The high number of expats in Singapore gives life a fast pace and there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Thinking of moving to Singapore - check out some of our readers comments on the best and worst aspects of Singapore, impartial and unedited! Sign up to get the latest insights delivered to your inbox 2x a week. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. I think international children have such a unique experience in Singapore. To burst this bubble, I will correct the statement and say, it is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore! There was recently a popular post in r/london here about your favourite things about the city. I'm also interested in hearing how it is to live in Singapore in general and what you love about it. She would say, my best friend so and so she is from Italy, and my other best friend- so and so from Taiwan. Also, if your expat package does not included rental expenses, it would be a good idea to check out rental prices first to see if you can still maintain your standard of living. 0731.975.658 RPM) as a limited liability company with share capital of 30,000. For the first time, open letters to the heads of education are going viral on Facebook, and political critiques are spreading on YouTube. (2) Hot and humid all the time. 1 The number of Olympic gold medals that Singapore has won in its history - Joseph Schooling won gold in the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, beating a field that included Michael Phelps.. 4 The number of Singapore dishes that appeared in CNN's 2017 list of the world's best foods. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Not since Lee's impassioned campaigns of the late 1960s has the topic of cleanliness felt as pertinent as it does in . A: I enjoy everything being open in the evenings as it allows me to get a lot more done during the week. If expats are looking to get away for a weekend, Singapore is an ideal jumping-off spot for travel in Southeast Asia. The combination of the futuristic skyscrapers serves as a backdrop against the early colonial shophouses and 19th century temples. New media is helping to facilitate conversations that used to happen in small groups behind closed doors. Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): http://www.samaritans.org.sg/ Youll need a different type of pass a Long Term Visit Pass if you and your spouse are not married, and the same rule applies for stepchildren. Building connections can make all the difference to your experience of expat life in Singapore. The quality of life is truly great. Ms Ng is also concerned that the current wave of inflation does not seem to be temporary. If you have already been vaccinated for COVID-19, do you have evidence of your evidence such as the batch number of your vaccine? Crime rates are extremely low, and you can walk in the streets late at night and not have to worry much about getting mugged. By filling in a form, youll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. Our insurance products can also help expats in Singapore find out more about who we cover and our plans. It's a bit cooler in the evenings, around 77F (25C), and most properties have air con. Cabs, which are also extremely affordable, are an alternative mode of transportation, and so are thebevy of easy-to-useride-hailing apps. I do miss the theatre, ballet and the West End shows. All posts are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal, financial or medical advice. If your spouse will be working too, have you applied for one work visa that will apply to both of you? Adding to its many names, the island is also known as the Fine City, as fines are imposed to eliminate unruly behavior and activity. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. While it isnt a 100% crime free utopian, personally I feel 99.99% safe. In South East Asia you don't get much more of a staple food than chicken rice. Yearly international school fees in Singapore range from about SGD 10,000 ($7,354 USD / 5,300 GBP)to 50,000 ($36,771 USD / 26,502 GBP) per child. Its just that because of Covid, these big party type, group gatherings are forbidden. A: Quality of life in Singapore would be hard to beat anywhere else in the world. I was born in the Philippines, my older brother in the States and my younger brother was born in England. In a thronging nation of skyscrapers where temperatures rarely dip below 77F, its easy to find your place in the crowd, whether youre a single expat or relocating to Singapore as a family. These cookies do not store any personal information. Singapore has become so open, that outsiders are getting close to outnumbering locals. Expats will typically need to get certain vaccines before travelling to Singapore. English is widely used, and if thats not your primary language, theres Tamil, Mandarin and Malay. But higher palm oil prices mean that shampoos, hand soaps and sanitisers have also become a lot more expensive. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The country had accomplished amazing feats in some of the worlds most competitive and lucrative industries, but at what cost? Daniel Tan . There will also be legal fees for signing tenancy agreements and often an agency introductory fee equivalent to 50% of one months rent to take into account. Those who have insurance can contact their provider for a list of recommended doctors and clinics. In addition to multiculturalism, food, easy travel, and city life are the friendships we have developed here. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in Singapore, so it's a smart idea to use crosswalks whenever possible. Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Singapore. Trivia time. Now, many can work from home or a nearby cafe. Speaking of families, its very common to hire a domestic helper. Q: What do you enjoy most about your host city, hows the quality of life? By the way, can I quickly address the chewing gum myth?! Prior to this socializing was great. Private international schools are also a great choice, particularly for expats whowanttheir child to continue with the school curriculumfrom their home country. In Singapore, people simply do as they should do. Daily life was convenient, but it was only the bare minimum of living. A struggle that is constrained to the small boundaries of this city-state, but reflects issues rooted in the human experience. The nation is very family friendly, and many families like the condos. Before the pandemic, office workers would make their way to their headquarters on a regular Monday Friday schedule. Again, pride is the outcome. You no longer have to store your winter clothing every summer, it is just one constant temperature throughout the year in Singapore. Restaurants, clubs, karaoke, and bars were all very lively. Singapore has universal healthcare which is financed via a public statutory insurance system and government subsidies however, temporary residents such as expats dont fall into this system. Expats will find that good quality healthcare is readily available inSingapore, regardless of health insurance. Much of the housing in Singapore comes in the form of high-rise condos or apartments. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. If youre starting out on your expat journey, Singapore is a great starting point. 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We also use non-essential, third-party cookies, which help us to analyse how you arrived at and how you use our site. It also rains a lot. If youre thinking of joining them, there are a few key things to know about the cost of living, visas and vaccines. This means we store them on your browser to facilitate the proper functioning of the site. "When the pandemic hit our first thought was this was a short-term emergency - six months, maybe a year - so we held [prices] for as long as we can because we were hoping for the whole thing to be over.". The conversation is spreading, and fueled by the Internet, the voices are getting louder. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Have you also applied for a visa for your spouse and/or family? Full Screen. Crime rates are extremely low, and you can walk in the streets late at night and not have to worry much about getting mugged. In this guest post Sarah gives the lowdown on life in Singapore. All play a big part in the cost of living. Auto Rotation On. Nothing particularly bad happened, but it wasnt particularly good either. High School Scholarship in Singapore / Living alone in Singapore as a teenager? If you are already there, please share your experience of living in Singapore as an expat. Thats not to say there is no need to learn Malay if you are moving to Singapore. Unfortunately, her case is not an isolated one. Unfortunately this is a common theme amongst expatriates. It is also on our list of best countries for American expats. Its right up there with the best I have used and itsaffordable. Its hot and humid every day, all day. Once you have received your visa, have you registered for a. We ended up using 'Property Guru' website to save on costs. A: Quality of life in Singapore would be hard to beat anywhere else in the world. At such a young age, they are already discussing with their friends where they are from, and getting a geographical sense of the world. It is possible to go on tropical island weekend breaks without breaking the bank. A: Singapore is a transient place, expats come and go, so forging friendships has to remain a priority regardless of how long youve been here. Moving abroad can be a difficult process, and if you have done so before, youd know that every country has its pros and cons. You can register with a general practitioner (GP) in person at a public or private clinic and for some medical needs, such as vaccinations, you might need to head to a polyclinic. Get in touch if you can provide useful info on your city or answer forum questions from new expats. But if you have lived overseas before, and having to deal with the unpredictable four seasons, the constant summer weather in Singapore can be a godsend. Thank goodness for ladies night price specials every Wednesday! Singapore is very safe. These latest price rises are due to higher energy costs, which affect food and fertiliser production, with global supply chain issues compounding the problem. Because of the pandemic, current restrictions continue to impede our return to normalcy. This guide supports future and current expats, helping with everything from the visa youll need in Singapore to sorting healthcare and building a social network. Singapores expat communities tend to live in neighbourhoods, such as Tiong Bahru nicknamed Singapores Brooklyn due to its artsy side and Holland Village, a well-connected district home to houses, which can seem rare in a nation where 80% of people live in high-rise government apartments. Employment pass rejection and status tracking in Singapore. By filling in a form, youll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. 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Rent and food prices are comparable to New York City and London, UK. But if you have to resort to going to private hospitals, this can also get quite expensive. Speaking of phones, Ive noticed some people leave them on a restaurant table while they go outside to have a cigarette. Probably 80% of Singapore's professional foreign workforce lives in HDB common rooms. Singapore, a sovereign nation in Southeast Asia, has a reputation for expat life - in 2018, it was ranked the world's best destination for expats by HSBC. There are surface differences between the USA and the UK, and Singapore. In the first year of living here, I travelled to 14 countries. In South East Asia you don't get much more of a staple food than chicken rice. Despite pandemic pressures, Singapore saw a surge of businesses and expats relocating from Hong Kong in 2020. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. The rest were foreigners. When a country is founded on the idea of surviving regardless of the cost, what happens when it thrives? Because Singapore is a hub of industry and commerce, job opportunities are usually in abundance. In the Philippines, for example, liberalisation of rice imports has allowed the supply of rice to improve which has kept prices low. The cost of living can be high in Singapore. Bilingual Public Maternelle School in Paris? Expect to pay more for a place closer to the city centre, Orchard Road, Holland Village, and other desirable neighbourhoods. We are looking for contributors to help make this the ultimate guide for expats. And this changes again if its a Hindu Singaporean wedding. Three others advanced their careers and were promoted. Certain drugs, such as strong painkillers, some sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications, are illegal in Singapore. There's no need to bring jumpers or coats when you move here. With more than a quarter of its workforce hailing from overseas, Singapore is very much a city of expats, so its perhaps no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with Singapores first population drop in a decade. My spouse and I are considering moving there from the US. Q: What do you enjoy most about Singapore, hows the quality of life? Singapore is an incredibly popular expat destination because of its diverse mix of cultures. During my months in Singapore, I walked around and tried to investigate the heritage of the people. So if you are somewhat averse to dirty streets, living in Singapore will be perfect for you. So what are yours about Singapore? Yes, life is good in Singapore. If you need to bring these substances, or more than a three-month supply of any drug, youll need to get approval. In the West, people love a sun kissed tan. Singapore is consistently among the world's most expensive cities to live in, so this needs to be considered before moving. Thanks again! Its a spectacle of many dishes. In the original version of this article I incorrectly stated the year of Lysher Lohs suicide as well as the scope of mandatory military service. Sentosa is best-known for luxury expat housing, while Woodlands is especially popular with American expats. Stay healthy, immerse yourself in the culture and take language lessons. You can walk around, chatting on your phones (probably more than normal compared to other cities!) One thing you can be sure of in Singapore, is access to quality healthcare. It truly goes against the saying that its hard to find friends as we get older. For those who are just embarking on their real estate journey, Join our Telegram group for instant notifications, 3 reasons youd want to be living in Tiong Bahru, Ikigai Condo Review: A Boutique Freehold Japanese-Inspired Condo In Novena, I Regret Buying An Old Condo: 6 Homeowners Share Their Biggest Regrets, 35 Completed Or Nearly-TOP New Launch Condos In 2023 If You Cant Wait. This is so lovely. Recent changes such as the influx of expats from Hong Kong may drive these figures up further. The average expat salary for a middle manager working in Singapore was SGD 119,927(63,574 GBP/$88,045 USD) in 2020, according to a study by ECA International. Singapores expat community is strong in numbers and community. Singapore (officially the Republic of Singapore) is an island and city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia in terms of area. For a decent bottle of wine, expect to pay S $50+ (GBP $27, US $37) at a grocery store, S $15-30 per glass at a restaurant, and S $7-25 for a beer (craft beers are very pricey). Some friends pass through during a layover. Being in the city centre, we dont see nearly the same amount of families as I did when we lived 1.6 miles (2.6 km) out. Dont get me wrong, Im a lowkey sun worshipper. I also miss being able to buy a great bottle of wine for a reasonable price. Singapore Employment Pass holders can apply for their legally married spouse and children under 21 to join them on a Dependents Pass but must earn at least SGD 6,000 (around 3,223 GBP / $4,412 USD) per month to do so. "I use buses and the MRT (the underground) and both are spotless and always on time. Expats can also consider taking a class, volunteering, or starting a blog about life in Singapore. For more information, please see our As far as health insurance, many expatriates are covered by their employers. Lysher was a 10-year-old girl. This is in contrast to Singaporean citizens and PR (permanent residences) who are covered by the universal healthcare. If you are an expat and are seriously considering a move, this exit interview is some of the most honest feedback you are going to get about living in Singapore. Group social distancing is in place too, so you cant meet up in groups like before. Recently, we celebrated our fourth expat-anniversary on the Little Red Dot, as Singapore is affectionately known. Just make sure you are well prepared, with a job offer secured, international health insurance prepared and an apartment ready to help you settle in quickly. Get in touch if you can provide useful info on your city or answer forum questions from new expats. Suitable jobs for expat wives and husbands in Singapore might include: Expats with a few years experience in a professional occupation can expect to earn a good wage in Singapore. Another difference that I will never wrap my head around is whitening creams. I dont want to waste my limited time and resources in places that doesnt make me better. Behind the curtains of the hawker stands and the brand new five billion dollar casino, there is a struggle in Singapore. Check out our latest guide on international career opportunities. William Russell Europe SRL is a mandated underwriter for AWP Health & Life SA. Most of the privately-owned condos and apartments, especially the new ones, have amenities such as pools, playgrounds, gyms and function rooms included on site. Ive also witnessed young children without their parents or any adult supervision taking public transport to and from schools. The quality of life is truly great. These cookies do not store any personal information. This is a huge deal for many people, especially with COVID restrictions. The UK branch is authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), reference no. "Up to 20% of our requests thus far, especially starting from the second half of last year, has been pivoting towards personal hygiene products," she adds. The food scene is unreal. What I miss the most about South Africa - samosas, koeksisters, Table Mountain, and of course, my family. This envelope is called an ang bao, and its also given during Chinese New Year. Alcohol is very expensive. For an overview of life on the Little Red Dot, see Moving to Singapore. Stores and market stalls have been open since a lockdown ended early last year / GETTY IMAGES, Singaporeans hate missing out and love a bargain / GETTY IMAGES.