Expat Living in Singapore

Singapore is very much a global city – people from all over the world live and work here. Singapore’s unique combination of Chinese and English influences mean that the world’s two major languages are spoken here and that corporate headquarters find a very handy home here.

Finding work in Singapore is not very difficult since its economy thrives and its culture is so international. However, many expats move here after securing work from a company based in their home country – arriving in Singapore and looking for work is probably not a recommended option.

This is because high level jobs are usually taken up by Singaporean residents while lower level jobs are almost never given to non-residents. In almost all cases, work has been secured before arrival in Singapore and this also carries the added benefit of possible arrangements for accommodation, insurance, schooling and health care too.

Expat living in Singapore is comfortable and convenient. Expat clubs and groups are here in abundance but they haven’t led to isolation or clustering. Singaporeans and expats mix very well together and most groups of friends or work parties are filled with people from several different countries.

Taxation laws and requirements vary from country to country – each visitor should do their own specific research. Likewise, not all nationalities have the same visa requirements so some particular care and attention needs to be paid here too.

Securing an apartment is relatively easy and most residential buildings will resemble those in other countries, with wireless internet, swimming pools and standard conveniences part and parcel of almost all residential towers.

The cost of living in Singapore is about the same as that in any regular western city. Singapore is not quite as expensive as London, Tokyo or New York but around the same as cities like Melbourne or Vancouver.