Send us an email at: hello@stackedhomes.com. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. But making the best of your experience requires some know-how. Welcome to /r/singapore: the reddit home of the country Singapore. Everything you need to know about international group life insurance. Also, spitting out gum on the street is punishable with a fine, as its littering. A decent expat package is crucial when it comes to schools for children. They serve a dual purpose protection from the sun and rain. So these these type of classes are a way to socialise. HDB Master bedrooms (bedroom with attached toilet/bathroom): anywhere from $1300 to $1900. Also, lunchtime can be quite a sight at food courts and hawker centres. I had everything I needed to be comfortable, but I didnt have anything that inspired me. The UK branch of William Russell Europe SRL is registered at William Russell House, The Square, Lightwater, Surrey, GU18 5SS, UK. This rule also eliminates expats from accessing the Home Protection Scheme (HPS), so global life insurance can be a key safety net. To burst this bubble, I will correct the statement and say, it is not illegal to chew gum in Singapore! 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. Its the tax on alcohol that skyrockets the price. A: I enjoy everything being open in the evenings as it allows me to get a lot more done during the week. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. New media is helping to facilitate conversations that used to happen in small groups behind closed doors. This site uses cookies to give you the best possible web experience. And thats if youre allowed back into the country (you have to apply for entry to Singapore). Ive never seen the extreme amounts of eateries, cafes, hawker centers, and restaurants all piled up on one another. But at the beginning of July 2021, Singapore embarked on a new living with Covid mission, easing restrictions after its leaders concluded that the disease will not be eradicated as new variants continue to emerge. Singapore is an exceptionallysafe country with low crime rates and a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs. Condos in prime locations can range between $7000 - $15,000. Have you asked your landlord or property manager to set up your, Have you calculated a budget that takes into account. Building connections can make all the difference to your experience of expat life in Singapore. Group social distancing is in place too, so you cant meet up in groups like before. A: Its very organised, clean and transportation system is cheap and reliable. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This means youll likely need international health insurance to access Singapores excellent healthcare. Have you also applied for a visa for your spouse and/or family? A big bonus to living in Singapore is the low-income taxes. How would you rate the quality of life compared to South Africa? Im Sarah, a traveling expat blogger. Of the conversations that I took part in and overheard, the vast majority of them were about work. Obviously, this depends on your lifestyle, your expat package, plus the number of dependents. Also, check out this list of places that pay you for moving there. Mr Tan of OK Chicken Rice, who also owns three mini supermarkets, says smaller retailers tend to take their cue from larger rivals when pricing goods. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which theyre relying with the relevant authorities. Some ethnic groups may wish to avoid shaking hands with the opposite gender, for instance, and older Singaporeans may use both hands for this greeting. Read our full guide on how to get a COVID-19 vaccine as an expat. Further away from the city center the range can be around $3,300 - $5,000. Many thanks. Its right up there with the best I have used and itsaffordable. In Singapore, people simply do as they should do. Rentals are payable monthly in advance and, serviced apartments aside, are generally exclusive of management fees and government taxes, which could add a further 12-15% on top of rental costs. High School Scholarship in Singapore / Living alone in Singapore as a teenager? Alongside our highly thriving "Global Business Center", people living in Singapore can barely afford rising housing prices & living expenses. Unfortunately, her case is not an isolated one. Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter. Always speak to a qualified professional when making any related decisions. While the local language of Singapore is officially Malay, English is the de facto second language and employees of international companies will often speak English at work. This, I believe, is the reason Singapore is a country in struggle. Yes, life is good in Singapore. There is a huge variance in the prices of condos. Copyright 2016 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Public housing, or HDBs are clean and well built. Other types of Singapore work permits may be granted to professionals with certain skills. You can accept all cookies, or accept only the essential cookies. We live in a one-bedroom in the CBD and utilities average $100 (GBP $55, US $74) per month and groceries can be $450 (GBP $247, US $333). Update: Wow the response to this has been tremendous! Don't trust the places like numbeo and cost of living comparisons because they are only half correct. The Changi Airport in Singapore has been named several times as the world's best airport for seven consecutive years. Its been such a privilege to connect and tour around friends of friends. Speaking of families, its very common to hire a domestic helper. Archived post. What I miss the most about South Africa - samosas, koeksisters, Table Mountain, and of course, my family. What are the best and worst things about living in Singapore? Because Singapore is a hub of industry and commerce, job opportunities are usually in abundance. The country had accomplished amazing feats in some of the worlds most competitive and lucrative industries, but