10 things you need to know before moving to Singapore
I have been living in Singapore for almost five years now (oh time flies!) but when I moved here or rather was planning to move to Singapore, there was not much information available about life in the Lion City and I had to figure out a lot of things by myself. In fact, that is one of the main reasons why I started doing YouTube videos so I could help existing and potential expats here-- hence, my Instagram, this blog page and eventually my eBook- ‘The ‘S’ Guide’.
I recently wrote a blog post about 10 Things I wish I knew before moving to Singapore, where I spoke about my personal discoveries while living here. In this blog post, I am covering some general but important things to know before moving to Singapore for everyone.
1. Singapore is expensive
Before you pack your bags and get ready to move to this lovely urban haven, you should know that while Singapore offers a great lifestyle, it is the world’s most expensive city. So, please analyse your income, spend, savings and profits and take an informed decision after due research and consideration.
2. Bring your appetite with you
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and has a lot to offer when it comes to food. From spicy Indian curries to flavoursome Chinese delicacies and delectable Sushi to refreshing drinks like Kopi- Singapore offers it all! Local dishes are redily available in Hawker Centres, and dishes can cost from as little as just $3. This is certainly one of the best places to be for cheap eats!
3. No language barrier
Another thing that you should know before moving to Singapore is that you do not need to learn Tamil, Malay or Mandarin. Almost everyone in the country can understand conversational English and language is not much of a barrier here.
4. Clean and efficient
Singapore is arguably one of the cleanest places in the world. They have created an efficient ecosystem to ensure that there is zero to minimal trash anywhere. So, leave your littering habits back at home to avoid fines.
5. Public transport is your best friend
Taking a taxi in Singapore is cheaper than most western countries, however your rides can start to add up when you become reliant on Grab. Plus, you don’t need to because Singapore has an amazingly efficient public transport system. The MRT and the local buses are meticulously clean, always on time and cheap. Truly a joy to commute!
6. The perfect travel hub
Yet another amazing thing about the Lion City is that it is the gateway to the rest of Asia and beyond. From short weekend trips to nearby islands in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to long vacations to places like Australia and Europe- this place is well-connected and a travel hub.
8. Look for short term leases before you move
One important thing to note is that when looking for renting out property in Singapore, look for short-term leases so you are not stuck with a two-year contract because if you have to move elsewhere before the contract expires, you will end up losing a lot of money.
9. Pack light, Singapore is hot!
Singapore is a very hot country and the average daily temperature is around 33 degrees celcius with very high humidity. The tropical weather is perfect for people who love the sun, but can be quite a challenge for people for people who don't. So, pack light and leave those sweaters at home!
10. Secure your job before you make the move
It is getting increasingly difficult for employers to get approval to hire foreigners and living in the world’s most expensive country without a job isn’t a great idea. So, it is crucial that you secure a job before moving to Singapore.
For advice about living in Singapore, check out my Singapore eBook Guide, The ‘S’ word!
