One of Singapore's more recently developed areas, Jurong is a commercial and residential hub in the West.
Jurong is a geographical location in the West region of Singapore comprising several planning areas, including Jurong East, Jurong West, Boon Lay, and Pioneer. Prior to the 1960s Jurong had been left mostly untouched and in its original state. Swamps dominated the coastline and yielded a variety of wildlife such as mudskippers, horseshoe crabs, and crocodiles (or so the old folks used to say). Pineapple, pepper, gambier, nutmeg, and rubber plantations filled the area. Brick manufacturing and earthenware production dominated local business. But plagued with economic and financial troubles following the second World War, the urge for industrialization in Singapore was strong, and in 1960 it was announced that Jurong had been chosen to be the site of a new industrial estate.
While it grew as an industrial hub, Jurong remained relatively unpopular as a residential area due to the lack of infrastructure in the early days. That, too, changed as infrastructure development started to expand in the 1980s with the extension of various roads and highways to increase connectivity in the area, as well as the opening of several MRT lines. Today, Jurong is well-connected to the rest of Singapore via 3 expressways, MRT lines at Jurong East and nearby Chinese Garden, Lakeside, Boon Lay, and Pioneer, as well as multiple bus routes serviced from 2 bus interchanges and 1 bus depot.
As the residential population grew in the area, so did leisure and entertainment amenities. Jurong is not short of large shopping malls (they certainly have the land space for it) that can rival the likes of Orchard’s best. Malls such as JEM, IMM, Westgate, and JCube are all located in close vicinity to the Jurong East MRT station, providing abundant choices for retail, dining and entertainment needs.
The International Business Park consists of office buildings that house many local and multinational corporations. Industrial hubs such as CleanTech also draw more professionals into the area. Amongst this industrial hub, Jurong has its fair share of greenery as well with the nearby Chinese Gardens, Pandan Reservoir, and Jurong Eco Garden within the CleanTech facility providing some respite from towering concrete facades. If you live around this area, you can also choose to escape from urban life and relax with a flock of pink flamingos, take a nocturnal walk along a starlit jungle path observing night herons, or walk along the treetops as free-flying lories play around you – at Jurong Bird Park, of course.
Though being rather far from the center of Singapore, Jurong is well-equipped with the day-to-day amenities that you'll need. What it lacks in modern fancies it makes up for with lush greenery and options to enjoy nature and the outdoors (a plus point for you nature lovers out there). The business and industrial hubs in the area draw a lot of professionals to the area (couples and singles), both local and expatriate. With the numerous choices of schools in the area and the abundance of options for outdoor activities, this neighborhood is also popular choice for families.
Jurong is bordered on the north by Tengah and Bukit Batok, on the east by Faber and West Coast, on the south by the Straits of Singapore, and on the west by Tuas.
Commute:
CBD: 19.1 km / 20-35 minutes by car / 55-80 minutes by transit
Changi Business Park: 33.8 km / 35-65 minutes by car / 100 minutes by transit
Jurong International Business Park: 5.2 km / 10-25 minutes by car / 40 minutes by transit
One North Buona Vista: 12.9 km / 15-45 minutes by car / 35-50 minutes by transit
Tuas: 14.9 km / 20-60 minutes by car / 75 minutes by transit
Jurong LOCAL schools
Jurong Local Flavor 
Westgate is a lifestyle and family shopping mall connected to the Jurong East MRT station and Jurong East Bus Interchange. It is an integrated retail and office development, with 7-levels of retail, dining and fashion stores. Westgate also houses the largest rooftop mall playground in Singapore – a sure win with the kids.
JCube not only offers six floors of retail therapy and dining options, it also boasts some stellar entertainment options including an IMAX theater for movie buffs and Singapore’s only Olympic sized ice-skating rink.
The Jurong Eco Garden is located within Singapore’s first eco-business park, CleanTech Park, an R&D site for new technologies and solutions. Serving as a tranquil respite for the working community within the business park as well as neighboring residents, the garden covers an area of approximately 5-hectares and is home to a unique ecology and amazing wildlife.
BIGBOX redefines the retail shopping experience in Singapore, using a factory-to-store concept and being able to offer a varied product mix to customers at warehouse prices. Here you’ll find groceries at the Warehouse Mart, and eight stories of fashion, electronics, food, home improvement products, and home furnishings.
One of the must-sees of Singapore, Jurong Bird Park is an aviary tourist attraction. World-famous, Jurong Bird Park is the world’s largest bird park in terms of the number of birds, housing some 5,000 birds of 400 different species. With numerous exhibitions from nocturnal walks to an African Waterfall Aviary to the Penguin Coast, and bird shows showcasing different species of these magnificent animals, Jurong Bird Park makes for a great day out.
Located within few minutes’ walking distance from Jurong East MRT, IMM (International Merchandising Mall) contains five stories of retail and dining space. Offices and warehouse facilities are also available within the building. IMM is also home to the largest outlet mall in Singapore – great for fashionistas on a budget!
Photo Credits: Thanks to @jenny_lm840, @an_armch, @saptonotino, @mer_amir, @binduakash, @dhyana_gholand, @iamkevinsato, @fitriani8935, @henrytjm, @hoowilson, @leiyahme, @moon_beep, @gwendyxoxo, @ibrahimnematbraim, @iamjaydeejay, @indxh, @eikhingzin.1212, @stevenmford, @charizkawhite, @d3d1_iskandar for your great photos of this neighborhood!
