Making sure your outgoings match up with your salary and expat relocation package is therefore often a key step. Copyright 2016 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Escaping a Cruise Ship During The Outbreak of COVID-19, On Turning 1 Billion Seconds Old: The Learnable Skills That Proved To Be The Most Valuable, A New Monthly Life List (December 2018): Fun, Free and Local. Get in touch if you can provide useful info on your city or answer forum questions from new expats. What happens when everything goes right? 600K subscribers in the singapore community. The cons of living in Singapore | Stuff.co.nz Lack of seasons - life gets stagnant and limiting with the steady humidity and rain. The price of chicken has gone up by 50% and vegetable costs have more than doubled since January 2020, he says. The Changi Airport in Singapore has been named several times as the world's best airport for seven consecutive years. Ive brought in gum and I am spank and fine free! That said, with so much global talent flowing into this region, competition for the top jobs can be fierce. We are looking for contributors to help make this the ultimate guide for expats. Petty theft isnt too much of a concern either. Many women remark on how safe they feel and are walking around the city (even late at night) on their own. Even in a wealthy nation like Singapore, it means that the number of families seeking help has increased. A Complete Guide to Living in Singapore (2022) Expect to pay more for a place closer to the city centre, Orchard Road, Holland Village, and other desirable neighbourhoods. 1. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The road planning and transportation is well organised, and you would not get much of the chaos and mess that you might encounter in Thailand or Vietnam. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. HDB Master bedrooms (bedroom with attached toilet/bathroom): anywhere from $1300 to $1900. Any personal experience with British schools in Singapore? The public transportation system in Singapore is very efficient, as much as Singaporeans like to complain about it. 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. 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. See our full guide to renting in Singapore. I would rate it higher than that of middle-class South Africa. I dont want to waste my limited time and resources in places that doesnt make me better. I routinely watched people work 15 hours days and stress over strict deadlines. 973067. 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. Q: Any negatives? It is a unique food haven here. A: I miss family and friends as well as my clients from Perth. "If global prices continue to rise, there will be an impact, especially for lower income families who spend bigger proportion of their income on food.". 2. Marketing and partnership work, such as our. I would describe my time living in Singapore as sterile. Whatever was necessary. Imagine not having to clear snow off your car or waiting for the car to heat up on winter mornings. Also because of high car prices in Singapore, and the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), traffic during peak hours (although heavy) is nowhere like the traffic congestion in Bangkok or Jakarta. A two-bedroom condominium in the heart of the CBD, averages S$5,600 (GBP $3,068, US $4,141) per month for 1100-1200 square feet. Im more concerned with being scammed on Facebook Marketplace if Im being honest! Singapore has a lot of expatriates, who are eager to meet, and are your biggest welcome wagon. Pros and Cons of Moving to Singapore | Expat Arrivals However, expatriate benefits packages tend to be higher than this totalling SGD 216,000 and pay varies considerably by role type, seniority and sector. Illegally selling alcohol can be punishable by a fine of up to 10,000 Singapore dollars (5,362) or higher in certain Liquor Control Zones. But the education is first class, for sure. Whether expats want to enrol their child in a local public school or a private international school, there are several options thatprovide world-classeducation in Singapore. But if you have to resort to going to private hospitals, this can also get quite expensive. The main benefits of the module are : Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. Last week was my final week living in Singapore. Top 5 worst things about living in Singapore December 14, 2014 Uncategorized 1. Trivia time. Prior to this socializing was great. Singapore is CLEAN. In a school system built to produce scientists, bankers and mathematicians, an artsy student was deemed a failure. Now, many can work from home or a nearby cafe. While largely praising. All posts are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal, financial or medical advice. The humidity hereusually hovers around 70 percent or more and will certainly take some getting used to. On top of that, leisure travel is ridden with quarantines, multiple Covid testing, vaccinations, and health declarations certifications. Life in the Lion City: An American expat on relocating to Singapore These are often short, sharp and sudden, but can also last all day. So if you are somewhat averse to dirty streets, living in Singapore will be perfect for you. This is despite the fact that food price increases in Asia have been more muted than in the US or Europe, where inflation has soared to levels not seen in decades. Everything that Ive already chatted about are huge pros. Best way to get your foot in the door and show your worth in a Singapore working environment? New arrivals often taketwo or three showers a day, just to cool down. 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. We are looking for contributors to help make this the ultimate guide for expats. Use the Park Connector pathways when possible to avoid the dangerous roads. Theres no change of seasons, and the sun rises and sets at the same time. To work on a Dependent Pass, youll need a letter of consent from the Ministry of Manpower. Singapore has become so open, that outsiders are getting close to outnumbering locals. Here is our take on it. But when his electricity bills also jumped, Mr Tan decided it was time to raise prices. For anyone who has left their native country and moved to a new one. Everything that I've already chatted about are huge pros. Like all current global citizens, modern Singaporeans are living in a time of change. Scan this QR code to download the app now. There is a huge variance in the prices of condos. Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala. Q: What do you enjoy most about your host city, hows the quality of life in Singapore? What's wrong with living in SG? : r/singapore - Reddit So we meet for a quick lunch/tour, with enough time for them to get back to the airport and make their next flight. Like many places, todays Singapore doesnt shine brightly as it did two years ago. The Lion City. Expats can also consider taking a class, volunteering, or starting a blog about life in Singapore. 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. We're past those now, but for 2+ years, life in Singapore sucked. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Our insurance products can also help expats in Singapore find out more about who we cover and our plans. There are rules about the types of properties foreign buyers can purchase in Singapore HDB flats are off-limits, for instance. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world Singapore (officially the Republic of Singapore) is an island and city-state and the smallest country in Southeast Asia in terms of area. Privacy | Legal. According to Payscale research: The most popular occupations in Singapore are Marketing Executive, Software Engineer, and Senior Software Engineer. How would you rate the quality of life compared to South Africa? For expats, the biggest expenses will be school tuition and housing. Sean has a writing experience of 3 years and is currently with Stacked Homes focused on general property research, helping to pen articles focused on condos. This article is part of our series of guides to expat life. Our trusted partner Cigna Global is very aware of all the difficulties that expats can face when it comes to healthcare in a new location, so they have created a range of international health insurance plans specifically designed for expats. If youre starting out on your expat journey, Singapore is a great starting point. Also, because of the proximity to and ease of visiting other countries, Ive had many friends and family come to visit. Expats will find that good quality healthcare is readily available inSingapore, regardless of health insurance. Speaking of marriage, its perfectly normal for young adults to live with their parents until they are married. If youre thinking of joining them, there are a few key things to know about the cost of living, visas and vaccines. Its no wonder Anthony Bourdain loved coming here! The rest were foreigners. For families with a dual income and a robust expat package life here is very feasible. Otherwise, be on the lookout for organisations that hostsocial events, as these are great places to meet likeminded individuals. One recently purchased a home, renovated it, and had it beautifully designed. 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. 5. They wonder whether higher prices, rather than being transitory, will linger on just as the pandemic has. At such a young age, they are already discussing with their friends where they are from, and getting a geographical sense of the world. Thanks again! Im not going to lie I love our current view. The good, the bad and the in-between! When we moved to Singapore, the market was on the rise: we had to pay an inflated price but there were not many options. Rent and food prices are comparable to New York City and London, UK. Its the tax on alcohol that skyrockets the price. How the high cost of living is hitting Singapore's poor If you need to bring these substances, or more than a three-month supply of any drug, youll need to get approval. The cost of living can be high in Singapore. Because of its small size, accommodation is on the high end compared to the rest of Asia. 2. There are several reasons for this, including a good rice harvest in 2021, says the ADB's Dr Abiad. Do you have all the necessary payment cards to go with your account? Sometimes bikes share the sidewalks with pedestrians, but sidewalks tend to be narrow so this can be dangerous. The only challenge was juggling your diary! Thinking of moving to Singapore? The 10 best and worst things - MSN The quality of life is what you make it as the city caters to all tastes and price levels. Adding to its many names, the island is also known as the Fine City, as fines are imposed to eliminate unruly behavior and activity. 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. As you know, Singapore is not a big country at all. Entire HDB units for rent: $2500 (in far off locations) and above. Because of the pandemic, current restrictions continue to impede our return to normalcy. In this guest post Sarah gives the lowdown on life in Singapore. Unfortunately this is a common theme amongst expatriates. Twenty things you mightn't have known about Singapore! My global nature stems from my family. In just a few hours you can get to the airport, get on a flight, and end up sipping on Mai Tais on a beach in Thailand. Sending money to Europe, InstaReM or TransferWise? For many many workers here, their boss might not live here in Singapore, but in another country. asks Mr Tan. Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Singapore. For an overview of life on the Little Red Dot, see Moving to Singapore. But it didnt get here without rules. In addition to multiculturalism, food, easy travel, and city life are the friendships we have developed here. I do miss the theatre, ballet and the West End shows. A: Quality of life in Singapore would be hard to beat anywhere else in the world. From understanding Singapore business culture to finding out what expats do for fun, here are some tips to make your experience as an expat in Singapore the best it can be. A: Quality of life is great, cost of living is high, but you get what you pay for. Its been such a privilege to connect and tour around friends of friends. It usually doesn't take new arrivals long to make friends in Singapore, be they expat or local. 