Living in Bukit Merah means that you’ll have access to neighbourhoods that have both a touch of heritage and are close to the city centre – which is exceedingly rare. With sprinklings of historical housing along with generous offers of convenience around the corner, Bukit Merah is a great place for couples and families to begin their Singapore expat life.
Located in the central region of Singapore, Bukit Merah comprises 17 sub-zones and is named after the red soil that was uncovered when the area was excavated in the 1950s. Bukit Merah essentially means “Red Hill”, and is a modern neighbourhood that’s a fantastic place to live at when moving to Singapore with IKEA right around the corner along with close proximity to plenty of hipster cafes and bars.
Distance from the CBD
Bukit Merah is situated in the southernmost part of Singapore. Due to the extensive network of MRT lines, you can travel to the city in just about 10 minutes by taking the train from the Redhill Station (EW19.) Just a few steps away from the MRT Station is Bukit Merah Bus Interchange that’ll take you to the CBD in about 20 minutes. Given the size of Bukit Merah, it’s best to stay near the MRT station, otherwise you can take a taxi or drive your own car to get to the city in about 6 minutes.
Living in Bukit Merah: Morning, day and night
Start off your morning with a hike or a light jog around the many parks surrounding Bukit Merah. Begin at Telok Blangah Hill Park before ending off at Mount Faber Park. For lunch, wander to one of the many hawker centers such as Redhill Lane Block 85 Food Centre, Redhill Market, Bukit Merah View Market, and more for some tantalising local delights. If you prefer to drop by a cafe, Carrara cafe is a good place to head to for some gelato waffles.
In the afternoon, head to Alexandra Central Mall and take a look at the local boutiques. Alternatively, a short bus ride will take you to VivoCity – the largest shopping mall in Singapore that’s also the gateway to Sentosa. Before the day draws to a close, take the train (or walk) to Tiong Bahru – the neighbourhood that’s right next to Bukit Merah. There, visit some of Tiong Bahru’s quirky shops from bookstores like Woods in the Books to chic homeware at Maisson Home. In the evening, head to any one of the great variety of outdoor bars that’s perfect for sipping a refreshing beer at. Coq & Balls (yes, you read that right) is a good place to check out if you’re not sure where to start.
Shop
In the Bukit Merah area, there’s Alexandra Central Mall along with plenty of shops situated below the HDB flats. Apart from the Block 112 Market where you can buy fresh produce, there’s also an NTUC Fairprice supermarket at Bukit Merah Central. Just nearby is Tiong Bahru Plaza which has over 160 stores, including both a movie theatre and a supermarket. Further down is Anchorpoint Mall that has a niche collection of premium boutiques and choice eateries along with IKEA.
Eat
When moving to Singapore, one thing you’ll realise is that every single neighbourhood is a food paradise – Bukit Merah included. There’s plenty of delicious spots around the Bukit Merah area from fishball noodles at Redhill Lane Block 85 Food Centre to a steaming bowl of soup noodles at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre.
Other food options include Good Chance Popiah Eating House for some savoury cuisine and The Bakery Chef and Butterscotch for their delectable range of pastries and desserts. Outlets of crowd favourites such as Domino’s, KFC, and McDonald’s can also be easily found.
See
Bukit Merah is in close proximity to Mount Faber Park that gives visitors a view from 105m above ground. You can also take the cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa where you can soak in some aerial views of Harbourfront and Sentosa Island. At Sentosa, spend the day lazing on the beach, going on thrill rides at Universal Studios, or ziplining at Mega Adventure Park.
If you prefer a relaxing day walking around Bukit Merah, the Henderson Waves Bridge is a great spot to head to as it’s the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore and has gorgeous LED lights in the evening.
The downside
The area has some great amenities, but it can be a little expensive as it’s relatively close to the CBD. There’s also no immediate MRT station in the Bukit Merah area, and the closest station is either Redhill MRT or Outram Park MRT station.
It’s also more of a family neighbourhood with plenty of schools and housing estates so if you’re looking for an area that’s more exciting, this may not be the best area for you.
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.