Best Areas and Suburbs in Singapore

Singapore is a fantastic city with plenty of things to offer, but it can be a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. Trying to figure out where to stay can be tricky – especially if you don’t know the area well. So, if you’re looking for some insider tips on the best areas and suburbs in Singapore, read on!

1.    Orchard Road

Orchard Road is one of the most popular areas in Singapore, and it’s easy to see why. This buzzing district is home to some of the city’s best shopping malls, restaurants, and nightlife spots. If you’re looking for a lively neighborhood with plenty of things to do, Orchard Road is a great choice. Moreover, it’s well connected to the rest of the city, so you’ll have no trouble getting around.

2.    Chinatown

Another great neighborhood for visitors is Chinatown. This vibrant district is packed with delicious restaurants, interesting shops, and lively nightlife. It’s also a great place to go if you want to experience some authentic Singaporean culture. Chinatown is a little off the city center, but it’s well worth the trip. So, if you’re looking for a quirky neighborhood that’s full of life, Chinatown is the place to be.

3.    Robertson Quay

Robertson Quay is located on the Singapore River, and it’s another one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. If you want a place with a vibrant atmosphere and plenty of things to do, Robertson Quay is a great choice. It’s home to some great restaurants, bars, and clubs, as well as a few art galleries and museums. Plus, it’s close to the city center, so you won’t have to travel far to get around.

4.    Marina Bay

If Modern Luxury is what you seek, look no further than Marina Bay. This district offers upscale high-rise living with some of the best views in the city. World-class shopping, dining, and entertainment are all within easy reach, making Marina Bay a popular choice for expats and wealthy locals alike. If you can afford it, Marina Bay is definitely worth considering.

5.    Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam is a historic district located in the center of Singapore. It’s home to some interesting mosques and temples, as well as a lively nightlife scene. This cultural melting pot is perfect for visitors who want to experience all that Singapore offers. It’s also close to the city center, so you won’t have to travel far to get around.

6.    Bukit Timah

If you’re looking for a beautiful residential area with plenty of green space, Bukit Timah is a great choice. This affluent neighborhood is home to some of the most expensive real estate in Singapore, as well as some of the best schools. If you can afford to live here, Bukit Timah is a great place to call home. Not only is that, but it’s also close to the city center, making it a great choice for those who want to be close to the action.

7.    Sentosa

Sentosa is an island located just south of Singapore’s mainland. It’s a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, resorts, and theme parks. If you’re looking for a place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Sentosa is a great option. Just be prepared to pay a little extra for the privilege.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in Singapore

What are the requirements for living here?

The requirements for living in Singapore depend on your citizenship and visa status. Most foreigners must have a valid visa to stay in Singapore, while permanent residents and citizens do not need a visa. For more information, please see the Ministry of Home Affairs website.

What is the average cost of living here?

The cost of living in Singapore is high, although it depends on your spending habits. Those who frequent cafes and restaurants will likely spend a lot more each month than those who cook at home. For more information, please see Numbeo for details by category or check out Expatistan’s Singapore budget calculator.

Can I bring my pets?

If you’re visiting from a country that has not been listed as having rabies, you may be able to bring your pet if it is under 90 days old and in good health. For more information, please see the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore’s website. In fact, Singapore is a pet-friendly country, and there are many places where you can take your furry friend for a walk or playtime.

What is the weather like here?

Singapore has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather year-round. The temperature ranges from about 23-34 degrees Celsius (73-93 degrees Fahrenheit). Besides, Singapore has heavy rainfall all year round as well as frequent drizzles and haze caused by burning in Indonesia.

Conclusion

Singapore is a great place to live, especially if you’re looking for a safe and clean environment. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, and its streets are always tidy. Although it can be expensive to live in Singapore, but the city offers plenty of opportunities and high quality of life. Nonetheless, refer to this platform to know more about what living in Singapore entails.

Best Places Suitable for Expats to Explore in Singapore

Singapore is a treasure trove of attractions from nature to man-made. Every day, over 20 million people come from all corners of the world to see its beauty. If you are one among them, then this article is for you. Read on to find out about 6 of Singapore’s top tourist attractions:

The Merlion

The Merlion is Singapore’s unofficial mascot and one of its most famous tourist attractions. It’s a giant statue of a lion head with a fish body that sits on top of the Merlion Park in the Marina Bay district. Also, there’s a really cool view of the city from the park’s top. That’s why it’s one of the best tourist attractions in Singapore.

