Settling-in Singapore

Singapore Destination Guide

The Basics

Let’s Talk About Culture

Settling in Tips

Let’s Have Fun

Need Help?

The Basics

About Singapore

The island of Singapore lies at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.  It has a total land area of 734.3km2.  Apart from the main island that is approximately 49km long and 28km wide, there are over 60 smaller islands and reefs.  Connecting Singapore and Malaysia are two causeway bridges.

As of June 2023, the population of Singapore stood at approximately 5.92 million. The total population included both the resident and non-resident population. The resident population of Singapore comprised of both citizens and permanent residents.  

Singapore is a multi-ethnic society, with residents categorized into four main racial groups: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Others. Each resident is assigned a racial category that follows the paternal side. The racial categorization used in Singapore stemmed from its colonial past and continues to shape its social policies, from public housing quotas along the ethnic composition in the country to education policies pertaining second language, or ‘mother tongue’, instruction.

Malay is the national language, although English is used in administration, education and business. Most Singaporeans are bilingual in English and a second language, commonly Mandarin, Tamil or Malay.  The median age of the resident population had increased over the years to 42.1 years in Singapore.

Despite the emphasis on ethnicity and race, Singapore has managed to maintain a peaceful co-existence among its diverse population.  Most Singaporeans across ethnic levels view the level of racial and religious harmony there to be moderately high.  The level of acceptance and comfort with having people of other ethnicities in their social lives was also relatively high across the different ethnic groups.

Singapore is 136.8 km north of the equator; therefore, it has a tropical climate with average maximum of 32°C and minimum of 23°C.  It has high humidity, often exceeding 90% at night, with an average humidity of 84%.  Rain falls throughout the year, usually in short, sharp thunderstorms; its total annual rainfall of approximately 2,200mm; with the wettest season being between November and January.

Dressing is normally casual in Singapore. Most people tend to wear cool fabrics, such as cotton during the day.  Linen and silk fabrics are popular for eveningwear.  Although the outside temperature is hot the same whole year round, it is a different story when you go indoors.  Air conditioning is everywhere in Singapore and the Singaporeans like their air condition freezing cold.  So, take a cardigan, pashmina or scarf which can easily be stowed away in your handbag wherever you go.  Most businessmen tend to wear shirt and tie only (no jacket).

Singapore's Facts & Figures

Land Area: 734.3 square km
Population:5.64 million
GovernmentParliamentary Republic
Time ZoneGMT + 8 hours
CurrencySingapore Dollar
ReligionBuddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism
LanguageEnglish (official business language), Chinese, Malay, Tamil
WeatherTropical Rainforest Climate.
Temperature ranging 22 – 36 degrees Celsius.
Warmest months – April to August.
Wettest months – November to January (Monsoon Season)
Important Laws & Regulations

Do NOT bring:

  • Chewing gum (except oral dental and medicated
    gum)
  • Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products such shisha and E-cigarettes
  • Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
  • Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
  • Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
  • Firecrackers
  • Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
  • Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or casettes
  • Seditious and treasonable materials

Let’s Talk About Culture

Local Culture

General Settings

The culture is a mixture of the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and British cultures, and reflects its immigrant history.

Singapore places focus on the system of meritocracy.  This ensures the best person, regardless of race, language, status, and religion can develop the fullest potential. Education is provided to all children to help them gain knowledge and improve the quality of life.

Social and religious harmony is heavily emphasized by the government due to the different religions in Singapore.

The concepts of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality are enshrined as stars in the Singapore national flag.

Business Settings

You may have heard how late some Singaporeans are when they attend Chinese wedding dinners. However, for business meetings, do try to be punctual as being late may be seen as a sign of disrespect.  If you find yourself running late unexpectedly, do make it a point to call ahead and let your clients or associates know approximately what time you will arrive.

