-1,265) per square foot, and the average rental price is S$5.40 (USD $3.99) a month per square foot.
- The Regency at Tiong Bahru: Average sales prices for condominiums at The Regency are S$2,520-2,693 (USD $1,958-2,093) per square foot, and average rental prices are S$5.60 (USD $4.14) a month per square foot
- Tiong Bahru Road: The cost to rent a non-landed property on Tiong Bahru Road can range from S$3.26 (USD $2.41) a month per square foot to S$5.26 (USD $3.89) a month per square foot.
Tiong Bahru Tips For Expats in 2026
As expats move to Singapore, there may be things that take you by surprise, such as how incredibly humid it is so close to the equator and how clean the cities are (thanks to very strict cleanliness laws with fines that are enforced). To help you out, Pacific Prime has some tips for expats.
Check them out here:
- Smart House Hunting: Get a short-term lease for the first few months of your stay in Singapore. This way, you can shop around in the areas (such as Tiong Bahru) to find the right neighborhood before you get locked into a long-term lease that breaks the budget.
- Learn the Laws: Singapore is strict about its litter laws (you’ll be fined S$300 or USD $222 the first time you drop something on the ground) and more, so know the basic laws before you go.
- Pass on the Right: When you’re on escalators, if you’re standing, stand on the left, not the right. In Singapore, people pass on the right.
- Alcohol Has a Bedtime: There’s a law that prohibits the sale of alcohol at supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol stations from 10:30 pm – 7:00 am, so if you want to drink during those hours, plan to drink at home.
Dining and Entertainment In Tiong Bahru in 2026
When it comes to dining and entertainment in Tiong Bahru for expats and digital nomads, there are quite a few options. Among the most highly rated are the restaurants The Butcher’s Wife, Hitoyoshi Group, Sushiro, Riverside Grilled Fish, and Bibigo Kitchen.
- The Butcher’s Wife: This is a gluten-free European restaurant with a natural wine bar
- Hitoyoshi Group: This features over 100 varieties of authentic Japanese cuisine
- Sushiro: This restaurant at the Tiong Bahru Plaza mall has a popular conveyor belt sushi
- Riverside Grilled Fish: This Chinese restaurant is highly rated at the Tiong Bahru Plaza
- Bibigo Kitchen: This is a pick-up or delivery kitchen that features authentic and healthy Korean food
The main shopping center in Tiong Bahru is the Tiong Bahru Plaza. This trendy neighborhood retail center has a variety of stores, services, and restaurants. If it’s grocery shopping you’re looking for, you won’t want to miss the dozen supermarkets on Seng Poh Road.
Among the Plaza’s most highly rated stores are:
- Welcia-BHG: This Japanese cosmetic store on the second floor is perfect for all your health and beauty needs
- Blue Ribbon Florist & Gifts: This florist shop on floor B1 provides affordable, quality, and fresh flowers for all occasions
- OWNDAYS: This obstetrics store has over 500 locations and phenomenal reviews if you’re ever in need of new glasses
- Kiddy Palace: This toy store not only sells toys for children but also maternity clothing, children’s clothing, and bath accessories.
Here are the local supermarkets:
- Qi Fa Departmental Stall: This is a grocery store on the fourth floor of the Tiong Bahru Food Centre on Seng Poh Road
- #01-48 Grocery Store: These groceries are sold on the first floor of the Tiong Bahru Food Centre on Seng Poh Road
- Hup Seng: This grocery store is located at 55 Tiong Bahru Road
- Leo’s Indian Grocery Shop: This store is located at 126C Kim Tian Road
Cultural and Recreational Activities in Tiong Bahru
One of the most popular recreational activities in Tiong Bahru is the Tiong Bahru Park. It has several playgrounds, including its famous tilting train, a dog park, allotment gardens, walking paths, and a fitness corner. Other cultural activities include Tiong Bahru Pottery and Yoga Movement.
Here are some more cultural and recreational activities to check out in Tiong Bahru:
- Tiong Bahru Park: There are a ton of parks in Tiong Bahru, in fact, making it a very family-friendly area with great walking space.
- Anytime Fitness: This gym is at the Tiong Bahru Plaza
- Tiong Bahru Pottery: This center has pottery classes for children and adults
- Yoga Movement: This yoga center has tons of classes from the basics to slow flow to power flow to HIIT yoga to zen
Education and Healthcare in Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru has access to some of the very top-notch healthcare available in the world, no exaggeration. Being next door to the 8th-best academic hospital is a big reason why. Education is also stellar in Tiong Bahru with a wide variety of primary, secondary, and tertiary schools close by.