The Gardens by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay are a cool place to visit for people who like plants and flowers or just want to take some lovely Instagram photos. You can walk through and see these super tall trees and big green plants, and there’s also this cool section called the Flower Dome where all the plants are flowers.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark

The Marina Bay Sands Skypark is a must-see for people who enjoy taking selfies of themselves standing on top of tall buildings and structures. The view from up here is absolutely stunning, and you get to see all of Singapore! You can also go shopping and clubbing inside Marina Bay Sands, which is pretty cool.

Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in town. It’s home to over 2,500 animals from more than 315 species, including elephants, tigers, and orangutans. Plus, the zoo is set in a beautiful rainforest landscape, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re into nature.

The Chinatown Heritage Centre

The Chinatown Heritage Centre is a cool place to visit if you want to learn more about Singapore’s history and culture. It’s home to multimedia exhibits that tell the story of Singapore’s Chinese immigrants and how they helped shape modern Singapore into a major metropolis. Plus, the Centre itself is an architectural masterpiece that looks really cool.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a famous riverside entertainment zone filled with bars, restaurants, and shops that have transformed the Singapore River from a polluted eyesore into one of its most popular attractions. Moreover, you can explore the river by water taxi, which is definitely worth it if you’re into boats.

Brief Review of the Pros of Living in Singapore

Singapore is a very special city country. Even though it’s small, it is teeming with culture and beauty. It truly has something for everyone!   Here I will list the seven top reasons you should come and live in Singapore as a foreigner.

Incredible Food

The food in Singapore is so rich and unique that you’ll never get tired of it. I am always hungry for Singaporean food, even when I’ve just had a huge meal! There’s one dish in particular that I absolutely love, called the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Do yourself a favor and try it when you come to Singapore! You’ll be hooked.

Friendly Locals

The locals in Singapore are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I have ever met. They will always go out of their way to help you, whether by giving you directions or just striking up a conversation. You’ll be sure to make some lifelong friends during your time here. And this is a great place to practice your Singaporean Singlish!

Safe and Secure

Singapore is one of the safest and most secure places in the world to live. You can walk around at night without having to worry about being mugged or attacked. This makes expat life much less stressful and allows you to focus on enjoying all that Singapore has to offer. In addition, the Singaporean government is very efficient at handling emergencies and ensuring the safety of its citizens.

Great Infrastructure

Singapore has some of the best infrastructures in the world. The roads are well-maintained, public transportation is reliable and efficient, and plenty of parks and open spaces to enjoy. This makes life as a foreigner in Singapore very easy and comfortable. Besides, the government spends a lot of money on infrastructure, so it’s nice to know that you’re reaping the benefits.

Low Cost Of Living

The cost of living in Singapore is very low compared to other countries in the West. You can buy a meal at a hawker center for two or three dollars and rent a whole house for as little as $400 per month. You can’t beat that! This makes life as a foreigner in Singapore very attractive financially. However, even though the cost of living is low, Singapore has no problem paying its government workers high salaries.

High Salary Potential

With only 5 million, there is incredible demand for good English speakers in Singapore. So if you know how to speak English well, then you have a perfect chance of getting a job here that pays well. In fact, many foreigners in Singapore make more money than they would back home. The salary potential is definitely high here.

Amazing Shopping

Singapore is one of the best places in the world for shopping and bargains, especially since the Singapore dollar is currently worth more than an American dollar! You can find anything you want here: clothes, souvenirs, electronics, and even groceries and basic household supplies at stores like Mustafa Centre. Also, you will undoubtedly enjoy the unique Singaporean shopping experience.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Living in Singapore is a great experience for most people, no matter your reasons. But it can be hard to settle into a new city all the same, even if it is one of the most accessible places on earth to get around. Now, how do you get from deciding where to live or what should you look out for?

Before you go, it’s essential to do your research on Singapore. This small city-state has a lot to offer expats, but there are some things that are different from what you might be used to. The cost of living can be high, for example, and the humidity can take some getting used to.

More so, the government here offers a great deal of support for expats who need to find work, but the process can be complicated. If you want to find a job before you arrive, make sure you understand what you’ll need to do and how it will affect your visa. You may even want to look into getting some work experience in Singapore before you arrive.

However, once you’ve arrived, settle into your new home and get used to the local customs. Time zones can be confusing when you first arrive. So, it’s essential to know when your family and friends are back at home. Most expats find that they make new friends quickly, especially if they’re staying with a family or in a shared flat.

