If you're looking to join a thriving expat community, then
there are few locations as attractive as Singapore. Before you start to pack
your bags though, there are some things that you'll want to know. Today's post
is all about what you need to know when living in Singapore, so read on:
Things To Look Forward To
-Singapore Was Designed For You
Singapore's origins are steeped in trading and commerce. The
influx of citizens from many countries make the city a natural place for an
expat community to flourish. On any given day you have a good chance of running
into someone from a country that you've never been to before. You'll be exposed
to new ideas and people in a way that you never could back home. This is the
ideal situation for any expat, and after a little bit of time you'll begin to
believe that Singapore was specifically designed with you in mind!
-A Hub For Adventure
For many of you that become expats in Singapore, you'll be looking at your
first ever exposure to Southeast Asia. You're in for a treat, and Singapore is
the perfect place to travel out of. In particular, you can get quick flights to
countries like India, China, and Australia. These are huge countries with
literally thousands of adventures waiting to be had by someone like you.
Smaller countries are easy to access as well. This is where the whole
"born as a trading hub" thing really comes in handy.
Within the city itself, travel can seem a bit difficult at
first. You need to have a specific certificate from the local government before
you're even able to begin shopping for a car. For the price that you'll end up
paying, many expats choose to just forgo a car altogether. That's for the best,
as the public transportation system within the city is one of the best in the
world. You won't spend too much out of pocket either.
If you're the type that likes to work out, cycling is
extremely popular in Singapore as well, both as a sport and means of travel. You'll
be able to get where you're going AND get in better shape!
-A Sense Of Security
When you first get to Singapore, you're going to notice that
things are a lot stricter than you're used to. It's an adjustment, and can be
annoying at times; but you'll be happy once you see the payoff. The strict
rules and organization of Singapore make it one of the safer cities in the
world. As an expat, you'll never feel afraid to go out at any time, or to any
place.
Things To Keep In Mind
-Cost
You're going to be spending quite a bit to indulge in the
luxury of living in the city of Singapore. The latest estimates by the EIU (Economist
Intelligence Unit) has put the average cost of living at about 50%
higher than that of New York City. That will seem like a culture shock to some;
but most of you expats won't bat an eye. As of 2015, most expats who moved to
the city were making well over 6 figures per year. Affordability shouldn't be
an issue long-term.
-Routine
Singapore is not known for being a sprawling place with
endless things to experience. Once you've settled in and visited a few places,
you're going to end up falling into a routine. Outside of travelling (which is
easy to do as mentioned above), there really isn't much to Singapore itself. A
lot of people like that, and come specifically for a simple routine that they
can get used to. If you want adventure and new experiences, then you're going
to have to go looking for it.
-New Laws To Adjust To
When you move to Singapore, you're going to have to play by
their (sometimes very different) rules. Some of these are going to seem strict
as you go through your adjustment period. For example: you cannot chew gum or
smoke in public. You cannot connect to a WiFi network that isn't your own
without being accused of hacking! Perhaps most restrictive is that LGBT rights
are currently NOT a thing. This takes getting used to, and Singapore is moving
forward (slowly). Be prepared for some adjustments. You will also need a visa
to live there - companies such as Immigration Solutions can help with that.
The Verdict
Singapore has earned its reputation as one of the top 5
destinations for expats. You're going to go through an adjustment period,
particularly when it comes to the local laws and culture. What you get in
return though: the luxury, the adventure, and the expat community are all worth
it.
