Singapore is one of the most fascinating and varied cities in the world: a multiracial society seamlessly blending modern metropolis with timeless tradition, luxury with simple pleasures. This guide will teach you everything from the intricacies of applying for a flat to what to expect when navigating the food courts. Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia with about 6 million people. The country is made up of 64 different islands and is the smallest country in Southeast Asia. It is known as a “Garden City” because there are lots of plants and trees, and it is also very clean. Living in Singapore is exciting and varied, from the vast shopping options to the seemingly bottomless pit of hawker stalls selling high-quality, tasty food. There are many sides to Singapore: the bustling city and the wilds of Pulau Ubin, the luxury designer boutiques and the lively street markets. Singapore also tolerates a broad variety of culture and lifestyle, including race, religion, and sexuality, which has made it the go-to destination for anyone looking for a more tolerant and accepting environment in this part of the world.
Understanding Singapore: History, Culture, and Society
Singapore began its life over 700 years ago as a trading post. Today, Singapore is a thoroughly modern, bustling city-state with a youthful population of 5.7 million people who are proud of their rich historical, ethnic, and cultural blend. The society is vibrant and multicultural; the result of being located at the crossroads of major trade routes and between East and West, at the southernmost tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, some 70 miles north of the Equator. Singapore has a proud tradition of diversity and has been welcoming people from around the world for more than a hundred years.
The four main cultural groups are Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Other. From a language standpoint, English is the national language and is very widely spoken. For cultural practices, Chinese, Malay, or Indian festivals are most closely followed. Other significant values are multiculturalism, religious tolerance, and social cohesion. Major festivals such as Diwali, Thaipusam, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas, as well as Muslim, Buddhist, Baha’i, Zoroastrian, and Christian New Years are also important activities on the national calendar. Understanding the various festivals and religious days will provide great insight into Singaporean culture and society.
The best survival guide is to come with an open mind, be prepared to ask questions, and to understand through participation and connection with your colleagues, students, and neighbors. For a small country, Singapore has had a fascinating, if not traumatic, recent past. The British established a colony here in 1819 based on trading. The British officially ruled Singapore from 1824 to 1942 (except for a short interregnum from 1942-45). Japan handed power back to Britain directly after World War II, and a Malayan Federation was formed in 1948.
Visa and Immigration Policies
Singapore is a popular destination, but living in the city may prove difficult. Before deciding to move to Singapore, ensure you can live in the country. Residency in Singapore requires a visa or employment pass. Various agencies are responsible for these passes. Before applying for a residency permit, gather all essential documentation with the needed information. This will prevent the rejection of the request as a result of insufficient documentation.
Employment Pass – The Employment Pass is the most common procedure for foreign professionals wanting to work in Singapore. – Who is it intended for? Foreigners are experts, including managers or doctors. – Requirements: Description of the employment application submitted through the appropriate channels. In general, applications for work permits are accepted. The relevant authority will review the applications submitted. – The managing organization should not register or change the managing director, and a surge of unsalaried labor to the organization has been noted. Once accepted, sign an acceptance letter. These applications are considered within three weeks. In some situations, an incomplete submission may cause a longer approval period. Gain support from a sponsor if you need assistance. This will almost always create team closures on your behalf. Opportunities for migrants: Official formalities must be completed within three months to complete the request. Note, too, that if a family is gifting the principal owner with a foreign worker or a foreign worker with expertise, he or she does not require additional house licenses. Exemptions may be the case for the immediate family. It’s important not to break the migration laws of work passes in Singapore. In Singapore, a failure to do so may result in expulsion or prohibited admission. Work permit: – Who is it intended for? Expert employees. Non-citizens who are applying for a work permit. In order to recruit new employees, the corporation resorted to the use of work passes. Also, there are pay scale constraints for these people.
Housing Options and Neighborhoods
In Singapore, the housing landscape is vast and varied. Expatriates looking for accommodation will often end up in one of two types of properties: public housing, also known as HDB flats, or private properties, which include residences like condominiums, shophouses, and bungalows. Different properties have their pros and cons, but public housing, in particular, offers various advantages such as affordability, distance to the city center, as well as proximity to local communities. If you’re looking to rent, the numbers that you see in listings require careful scrutiny. The numbers represent and can be influenced by many factors including location, flat, and configuration such as one-bedroom or three-bedroom flat.