Before we proceed, it would be better to understand that we have crafted this article to meet your requirements. Are you in search of the best areas and suburbs in Singapore? Or maybe you’ve been wondering why Singapore is so unique? Well, look no further as we’ve got you covered here today.

Top 10 Fun Facts about Living in Singapore

Are you ready for some fun (and informative) facts about living in Singapore? Not many people know this, but monkeys are ubiquitous around Singapore! And while they might look cute and cuddly, it’s actually illegal to keep them as pets.

I bet you didn’t know that one! You’ll also find that the local people love celebrating their birthdays with huge parties. During December, it’s common to see Christmas decorations displayed around the city. Without further ado, below are the ten fun facts about living in Singapore as an expat.

1.    Malls and Movie Theatres

There’s a mall or movie theatre within 5 minutes from just about every residential area! No matter where you live if it takes less than 20 minutes to get there, that’s considered close enough to count. In fact, you might want to consider yourself lucky if you have a [larger/smaller] supermarket within walking distance from your house.

In all seriousness, it’s worth walking around at least one mall once in a while to really get a feel for the variety of shops and consumer choices available here.

2.    No Tipping

If someone is nice and goes out and beyond and deserves a tip, we give them one. Not the case in Singapore. This is why you will see all of their service staff with a smile on their face. And this is because they are paid up to $2000/month with benefits.

Can you imagine what it would be like if your Uber driver were unhappy? Not that Singapore is perfect, but the people who work in customer-facing roles are happy because they really don’t have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck.

3.    The Singapore President’s Tube Times

Everyone loves it when the president comes on TV to give them time off for good weather! Everyone knows that the first day of the long weekend is always a Monday, so you can plan and know precisely how much time you have off work.

Will it be eight days? Ten days? Unfortunately, it’s not really that simple. The president can actually choose any weekday to give the nation a break, so you might have to take that day off work even if the weather is looking a bit dicey.

4.    The Singaporean Work Culture

Singaporeans are known for being hard workers. In fact, one of their politicians said that the country couldn’t have nice things because there are not enough people willing to work hard. They remember this every hour of every day!

So you better believe they show up on time and do whatever is expected of them. If you’re thinking about applying for a job here, just expect them to ask if you can start immediately or within 3 days.

5.    The National Service

This is probably the most well-known fun fact about Singapore. Most males have to serve 2 years in the military, and it’s a time that we all look forward to (not really). It’s a great way to make new friends from all over the country, learn new skills, and become a more valuable member of society.

6.    It’s one of the Cleanest Cities in the World

Singapore is known for its impeccable level of cleanliness. In fact, it’s so clean that the city itself has been ranked as one of the cleaner cities in the world.  This is largely thanks to the strict laws and regulations that are in place regarding littering and pollution. So, as an expat living in Singapore, you’ll be able to enjoy a clean and safe environment.

7.    Home to One of the Safest Cities in the World

Have you ever heard about the saying ‘safe as Singapore’? Well, it turns out that this saying is actually true! In 2017, Singapore was ranked as the second safest city in the world. This is thanks to the city’s low crime rate and efficient law enforcement. So if you’re looking for a safe place to call home, Singapore is definitely a great option. Therefore, rest assured that as an expat living in Singapore, you can feel safe and secure.

8.    It’s A Great Place to Raise Kids

There’s nothing more important than family, and as such, many parents may be concerned about raising their children in a foreign country. Luckily, as an expat living in Singapore, you won’t need to worry about such things. In fact, Singapore has been ranked as one of the best places in the world to raise kids. So, if you’re looking to start a family, Singapore is definitely a great place to do it.

9.    It’s Home to a Diverse Mix of Cultures

Singapore is known for its diversity and multiculturalism. In fact, the city is home to people from worldwide, including China, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This makes for a wonderfully diverse and vibrant city, perfect for expats looking to experience new cultures.

On the flip side, you’ll also get to learn more about their cultures too. Also, there are plenty of cultural festivals held throughout the year, so you’ll be able to experience their cultures in a fun and engaging way too.

10. There Are Plenty of Options for Dining Out

As an expat living in Singapore, it can get pretty boring eating bland Western food all of the time. Luckily, there are plenty of Asian restaurants to choose from, which will give you a taste of real Singaporean cuisine.

In addition, there are also plenty of international restaurants to choose from, so you’ll never get bored with your dining options. So go ahead and try out some of the delicious food that Singapore offers.