Ang Mo Kio remains as one of the older and more parochial and insular areas of Singapore and is less demographically cosmopolitan than some of the newer estates.
In the new town, the old friendly kampong spirit of sharing and caring seems to survive as a strong cultural trait. Also, majority continue to live with their children in the renewed environment — the family ties are strong with multi-generational units residing in three- to five-room HDB apartments.
The lifestyle of the area has been transformed from the simple one of the kampong to urbanised and modernised living including the obvious modern amenities in the 90s.
However, many of the adult children have moved on to the new housing estates but the kinship spirit is kept alive by constant returns to their older forebears, especially during the weekends and public holidays, particularly at Chinese New Year, when the reunion dinners are held