Tampines sits in the east between Bedok and Pasir Ris and is one of the biggest mature HDB towns on the island. The regional centre is at its heart, with Tampines Mall, Century Square and Our Tampines Hub.
Office buildings and business parks nearby bring in workers from all over Singapore. Tampines East and Tampines West are mostly older blocks. Some owners are renovating, and others are asking who can fix tired pipes and aircon.
Tampines North has newer flats. Simei, beside Changi General Hospital, feels like a neighbourhood of its own. Private condos and executive condominiums sit among the HDB blocks. One town therefore holds home owners, landlords, shop tenants and office managers.
Bedok and Pasir Ris are next door, but they are separate markets, so we do not count them as Tampines.