What’s it like living on Toh Guan Road, Jurong East

We talk to Zoey Fong Lai Guan who is from Jurong East in the west of Singapore She’s a customer service representative at ThermoFisher Scientific, ad lives on Toh Guan Road.  She says “Living here for the past 20-plus years has been a great experience”

About Jurong East Neighbourhood

What’s the name of your street? Toh Guan Road.

If it’s in another language, what does it mean? In traditional Chinese expression, (Toh Guan Road) means “prosperous pass” or “gateway”.

What’s a common myth or misconception about Jurong East? People living in the east region of Singapore often say the west is boring and has nothing. In reality, the west region is quietly vibrant as we are well connected to the newer shopping malls (JEM, Westgate), major Singapore campuses (NTU, NUS, Singapore Polytechnic), attractions (Jurong Lake, Science Centre, Jurong Frog Farm), parks (West Coast Park, Chinese Garden), swimming pools and hawker centres.

Exact words you tell a taxi driver to get home? “Toh Guan Road – the one near IMM.”

Closest MRT station? Jurong East (red North-South and green East-West lines).

How long have you lived here? Why here? More than 20 years, since I was a child. My family moved to this house because they managed to get a ballot here. It’s at a convenient and strategic spot, close to hawker centres, the MRT and bus stops. The neighbours are also very friendly

Neighbourhood Highlights

When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? The large trees that have stood in front of my HDB block since I was young, and the MRT that drives past.

What’s the closest store to your front door? A hawker centre.

We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of? I know our shopping mall is great and that we are well connected to other estates, but it would be great if fewer people were squeezing on the bus and into the mall with me!

What’s the unofficial uniform of your street? T-shirts and shorts.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street? I always hear drilling and hammering sounds during the day from the unit above me. I always wonder what they are building up there.

Things to do around Toh Guan Road

What are your three favourite places to eat or drink near Toh Guan Road?

• IMM Building because it’s one of the least crowded shopping malls to go and have a peaceful lunch and dinner.
• The hawker centre near my home, Epic Haus 267A. It’s close by, and the food is decent for when I’m too lazy to go out too far to eat.
• Saizeriya at Ng Teng Fong Hospital. It’s decent, cheap and not overcrowded.

What are the best places to go for shopping in Jurong East? IMM Building. It has a Giant Singapore supermarket, many outlet stores, a food court and restaurants. It’s never too crowded, so it’s a great place to enjoy a quiet lunch and dinner. For more shopping, I can walk to JEM and Westgate, but they’re often crowded.

What are some fun or interesting things to do in Jurong East? Cycling or walking along the Bukit Batok Park Connector to discover its natural wonders, and visiting the Science Centre to explore the interactive exhibits and activities; it’s both child-friendly and elderly-friendly.

What’s one thing you’d never change? Living here for the past 20-plus years has been a great experience. No regrets.

How about one thing you would change? I should have bought one more HDB unit here while it was still cheap. I will miss this place when I move out.

If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up Toh Guan Road, how would you use it? Build an underground express MRT that goes from West Singapore to East Singapore, including to Changi Airport and Bedok.

Things to do In Singapore

What are your favourite Singapore spots for taking out-of-town guests? Chinatown. It’s a wonderful heritage site that has preserved its old monuments and temples. It also has some of the most authentic and inexpensive food.

When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go in Singapore? Go to Chinatown to feel Chinese; go to Little India to feel Indian; go to Geylang Serai to feel Malay.

Do you love your neighbourhood? Share it with others – just email us at [email protected] with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.

This article on living on Toh Guan Road, Jurong East appeared in the October 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.