5 Tips For An Expat Living In Singapore

Irving, Texas. August 1, 2022

Moving to a new country can be difficult, which is why it is so important that you research online beforehand, so you have a good idea of what is to come. In recent years, Singapore has become a popular destination for expats to settle and it is easy to see why. The gorgeous sandy beaches, warm climate and low cost of living all make for an idyllic place to call home. If you are considering moving to Singapore, or you have just arrived in the country, then here are 5 tips for an expat living in Singapore.

Learn Some Helpful Words And Phrases

One helpful tip for when you are moving to any new country is to learn some helpful words and phrases. No one expects you to be fluent by the time you get to the country, but it would help you out massively if you taught yourself some language basics, just so you can get buy. The great thing about learning a language in this day and age is that there are so many helpful apps that make learning a language super quick and simple. Take the time to get to grips with the basics of the language and you will find that it helps you settle into your new home. Moving somewhere new can be lonely, so knowing a bit of the language can help you make new friends and become part of the community.

Find A Nice Place To Live

This may seem like an obvious tip but finding yourself a nice place to live can really make a difference to your experience in Singapore. While a hotel or an Airbnb can be good for a short-term stay, if you are planning on living in Singapore long-term, then you need to find yourself a suitable place to live. Perhaps take the time to explore Singapore a little bit before you settle on the location you would like to live. This gives you the chance to explore some of the local properties and find one that suits you the most. Once you have found a property that you like, apply for a DBS home loan and check that you can actually afford the property. Having your own proper place to live will make living in Singapore a lot easier and it will help you settle into your new home.

Pedestrians Do Not Have The Right Of Way

Another thing you need to know about living in Singapore is that pedestrians do not have the right of way. The streets in Singapore are very busy so as a pedestrian you need to be aware of the dangers. Make sure that you are always looking both ways before you cross the street and that you are continuing to look, even as you are crossing. You cannot assume that cars and bikes will stop for you, so if you can, cross at the least busy spot. As you are going to be spending a lot of time in Singapore, it could be a good idea to buy yourself a moped as these will make it easier for you to get around. Taxi service in Singapore is cheap, but it would be more convenient if you just learnt how to ride a moped. That way, you do not have to rely on anyone else to get around. 

Do Not Wear Shoes Inside The House

Customs and traditions are very important in Singapore and one of those customs is that you should not wear shoes inside the house. This is something very important that you need to know when you are living in Singapore as you do not want to offend people when you enter their restaurants or their houses. This custom is common all over Singapore and it is likely that you will be asked to remove your shoes before you enter a restaurant. This also applies to temples too, there will often be a place where you can leave your shoes outside. So, if you are heading out for the day, then it could be a good idea to wear some shoes that you can easily take off.

Try The Local Cuisine

One of the easiest ways for you to fit in o your new country is to embrace their local cuisine. Food plays a huge part in so many different cultures and it can be a great way to bond with people and feel part of their community. So, while living in Singapore, be sure that you try their national dish which is Hainanese chicken rice, which is poached chicken served with rice flavoured with chicken oil. You will be able to find this dish all over Singapore but be sure to go to a proper family-run restaurant for a more authentic experience. You will likely find that the food is better at these restaurants too.

If after evaluating your options, you decide living abroad is not possible at the moment, we have a suggestion for you.  An article titled creating a space in your home for digital nomads.



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