Executive Condominiums, or EC for short, are a public-private property hybrid designed for sandwich class Singaporeans who earn too much to BTO yet too little to afford fully private properties. ECs are developed and built by private developers (so they look and feel just like private condos) but are sold by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) at a cheaper, subsidised price for eligible buyers.
Does that sound too good to be true? Let’s find out. When it comes to ECs, the common belief is that there is a location tradeoff.
Executive Condos (EC): Value-For-Money but ‘Ulu’ Location?
ECs are known for being value buys in the property market, often with good capital appreciation should you decide to sell it later. That’s because you are essentially buying what will eventually become private property (after 10 years) while enjoying subsidies from HDB.
So how does HDB keep prices low? One way is by launching ECs in less-than-prime locations. Usually, EC sites are in suburban areas and slightly further away the town centre or nearest MRT station… At least when they’re first launched.
This means they may not be the most accessible in your first few years of living there, but nearby amenities may start popping up in time to come.
Seven Non-Ulu ECs That Are Near MRT Stations
While new ECs are typically inaccessible, there are many resale ECs that are only a few years old and already very conveniently located. If you’re currently considering EC properties, here are seven resale ECs that are within walking distance to an MRT station.
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1. The Brownstone
- TOP: 2017
- District: 27
- Nearest MRT: Canberra MRT (NSL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 260m
- Price: $1,020,000 to $1,049,999
The Brownstone is a 638-unit EC in Canberra that is within a short walking distance to Canberra MRT. You will also be in close proximity to the new neighbourhood centre at Canberra Plaza that is integrated with a myriad of amenities: An event plaza, supermarkets, restaurants, food courts and enrichment centres.
With the upcoming developments in the North like Bukit Canberra and Woodlands Health Campus, The Brownstone is your gateway to the rejuvenated North region.
The Brownstone is also just opposite Parc Canberra, an upcoming EC in Canberra which is only slight further (550m) away from Canberra MRT.
Find out more about The Brownstone EC on PropertyGuru.
2. Esparina Residences
- TOP: 2013
- District: 19
- Nearest MRT: Buangkok MRT (NEL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 300m
- Price: $965,000 to $1,749,000
Esparina Residences is a 573-unit EC tucked away in the up-and-coming Buangkok area. Being just four minutes’ walk away from Buangkok MRT is only one of the benefits of staying at Esparina Residences. Those living at Esparina Residences can also enjoy the convenience of living near Hougang Green Shopping Mall, Hougang Green Food Centre and Punggol Park.
What’s more, the upcoming integrated development at Sengkang Grand Residences will bring the level of convenience for Esparina Residences up a notch with the new transport hub, hawker centre and Sengkang Grand Mall.
Find out more about Esparina Residences on PropertyGuru.
3. Yew Mei Green
- TOP: 1997
- District: 23
- Nearest MRT: Yew Tee MRT (NSL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 400m
- Price: $816,000 to $1,550,000
Yew Mei Green is a 712-unit EC located in District 23, in the heart of Yew Tee. This EC is strategically located near to every basic amenity that you will need, from schools to supermarket to shopping mall. It also comes with plenty of facilities within the EC such as a swimming pool, clubhouse and tennis court for residents to enjoy. Having TOP-ed in 1997, Yew Mei Green is one of those old but gold ECs that will put you within a short walk to the MRT.
Find out more about Yew Mei Green on PropertyGuru.
4. 1 Canberra
- TOP: 2015
- District: 27
- Nearest MRT: Canberra MRT (NSL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 500m
- Price: $847,000 to $2,300,000
1 Canberra is among the handful of ECs that have mushroomed in Sembawang since the government announced plans to develop the Canberra region. Just like The Brownstone, 1 Canberra enjoys the accessibility to Canberra MRT as well as retail malls like Canberra Plaza and Sembawang Shopping Centre. Those who enjoy the greenery will also appreciate the nearby Yishun Neighbourhood Park, which is a stone’s throw away from 1 Canberra.
Find out more about 1 Canberra on PropertyGuru.
5. Windermere
- TOP: 1997
- District: 27
- Nearest MRT: Yew Yee MRT (NSL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 500m
- Price: $880,000 to $1,400,000
Built in 2000, Windermere is a multi-block 395-unit EC in District 27 by CapitaLand Residential. As an EC, Windermere offers plenty of facilities for residents to relish. Besides the usual swimming pool, gym, tennis court and clubhouse, Windermere has jacuzzi, jogging track and playground that promises loads of fun family time for you and your kids.
Windermere’s location is in the same vicinity as Yew Mei Green. This puts it a few streets away from the nearby Yew Tee Point and Yew Tee MRT. There are also small pockets of parks that residents can indulge in for your daily exercise.
Find out more about Winderemere on PropertyGuru.
6. Nuovo
- TOP: 2001
- District: 20
- Nearest MRT: Yio Chu Kang MRT (NSL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 500m
- Price: $1,058,000 to $2,200,000
Nuovo is a 297-unit EC in Yio Chu Kang that is just 500m away from Yio Chu Kang MRT. Its location is in the middle of various amenities including Link@AMK, Ang Mo Kio 628 Market, Thye Hwa Kwan Hospital and Yio Chu Kang Stadium. There are also plenty of educational institutes that will cater to families with kids and teens:
- Anderson Primary School
- Anderson Secondary School
- Yio Chu Kang Secondary School
- Anderson Junior College
- ITE College Central
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Singapore Institute of Technology @ NYP
Find out more about Nuovo on PropertyGuru.
7. The Tampines Trilliant
- TOP: 2011
- District: 18
- Nearest MRT: Tampines MRT (EWL)
- Distance to nearest MRT: 500m
- Price: $935,000 to $1,800,000
The Tampines Trilliant is one of the few ECs in the East that is near the East-West Line (EWL). This 670-unit EC developed by Sim Lian is a charming EC that puts you close to the heart of Tampines. It is also one of the newer ECs in a mature estate like Tampines without feeling like you are living on the outskirts of Tampines.
Apart from the location, The Tampines Trilliant also comes with unique facilities like library, sauna, spa pool and playground that puts the icing on the cake for homebuyers.
Find out more about The Tampines Trilliant on PropertyGuru.
Other ECs Within 1km Of MRT Stations
Living within 500m from the nearest MRT station reduces the time you spend on your daily commute and improves your quality of life. That being said, it does come at a price premium: The closer you stay to the MRT, the more expensive the EC (and any other property, really) gets.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to expand your search to within 1km from the nearest MRT station. 1km is still reasonably near – in our opinion, anyway – and would be the equivalent of a 15-minute walk or two to three bus stops.
Here are 20 other ECs between 500m to 1km away from the nearest MRT station:
- Parc Canberra
- Simei Green
- The Quintet
- CityLife @ Tampines
- The Rainforest
- Eastvale
- The Eden @ Tampines
- Prive
- SkyPark Residences
- The Visionaire EC
- Woodsvale
- Ecopolitan
- Bishan Loft
- Twin Waterfalls
- Parc Life EC
- Westmere
- Ola EC
- Northoaks
- The Dew
- Summerdale
- Belysa
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