Singapore is made up of countless neighborhoods, each with its own personality. The neighborhoods that people choose are influenced by personal preferences, so what might be perfect for one person may not be for another. A lot of newcomers to the city choose to live in neighborhoods such as Tiong Bahru, Holland Village, Katong, Tampines, and Toa Payoh, as they are popular with expatriates. The cost of accommodation in Singapore is a very significant contributor to living expenses. There is no rent control in Singapore, so it is up to the market demand and supply to determine housing rents. The rental market in Singapore can be fast-paced, hot, and competitive. On average, many landlords in Singapore, especially those who have unit confidence, tend to lease units from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. For shorter-term leases, there are service apartments, but prices can be like hotel rooms, depending on things like area and facilities.
Cost of Living and Budgeting
One of the most important aspects of living in Singapore you should familiarize yourself with is the cost of living in the city-state. The typical Singaporean budget breaks down salary into roughly 30% housing, 20% transportation, 20% food, 15% savings, and 15% on discretionary expenses. Clearly, a significant proportion of most residents’ salary is spent on housing and transport, while food and other day-to-day expenses in the country can quickly add up. To start with, rental prices can vary widely depending on the area and the type of property you choose to live in. However, there are also factors that should be considered regardless of where you choose to live. Make sure that you factor in real estate taxes, service and conservancy charges, and possibly agent fees if you used one to find your accommodation. The cost of food and other sundries in Singapore is also somewhat consistent with its aspirations and is largely dependent on individual diet and lifestyle choices. However, the government does help regulate food prices to maintain affordability. Residents most commonly shop at supermarkets and occasionally make use of hawker centers and coffee shops. Other costs that might come as something of a surprise to foreign residents are the numerous and sometimes hefty service charges associated with various amenities and facilities in the country. In Singapore, things like university fees, pharmaceuticals, motoring costs, and car ownership can feel rather onerous compared to other major cities in Asia and the world at large. Moreover, potential hidden costs could include GST, which is a consumption tax that applies broadly in this country. While Singapore is not known for its shopping culture, it is perhaps best to know that 7% is added to whatever you buy in store above and beyond any listed shelf price. Similarly, the cost of welfare is another additional expenditure performed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Healthcare System and Services
With a highly regarded healthcare system, Singapore is widely known as a safe place to live. Public healthcare infrastructure is run by the Ministry of Health under a government initiative that aids in primary, secondary, and tertiary care. The largest provider is Singapore Health Services, which operates four general hospitals. There is also a private healthcare system that is quite popular and has different tiers to provide a wide range of specialist care, including plastic surgery. The private sector is known for its luxury private hospitals for those wanting expatriate-style care. Another approach to health and wellness is found in the
Education System and Schools
Singapore’s Education System Education is given a high priority in Singapore and is widely considered to be the route to personal improvement. Singapore’s education system is one of the most rigorous in the world, and academic standards are very high. 5.2 The System Children begin their education in primary school, before moving on to secondary school for four to five years, followed by two or three years of junior college (leading to an A-level qualification) or a technical institute. Singaporeans usually continue to tertiary education, typically in polytechnics and universities. 5.3 Types of Schools There are several different types of schools in Singapore. The vast majority of children attend public schools, which are administered by the Ministry of Education. The government has also set up schools that charge fees and enjoy more autonomy, namely, independent schools, specialized independent schools, and schools with specialized academic programs that are autonomous, which are differentiated from schools with an academic field of specialization to develop each student to their fullest potential. International schools often follow the curriculum of another country. Many offer a choice of ‘home’ languages such as Chinese, Finnish, Danish, and Japanese, etc. Children are able to continue their studies in their ‘home’ language or start learning a new one. 5.4 Application Process Some of our schools operate on a first-payment-first-admission basis, so it is very important to send the application in as soon as your company accepts your posting. If you meet the deadline, your children will be considered for the August intake. If you fail to meet the deadline, we may only consider the children for the January intake. 5.5 Facilitating a Wider Array of School Options International students are encouraged to participate in various co-curricular activities, if possible. Such activities provide a holistic education, offering important life skills and the opportunity to meet students from different backgrounds who have similar interests. International students should try to be involved in at least one school activity.
