Welcome to my digital nomad information to residing in Singapore. If like me, you spend your life on the highway, laptop computer in hand, hopping from nation to nation, I’ve received numerous nice data for you about The Lion Metropolis.
Throughout my first go to to Singapore, I spent a month home sitting and loved each second. Being based mostly in three places throughout town meant I received to discover a lot and was in a position to uncover many cool spots which are typically missed. Let’s get began!
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About Singapore
Singapore is a vigorous Southeast Asian city-state, positioned simply south of Malaysia. It’s small however full of thrilling sights, making exploring simple.
Well-known for being clear and protected, Singapore has a improbable public transport system and is house to iconic spots together with the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. You’ll discover breathtaking, towering skyscrapers, numerous greenery, and expansive parks throughout town.
This place additionally celebrates its roots, with neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India making a cultural combine. It’s a mix of previous and new and is regarded by many as a monetary powerhouse and gateway to Southeast Asian enterprise and finance.
Digital Nomad in Singapore: Private Expertise
I accomplished 3 back-to-back home sits while in Singapore, which helped me immensely with lodging prices. Apart from caring for some beautiful properties and pets, feeling settled allowed me to crack on with loads of distant work.
Dwelling and dealing in Singapore was a breeze as a full-time digital nomad. It’s such a contemporary and bustling metropolis that its very nature motivates you to be productive. It’s a spot the place monetary prowess is obvious and sometimes flaunted.
There are ample probabilities to calm down and discover town with nice mountaineering alternatives and plenty of websites of historic and cultural significance to get pleasure from. One among my favourite issues to do was to go to cool streets like Haji Lane, a preferred and vigorous strip of bars, cafes, and eating places.
Try my Home Sitting Information to Singapore to learn all about my expertise residing in Singapore as a digital nomad.
Is Singapore Protected?
Singapore is without doubt one of the most secure locations I’ve visited to this point, with low crime charges and a welcoming ambiance towards guests and vacationers. Throughout my home sits, I felt comfy strolling canine in any respect hours, because the streets are well-lit and CCTV is all over the place. I had no security considerations throughout my keep.
Whereas severe crime is uncommon, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to be cautious of minor scams. Frequent points equivalent to overcharging can happen in tourist-heavy areas, nevertheless, that is simply prevented through the use of respected companies. Singapore’s strict legal guidelines assist keep order.
All of the neighborhoods I traveled to felt protected, but it surely’s smart to keep away from unfamiliar areas late at evening, simply as I’d advise in any huge metropolis. Staying conscious of your environment and following primary security ideas will higher your probabilities of having a cushty and protected expertise.
Greatest Areas to Reside in Singapore
Being a digital nomad in Singapore opened up alternatives for me to discover completely different areas of town. Getting round is simple and there are many thrilling methods to spend your downtime. Listed below are 5 nice areas to contemplate residing in Singapore:
1. Bugis
Bugis is a busy part of town middle recognized for having nice city-wide hyperlinks, quite a few stylish spots, and tons of facilities. It’s my favourite location in Singapore, and as a digital nomad, it’s an amazing place to be located because of the encircling cafes, coworking areas, and lodging choices.
It’s near all the things, with simple MRT entry, nice purchasing choices, and the close by Bugis Road Market. There’s at all times one thing to do after work, whether or not it’s having fun with the evening market or exploring Haji Lane just some minutes stroll away.
2. Queenstown
Queenstown is a extra laid-back space, with lots of inexperienced areas and a relaxed, residential vibe. It’s preferrred for individuals who get pleasure from a quieter spot however nonetheless need fast entry to town middle. Public transport is dependable, environment friendly, and inexpensive making it simple to get round.
There are many laptop-friendly cafes to arrange store from, preferrred for getting by means of your workload with out distractions. With locations like Alexandra Canal and the native hawker facilities close by, there’s a lot to discover after shutting down the laptop computer for the day.