You will be expected to shake hands when introduced to new business associates.  An exception would be if you are a gentleman being introduced to a Muslim woman.  The easiest way around this would be to let the woman take the lead.  If she does not extend her hand for a shake, a smile and nod will do; some will also give a slight bow.

When presenting and receiving business cards (also called name cards), make sure you use both hands and do not be too hasty in putting the cards away.  Take a moment to repeat the name and look at the card to show respect.  If you are seated at a table, do leave the cards on the table throughout the meeting and only keep them at the end of the meeting.  Asians consider name cards as an extension of their personae, so it is considered disrespectful if you stuff the card into your pocket the moment you receive.  You should also refrain from writing on the card.

When dealing with business clients, bear in mind the importance of ‘showing face’.  Be direct but keep your emotions to a minimum; be sincere with your praise but don’t overdo it.  It is best to keep at least an arm’s length from the other person when conversing with him or her.  Touching (even on the forearm) may not be a good idea unless you know someone very well.

In more traditional companies, hierarchy is manifested in the seating arrangements at a meeting.  The most senior in the group are usually given places of honors, normally furthest into the room. If your team is seated on one side of the table, your counterparts in rank are likely to be seated across from you.

Singaporeans may feel uncomfortable about saying ‘no’ right to your face, especially if the main decision-maker is not present at the meeting.  Do pay attention to non-verbal cues and body language.

In a business context, you should be careful when you give gifts as this may be construed as bribery.  If you are gunning to do business with a company, giving a present before the deal is struck is a no-no.  You could be seen as trying to buy your way in.  It may be better to wait until the contract is signed and the deal is closed.  If the company you are working with is government-related, you should not even entertain the idea of giving any kind of gift as this can be construed as a bribe.

Settling in Tips

Getting Around

Travelling around the island is easy, thanks to a systematic and integrated land transport master plan that incorporates an efficient rail and bus system, a carefully designed road and traffic structure, and controlled car ownership.

The stored value smartcard (EZ-link/NETS FlashPay Cards) is a contactless tap-and-go smart card for making payment for public transport services and other payments such as Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) transactions with the new generation In-Vehicle Unit (IU), Electronic Parking System (EPS) car parks, payments at shops and more. Simply head down to any Ticket Office at MRT stations, bus interchanges or convenience stores to purchase one. For more information, visit www.transitlink.com.sg.

You may also level up your public transport experience with SimplyGo! Use your Master- card® or Visa contactless credit and debit cards, mobile wallets*, or NETS FlashPay con- tactless bank cards to pay for your train and bus fares and skip top-ups altogether.

Air Travel

Singapore has one major airport – Changi Airport located at Changi, in the eastern tip of Singapore. All terminals serve international flights.

The airport can be accessed easily by:

Road: Located at Airport Boulevard, which is at the end of the East Coast Parkway Expressway. For travel via taxi, it would cost between SGD28 and SGD60 for a 30-minute trip from the airport to the city.

Train: The airport has its own train station; the Changi Airport Station is located at the basement of Terminal 2 and 3.

Bus: Public bus services serve the airport, such as bus number 36 which links the airport to the city area.

Bus Services

Public bus services are operated by the following transport operators: SMRT Buses, SBS Transit, Tower Transit, and Go-Ahead Singapore. The fare system is regulated by Transit Link, and EZ Link passes can be used for transport on public buses. Various private bus operators also operate services which run on limited routes for peak periods. Cash payment is accepted by these private transport operators.

Train Services

The 2 main types of train services available in Singapore are:

  • The Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT)
  • The Light Rail Transit System (LRT)

The MRT system is operated by SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit Limited. And there are 6 main lines forming a train network in Singapore, with some under construction.

  • North-South Line – Red
  • East-West Line – Green
  • Circle Line – Orange*
  • North-East Line – Purple
  • Downtown Line – Blue
  • Thomson-East Coast Line – Brown

The LRT system runs above the ground and operates on a lower capacity to provide shuttle services around the housing estates of Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Seng Kang and Punggol.

