The short version
Toa Payoh is a mature town with a busy centre and a visible social life. Older HDB blocks, markets, sports facilities and small businesses make it feel more rooted than a new estate. It is not polished, and that is part of why it remains useful.
A town rather than a development
The centre around Lorong 6, the interchange and the market does most of the daily work. Housing is varied in age and scale, with quieter pockets away from the main roads. The town is central enough for an easy wider commute, but the best reason to live here is that errands do not depend on leaving it.
Toa Payoh suits families, older residents and renters who want a local routine. It is less suited to someone who wants a new tower, resort landscaping or an expatriate bubble. The public spaces feel used, and the busier streets remain busy after office hours.
Would I live here?
Yes. I would choose a block away from the interchange but near the town centre, then listen for road and market noise. Toa Payoh is one of the more convincing places to experience Singapore as a working town rather than a collection of developments.