Living in Singapore

Singapore’s well-developed infrastructure and modern amenities offer expats an exceptional lifestyle. This comes at a price though, as it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Despite the relatively high cost of living, many expats say they have more disposable income than they did back home. The only real downside is the government's control of local media, but you can keep up to date with world news online – and foreign newspapers and magazines are sold across the city.

The housing market in Singapore is divided into public and private sectors. Most locals and Asian expats choose public accommodation, managed by the Housing Development Board (HDB). Public housing isn’t associated with lower-income groups and even includes luxury options. Most complexes are in self-contained neighbourhoods with easy access to public transport, shopping centres and other amenities.

High-earning Westerners often choose to rent a private apartment, condominium or bungalow. Rents in the suburbs are considerably cheaper than in the city centre. Because most landlords understand the transient nature of expat life in Singapore, they prefer the guaranteed rental income of a corporate lease.

Apartments and condos all have basic facilities. Some buildings also have amenities such as a pool, gym, BBQ pit, tennis court and 24-hour security. You can find both furnished and unfurnished accommodation in Singapore, so consider whether it’s necessary to ship all your belongings from home.

In a city filled with small apartments, big old colonial houses with high ceilings, verandas and gardens are highly sought after by expats. Only around 500 houses remain in leafy enclaves such as Dempsey Road, Rochester Park, Portsdown Road and Adam Park.

Singapore’s multiculturalism makes it easy for expats to adjust. The three largest ethnic groups are Chinese, Malay and Indian; this diversity makes for a colourful collection of traditions, holidays and customs. English is the language of business, but Malay and Mandarin are also widely spoken.

Flip-flops and shorts are the unofficial uniform of Singaporeans. With an average temperature of 27°C (81°F), light cotton shirts, shorts and summer dresses are sensible choices.

Something expats may have to get used to in Singapore is kiasu culture. This is Hokkien for ‘fear of losing’ and is used to describe anxious, selfish behaviour caused by a fear of missing out. Kiasuism manifests in many ways, such as waiting in long queues for a prize or giveaway, or grabbing excess food from a buffet. Kiasuism is also used to describe ambitious and successful people. This attitude can seem aggressive and opportunistic, but Singaporeans consider it necessary to succeed in a competitive society.

Singapore has an excellent education system, known for its discipline and results.

Singapore is well connected. SingTel, StarHub and M1 are the main providers of mobile and internet services in the country. The internet in Singapore is very fast, although fibre optic broadband isn’t available everywhere. You can also use WiFi throughout the city-state.

Mobile phones are easy to get, and coverage is reliable. Most contracts include a free phone, but if you don’t want to commit to a plan, go for a prepaid SIM card.

The Media Development Authority (MDA) regulates and approves all national media, and foreign content is also regulated. That said, you can tune into English radio and TV stations in Singapore. You can also buy English-language books, newspapers and magazines in all big bookshops.

Consistently ranked among the best in the world, both public and private hospitals provide efficient and professional services. Expats often choose private hospitals for primary care and public hospitals for emergency services.

Public hospitals mainly cater for locals and permanent residents who are entitled to subsidised care. Expats with work passes don’t qualify for these subsidies and are charged similar rates to those they’d pay at private hospitals. For that reason, most expats prefer private healthcare as the costs are only slightly higher and the service is assumed to be better.

You don’t need medical insurance to use private health facilities, and general healthcare costs are surprisingly affordable. That said, you may decide to take out some form of cover in case of a complicated illness or an emergency.

The two biggest health concerns in Singapore are sunburn and dehydration. The wall of heat and humidity that greets new arrivals is hard to anticipate. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.

Public transport in Singapore is reliable and extensive. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has a number of lines and is constantly expanding. Trains are clean and air-conditioned, and usually run from around 5.30am to midnight. Consider buying a rechargeable EZ-Link card for reduced fares if you plan to live in the city long term.

There are more than 300 bus routes across Singapore and most operate from 5.30am to midnight, while some only run at night. Bus routes go further into residential areas than the MRT lines, and people use them to connect to the nearest train station. Bus stops display route information, and most are named after the building or landmark they’re closest to.

Taxis are comfortable and convenient. Most cabs have a light on their roof – red indicates they’re occupied; green means they’re available.

Singapore is also very pedestrian friendly, with paved sidewalks on most streets. Even the busiest roads are easy to cross using overhead bridges and underpasses. There are also a few bike lanes, but cyclists usually ride in the road unless signs indicate otherwise.

Singapore’s cost of living is high, but salaries for experienced professionals are excellent and keep pace with the rising prices. Taxes are also low and expat packages can include benefits such as transport, school fees and accommodation allowances.

Accommodation and schooling are the biggest expenses for expats, as well as luxuries such as cigarettes, alcohol and Western foods. Grocery shopping and transport are two areas where expats may be able to save some money.

See what people responding to our Expat Explorer Survey think about living in Singapore.