Living in Singapore: A Comprehensive Expat Survival Guide - amritokumar/The-CBC-Insider GitHub Wiki

Every expatriate desire to work and live in Singapore for many reasons and sourcing your food from Singapore is one of the examples. Popular with its reputation as a city with little or no traffic lights, bust pallor multicultural atmosphere, low incidences of crimes, and its economic growth. If you are moving to Singapore for work, starting a business, or being with your family, moving to Singapore can be fun and challenging at the same time if it means that it’s your first time living in a foreign country.

The second theme that emerged is the issue to do with employment in the foreign countries that the expats come across while making their stay. For mid-skilled foreign workers planning to work in Singapore, obtaining an S Pass is often the necessary route. This makes it possible for any eligible candidate to work in the country legally while at the same enjoying the many benefits of being in this active central economy.

Gaining an Insight into the Life of an Expatriate in Singapore

1. Cost of Living

Singapore is considered to be one of the costliest cities globally, though the wages tend to be relative to such prices. Salary is perhaps the largest spendable expense for most expatriates and housing costs can range from luxury apartments to HDB flats. Groceries, transportation, and Leisure meals are not terrible if some rational thinking is applied when spending. Public transport is cheap and easily accessible many expatriates prefer to use public transport rather than owning a car since it is very expensive as it incurs taxes and COE.

2. Housing and Accommodation

Premises are one of the most crucial factors that every expat goes in search of. There are several choices:

● Condominiums: They provide facilities such as swimming pools and gym facilities.

● HDB flats: the kinds of houses for the lower income earners that the Housing Development Board provides.

● Landed Property: Good for families where the cost is quite high.

It is worth noticing that a majority of expats rely on property websites or approach relocation agents to assist in their search.

3. Work and Employment Opportunities

Singapore has especially focused on commerce, communication and information technology, biomedical science, and logistics. It is common to have many expats flocking to this country on account of their employers or well-paying contracts before moving in. The Ministry of Manpower regulates employment passes, and if you're a mid-skilled worker earning at least SGD 3,150/month with the relevant qualifications, the S Pass is likely the best fit.

S Pass holders can work for approved employers, renew their passes periodically, and even bring in dependents if earning above a certain threshold. It is quite easy because the employers usually take charge of the application process to work in the new country for the expatriates.

4. Education and Healthcare

While for families, there are some of the best international schools in the world located in the country including Tanglin Trust, UWCSEA as well as Canadian International School. The education system of the local country is also very credible but is also considered to be quite rigorous.

Healthcare is available, advanced, and cheap more so if the individual is contracted under a private insurance company. On this note, it can be said that all the health facilities both public and private are as equally equipped to offer quality services as any other country.

Embracing Singapore’s Lifestyle

Singapore is a foodie paradise. From street vendors to fine dining restaurants, more and more mean and high-end consumers are being catered for today. The country is also conducive to traveling, one can easily go on a weekend gateway to other countries within the Southeast Asian region.

Socially, Singapore is multicultural and encompasses the Chinese New Year Christmas, and Deepavali celebrations among others. The English language is used extensively and making new friends and interacting with the people won’t be a problem whether they are citizens of the country or other expatriates.

Conclusion: Is Singapore the Right Fit for You?

Staying in Singapore as an expatriate is rich, promising, and backed up by the infrastructure’s quality. If you are planning to stay for a short period or a few years or even several years studying in this country can be a way to grow up and get more experience in life and a broad outlook on the world. From securing your S Pass to finding your new neighborhood, the journey to building your life in Singapore starts with good preparation and an open mind.