An Expat's Guide to Living in Singapore

Basic Singapore Information

Language

There are four official languages spoken in Singapore: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Malay is the national language but English is the most widely spoken.

That means, regardless of where you're from, if you speak English, integrating into Singaporean culture will be easier for you since you already have a common language with the locals.

Given the geographic location of Singapore, most are pleasantly surprised when they can get off the plane and instantly converse with locals. If you're up to the challenge, give learning Malay a shot but it's really not necessary to integrate into the local community.

Food

Regardless of background, everyone is united by a love of food. The food here is a mix of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Indonesian influence. It's truly unique and delicious!

There is an epic food scene here, from hawker centers (think food courts for street food) to high end international restaurants. 

The hawkers boast some of the best and cheapest food in Singapore so don't get deterred by the "food court" ambiance. One of the hawkers was even recognized as the cheapest meal with a Michelin star but unfortunately has since lost its star. Trust me though, it's still great food for far cheaper than you'll find in restaurants throughout the city.

Most people assume living in Singapore is extremely expensive and while I'll go deeper into the cost of living below, I want to point out that some of the best food Singapore offers, like in the Hawkers or in Little India, is at a low cost. You just need to be willing to look for it!

Climate

Singapore is only 111km from the equator which means it’s hot and humid all year round.

The sun rises and sets at the same time every day, which was a big change for me coming from London. No more long summer days and short winter ones, it's always the same day in and day out in Singapore.

Long time residents and other expats tell me that lack of seasons can mess with your sense of time but I’ve been here 18 months and so far, I haven’t felt that.

Cost of Living in Singapore

This little country has a big reputation for being expensive but I don’t think that’s entirely fair.

I have found that some things are very expensive like health insurance, phone plans, dental work, and regional flights. But some stuff is amazingly cheap, like public transport, taxis and local food.

Like I said, stick to the hawkers and you'll eat well and save your budget.

Let's put it this way, if you head to Marina Bay Sands every Friday night for a few cocktails and then a nice dinner afterwards, your life in Singapore will be ridiculously costly. On the other hand, if you enjoy local food and stick to local bars for after work drinks, it still might not be as cheaper as other Southeast Asian countries but it won't be nearly as costly as you might have expected.

The area you live in will also have a big impact on your day to day cost of living as prices can vary a lot across the island.

Below I'll dive into different neighborhoods in Singapore and help you figure out your best bet based on your cost of living but also daily life preferences.

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Best Neighborhoods to Live in Singapore

‍Singapore can be broken down into four major areas:

• Central
• East
• West
• North

Most expats I know tend to live in Central or on the East Coast.

International schools often have a big impact on people’s decision, if they're moving here with their family. Although you can send your kids to local schools, many expat families choose an international school instead.

If that’s a priority for you then I recommend seeking out a dedicated schools and neighborhood guide so you can match your children's school with where to live. Although the country is small, you still don't want to have to commute from one end to another if you don't have. The transition to life in Singapore will also be easier on your kids if they're near their friends and classmates for after school fun.

But if you don't need to worry about international schools, you'll have a lot more freedom in where you decide to live in Singapore.

Keep in mind when deciding where to live that it’s so easy to get around Singapore. The train system is called the “MRT." It’s brilliant, cheap, frequent, and reliable. The buses are great too. We also have two ride hailing apps here: Grab and Go Jek. 

While walking is always my preference, it's nice knowing I can get anywhere in the city is relatively easy given the great public transportation options.

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Central Singapore Neighborhoods

Living in Central Singapore means a strategic location for most jobs and city amenities. Many of those moving abroad to Singapore choose to live in one of these Central Singapore neighborhoods:

• Central Business District (CBD) - non-existent commute, quiet at weekends, generally pretty expensive
• Bukit Timah - fancy, lots of green space, very expensive
• River Valley - expat central, condo life, convenient
• Tiong Bahru - old art deco buildings, hipster scene
• Little India/Farrer Park - high energy, emerging hipster scene, more affordable
• Novena - condo life, relatively new area, more affordable

📍Scope out Central Singapore before you sign a long-term lease by booking a hotel or a vacation rental home for when you first land. These in the Central Business District will give you a great location to explore the rest of the small island nation:

• Budget-Friendly Stay: Citadines Rochor: This studio apartment offers a great deal given its prime location. You'll have a small kitchen, private bathroom, and shared amenities like a swimming pool to cool off.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Pullman Singapore Hill Street: For a more luxury experience, enjoy the modern amenities at this CBD hotel. You'll get a great room, fitness center, swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant.
• Luxury Stay: Mandarin Oriental: Want to start your Singapore life off with a bang? Book your stay at one of the best hotels in the country, offering sweeping bay or ocean views and incredible amenities.

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East Singapore Neighborhoods

East Singapore still offers a big international community but it's a little outside of the hustle and bustle for many. This area has a lot of history and is also super close to the airport for your weekend getaways.