Transportation and Getting Around
Singapore has an efficient public transportation system with well-planned routes, infrastructure for cycling and pedestrian mobility, and a variety of options for local and longer-distance travel. As far as public transportation is concerned, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), which can connect you to nearly every part of the country, is often the mode of choice. As the MRT network is not comprehensive in moving everyone in one direction or area, buses operated by various companies are also an alternative form of public transportation. Most skyscrapers and business areas in Singapore are directly serviced by MRT exits that lead to underground shopping malls. This makes commuting convenient because residents can conveniently change from places of residence to work and vice versa regardless of the weather.
The majority of Singaporeans travel by MRT because it is convenient and affordable. Additionally, bus travel is more commonly used for destinations near housing estates as bus stops are within walking distances. Buses are also a mode of transportation if you would like to travel within industrial or business parks from MRT stations. Cycling is also an option for those who want to travel short distances since enhancing routes and easing access to the city are national priorities. The government has also allocated ride-hailing services to pick up customers at many locations for ease of travel. If at any point you are considering the possibility of owning a car, do take note that it is expensive in Singapore both in terms of a Certificate of Entitlement and daily operations as well.
Currently, transportation is indeed relatively affordable for everyone, especially with lead points helping to distribute the flow of people and vehicles in one route which overflows many points and arrivals jamming. It is particularly refreshing for adjacent buildings and shopping centers to house a number of interactions in services. Two different systems give everyone flexibility and options for traveling comfortably and enjoying the national environment to its full capacity. It is essential to reflect on our local protocol in terms of pricing, altitude, and distance. Be mindful of the modes and platforms that are open to all of us to make our Singapore commute comfortable and efficient. Understandably, peak hours are crowded and travel can consume much time. Expectation can be planned even if you are considering what we would travel to next on the road.
Work and Employment Opportunities
The excellent economic conditions in Singapore are drawing in more and more foreign workers hoping to find good job opportunities. They are certainly not misguided in making such a choice, since the country’s thriving sectors offer a wide variety of jobs. The thriving sectors in Singapore offer numerous job opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including finance, technology, healthcare, and construction. Most of the available jobs can be found in multidimensional sectors such as accounting, marketing, hospitality, and healthcare where employees perform various tasks.
Job expectations are very important in the context of Singapore. Once you understand what it means, you will be ready to commit to serious work or seek other places if it turns out that the job does not suit you. It is no coincidence that a strong emphasis is placed on professional certifications and work ethics, as Singaporeans value not only the skills and technical abilities of a candidate, but also their behavior as an employee. In Singapore, it is important to have a good balance between personal and professional life.
Although Singapore is one of the few places in the world where race or religion has less weight in society, nationality or cultural differences can have an impact on the business environment. Expatriates looking for jobs in Singapore are not only measured against local workers, but also against employees from similar countries, all competing for the same position. Due to a law requiring a Work Permit, S Pass, or other foreign employee permit, employers in Singapore tend to give priority to Singaporeans. If you are interested in potential employment opportunities, we suggest that you apply to companies with a substantial expatriate workforce, which are more likely to employ you. In the first instance, the Ministry of Manpower recommends contacting local subsidiaries of companies that might be sailing to Singapore.
Social Etiquette and Cultural Norms
Singapore is known for being a harmonious blend of a variety of cultures, and as such, many social norms in Singapore are built around the theme of acceptance, diversity, and mutual respect. In order to get along well with everyone in Singapore, it’s important to be familiar with these norms. While they may seem unfamiliar to outsiders at first, adapting to these norms can be an enriching and meaningful experience. For example, common customs in this multicultural society include being polite and saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in public, being considerate, and having respect for the beliefs and customs of others. Social interaction often begins with a handshake or a light touch of arms, and close friends and relatives often touch more often or stand more closely to each other. Table manners in Singapore are similar to Western manners, but it is also a melting pot of different cultures. In dealing with such a diverse culture, a golden rule is to embrace this heterogeneity while also maintaining and expressing your unique identity. Keep yourself open and understanding; showing respect and politeness through your words and actions is what counts a lot in the end. Patience and adaptability are necessary when dealing with others who may have different gestural norms and communication styles. In informal conversations, avoid shouting or long, uncomfortable silences, which are often hints that the conversation should end and you should change the topic. Singapore places a strong emphasis on family and community, and Singaporeans often rely on friends and relatives for mutual support. You will find various ethnic groups coming together for social gatherings.