at what cost? While many places have their challenges, I hear the dating pool is one of them. This adds more to the already established multicultural nation. But it didnt get here without rules. Its a spectacle of many dishes. In Singapore, even petty theft is uncommon. But the downside of that would be the limitations of space. (Can exceed far beyond $2000 in prime locations) In short supply. Time and time again, citizens laughed and said what heritage?. The good thing about it is that inflation doesn't spike up as much during a crisis but the bad side effect is that entrepreneurship is stifled and only semi-government players can survive," he says. The food scene is unreal. Please try again later. Our site uses cookies to improve your experience and help us make the site easier to use. Bye SG! Q: Any negatives? In 2001, Singaporean student, Lysher Loh made national news after committing suicide. Are the education systems the same in Singapore and UK? Add to this safety and the quality of education, and Singapore is very attractive for families. Expats can also consider taking a class, volunteering, or starting a blog about life in Singapore. The Expater occasionally contains paid-for content, gifted products and affiliate links (where I receive a commission on sales of the products concerned). Probably 80% of Singapore's professional foreign workforce lives in HDB common rooms. And some of those tourists get inspired to come here for work. Swapping political uncertainty for Singapores shores has been a key priority for some, leaving prime Singaporean property in high demand. A struggle that is constrained to the small boundaries of this city-state, but reflects issues rooted in the human experience. Singapore is a fantastic destination for expats and their families, with wonderful food, a vibrant culture and so much opportunity. For an English-speaking expat living in Singapore, there are plenty of international schools to choose from, including many that follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Typically, expats are already employed when they arrive in Singapore, but theres a chance your situation may change or you may be travelling with a partner who would like to find employment. How much money youll need will depend on where you live, school fees and the cost of your commute, as well as healthcare and lifestyle factors. When considering a move abroad, it can be all too easy to assume that a rosier life awaits, and yet sometimes, it turns out the grass on the other side really does have a greener sheen. Copyright 2016 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. In South East Asia you don't get much more of a staple food than chicken rice. 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. This means we store them on your browser to facilitate the proper functioning of the site. Its no wonder that so many expats move to Singapore: it is a place with some of the worlds strongest happiness indicators, including for GDP, social support and health. What do you miss most about home? The humidity hereusually hovers around 70 percent or more and will certainly take some getting used to. We all know the importance of being healthy, but where are the healthiest countries in the world? So if you are working in the CBD area and want to stay near work, expect to pay a sizeable sum in rent. There are a number of private hospitals, public hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout the island to choose from. Securing a place in time will be key, however, competition can be fierce and preference may be given to local children. In western tradition a wedding ceremony is over within hours and the whole reception within a single day. Found in almost every food court and hawker centre, it is considered one of Singapore's national dishes. And be aware that as a guest, its customary to gift a generous amount of cash presented in a red envelope. Behind the curtains of the hawker stands and the brand new five billion dollar casino, there is a struggle in Singapore. Getting to Singapore might be a long and arduous journey for most expats, but once settled here, the city-state serves as an excellent base for myriad close-by getaways. For families with a dual income and a robust expat package life here is very feasible. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. While I do not employ anyone myself, I understand that on top of fees, employers would be expected to pay for annual flights to their home country. Thats not to say there is no need to learn Malay if you are moving to Singapore. Singapores expat community is strong in numbers and community. and our You can opt out of some, or all, of these categories. In fact, many companies will expect you to speak English as a first language. To add, taxis are relatively cheap compared to other global cities so transport, in general, is fantastic." Seasoned expats are never far from an umbrella (which are also good for shade). CON: Poor pedestrian and cyclist safety Pedestrians do not have the right of way in Singapore, so it's a smart idea to use crosswalks whenever possible. Singapore is renowned for being one of the safest cities in the world. What are the three best and worst things about living in Singapore? Singapore is a very pretty city. The big homes and gardens we enjoyed back home. In addition to multiculturalism, food, easy travel, and city life are the friendships we have developed here. We also use non-essential, third-party cookies, which help us to analyse how you arrived at and how you use our site. Singapore has become so open, that outsiders are getting close to outnumbering locals. 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. Many women remark on how safe they feel and are walking around the city (even late at night) on their own. "What we have seen when we make the door-to-door deliveries is that young families [with] both husband and wife working a part-time job or in the gig economy - these were the families that got impacted when Covid hit and all the part-time work dried up," says Nichol Ng, co-founder of Food Bank Singapore. If you are not covered by your employer, there are private insurance plans that average S $3,500 a year (GBP $1,918 , US $2,589). 