The centralized fare payment and ticketing system is operated by TransitLink Private Limited, which operates ticketing machines and counters at all train stations.

Taxi

They offer all-hours convenience and door-to-door comfort, booking one via mobile apps.

Taxis can be hailed on the street, or by queuing at a taxi stand which you’ll find at most malls, hotels and attractions. The street-hail trips are metered based on the distance travelled, and surcharges may apply. Strict regulations are governing the operation of taxis, and there are no illegal taxis in Singapore.

To get a rough idea of the final fare, check with the driver on the surcharges and ask for a receipt at the end of the trip. You can also check out this website for a quick and easy comparison.

Alternatively, you may use one of the ride-hailing applications available to book a ride from your preferred pick-up point to your desired destination. Some options available: CDGZig, Grab, Gojek, Ryde and TADA.

You can pay for taxis and private hire cars with cash (smaller denominations preferred), credit card, NETS, EZ-Link cards, or via the company’s app.

Food

Local Food

Singaporeans take great pride in the dining options available on the island around the clock.  Being an immigrant society, most Singaporeans are descendants of migrants’ hailing from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.  Local food of Chinese, Malay and Indian origins can be easily found at relatively affordable prices.

There are 3 types of local food and beverage establishment categories, commonly found in every estate:

Food Centres: These are government regulated, non air-conditioned centers with multiple of food stalls located under one roof.  Individual food stall operators, also known as Hawkers, prepare and cook the food within their stall premises. Seating is an open concept, and no services are provided.  Prices generally range from SGD3 to 8 for a main dish.

Food Courts: These are air-conditioned food centers privately operated by Food and Beverage companies, who lease the entire premises, typically located within shopping malls. Seating is also an open concept, and no services are provided. Prices generally range from SGD5 to 15 for a main dish.

Coffee Shops: Also known as ‘Kopi-Tiam’ (‘Coffee’ in Malay and ‘Tiam’ in the Hokkien dialect), these are similar in concept to the food courts, except that they are usually located in open shophouse areas and are not air-conditioned. Prices generally range from SGD3 to 8 for a main dish.

No additional taxes are charged for local food, over the quoted prices. Payment is made (via cash or PayNow) upon collection of food, which is over the counter.

International Food

With 28% of the population being foreigners, there is a wide variety of internationally recognized food available in Singapore.

Fast Food: Major fast-food outlets such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken can be commonly found in most estates.

Sandwiches:   Subway, Joe & Dough and Two Men Bagel House outlets can be commonly found, mostly in the city areas.

Cafes: Major coffee outlets are Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and The Connoisseur Concerto.

Restaurants:  Fine dining restaurants serving international fare, including Japanese, Continental and Italian cuisines are readily available in Singapore.

Note that in cafes and restaurants, these typically charge additional taxes and service charges, marked by ‘+++’ trailing the cost prices of dishes.

Payment is made at the end of the meal, and the bill is delivered by service staff.

Handing out tips and gratuities to service staff is not a norm in Singapore as these charges are included in the service charges.

International restaurants helmed by star chefs are typically found in high-end hotels, such as:

  • Grand Hyatt Hotel 
  • Fullerton Hotel
  • Four Seasons Hotel
  • Marina Bay Sands Hotel
  • ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay
  • Resort World Sentosa

    It is advisable for reservations to be made in advance (at least one week) for a table to be available.

    Medical Care

    Healthcare in Singapore is ranked the best in the region.  With a world-class healthcare system, Singapore has fast become a hub for medicine for many international patients flocking to Singapore for medical tourism.  Not only do Singapore’s health services offer quality, but it is affordable and more advanced compared to some neighboring cities.

    Both private and public healthcare in Singapore is reliable, with the level of patient services being the real difference between both.

    Private Clinics

    Fee structures of private healthcare establishments are different to government health services, so it is advised to inquire about the estimated cost for services.  Most expats opt for private healthcare for the high service levels.  There is also an increasing number of expat doctors practicing their medical expertise in Singapore.

