Moving to Singapore - any tips?

[MeetMeAtRaffles]

NC as may be outing.

My DH has been offered a new job role in Singapore, for the next 2 years. It is a great opportunity and we are keen to move.

Do anyone have any tips for us, about the best places to live for British expats, cost of living (and how to keep this down) and work culture?

My DH will be working in the financial district, in the Raffles Quay area.

His boss is confident he will able to save absolutely loads compared to the UK due to the tax difference, but we are aware the cost of living can be expensive. We are not planning on running a car and have no DC.

We do not know anyone in Singapore (yet!) so we will not have anyone to propose us for any club membership, which is a shame.

Would appreciate any help!

There is a living abroad topic, have a look on their as I'm sure I've seen Singapore posts before

No real tips as I only visited Singapore for two weeks, but it is lovely OP. I’m jealous.

My parents lived in a serviced apartment type deal at the top end of Orchard Road and loved it.

How old are you OP and what do you like doing? Are you going to work too? Sing is expensive so I hope your DH is negotiating a good expat deal. I had accommodation paid for and a flight allowance which meant I did save loads!

Sing is shopping mad, but if that's not your bag (it isn't mine...) you can still find loads to do. I used to go scuba diving at weekends up in Malaysia which always felt decadent, did a weekend outdoor fitness class on the East Coast, made friends at the polo club (not as fancy as it sounds) and even ended up doing some Scottish dancing!

If you let me know what you're interested in I may have ideas!

I had a great time abs I'm very glad I went.

Thanks @SiddaleeWalker - we have been looking at the Orchard Road area.

Thanks @DailyFailAreTwats - really appreciate it. Neither of us are big "shoppers" as a hobby - much prefer the cinema, theatre and travel (so Sing is fantastic for trips around SE Asia).

We are keen to save if we can while we are out there if possible.

Unfortunately DH doesn't have a full expat deal but we will be provided accommodation for the first three months, have a shipping/storage allowance and the guarantee of a job back in the UK on our return which was a good deal.

@DailyFailAreTwats - if you don't mind me asking, what is a reasonable amount to pay for a condo/apartment (eg with a swimming pool, or gym) in a good expat area such as Orchard Road? We would be looking at 2 bed apartment and don't need luxury!

Cinemas are popular- and freezing cold with the air con. I had to take socks to put on!! Theatre isn't massive, but you can dig stuff out. Asia travel from there is brilliant. Loads of cheap flights. I explored Burma, Vietnam, East Timor etc from there and has a few cheeky weekends in a villa in Bali. Bliss after a long Sing week. I also went skiing, in July, in Oz. That felt weird! You'll have a great time. I'm not current on renting costs so worth checking them out in detail as it IS expensive.

I was in a serviced apartment so don't really know much about rental costs I'm afraid!

Um - I would look OUTSIDE the orchard road area (at least in the longer term) as these are likely v expensive. It’s a tiny island with good public transport links. Look at bus routes and mrt stations rather than physical distance. It’s v hot and humid there so preferable to have a short walk to a bus stop that goes to orchard rd than a longer walk in the open. Having no kids makes it easier coz you don’t have to think about schools. Holland road can be quite trendy and Clarke quay/boat quay (though I think u have to visit to get a feel)

I don't live in Singapore, but have friends who do and it can be horribly expensive - land of the plus plus by the time tax has been added on to everything. I don't think you will be able to save masses if you have to pay rent etc. It's also usual for expat contracts to include medical, (including emergency evacuation) and at least annual flights home or cash equivalent.

Tax is a lot lower in Singapore.

I absolutely love Singapore, and was offered a job out there in Raffles Quay too - but realistically we wouldn't have saved much once it was all worked out, the cost of living is a fair amount higher. We did a test run for a month, and decided there sadly wasn't enough in it for it to be worth it.

My package had full health insurance, two flights home a year, relocation costs... I can't remember what else, but they were pretty generous. They also gave me some advice on where to live, Orchard Road is lovely but expensive, and they knew of some cheaper but lovely places too.

I'm very jealous! I'd have loved to go if we could make it work. Best of luck

You definitely want health insurance. Medical services are excellent, but expensive. I had appendicitis whist I was there and was very grateful for no quibble insurance cover!

Thanks all - I will definitely get DH to check regarding medical insurance (God bless the NHS!).

Will have a chat with him regarding locations - we would be happy to live further out and travel in to save on rental costs (noting proximity to bus / MTR routes as humidity is the enemy for my v frizzy hair) and don't need to live in a v trendy area, or near schools.

I would be very interested in the rough cost of bills for utilities etc to add to our budget analysis, if anyone has any tips.

@AnchorDownDeepBreath - if you have any of your analysis / coatings, especially around cost of living and any of the recommendations for cheaper places to live, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you @Namenic - that is great advice.

Don't go there expecting to save, but do go there to have an amazing adventure for two years!

Singapore is awesome!!

Thanks @thornyhousewife - we are realising that we won't be able to save very much at all potentially (even with an uplift in salary!) but it is too good and opportunity to pass up!

if you don't mind me asking, what is a reasonable amount to pay for a condo/apartment (eg with a swimming pool, or gym) in a good expat area such as Orchard Road? We would be looking at 2 bed apartment and don't need luxury!

2 bedders in Orchard typically go for £3,500+ IIRC. If your budget is a bit lower than that, I'd recommend something along Marine Parade Road or something in the Upper East Coast/East Coast area — plenty of restaurants/cafés there, a couple of bus services that go to Raffles Quay (~20 minutes commute), a cinema, and 24 hour supermarkets.

Thanks @Radio - that sounds like a great location, with great amenities.

Sorry - that was meant for @RadioSpice