Settling Down in Singapore

Table of Contents

Finding a House in Singapore

Public Transportation

Wi-Fi and Sim Card

Bank Account and Credit Cards

Survival Skills You’ll Need

Finding a House in Singapore

What to know?

Renting a condo or apartment in Singapore as an expatriate involves several steps and requirements. Here are the key points to consider:

✔️ Employment Pass: You must have a valid Employment Pass, S Pass, or other work visa that allows you to stay and work in Singapore.

✔️ Deposit: 2 months security deposit + 1 month rent is normally required to pay upfront.

✔️ Lease Terms Duration: Standard lease terms are usually one or two years.

✔️ Utilities: Ensure you understand who is responsible for paying utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet).

Note: The deposit kept till the end of your tenure, covering potential damages in the room. If there are no damages, the full amount will be returned to you when your tenancy period ends.

Living Area & estimated rent fee

Urban Business Area

(expected renting cost 3000-10000+ SGD)

Some options to consider are Tanjong Pagar (where our office is located nearby), Tiong Bahru, Sentosa, River valley, and Woodlands (popular among American expats). Please note that these areas are known for being exclusive, so the cost of living and rental prices may be higher than in other areas.

Chilling by City Fringe

(expected renting cost 1800-6000+ SGD)

Areas such as East Coast Park, Joo Chiat, Katong, and Novena may be of interest. On the other hand, for those seeking more affordable housing options, the heartlands of Tampines and Bedok in the East or Buono Vista and Redhill in the West can be explored

Connecting with people

(expected renting cost 1200-5000+ SGD)

Another common approach for younger people is co-living spaces with allow more flexible and short-term leases. This can be especially beneficial if you are new to Singapore or looking to expand your social circle. Click here to check out benefits of living in co-living space!

Note: The rental price ranges are approximate and can be vary based on factors such as property condition, location , amenities., etc.

Type of Homes

1) Condo: Rent from owner. Has shared facilities such as pool and gym. 2) HDB Flat: Public housing managed by Housing and Development Board. Make sure you have approval to move in or you may find yourself homeless even with a lease. 3) Landed Housing: Free standing single family homes. 4) Roommate Sharing: Share a home with another person(s) and split all rent and all utilities. 5) Semi-detached Houses: A house that is attached to another house. 6) Service Apartments: Rent from the managing company. Sometimes has a pool and gym. 7) Room for rent: Rent a room in someone’s home. Usually with a family. 8) Cluster House: Like a town house, a house with condo facilities. 9) Conservation Houses: A house or shophouse that is marked for conservation.

Useful resources

Resources for more comprehensive information on finding accommodation in Singapore

Geographical Area of Singapore, type of home, and required documents for rental
House Utilities
Cost of Accommodation, Expected Monthly Rent, and Co-living Space Vs Studio Apartment
Click on the map picture for quick videos on various neighborhoods

Popular websites for searching for accommodation is:

PropertyGuru
99.co
Carousell
Facebook Room Listings or Lease Takeover

Our recommendations

Visit the accommodation of your interest at different hours of the day (morning, noon, & at night) to observe the surrounding environment in the area.

Check the apartment for defects, such as scratches, broken equipment, faulty electricity sockets, running taps, draining/flushing systems, etc. Note them down with the landlord to avoid paying for them later- don't forget to take photos for future reference!

Finalize the rental amount in writing and ensure that it is reflected in the rental agreement before making your deposit.

Read through your rental agreement carefully to ensure that you are aware of the terms and negotiate with the landlord if anything seems unreasonable. Always take a photo of items before moving them, and clarify how the deposit is going to be returned in case something unwanted happens out of your control (i.e., flooding, earthquakes, or water leakages).

Check with the landlord on the diplomatic clauses in the event that you need to break the lease. The property agents take their fees from the landlord, so make sure you are not paying anything extra to them!

Public Transportation

Singapore has ezlink card, a card and electronic money system that is used as a payment method for MRT, smartBus, Taxi and etc. Visit this page for more details!

Bus

Two operators (SBS & SMRT) with their own routes! Running from 5:30 am to midnight.

MRT/LRT Fastest and Convenient!

Taxi

Common and very convenient way to travel!

