6 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Singapore

Singapore is an amazing country to move to. With its business-friendly climate, high standards of living, and the ability to work and live in English, the city-state of Singapore is a very popular destination for both ex-pats and immigrants.

In fact, research suggests that over 43% of the population living in Singapore were born abroad. This figure puts Singapore in the top 10 countries around the world in terms of the share of foreign-born population.

As you can see from the evidence above, Singapore is an amazing country to live in. However, before moving to Singapore, it is a good idea to do some research into the country to make sure that it is right for you. If you are thinking of moving to Singapore, here are some of the things you need to know:

1.      The Accommodation in Singapore

While looking for a more permanent home in Singapore, it is a good idea to stay in a serviced apartment. Most ex-pats choose to live in condominiums that offer tennis courts, gyms, and pools. Staying in a serviced apartment is not only the cheapest option available to you, but it also allows you to get to know the area before buying your own property.

Once you have relocated to Singapore and you have found an area that you love, you can start looking for a place to live. The cheapest accommodation type is an HDB (Housing and Development Board) flat which are usually flats in high-rise buildings that do not have any facilities included.

Another option is to purchase a build-to-order (BTO) property. While this might be a popular option, the waiting time for these types of properties can be huge. This is another reason why many ex-pats choose to purchase an HDB flat.

The good news is that if you don’t want to wait too long, you can apply for the HDB sales of balance flat 2021. For more information, visit propertyguru.com.sg. This site not only talks you through the application process for the HDB sales of balance flats, but it also offers lots of useful tips and expert advice.

2.      The Climate

Another important fact you need to know about Singapore is that it is situated near the equator. Thanks to this, it is hot and humid all year round. However, when it rains in Singapore, which is more often than you would expect, the rain is torrential.

While it is possible to adjust to the tropical climate of Singapore over time, if you struggle with the heat, this might not be the ideal location for you.

3.      The Language

There are 4 main languages spoken in Singapore – English, Tamil, Malay, and Mandarin. However, the main language spoken in businesses and schools is English. This is great news for anyone wanting to relocate from the U.S.

4.      Healthcare

One of the main things we worry about when we move to another country is whether they have a good healthcare system. The good news is that the healthcare system in Singapore is not just excellent, it is world-renowned.

There are several medical clinics and hospitals located in Singapore that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Not only that, but there is also a University Hospital in Singapore that provides out-of-this-world care.

While this may be good news, it is important to remember that you will need to have health insurance if you want to access healthcare in this country. This is because healthcare in Singapore is expensive.

5.      Employment

Most people who move to Singapore dream of working in this beautiful country. However, before finding employment in Singapore, you must apply for an Employment Pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MoM). In most cases, this is arranged by your employer. Initial employment passes last for two years, but this can be extended easily if you want to work in Singapore for longer than this.

6.      Food Prices

The price of food in Singapore is often much higher than it is in other areas of Asia. This is because Singapore is an island city-state that must import most of its food. However, do not let this put you off; compared to the price of food in the U.S., Singapore is relatively cheap.

Moving to Singapore is a massive decision, but it may be the best decision you ever make. In fact, thousands of ex-pats choose to move to this amazing country each year, and we can see why. Not only is it a safe and clean place to live, but it is also beautiful. However, before moving to Singapore, it is a good idea to do some research into the country and know some basic facts about it, such as the ones we have listed above. Finding out information about Singapore before you move there will help you to work out whether it is the right place for you to live. Although, we must admit, there is not much that we do not like about it!

Things You Need to Know Before Moving to Singapore is a feature post