3. Chinatown
I’ve visited many Chinatowns world wide however Chinatown Singapore was a novel expertise. It’s a part of town the place historical custom meets the trendy world with startling contrasts all over the place.
My prime issues to do have been to take a look at the hawker meals stalls and eat for subsequent to nothing, or discover historic temples and markets earlier than heading to bars which have among the finest joyful hours on the town – to not point out unimaginable views of the skyscrapers!
4. Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is one in all Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods, well-known for its artwork deco buildings and hip, artistic scene. It’s an amazing place for impartial bookstores and informal cafes that double up as comfy spots for distant work.
It’s a quieter space with a cool, retro really feel, excellent for unwinding after a workday. Many digital nomads I do know love Tiong Bahru for the pleasant ambiance, relaxed vibe, and distinctive mix of previous and new Singapore.
5. Katong
Katong is a residential neighborhood outdoors of the primary metropolis limits. Right here, you’ll discover colourful shophouses and heritage colonial bungalows which provide a stark distinction to the towering metropolis skyscrapers. It feels extra homely on this a part of town.
Katong has a sluggish tempo offering loads of alternatives for distant work. Foodies will love the normal eateries serving spicy laksa and different native specialties. Close by Geylang is a good place to go to the tze char stalls and to pattern some frog porridge (in case you fancy!).
Tips on how to Discover Lodging in Singapore
Listed below are some tried-and-true strategies for locating lodging in Singapore, whether or not you’re planning a brief keep or an extended one. Every choice presents one thing distinctive, so you may select what most accurately fits your wants and funds.
1. Airbnb: All the time a preferred choice for brief to mid-term stays, use Airbnb in case you’re searching for a totally furnished place. You could find all the things from funds rooms in folks’s properties to luxurious flats, many with reductions for weekly or month-to-month stays.
2. Trusted Housesitters: If you’d like a novel, low-cost option to keep in Singapore strive Trusted Housesitters. From private expertise, home sitting is a perfect choice for animal lovers and permits you to immerse your self within the metropolis like a neighborhood with out rental prices.
Goats On The Highway readers get a particular 25% low cost by clicking this hyperlink.
3. Fb: Singapore has a number of lively Fb teams together with ‘Rooms For Lease Singapore‘. These teams provide direct entry to locals and ex-pats with lodging to hire, often reducing out the intermediary.
4. Reserving.com: A trusty and dependable selection for short-term stays, Reserving.com has a large number of resorts, serviced flats, and hostels. It’s particularly useful in case you want flexibility, as many choices include free cancellation.
Value of Dwelling in Singapore
I’ve to confess, Singapore is without doubt one of the costlier cities I’ve visited. Costs weren’t insane, however nearly all the things value just a little greater than different locations I’d been to – it didn’t assist that I arrived straight from tremendous low-cost Vietnam!
Eating places and Groceries
Grocery purchasing costs are pretty aligned with what I’d count on in most main cities. Inside the traditional margin, a weekly store in Singapore doesn’t differ too a lot from my present digital nomad spot – Austin, Texas.
Dwelling in Singapore supplies the complete scope of eating potentialities; from native hawker markets and road meals stands costing a couple of dollars a meal to the very best of high-end choices. However, for a mean meal out for 2 in a pleasant place, you may count on to pay round $70.
Lodging Prices
Lodging prices in Singapore might be considerably increased than in lots of cities, with long-term leases round 30% costlier than in a serious US metropolis. Renting an condo in central Singapore will value round $2500 earlier than utilities.
Quick-term stays on platforms like Airbnb provide a spread of lodging and sometimes have good offers on month-long or prolonged stays. Nevertheless, costs can differ extensively relying on the placement you need and the facilities you require.
The common worth per evening of a resort room in Singapore is $212, one thing to concentrate on in case you’re planning to remain within the metropolis for some time. Think about taking a look at home sitting alternatives or negotiating reductions with Airbnb hosts to avoid wasting prices.
