So you think you want to move to Singapore? Sample the fruits of the Far East, dip your toe in the Indian Ocean? Moving to the Red Dot, as it’s known, is a great way of easing yourself into Asia. It’s a place where exotic tastes of the Orient are combined with eclectic western flavours. This vibrant and fast-moving city has plenty of cool things to see and do, from beaches and temples to hill walks and food tours, and everything is played out on a compact island that’s just 30 miles (48 km) wide.
Use this Arrival Lounge: guide to Singapore, its cultures and customs, and your move to this little island will be a doddle.
Living in Singapore
When you think of Singapore what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chopsticks and rickshaws, or glittering skyscrapers and F1 sports cars? Are there palm trees and monkeys? Will you get arrested for chewing gum? What’s it really like to live here? Singapore is Asia, for sure, but it’s colloquially referred to as “Asia Lite” or “Asia 101”, as most people admit that life in this relatively young country is a breeze compared with many other Far Eastern destinations.
For starters, English is spoken. There’s also no need for chopstick lessons, since myriad tastes and preferences are catered for (though if you really love your Chinese food you can visit a different hawker centre each night of the week). Singapore is a stone’s throw from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and more. Plus who wouldn’t want to work in a city where there’s a beach at the end of the train line?
But nowhere is without its downsides, and you’ll soon wise-up to complaints about the weather (humid and rainy), taxi jams and the high price of going out for what is essentially a modest post-work pint. But look past all that and you’ll find that life here will bring you a tropical tan, a wide circle of new friends and the pleasure of living in a city that’s funky and fascinating once you do a little digging.
Finding a job
Marketeer, banker, hairbrush importer, charity worker, librarian, vet – we know all sorts of people with all sorts of careers in Singapore, where the job market is as eclectic as the culture. However, the most popular expat professions are in financial services, legal and shipping. As a result there are plenty of recruitment agencies just waiting to take your call, and there’s no harm in signing up with a few of them before you come out. Offices are usually open for business from 10am to 6pm, and the phone won’t be picked up during lunch, so make sure you get your time zones right if you’re ringing from another country.
Our finding a job pages will walk you through the requirements for living and working on this island including the permit requirements and general expectations. So brush up your resume and get those interview clothes dry-cleaned.
Paperwork, passports, permits
Have you checked your passport to make sure that it has six months’ (or more) validity? Do you need an entry visa? As is the case with most countries, Singapore has entry conditions, and many nationalities will need a permit to work here. So whether you’ve got your dream job or not, you’ll want to know exactly what’s needed before you get here.
Before you arrive, it’s worth checking your home driving license is up to date, with at least 12 months left – you’ll need it if you want to drive a car when you get here.
It’s also a good idea to get a copy of your medical history from your GP.
Health
Navigating a new health care system can be an unnerving task, but rest assured that medical facilities in Singapore are advanced and highly regulated – no need to worsen your health with stress, we say! With a vast network of public and private healthcare providers dotted around the island, finding a GP is a relatively simple thing to cross off your to-do list. It’s also worth checking that you’ve got a decent insurance policy in place, so you’re covered should the worst happen [knocks on wood].
While living in an exotic country has undeniable perks, there are a few tropical ailments that are worth familiarising yourself with. We recently spoke to the helpful team at International Medical Clinic who gave us the low-down on everything from dengue to HFMD. Listen up; doc’s in the house.
Budget
Cost – it’s a word you’ll hear a lot once you get here, because, well, everything does cost quite a lot. OK, maybe not everything. Hawker stalls can feed you inexpensively, public transport is very affordable, and you can make accommodation work by sharing with others, or living a little further out. Granted, Singapore has a very favourable tax environment but you need to factor in the high cost of living when trying to determine the balance sheet of your Asian adventure.
The most maligned expense has to be a night out. Get ready to think before you drink because booze really does require a big wallet.
Got a family? International schools bring all sorts of expenses, so check what costs are involved before you sign on the line.
A centrally located apartment might save on transport but is it worth the expense? Planning to live further out and then cycle to work to save on transport costs? We’ll be impressed if you bike in the morning sun without passing out… don’t be put off though, with a bit of forethought it’s all achievable, you just need to do your sums.
Property
As a modern country, Singapore has properties to suit all tastes, whether you want a harbour front apartment, jungle bungalow or kooky shophouse in old Chinatown.
The city is divided into numbered areas known as districts, and which one you live in depends partly on personal taste; but also on what lifestyle you lead, where you’ll be working, whether or not you have kids at schools and a dozen other reasons, all of which will be personal to you.
For a small country there’s a lot of housing packed-in, and the search itself can be exhausting and lengthy. Very often, the most efficient way of starting your search is to come to Singapore on a “rekkie” or “look-see” visit. If you’ve still not lined something up in time for your arrival you can stay in a hotel-apartment while you get yourself sorted. Brew a cup, take a seat at the computer and draw up that wish list for the home of your dreams.
Schools
With hundreds of expat families coming and going year on year, there are schools to suit all nationalities and ages, from tots to teens, Swedish to Korean.
There’s also the local school system, heralded as a fairly tough ride through the early years and up to graduation, but as an expat you probably won’t experience the local slant since the legal requirements for studying in the Singaporean school system are stringent.
From types of school and entry requirements to costs and locations, start your homework now to figure out what’s going to be the best fit for your children and budget, and check out our school selector to compare the options.
Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD)
Pets
How long will Doggo have to be in quarantine? Can you bring your pet ferret with you? Singapore’s animal regulations vary depending on where you’re coming from, and not all pets will require quarantine. The AVA (Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore) has a list of requirements that you can check through.
If your pet needs to go through quarantine you can apply for a space online up to six months before your pet’s arrival. You’ll need to check you have all the necessary supporting documents such as rabies vaccination certificate and vet reports.
You will also need to check the pet requirements with your airline, as different carriers have different rules. Packing to move is stressful enough without these concerns about any furry members of your family, but with a bit of background reading you can pack up the dog bowl and be ready to go.
Moving
The move is one of the most stressful parts of the entire relocation process. If you can work out how to get everything from home to home, across continents, without losing sanity or sleep then that’s half the battle won.
You will need quotes from the various shipping companies, and there are dozens to choose from, such as Santa Fe, Shalom, Asian Tigers, AGS Four Winds, Elite Movers, Allied Pickfords. Most offer broadly the same service, from packing and storage to insurance options and will of course deal with the whole move itself. We can’t tell you what to keep, what to store, what to sell or what to ditch, but if you’ve got a special item and you aren’t sure how it will cope in the humidity don’t bring it along.
Short-term accommodation
Standing side-by-side the hotels and hostels in this town are a range of short-term living spaces for people just off the plane, wanting a home, not a hotel, and looking for a more settled place to stay while they carry out the search for a more permanent solution. Known as serviced apartments, these places are a good environment for settling in, and a useful way of getting a feel for living in Singapore. Life in these places is very hotel-like, with buffet breakfasts, room cleaning and all the usual hotel facilities like gyms, pools and concierge desks.
Many of the short-term accommodation options tend to be clustered in Districts 9 and 10, along Orchard and down towards the CBD, but there are serviced apartments all over the island to temporarily hang your hat while you make plans. Browse the Singapore serviced apartments central website to work out which one’s best for you.
On the other side of the packing crates, your exciting Singapore adventure is awaiting your arrival. Read on to find out what the first month holds…
Lead Image: Changi Airport