Moving to a new place is exciting – but it can also be daunting and confusing. If you’re moving to Singapore or you’re new in town and trying to work out the lie of the land, who better to give advice on adapting to life in the Little Red Dot than other expats who have ‘been there, done that’! We asked Expat Living readers to reflect on some of the great things about living in Singapore – along with a few of the challenges. We’ve also compiled a list of expat tips on moving to Singapore and settling in once you’re here.
Pros and cons
What are the best things about life in Singapore? What about some of the frustrations?
“As an expat from a less developed country, I’ve found Singapore’s efficiency one of the best things about living here. Everything works, and nothing is ever too complicated on the administrative side of things. Another positive is safety. This is one of the safest countries in the world to live in. I don’t worry about my 16-year-old daughter coming home late at night from a party and having to take the last train or bus home. A negative is the cost of living. As an expat, we look for certain home comforts in food or the vibe of a place – and this has become very expensive over the years. You now need to live more simply to make the cost of living affordable.” – Cherie
“One positive: there’s no winter! This means that a celebration of any kind is always going to be a pool party. A negative is that the cost of owning a car is so high, with the imposed government taxes.” – Richard
“One of the biggest positives for us is the outdoor lifestyle. Some people might not like the 24/7 heat but after too many winters in the UK we love being able to swim all the time and play sport and generally have a very active lifestyle here. The other positive for us is that life here feels joyful and people want to get together and have fun. For example, an ordinary Sunday can lead to a barbecue and a glass of rosé by the pool with neighbours while the children enjoy swimming or playing football or cricket.
We also love the mix of cultures and religions that our children are exposed to both generally in Singapore but also at their international school. It’s incredible for them to learn about and have an appreciation of other countries, cultures, religions and beliefs. One more positive is all the wonderful opportunities to see other parts of Asia and give our children (and us!) exciting new experiences.
“The biggest negative for the majority of people is the increase in the cost of living. Especially rent, school fees and bus fees, which have definitely taken a big surge in the last 12 months.” – Talia
“Number one for is the diversity of the city – how many places have three major races, four national languages and a plethora of other nationalities in their make-up? Number two: As a regular business and leisure traveller, you can’t beat Changi for efficiency. Here’s one top fact: the Changi Airport Group aims for passengers to get from plane door to curb on average in 11 minutes! In many cities, you’d still be queuing in immigration when in Singapore you can already be home! The downside has to be the cost of living here. But I do remind myself that every city I’ve lived in is significantly more expensive now than 10 years ago.” – Charlotte
“For me, the year-round summer is definitely on the positive side. The second thing is that I can raise my kids in a multicultural environment. One negative is the distance, as we’re far away from my mother.” – Emőke
The sense of safety in Singapore is truly remarkable, allowing individuals to enjoy the freedom to go anywhere at any time while feeling completely secure. You can even send children off freely, including in cabs, without any worries whatsoever. Another remarkable aspect of Singapore is the absence of corruption. A well-structured system is in place, with rules and regulations promptly implemented and adhered to. The people willingly follow these, creating an environment that’s conducive to living and thriving. The cost of living in Singapore remains a downside. Property prices have soared, as have car prices, international school fees, dining out, and even the prices of clothing and groceries. – Namrta
“Positive aspects are the safe environment and low crime rate, and the comfort and affordability of transportation. A negative is the high cost of living.” – Nicolas
Other readers’ thoughts
Pros:
- “You make friends that become like family”
- “There’s an amazing mix of cultures”
- “You can reinvent yourself any way that you want”
- “It’s safe and has a low crime rate”
- “There are lots of themed parties, functions and balls to attended”
- “It’s really easy to settle down here”
- “It’s a great hub for travel”
- “English is easily understood here”
- “It’s a fantastic environment for children to grow up in”
- “The public transport is great”
- “There’s a nice charitable focus in the expat community”
- “The local food is delicious and cheap”
- “Lots of good restaurants“
Cons:
- “Friends are always moving away”
- “You can’t see family all the time”
- “You can spend a lot of time on planes for work”
- “Some services are more expensive here”
- “There are no seasons”
- “Every day is hot, humid and sweaty”
- “Medical facilities are expensive (though top-notch)”
- “A good hair day is a rare thing”
- “The cost of living is high”
- “Schools are very expensive”
- “It’s difficult to get into local schools if you’re not PR”
- “Alcohol is pricey”
What else?
Here’s a long list of tips for those who are moving here soon or fresh off the boat.
- “Buy a sturdy pair of flip-flops and a lot of moisture-wicking clothing.”
- “Don’t live in an expat bubble; interact with local people and places too.”
- “Distances aren’t as great as in many of the cities expats come from; so, don’t let that be a barrier in your school or house hunting.”
- “The public transport is fantastic, so wait and see before investing in a car, unless you absolutely need it.”
- “Try to avoid an influx of visitors in your first six months or so; instead, dedicate time for you and your family to adapt to life here.”
- “Don’t be offended if people call you ‘auntie’ or ‘uncle’; you’re not old – they are being respectful!”
- “For trailing spouses looking for jobs: network, network, network.”
- “Be prepared for frizzy hair”
- “Enjoy yourself!”
- “Take on any new challenges with a positive attitude.”
- “Hire a helper. Even if you are used to doing everything on your own, being an expat means you don’t have family around or a support network. It makes life much, much easier.”
- “Transfer your license within 12 months, even if you think you won’t drive.”
- “Try living in a serviced apartment first to see if you like it.”
- “Be open to meeting new people.”
- “Seek out green spaces across the island – nature reserves, reservoirs and small surrounding islands – to help rebalance mind and body from the daily rat race.”
- “Take a city tour; you can learn a lot from some of the great guides.”
- “Make a list of places in the region that you’d like to visit, and start planning some holidays and long weekends.”
- “Take courses and seek experiences to develop skills you’ve not been able to make time for.”
- “Bring your favourite foods from your home country each time you travel.”
- “If you have young kids, always carry sunblock, swimmers and a small towel for swimming opportunities.”
- “Shop at the wet markets for fruit and vegetables – they’re incredibly fresh and cheap.”
- “Surrender to the high prices on certain things; it’s just the way of life here.”
- “Be open to any and all potential friendships.”
This article first appeared in our City Guide. Purchase a copy or subscribe to the monthly magazine so you never miss an issue!
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