Ride hailing apps include:

Grab App
TADA App
Gojek App
RYDE App
Zig App – ComfortDelgro Taxi

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

Wi-Fi and Sim Card

Sim Card

Prepaid SIM cards are easily purchased at the telcos’ retail counters and islandwide convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Cheers, as well as at Singapore Changi Airport.Post Paid SIM cards, recommends booths and telco retail counters.

Home internet Here are some home internet connection providers to support each lifestyle.

SingTel: For family with many devices Singtel
M1: Affordable and caters to gamers! M1
My Republic: Best for gamers and commitment-phobes Myrepublic

Below are some popular service providers you may want to look up or reach out to for more information. Agoda does not, by any means endorse any of these providers. These are merely suggestions to help you settle down.

Note: If you change mobile phone (or residential address), you would have to update MOM within 5 days of change. Click here for more details. This can be done through Singpass as well (see topic 8).

Bank Account and Credit Cards

How to open bank account?As foreigners, you are expected to walk down to the bank in person with the below documents to open your first bank account. If you already have a bank account and want to open another one with the same bank, most banks will allow you to do it online.

Required Documents for Bank Account(This may vary depending on the bank you choose)

- Passport
- Proof of residential address
- Proof of employment - Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit

Required Documents for Credit Card(This may vary depending on the bank you choose)

- Copy of your valid passport
- Proof of employment - Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit is required. Certain banks may require the pass to be valid for at least 6 months before your card is issued. IPA document may be required in some cases.
- Residential Address proof - Utility bills, Phone bills or Bank statements
- Pay-slips or Financial asset documents proving your minimum income requirement eligibility.

Popular Banks

Note: Singapore requires foreigners to have a minimum annual income of S$40,000. Some banks may opt for a minimum annual income of S$45,000 to S$60,000. The cardholder is at least 21 years or older.

Survival Skills You’ll Need

Must-Try Food

Singapore is a land of multi-cultural culinary pleasures. Local cuisine includes a diverse menu encompassing Chinese, Malay, Indian and many more. Here are local dishes you must try!
Explore more! Click to find good guideline where to eat & honest review 🙂

Hainanese Chicken RiceBoiled chicken paired with flavorful rice and sauce serving with soup.

Bak Kut TehPork ribs soup boiled with white pepper, lots of garlic and salt.

Char Kway TeowStir fried noodle with egg and dark soy sauce with a bit of chilli and some chinses sausage.

LaksaRice noodle soup with a combination of meat, vegetable and choice of gravy, curry and coconut milk.

Supermarket Chains

Now, to all the chefs, here are some information that you may need for sourcing your ingredients for your desired dishes!

NTUC FairPrice

Cold Storage

Meidi-Ya

Scarlett Supermarket

Sheng Siong Supermarket

Giant Supermarket

Food Delivery Service

Since Singapore has a lot of restaurants that people can explore, here are some of the famous delivery apps that you use in the Merlion country for fast and delicious food delivery to your doorstep

Unique Tourist Attractions in Singapore

Singapore is known for its impressive skyline, vibrant culture, and delicious food, but beyond the well-known tourist attractions lies a wealth of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Here is a map of some interesting attractions worth visiting while you work there.

Emerald Hill

MacRitchie Reservoir

Mint museum of toys

The Japanese Cemetery Park

Yunnan Garden

Henderson Waves

Kampong Buangkok Traditional Village

Bukit Timah Railway Station

Language Guide

In Singapore, there are 3 major ethnic groups that make up the cultural diversity of the country: Chinese, Malay, Indian (and many others!). A unique variety of words called “Singlish” is a combination of the languages of these communities including Hokkien, Malay, Teochew, Cantonese, and Tamil.

Cultural Awareness & Tips

What should be aware when residing in Malaysia?
✔️ Punctuality is valued at work.✔️ Singapore has safe drinking water! You can drink straight from the tap as the water in Singapore passes WHO standards.
❌ Chewing gum can land you in jail.❌ Don’t put your hand on your hips when talking, it signifies anger.❌ The sole of the foot should never be pointed out or inadvertently shown to other people.❌ Smoking is not allowed in most indoor locations. However, certain premises have designated areas for smoking.