Transportation Prices in Singapore
Life in Singapore runs fairly easily because of a community of environment friendly buses, trains, and taxis. The MRT (Mass Fast Transit) is without doubt one of the finest I’ve seen world wide to this point – among the underground stations themselves are even good locations to go to!
You may merely scan any lively credit score or financial institution card when hopping on and off the buses or going by means of the metro turnstiles. A bus journey prices round $1.50 and a brief taxi trip utilizing a ride-share app like Seize will run you round $10-$15.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
Choosing up a SIM card is simple to do, as even in a chaotic market you’ll see stalls providing offers on information plans. Most are official shops for giant operators equivalent to SIMBA, the community I utilized in Singapore and extremely suggest.
You may get a very good quantity of knowledge for an inexpensive worth and have the SIM card put in and activated proper in entrance of you, which means you may relaxation assured all the things is working earlier than you allow. I received 10GB for $15 which lasted me 30 days and it labored very well.
When you plan to hotspot or use an information plan for distant work, contemplate upping your month-to-month allowance. Costs are extra affordable the upper up you go. If unsure, discover a native retailer, as the bulk communicate nice English and are joyful to have a chat about your wants whereas within the metropolis.
Cash Saving Ideas for Singapore
Listed below are a couple of ideas to assist hold prices down in Singapore;
- Use Public Transport: Singapore’s MRT and buses are environment friendly, inexpensive, and canopy most components of town.
- Eat on the Hawkers: For budget-friendly, genuine meals, strive Singapore’s well-known hawker stalls like Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat.
- Get pleasure from Free Sights: Extra on this later, however relaxation assured there are many free points of interest to get pleasure from.
- Get Again to Nature: There are some fabulous mountaineering alternatives and loads of contemporary air to be present in Singapore’s parks and inexperienced areas.
- Safe a Home Sit: Trusted Housesitters is a good choice in case you love animals and wish to save on lodging prices.
- Funds-Pleasant Lodging: Past home sitting, contemplate co-living areas or shared flats by means of Airbnb.
- Negotiate: Whether or not purchasing within the markets or renting an condo, it’s at all times price haggling over a worth.
- Restrict Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is pricey in Singapore, so contemplate limiting nights out or consuming at house.
- Discover Comfortable Hours: Comfortable hour is a well-liked factor in Singapore with many bars providing day by day decreased costs on drinks.
- Store Sensible: Keep away from premium supermarkets and store at native markets or locations like FairPrice.
Coworking Areas in Singapore and WiFi Velocity
Singapore has among the quickest and most dependable web speeds on the earth, making it preferrred for digital nomads. WiFi speeds in cafes and public areas usually vary from 50 to 100 Mbps, whereas coworking areas can attain as much as 1 Gbps.
The WiFi connection is strong and infrequently has outages. Clean video calls, uploads, and different on-line work with out interruptions create dream situations for digital nomads. There are additionally many wonderful coworking areas, right here’s a couple of choices for distant working:
1. The Hive
With 5 places in Singapore and a presence in 6 international locations globally, The Hive has been a helpful alliance to me by means of years of traversing the world. I included a Vietnam Hive in my earlier article – Digital Nomad Information to Dwelling in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
You may at all times be assured of a quiet desk to work from, wonderful WiFi, and all of the amenities you might require. Costs begin at $22/day with entry from 8 am – 6 pm. There are nice reductions and extra advantages for longer stays.
2. WeWork
Essentially the most distinguished coworking house in Singapore must be WeWork, with 12 places within the metropolis. I’m not in a position to touch upon all of them however my experiences with this well-established worldwide chain have at all times been optimistic.
I can extremely suggest the Suntec Tower 5 location which is perched in a wonderful skyscraper and gazes out over town. It’s not the most cost effective at $35/day but it surely presents state-of-the-art amenities and is an excellent cool place to work from.
3. The Work Boulevard
For the perfect working view in Singapore, head to The Work Boulevard at Collyer Quay. They’ve 3 places within the metropolis however this explicit department appears out over the jetty and the enduring Marina Bay Sands – so far as places of work go, it’s pretty much as good because it will get!