Education in Tiong Bahru for Expats
There are quite a few preschools and kindergartens in Tiong Bahru for young students, and while there aren’t any international schools directly in Tiong Bahru, expats can find both Ascensia International School and Arts Kidz International Pte Ltd just a few streets away.
These are only a few of the highly-rated institutions in Tiong Bahru, but there are many more:
- The Orange Academy: This preschool has excellent reviews and strives to cultivate its students to become bilingual in English and Mandarin
- HiArt: This educational institution empowers human creativity and imagination in a variety of art media, including painting, dance, and much more
- Simply Education: This education center has classes in mathematics, science, English, and Chinese for primary and secondary students
- Ascensia International School: Ascensia offers international graduate courses
- Arts Kidz International Pte Ltd: This art institution believes in creative learning to develop a creative child
Healthcare in Tiong Bahru for Expats
Tiong Bahru is next door to Singapore’s General Hospital, one of the highest-ranking medical institutions in the world, making Tiong Bahru an ideal location for expats and digital nomads who want the best care. Just north in Tanglin are two international hospitals if you prefer those facilities.
Here are some links to each of the above-mentioned hospitals in the area:
- Singapore General Hospital: This hospital ranks as the 8th best academic medical center in the world!
- Complete Healthcare International: These medical professionals have global experience and advanced medical testing and diagnostics
- MD International Medical Centre: This is a holistic international general practice medical clinic
When it comes to moving as an expatriate, it’s essential to always consider your health insurance options.
To make it easy, Pacific Prime Singapore is here for you. We offer a wide variety of healthcare plans for all your needs, including getting you coverage no matter what country you may visit. Be sure to check these out today!
Transportation for Tiong Bahru
For transportation, there is an MRT railway stop in Tiong Bahru off Tiong Bahru Road and Jln Membina. This can take you east to west and downtown. To simply get around Tiong Bahru, the bus system will likely be your best bet, as there are stops all around the neighborhood.
Owning your own car will be more expensive and very difficult to park if you don’t own a landed property, which is difficult for expats to acquire. Public transportation will probably be your new best friend.
The MRT lines are a great way to get around Singapore if you need to travel far, and you can check out the bus stops with SBS Transit for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tiong Bahru a good place to live?
In 2026, Tiong Bahru stands out as one of the best neighborhoods in Singapore, known for its unique blend of heritage charm and modern living. It offers expats and locals a vibrant lifestyle with a mix of dining, culture, and convenient city access.
Is Tiong Bahru an expensive area?
Tiong Bahru is regarded as one of the more expensive areas in Singapore, with living costs notably higher than the national average due to its prime location and strong demand.
What is Tiong Bahru known for?
Tiong Bahru is Singapore’s oldest housing estate, known for its charming blend of heritage and modern life. Long-time residents still occupy its historic flats and shophouses, while younger crowds are drawn to its vibrant food scene, boutique shops, and cultural spots.
Conclusion
We’ve now looked at several outstanding features of Tiong Bahru’s eateries, entertainment, supermarkets, schools, and medical centers. If you like what you’re seeing in Tiong Bahru, you might want to read up about living abroad in Singapore to prepare.
If you aren’t sure this is the community for you, we suggest reading our guides about living in Tanglin and living in Tanjong Pagar, or the other best places in Singapore.
Expats moving to Singapore will generally need international health insurance coverage. Pacific Prime’s specialists can help you identify a plan that suits your specific needs, with no additional cost involved.
With more than 25 years of experience in the international insurance sector, we have the expertise required to secure coverage for you overseas. Visit our website to speak with an expert, or use our free quote tool to start comparing plans today.
Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.
In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.
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How does the cost of living in Tiong Bahru compare to other neighborhoods in Singapore? What are the best ways to meet and connect with other expats living in Tiong Bahru?
The cost of living in Tiong Bahru is generally higher than in other neighborhoods in Singapore due to its central location, historical charm, and trendy vibe, but it remains more affordable than upscale areas like Tanglin or Marina Bay. To connect with other expats in Tiong Bahru, you can explore local cafés, community activities at Tiong Bahru Park, or join online forums like Meetup and Facebook groups for expats in Singapore. For more insights on relocating and health insurance options in Singapore, contact Pacific Prime Singapore today for personalized assistance.
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