    Camden Medical Centre:http://www.camden.com.sg 
    Gleneagles Hospital and Medical Centre:http://www.gleneagles.com.sg
    Mount Alvernia Hospitalhttps://www.mtalvernia.sg 
    Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Medical Centrehttp://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/
    Novena Medical Centrehttp://www.novenamedicalcenter.com/
    Paragon Medical Centre:www.paragonmedical.com.sg 
    Raffles Hospital and Medical Group:http://www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com 

    Government Hospitals

    The Ministry of Health provides healthcare nationwide ranging from outpatient care, A&E, pediatric and other medical needs. The cost of government healthcare is lower than private medical services, but this option is not favored by expats due to longer waiting times.

    Ministry of Health:http://www.moh.gov.sg/
    KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital:http://www.kkh.com.sg/
    Singapore General Hospitalhttp://www.sgh.com.sg/ 
    National University Hospitalhttp://www.nuh.com.sg/ 
    Tan Tock Seng Hospitalhttp://www.ttsh.com.sg/ 
    Changi General Hospitalhttp://www.cgh.com.sg/ 
    Khoo Teck Puat Hospitalhttp://www.ktph.com.sg/
    Ng Teng Fong Hospitalhttp://www.ntfgh.com.sg/ 
    Institute of Mental Health Hospitalhttp://www.imh.com.sg/ 
    National Skin Centrehttp://www.nsc.com.sg/

    Hosing in Singapore

    There are generally two types of housing in Singapore:

    1) Public Housing: High Rise Apartments built by Housing Development Board.

    2) Private Housing: All other types of housing built on land owned by individual.

    Expatriates in Singapore would typically lease properties under the private housing category, and these can be leased for:

    1) Temporary Accommodation: this would be for short-term leases of 1 week to 12 months in Serviced Apartments.

    2) Permanent Accommodation: this would cover long-term leases of 24 months, the most common lease period available in the market. Leases are for a fixed period of 12 months, which can then be terminated thereafter with a 2-month notice period (subject to conditions). Minimum of 3 months leases required by law, and availability of such short-term leases are in very limited quantities.

    Temporary Accommodation

    Serviced apartments are available to offer expatriates a warm and homey substitute till they find their perfect home.

    These fully furnished residences are usually centrally located, equipped with all the amenities of a condominium and the housekeeping services of a hotel. Some even offer a complimentary breakfast.

    Though these properties were initially targeted for a short-term stay, serviced apartments are in such demand that developers now lease them for long-term usage.

    Permanent Housing

    For long-term accommodation, there is a variety of private housing available:

    1. Condominiums
      • High-rise Apartments
      • Gated communities guarded by 24 hours security
      • Leisure facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts, and common garden areas
    2. Bungalows
      • Premium, stand-alone detached houses on privately owned land
      • Facilities would depend on the design of an individual property
    3. Semi-detached houses
      • Low-rise gated houses on privately owned land, with two units sharing a common partition wall in between
    4. Terrace units
      • Low-rise gated houses built in a row, with three or more units sharing common party walls in between
    5. Townhouses
      • Low-rise apartment blocks, like condominiums but with fewer facilities or no security services
    6. Colonial houses
      • Also known as black and white houses, built in the pre-war era (before 1942)
      • Large spacious layouts located in quiet, exclusive estates
      • Typically expensive to maintain due to the age of properties
    7. Shophouses
      • 3 to 5-storey properties built in a terrace format, located along main roads with/without commercial shops on the ground floor
      • Mostly old properties built between 1900 and 1960, these properties tend to be spacious but expensive to maintain
      • No parking spaces are available as these units face the main road

    Once you have selected a preferred property, our consultants will assist you to submit a Letter of Intent to indicate your intent to rent the accommodation.