There’s ample house within the lovely lounge for hot-desking and devoted places of work for individuals who search a extra everlasting residence or some remoted work time. Costs begin at $22/day with 24/7 entry accessible.
Greatest Cafes to Work From in Singapore
As a digital nomad residing in Singapore, it’s useful to know the place the laptop-friendly cafes are. Fortunately, Singapore is full of nice choices for us digital nomads, listed below are my prime 3 picks:
- The Guide Cafe: Combining my love of books and occasional, this nice choice is a refreshing however simply accessible distance from town middle. It’s a pleasant spot near the river that has loads of spacious tables, first rate WiFi, and a relaxing vibe.
- Free the Robotic: From breakfast to dinner, espresso to cocktails this robot-themed cafe has a improbable menu starting from breakfast sandwiches to fish and chips. It’s a vigorous however enjoyable place to arrange together with your laptop computer.
- Enchanted Cafe Rangoon Highway: An enthralling 24/7 cafe that appears like a classic tea room. There’s a tasty all-day brunch menu full of all the things you might want and it has a pleasant ambiance which makes for a peaceable spot for distant work.
Actions and Issues to Do in Singapore
Dwelling in Singapore as a digital nomad means there are many methods to unwind after work or take advantage of versatile hours. Whether or not you’re free to discover through the week or hold weekends open, listed below are some nice methods to completely get pleasure from Singapore:
1. Take a Personalised Meals Tour
If you wish to dive headfirst into the native meals scene I extremely suggest a road meals tour. It’s a good way to pattern numerous native delicacies in locations off-the-beaten-track that many vacationers merely wouldn’t in any other case uncover.
This customized tour with a neighborhood host tailors the expertise to your tastes and explores well-known spots together with the Chinatown Meals Complicated. You’ll style as many as 8 completely different road meals and get to go to a standard working moist market. Click on right here for particulars.
2. Go to The Battlebox
My husband’s Grandfather was taken prisoner in Singapore throughout WWII so we made some extent to go to as most of the poignant websites, of which there are lots of, across the metropolis. The most effective was The Battlebox hidden below Fort Canning Park.
This free-to-visit exhibit is a must-visit for historical past lovers. It presents an immersive look into Singapore’s WWII historical past by means of an enormous underground command middle the place hourly excursions take you thru the historical past and tales. Donations are welcome so contemplate supporting in case you can.
3. Discover the Metropolis by Bike
A improbable option to uncover Singapore is on a guided half-day bike tour. The town streets are bicycle-friendly and it’s a cool place to discover on two wheels.
This guided tour takes you thru historic areas together with Chinatown, Little India, and Marina Bay plus many hidden treasures – what higher option to get to know Singapore? Click on right here for extra details about this wonderful small-group tour.
4. Stand in Pole Place
Yearly one of many largest System 1 races of the season descends on the streets of Singapore. The Singapore Grand Prix is a big occasion that pulls guests from world wide as the perfect drivers on the planet pace alongside town’s roads at 200 mph.
Though all the things returns to regular after the busy weekend of racing, among the foremost infrastructure is everlasting and open to the general public. You may head to the pit lane, the beginning grid, and even jog or cycle alongside the primary few corners of the observe. Discover it right here.
5. See the Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is an awe-inspiring spot to unwind after a busy day, with a number of free outside areas, distinctive shows, and nightly mild reveals. Don’t miss the enduring Supertree Grove, the place towering, plant-covered constructions mild as much as music every night – it’s actually spectacular.
For extra immersive experiences, discover the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories the place you may get pleasure from loads of unique vegetation and even a shocking indoor waterfall. It’s a peaceable escape proper within the coronary heart of town. Click on right here for instructions.
Climate in Singapore
Singapore’s climate is heat and humid year-round, with temperatures averaging 23°C to 32°C (73°F to 90°F) and humidity typically above 80%. Being near the equator, town experiences little seasonal variation.