1. There are surface differences between the USA and the UK, and Singapore. Im not going to lie I love our current view. There is much to do and people to meet. On top of that, leisure travel is ridden with quarantines, multiple Covid testing, vaccinations, and health declarations certifications. NTUC FairPrice also has more than 2,000 own-brand products such as rice, oil, toiletries and cleaning products that it says are at least 10% cheaper than comparable popular brands. This is so lovely. Singapore has more than a dozen private hospitals, 10 government hospitals and several specialist clinics. Learn how your comment data is processed. Anyone who is going to ride a bike should wear a helmet and be as predictable on the road as possible. My con list is weather and the ongoing Covid restrictions. If you are already there, please share your experience of living in Singapore as an expat. Moving to another country can be challenging, but you can ensure peace of mind by making sure you have the rightinternational health insurance. These cookies do not store any personal information. Become our local expat expert for your area! Expats will find that good quality healthcare is readily available inSingapore, regardless of health insurance. Rent and food prices are comparable to New York City and London, UK. Because of the pandemic, current restrictions continue to impede our return to normalcy. Private international schools are also a great choice, particularly for expats whowanttheir child to continue with the school curriculumfrom their home country. Singapore's Changi airport is an efficient hub, with easy access to Southeast Asia and Oceania. But Covid has seen the cost of his ingredients rise sharply. By filling in a form, youll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. If you want to live in the main central region, do not expect to live in big apartments. Singapore is well known for expensive real estate, but at that pricing level you can expect to have a good standard of living as well. Have a question in mind? International Group Life Insurance: How to get started, Best Insurance for Working Abroad (We Compare 6 Providers), How To Get Health Insurance For Expats In Botswana, Top 10 Healthiest Countries In The World 2023. I love being outside and recognize vitamin D is beneficial. medical treatment can cost away from home? If youre starting out on your expat journey, I believe Singapore is a great starting point. Best way to get your foot in the door and show your worth in a Singapore working environment? Sentosa is best-known for luxury expat housing, while Woodlands is especially popular with American expats. We miss the gorgeous beaches of Sydney! Nothing particularly bad happened, but it wasnt particularly good either. I know I dont have to be concerned about having my bag or purse open in public or hanging on the back of a chair when dining. We will be visiting for the first time in a couple of months, but I'd like to know what are some of the less obvious cons or the worst things about living in Singapore. Private international schooltuition can be astronomical, but employers will sometimes cover educationcosts, or a portion thereof. 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. Common complaints include a lack of kindness and politeness - 20% of people polled think that this is the biggest issue facing the city - overcrowding (19%), a lack of social integration (10%) and. Singapore has a lot of expatriates, who are eager to meet, and are your biggest welcome wagon. One answer is pride. In the case of Singapore, it meant that more serious questions had to be asked. The beaches are not very scenic here. There are many good public schools in Singapore which are affordable and provide high-quality education. Theres plenty to organise before your arrival, however, from health insurance to housing. Unlike most schools, Singapore mandates curriculum on empathy and cultural understanding. Cost of Living in Singapore So, for those expats who are still hovering on the fence and weighing up the positives and negativesofrelocating to the Lion City, here's a helpful list of some of the pros and cons of moving to Singapore. Expect to pay more for a place closer to the city centre, Orchard Road, Holland Village, and other desirable neighbourhoods. In South East Asia you don't get much more of a staple food than chicken rice. The wars of foreign countries are studied in school so that the mistakes of others will not be repeated by Singaporeans. Meeting new people and partaking in social events that filled your social calendar was never an issue. You can find inexpensive ($5-$10) Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand meals. All play a big part in the cost of living. Do you have all the necessary payment cards to go with your account? I think international children have such a unique experience in Singapore. There are rules about the types of properties foreign buyers can purchase in Singapore HDB flats are off-limits, for instance. 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. The so-called Lion City is one of the . Economists like Mr Dawe and Dr Abiad remain optimistic that Asian countries will continue to be shielded from double-digit food inflation. A: Compared to most cities that Ive lived Singapore is remarkably clean and safe. Getting around Singapore by bus or MRT is a piece of cake. There are an incredible amount of amazing places in the world. Imagine not having to clear snow off your car or waiting for the car to heat up on winter mornings. The latest FAO report shows more than 375 million people in Asia faced hunger in 2020, an increase of 54 million from the previous year.
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worst things about living in singapore