The two East Singapore neighborhoods I recommend are:

• Joo Chiat/Katong - beautiful old buildings, bit of a hipster scene, too far from the CBD for some, more affordable
• Geylang - red light district, arguably the most interesting area, more affordable

Coming from a relatively cold place meant I was seeking a summer lifestyle and I knew I wanted to live in an old building instead of a condo, so living in Joo Chiat was an easy decision for me! I love the laid back village feel and the 12 minute taxi to the airport is amazing if you’re a frequent traveler.

📍If you're feeling East Singapore more, I still recommend you see it in-person before you sign a long-term lease by booking a hotel or a vacation rental home for when you first land. These in the Joo Chiat and Katong area will give you a great location to explore the rest of the small island nation:

• Budget-Friendly Stay: Betel Box Backpackers Hostel: If you're moving to Singapore on a budget, this hotel will get you in a good location at a super affordable price.
• Mid-Tier Stay: Santa Grand Hotel East Coast: This boutique hotel offers a stay just steps from East Coast Park with a shared swimming pool and private, comfortable rooms.
• Luxury Stay: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong: Want something a bit more stylish? This hotel not only offers cool rooms with fun decor but sweeping city views and a rooftop swimming pool.

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Finding an Apartment

Here are my 3 recommendations of where to look when apartment hunting in Singapore:

1. Property Guru is the biggest property website so it’s a good place to start to get a feel for what’s available.
2. If you’re looking for a house share then I recommend checking out the expat Facebook pages.
3. If your budget is on the slightly higher side and you’re looking for something unique then We Love Walkups and Isabel Redrup are the best places to look.

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Fun Things to Do in Singapore

‍You might have heard that Singapore is often described as "boring" on social media. That’s a misconception.

There is a lot to do here but sometimes you need to work a little harder to find it. Social life here revolves around food so if you're a foodie, then you've come to the right place!

The bars and restaurants of Tanjong Pagar are great for a more international experience. My favorite spot for local food is Old Airport Road Hawker Center in East Singapore or Maxwell Road Hawker Center in Central. Must try dishes are wanton mee and chicken rice. 

For a chilled out day, I love taking a bumboat to Pulau Ubin for a day of walking and exploring. Lazarus Island is also just a short ferry ride away and it has a beautiful beach. ‍

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Visa Options for Foreigners

‍80% of countries do not require a tourist visa to visit Singapore and you can stay 30 or 90 days depending on your nationality.

You can’t rent accommodation on a tourist visa though so keep that in mind if you're a digital nomad planning to work and travel while on a tourist visa. You'll need to stick with hotels or renting a house through a site like Airbnb.

All foreigners must have a work permit to work here and you need to have a job before you can apply for a work visa. There are lots of different visa options depending on your skills and personal situation. You can check your eligibility for an Employment Pass or S-Pass online.

This blog post has lots of useful information about how to find a job in Singapore. 

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Dealing with the Long List of Laws

‍The rumors are true, Singapore is a very strict country.

You can’t buy chewing gum, there is zero tolerance for drugs, and caning is still a thing. Singapore’s media environment is highlight controlled.

As a European I often feel at odds with these restrictions. The upside of the system is personal safety.

You can leave your stuff on a café table while you go to the loo, you can keep your phone in your back pocket while walking around busy streets, and women can walk anywhere late at night without fear.

I never felt “unsafe” while I was living in London but I was vigilant, especially when I was by myself late at night. The past 18 months in Singapore have changed my definition of what “safe” and “unsafe” feels like, with Singapore showing me what the definition of these words really means.

Although I can't say I agree with all of the laws mandated by the Singapore government, I can say that I do thoroughly enjoy the personal safety it has awarded me.

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Bonus Tips to Living in Singapore

‍Before you buy your tickets and head on the next flight to Singapore, there are a few more things I wish I knew about before moving here.

Domestic & International Travel

Singapore is the perfect base for exploring Asia, which means people who live here travel a lot. Flight prices are crazy around Singapore public holidays, especially Lunar New Year, so you need to plan early.

If your job allows you to, I'd suggest not traveling during peak times and instead embracing random weekends off during the year. Trust me, every tourist destination in Asia is really hectic during Lunar New Year, so from experience, I'd opt to travel other times if you have the flexibility.

It can also mean that the expat community might not be as vibrant on the weekends since so many of us take advantage of the easy and affordable travel opportunities. This won't be a con if you also plan on jet setting as often as possible but either way, it'll mean putting in some extra weekday effort to make friends here.

Humidity

Living in 80% humidity means you need to pay attention to a few extra things around the house. Lots of “cupboard” foods won’t survive unless you keep them in the fridge - my spices recently went moldy which was a first for me.

Clothes, especially winter clothes in storage, can easily become a bit musty or moldy so best to keep an eye on them. Store anything you don't wear often and any leather products in air tight bins. This will help keep the mold away and keep you from constantly needing to clean them off.

This isn't just a problem associated with living in Singapore but one people living throughout Southeast Asia have to deal with.

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‍Will You Try Living in Singapore?

Even with these few imperfections, I love living in Singapore and would recommend you giving it a shot by moving to Singapore if given the opportunity.

While you'll likely need a job to make the move possible, once you're here you'll get to experience Singapore's culture, food, landscape, and lifestyle that truly is one-of-a-kind.