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. To make things easier for you, we categorise and explain these non-essential cookies (e.g., advertising, analytics, functional). Employment pass rejection and status tracking in Singapore. With people between the ages of 20-29, the increase is a horrifying 80%. Answer (1 of 15): The amount of times I hung up the phone mid conversation with Singaporeans because they couldn't understand The Queen's English is incredible. For more information, please see our This is a huge benefit for those who come to work here. Behind the curtains of the hawker stands and the brand new five billion dollar casino, there is a struggle in Singapore. The people are also very friendly. Read about our approach to external linking. The leaders of Singapores educational system saw the importance of math and science, and built a system almost exclusively around those two areas. Moving in and setting up. Others are for statistical or marketing purposes. In Singapore, people simply do as they should do. AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Stay healthy, immerse yourself in the culture and take language lessons. I wish we would stop the emphasis that light skin color is more beautiful than others. I had everything I needed to be comfortable, but I didnt have anything that inspired me. In my experience, people were polite but conversations rarely moved past surface-level niceties. 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. Heres a general lowdown of what to expect from life in Singapore. 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. Nothing particularly bad happened, but it wasnt particularly good either. 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. Economists like Mr Dawe and Dr Abiad remain optimistic that Asian countries will continue to be shielded from double-digit food inflation. I find them to be a wealth of information and the insight is worth their weight in gold. See our guide on getting a vaccine as an expat and COVID passports for expats for further details. The nightlife is awesome. William Russell Europe SRL is registered at Place Marcel Broodthaers 8, B-1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels and is registered in Belgium with the Financial Services & Markets Authority (no. Please try again later. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says global food prices rose 28% in 2021. I love being outside and recognize vitamin D is beneficial. 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). Recently, we celebrated our fourth expat-anniversary on the Little Red Dot, as Singapore is affectionately known. How do you want to remember your experience of the pandemic? You can find inexpensive ($5-$10) Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand meals. The Expater occasionally contains paid-for content, gifted products and affiliate links (where I receive a commission on sales of the products concerned). 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. Swapping political uncertainty for Singapores shores has been a key priority for some, leaving prime Singaporean property in high demand. This means we store them on your browser to facilitate the proper functioning of the site. Being here means I can travel around extensively. Public housing, or HDBs are clean and well built. I'm also interested in hearing how it is to live in Singapore in general and what you love about it. Singapore is renowned for being one of the safest cities in the world. Several budget airlines offer affordable fares to neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. While these non-essential cookies are important to us, we'll only store them in your browser with your explicit content. Sometimes planning a trip at the last minute can result in extremely cheap airfare. How would you rate the quality of life compared to Australia? 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. Located in South East Asia, Changis airport stands out as a major travel hub. The music scene pretty much died currently music is not allowed at restaurants and bars, and last call is 10:30pm. The suicide rate in Singapore is rising at an unprecedented 29% a year. Thinking of moving to Singapore - check out some of our readers comments on the best and worst aspects of Singapore, impartial and unedited! Ive noticed my friends are participating in activities they wouldnt usually wouldnt do. Singapore has earned a reputation as "The Fine City" for the number of fines given to people for things that might go completely unnoticed in other countries. As far as health insurance, many expatriates are covered by their employers. In essence, everything went right. We update this article regularly to keep it useful as possible, but if you want to know more - please seek independent advice. Heres all you need to know about expat health insurance in Botswana. The Bad. The big homes and gardens we enjoyed back home. We fully expected to spend a pretty penny on rent, a car if we decided to lease or buy one, and dining out, but what we underestimated was the cost of all the little things that add up over time. A former British colony, Singapore is rated one of the best economies for business in the world, which is why it is such a popular destination for expat workers from USA and UK. 5 worst things about driving in Singapore. Read about our approach to external linking. It is not just the poorest 10% of the population who now need help, she says: "It has slowly crept to maybe 20% of the population including middle income families that might not even know where to get help in the first place.". By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Although work is being done to rectify this, there is currently limited cycling infrastructure in Singapore and most cars and trucks do not look out for bikes on the road.