Rain is frequent, particularly from November to February through the Northeast Monsoon, when downpours are frequent and intense. Throughout my keep, I skilled a number of sudden, heavy rainstorms, so it’s smart to maintain an umbrella useful.
With excessive humidity and frequent rain, it may possibly sometimes really feel hotter than the precise temperature. Many vacationers, digital nomads, and locals desire to remain indoors throughout peak noon warmth. February to April is the perfect time to go to to completely get pleasure from any outside actions.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Singapore
There’s little question that Singapore is an excellent metropolis, however there are each professionals and cons to contemplate as a digital nomad, earlier than selecting it as a base. Right here’s what I discovered from my expertise:
Professionals of Dwelling in Singapore
- Environment friendly Public Transport: Singapore has an in depth and dependable public transport system, making it simple to get round.
- Security: Singapore is understood for its low crime fee and strict legal guidelines, so it’s a protected atmosphere for residents and guests alike.
- Multicultural Setting: The town is a melting pot of cultures, providing various meals, festivals, and experiences.
- Excessive High quality of Life: With wonderful healthcare, training, and infrastructure, Singapore supplies a excessive lifestyle.
- Enterprise Focussed: As a monetary powerhouse, enterprise is flourishing in Singapore – it’s completely arrange for digital nomads.
- Ex-Pat Neighborhood: There’s a big ex-pat neighborhood which may help it really feel like a house from house.
- Proximity to Nature: Regardless of its city setting, Singapore has many great parks, gardens, and nature reserves.
- Westernized Facilities: Lastly, as a former British colony, Singapore has essentially the most Westernized tradition I’ve seen in Asia.
Cons of Dwelling in Singapore
- Excessive Value of Dwelling: Working remotely in Singapore might be costly, with excessive lodging and eating prices.
- Restricted House: Many flats and residing areas are compact, which can really feel cramped for some.
- Humidity and Warmth: The tropical local weather typically results in intense humidity and warmth, which might be uncomfortable if it’s not one thing you’re aware of.
- Strict Laws: Whereas legal guidelines contribute to security, strict rules can really feel limiting and appear overbearing at instances.
- Quick-Paced Life-style: The fast-paced metropolis life might be overwhelming, particularly for newcomers or these with rural roots.
- Restricted Visa Size: I’ll cowl this in additional depth within the subsequent part however there isn’t a digital nomad visa for Singapore at current.
- The Hidden Prices: This will likely be much less of a difficulty for US residents who’re used to including tax and tip however most locations in Singapore add tax and tip to the marketed worth, mountaineering the worth by 15%-20%.
- Building: My closing home sit in Bugis was slighted by the quantity of in depth building taking place on the skyscraper throughout the road. Constructing work is frequent throughout town.
Digital Nomad Visa for Singapore
Singapore doesn’t at the moment provide a selected digital nomad visa, which may make it difficult for distant staff trying to stay there long-term. As an alternative, most digital nomads are in a position to enter Singapore on a vacationer visa, which permits stays of as much as 30 days.
For American, Canadian, and Australian residents, no visa is required for visits of as much as 90 days. Nevertheless, all guests want to make sure their passport is legitimate for no less than six months past their date of entry.
This momentary association is nice for month-long visits however not preferrred for digital nomads in search of a extra everlasting base. All vacationers are additionally required to fill in an SG Arrival Card 3 days earlier than arriving in Singapore.
For the most recent entry necessities and updates, consult with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.
In Conclusion
I hope my digital nomad information to Singapore has highlighted why it is best to contemplate it as a distant working location. Amongst many different qualities, it’s additionally a really perfect base for additional exploration, particularly throughout Southeast Asia.
The town’s various foodie scene and infinite thrilling actions will guarantee that you’ve a lot to deal with your self to when you’ve served your time on the laptop computer! As a digital nomad in Singapore, it’s inconceivable to not be impressed by this type of dynamic ambiance and welcoming atmosphere.