Clementi Area Guide

One of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, Clementi has been transformed from swampland into a thriving new town during the past 50 years. While it may not have the glitz and glamour of its trendier neighbours, this Western residential area is loved by locals and expats alike for its traditional way of life.

A large part of Clementi is still rooted in the past. There are lively wet markets selling fresh fruit, veg and meat from the break of dawn, plenty of hawker centres, and even a small vintage tram that loops around the MRT station and the popular Clementi Park Condominium. Although they’ve demolished many of the older buildings, iconic Clementi landmarks such as the town centre water fountain and the disused railway line from the now defunct Jurong Railway Line are still very much part of this close-knit community.

Bordered by Queenstown, Jurong East, Butik Timah and Butik Batok, Clementi has been modernised with new housing developments, shopping malls, schools, transport links and leisure facilities. There are trendy condos and artisan cafes in Sunset Way, a four-storey shopping mall in the former Commonwealth Cinema at CityVibe, and a cinema complex at 321 Clementi. Located in the south of neighbourhood, you’ll find the West Coast Recreation Centre, the 12-hectare Clementi Woods Park, the waterfront West Coast Park, and the upmarket West Coast Plaza.

Part of Clementi’s appeal is its greenery and lack of main road traffic – and the fact that Holland Village, Orchard Road and Sentosa are all just a 10-minute drive away. Expats move here to be close to the many international schools, and it’s also conveniently located for employees at the International Business Park or anyone working in Jurong Island.

Rents here are cheaper than in more central neighbourhoods. Housing options range from swanky condos in exclusive developments such as Clementi Park and The Clement Canopy, to older but more spacious condos and landed houses with either large balconies or gardens in Sunset Way.

Transport links
The Clementi MRT station (East-West line) provides good links to the city, and the Pan Island (PIE) and Ayer Rajah Expressways (AYE) offer motorists easy access to the Central and East regions.

Schools
International schools include the Integrated International School (IIS), International Community School, Japanese School Singapore and Waseda Shibuya Senior High School.

Healthcare
There are several medical centres covers offering a range of healthcare services, including family medicine, and there are A&E departments nearby at the Jurong Community and Ng Teng Fong General Hospitals.

Shopping
While there are independent stores and wet markets in the north of Clementi, head to the south for the larger, more modern West Coast Plaza, Clementi and City Vibe malls.

Attractions
You’ll need to head to Jurong or further afield for some of Singapore’s top sights, but closer to home there’s after-school fun to be had at the West Coast Recreation Centre and Clementi Woods Park. Other local attractions include the 4,000-seater Clementi Stadium and Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Bars and restaurants
Pasir Panjang is a stretch of mostly 24-hour eateries, there are cafes in Clementi Mall and City Vibe, and plenty of trendy cafes and hawker centres in the vast Sunset Way residential estate.

Who lives here?
Expats and locals.

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