Maybe you are planning to go to Singapore on a business trip, or a vacation, or for any other reason. Well, it is critical to have a grasp of certain things before moving there.
Here are some crucial things that you ought to know before moving to the city-state.
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Bring clothes that are suitable for hot, humid conditions
Singapore lies one degree north of the equator, so it has a tropical climate. Most of the time the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity levels are incredibly high. You will feel like you are in a sauna when on the island state. To have a comfortable and enjoyable time there, make sure you pack flip-flops, several pairs of shorts, and other hot weather clothes. Also, ensure the clothes have light colors, especially if you plan to spend many hours outdoors, touring every corner of the magnificent city-state. Light showers are also common, so it would be a good idea to have an umbrella with you.
Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash
Don’t worry about communicating if you know English
You can rest easy if you know English, as it is the official language of business in the country. You will be able to keep a conversation going with the locals and make your way around. However, there is a local dialect called Singlish that is the result of the influence of local languages—Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, Hokkien—on spoken English. If you stay there longer, you will understand it better, so don’t worry.
If you want to work in Singapore, secure a job before arriving
The country has strict labor laws that regulate foreigners working there. Arriving with the hope of getting a job may not be a good idea. You should already have secured a job and an “offer in principle” in order for the Ministry of Manpower to issue you an employment pass. Regarding your employment pass or entrepreneur pass, if you want to do business in Singapore, you can work with singapore-visa.net, a reliable and well experienced visa agent, to get your permanent residence visa and enjoy the perks of being a Singaporean citizen.
Singapore is not all that expensive if you are pennywise
Singapore has the reputation of being the most expensive city, a title it has held for several years in a row. However, the state is not all that expensive if you know where to spend your money and avoid the high-end life—shopping in Cold Storage, eating imported cheeses and three-course dinners, and traveling by private transportation. Instead, do your shopping in the locally promoted Giant stores, use public transportation—which is very affordable and well organized—and eat at local food outlets. You will be shocked as to how much spare money you have at the end of each month, far more than if you were in London or other cities.
Getting a short-term lease before moving is better
Property prices, whether when buying or renting, can be illogically high, so getting a suitable place at affordable rates may be an uphill task. Your best bet is to get a temporary accommodation or a short-term lease to enable you to look around for a convenient place—close to the MRT, as walking in the sweltering conditions for more than ten minutes is not wise—before signing a longterm lease. You may also consider taking up a serviced apartment with all the necessary amenities, which are all over the state and are a convenient and reasonable option.
