Living in Tanjong Pagar means that you’re situated right in the CBD and surrounded by both charming historic shophouses and the tall glass towers of Raffles Place. In this area, there’s a mix of both HDB flats along with condominiums and landed housing. The Tanjong Pagar area is suited to everyone, but especially couples and single professionals looking to begin their expat life in Singapore.
There are loads of eating and drinking options at Tanjong Pagar along with independent boutique shopping. You’ve got access to everything you need from retail malls to cafes, entertainment options to gyms, and more. It’s no wonder that this area has soared in popularity in recent years and plenty of expats have made the Tanjong Pagar area their base.
Distance from the CBD
Tanjong Pagar is part of the CBD, and since it’s in a central location it’s one of the most convenient places in Singapore. Transportation is convenient and highly accessible since it’s near major roads. Some MRT stations near Tanjong Pagar include Tanjong Pagar MRT, Raffles Place MRT, Telok Ayer MRT, and Outram Park MRT.
Living in Tanjong Pagar: Morning, day and night
Since Tanjong Pagar area is an urban area that’s rich in cultural and built heritage, there’s plenty to do in this area. Start your morning at one of the many coffee shops to enjoy a hearty brunch. Then, take your time to explore the heritage streets of the neighbourhood that’s scattered with boutiques, charming galleries, and more. Pop into the Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop to pick up a book that’s written by a local Singapore author. Thereafter, walk down Telok Ayer Street to find Al-Abrar Mosque, Nagore Dargah, and Thian Hock Keng Temple that’s all lined up next to each other.
Tanjong Pagar is a great place to work up a sweat as there are lots of boutique gyms in the area. Head for a quick session of Pilates at Pilates Bodytree or go to Gold’s Gym at Tanjong Pagar Road for a quality no-frills experience. If you’d like to workout at a larger gym, there are also two Fitness First outlets in the vicinity along with a Virgin Active Gym that has a 30m outdoor pool with gorgeous views. Since Tanjong Pagar is also colloquially known as Little Korea, dine at one of the many Korean restaurants and eateries in the area after your workout.
In the evening, Tanjong Pagar comes alive with its vibrant night scene. The nightlife here is vastly different from Clarke Quay however, as the focus is less on clubs and a little more on pubs and bars. One particularly interesting bar bistro is Ding Dong which serves up locally inspired cocktails that are delicious. If you like to dance, Kilo Lounge is one of the coolest underground clubs in Singapore and is worth checking out. Just nearby the Tanjong Pagar Area is Ann Siang Hill which also has a slew of pubs, bars, and clubs.
Shop
There are many shopping centres at the Tanjong Pagar area – each with its distinct mix of shops. First up you’ve got Tanjong Pagar Centre that has a range of restaurants along with premium grocer Little Farms. Then, you’ve also got 100 AM that has both a local supermarket and a Japanese supermarket along with a Watsons pharmacy. For a more traditional heartland experience, head over to Tanjong Pagar Plaza that has a supermarket on the first floor. Finally, you’ve got International Plaza for less mainstream shops and boutiques.
Eat
Like most of the neighbourhoods in Singapore, you’ll never run out of food options at Tanjong Pagar. There are so many eateries, cafes, and restaurants littered around the area that you won’t even know where to begin. Tanjong Pagar also has one of the most popular hawker centres in Singapore – Maxwell Food Centre. Locals and tourists alike queue up for the chicken rice from Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or grab other local delights at Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake and Zhen Zhen Porridge.
See
You can spend a few days just wandering around the entire Tanjong Pagar area as there’s so much to see. You can head into Baba House – a traditional Peranakan terrace house that showcases Peranakan history and heritage. The Red Dot Design Museum is also a great space for design fanatics to visit. If you’re looking for a bit of greenery, the 50th-storey Skybridge and Sky Garden at Pinnacle@Duxton houses the longest sky garden in the world. There are also some parks scattered around the area such as The Duxton Plain Park and the Pioneers trail that runs through Telok Ayer Green and Ann Siang Hill Park.
The downside
Since it’s situated right in the CBD, prices here are generally more expensive than the rest of the city. There are also only a couple of schools within the area, and there are no hospitals or polyclinics within the Tanjong Pagar area, only private clinics.
Making the most of your move to Singapore
If you are in the process of planning your move, make sure you read our comprehensive and refreshed 2021 Moving to Singapore Guide to learn more about the real cost of living in Singapore, what you need to prepare for and insights on family and work-life as an expat.
You can also use our free relocation dashboard to discover other areas to live, chat with a community of likeminded people and begin setting up for your new life in Singapore... all before you land.