![](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.siamlandbank.com\/propertynews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/EO10501.png?fit=526%2C348\")
\nBendemeer Road runs through the Boon Keng area, and is near Boon Keng MRT station. (Photo: Nicholas Lannuzel, Flickr.com)
\nBoon Keng may not be among the most hyped estates in Singapore, but its closeness to such estates, along with its healthy property market, make it an attractive place to live.
\nby Cheryl Marie Tay
\nBoon Keng is a subzone of Kallang, and is a residential estate served by three main roads: Boon Keng Road, Upper Boon Keng Road and Lorong 1 Geylang.
\nMention its name to a passer-by and he may draw a blank; after all, Boon Keng is not among Singapore\u2019s more well-known estates. As a subzone of Kallang, it is usually eclipsed by its more famous neighbours, such as Little India, Farrer Park, Lavender, Rochor and Bugis.
\nBut it is precisely its location near all these estates, as well as its proximity to the CBD and Orchard area, that make Boon Keng attractive.
\nGood neighbours
\nThe beauty of living in an estate like Boon Keng is that you get to enjoy three often overlooked aspects of residing in a less hyped neighbourhood: lower home purchase and rental prices, proximity to more popular neighbouring estates, the CBD and Orchard, and significantly smaller crowds when compared to said areas (even on weekends).
\nSo what do Boon Keng\u2019s wider area and its neighbours have to offer?
\nKallang
\nHaving undergone extensive changes over the last few years, Kallang has many new features, namely: Kallang Wave Mall, the Singapore Sports Hub (which consists of the new National Stadium and Singapore Indoor Stadium).
\nKallang is a popular place for water sports, and many such activities are conducted at the Kallang River, Kallang Riverside Park, the latter a 7ha park that is a mere five-minute walk from the Lavender, Nicoll Highway and Stadium MRT stations, and a 10-minute walk from Kallang MRT station.
\nOn weekends, dragon boating, canoeing and water skiing are all common sights in this part of Kallang, making it particularly attractive to water sports enthusiasts and athletes.
\nBugis
\nOne of Singapore\u2019s most beloved shopping districts outside of the Orchard area, Bugis also boasts a wealth of history and culture. With Bugis Juncion, Bugis+ and Bugis Village all within walking distance of one another, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to retail and dining options in Bugis.
\nThe Kampong Glam neighbourhood in Bugis also offers much in the way of food and drink, while retaining elements of Singapore\u2019s heritage. Although shisha has been banned in Singapore and some of the caf\u00e9s and bars along Arab Street either don\u2019t offer it anymore or have even closed down, the area is still vibrant, drawing large crowds over the weekends.
\nLittle India
\nHome of the famous Tekka Centre\u00a0and countless eateries serving both\u00a0North and South Indian cuisine, Little\u00a0India is often filled with the large\u00a0community of migrant workers who live\u00a0and work in and around the area.\u00a0But at the same time, tourists and\u00a0backpackers exploring Singapore and\u00a0hoping to get a taste of the different\u00a0aspects of local culture are also a\u00a0dime a dozen here.
\nAnd though Indian\u00a0culture dominates the area, Little India is still relatively multicultural, with caf\u00e9s and restaurants serving non-Indian food, as well as bars and backpacker hostels peppering the neighbourhood.\u00a0It is also directly connected to Boon Keng via the North-East Line (NEL).
\nThe beauty of Boon Keng
\nAccording to Jessica Siow, Senior Associate Marketing Director at PropNex Realty, Boon Keng\u2019s \u201ccentral location makes it easily accessible to most areas in Singapore. It is also within close proximity to the CBD and town (areas)\u201d.
\nShe adds: \u201cAs a mature estate, Boon Keng has plenty of amenities, eateries, markets and shops.\u201d
\nWong Xian Yang, Head of Research and Consultancy at OrangeTee.com, concurs: \u201cIts relative central location makes this area convenient to live in. For those who drive, the CTE and PIE are a short distance away, providing easy access to the rest of the island.
\n\u201cThere are numerous amenities nearby, which includes Boon Keng MRT station, Kallang Community Centre, several HDB shophouses, and also a few schools.\u201d
\nEducation and edibles
\nIndeed, Boon Keng has its fair share of conveniences and amenities. Some of the schools in the area include Bendemeer Primary and Secondary, Farrer Park Primary School and Hong Wen School.
\nFood-wise, it certainly does not disappoint. When it comes to local food, the famous Boon Tong Kee, best known for its signature chicken rice, has its Whampoa West outlet just beside Boon Keng MRT station. Also close to the MRT station is Bendemeer Food Centre, which features local favourites such as Yong Xiang Carrot Cake, Chung Ping Chicken Rice and One Ton Noodle, to name just a few.
\nNot far from the Kallang Community Club is Ban Heng @ Boon Keng, touted by its official website as \u201cthe founding branch of (the) Ban Heng Group of Restaurants with a history of over 40 years\u201d. It specialises in classic Teochew cuisine, including Buddha Jumps Over The Wall and Teochew cold crab.
\nIf you feel like having non-Chinese dishes, a little further down the road from Boon Tong Kee is Oh My Tian, a quirky, carnival-themed caf\u00e9 opened by the same people behind the popular Hatter Street Bakehouse and Caf\u00e9 in Hougang.
\nAnd should you want to indulge your sweet tooth, Bloomsbury Bakers is just next to Bendemeer Food Centre; here, you can not only enjoy delectable cakes with flavours such as Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel and Speculoos Cheesecake, you can also order from a selection of customised buttercream and fondant cakes. Furthermore, the bakery offers dessert tables, favours and gifts for special occasions.
\nBuying and selling in Boon Keng
\nSiow advises: \u201cHomeowners looking to sell should highlight the unique selling points of Boon Keng, such as its proximity to town and the CBD. With the URA Master Plan to develop the Bidadari area, potential homeowners can expect more amenities in future, such as shopping malls within a short distance.\u201d<\/p>\n