    It is important and recommended that you have obtained approvals for your immigration prior to taking up a leasing contract.  Below is a list of typical documents needed to be presented to Landlord:

    • Passport bio-data page of Transferee and accompanying family member(s)
    • Employment and Dependent Pass Cards (If you and your family have not obtained the physical cards and completed immigration formalities, you can submit the In-Principle Approval letters as issued by the Ministry of Manpower as an initial submission to the Landlord)
    • Employment Letter (only upon request by Landlord)

    Our consultants will also assist in negotiating and reviewing the lease contract to safeguard your interest. After your lease acceptance, our consultants will support a pre-handover inspection and the actual handover to ensure the landlord’s compliance with lease commitments and to document the property handover process for your safe keeping.

    1. Holding deposit:  equivalent:Required upon the signing of the Letter of Intent. The amount is to one month’s rental, and this will usually be used to offset the first month’s rent.
    2. Security Deposit: lease:Required upon the signing of the Tenancy Agreement. For two-year the amount is equivalent to two month’s rental. The deposit will be refunded upon the successful hand-back of the apartment.
    3. Stamp Duty: Authority

    Tenancy Agreement will need to be stamped by the Inland Revenue of Singapore to be considered a valid contract. This fee will be borne by the Tenant.

    If the lease period is less than 4 years, the stamp duty is 0.4% of the total rent for the period of the lease.

    4. Agent Commission

    Monthly property rental of $4000 and below for 2 years lease – can the tenant to a 1-month commission fee. However, due to the fluidity of market please discuss the commission amount and terms with your housing agent based on the scope of work you require prior to the home search. 

    For more info, visit Council for Estate Agencies

    www.cea.gov.sg/consumers/educational-materials

    International Schools

    An international school is broadly defined as a school that does not require their students to learn the local curriculum or the language of the country that the school is located in.  Singapore is home to both a sizeable expatriate population and several excellent private international schools.

    The international schools offer either an internationally recognized high school diploma or a high school diploma recognized in a specific country.  This is an important consideration because most of their students will attend a foreign university upon completion of their K-12 education.

    Most of the international schools in Singapore offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.  The IB Diploma program is a worldwide leading university entrance course. The curriculum consists of 6 subjects, an extended essay of up to 4,000 words, participation in ‘Theory of Knowledge’, and a minimum of 150 hours in ‘Creative, Action, Service (CAS)’.  For each subject, marks are awarded on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest.  To receive an IB Diploma, candidates must get at least 24 points.

    Most of the international schools use English as the medium of instruction. Some schools (e.g., United World College, Singapore American School, Tanglin Trust School) have strict English proficiency level as part of their admission criteria while others (e.g., Overseas Family School, Canadian International School) accept students who are not yet proficient in English.  A few other international schools (e.g., Japanese School, French School) offer a country specific curriculum taught in the national language of the country.

    For more info, visit The Ministry of Education www.moe.gov.sg

    Daily Needs

    Banking

    It is advisable to maintain a banking account in your home country with Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal capabilities.  A quick, low cost and reliable way to transfer funds from your home country accounts to Singapore is to make an ATM withdrawal from your home country account and then deposit into your new Singapore account.  However, international banks don’t have as many branches or ATMs in Singapore as local banks, so you may not be able to access your money as easily. Having a local bank account helps your employer to easily pay you and minimizes charges, such as withdrawal or conversion fees, compared to using a foreign bank. Full-service local banks in Singapore:
    • DBS (Development Bank of Singapore)
    • UOB (United Overseas Bank)
    • OCBC (Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation)

    Full-service foreign banks in Singapore:

    • ABN AMRO
    • BNP Paribas
    • Citibank
    • HSBC
    • Maybank
    • Standard Chartered
    There are many other full service restricted foreign banks in Singapore, but these are restricted to one location and do not offer full consumer banking here.  Enquire with your home country bank to find out more. Money Remittance:

    Most banks offer money remittance services digitally or online banking for your money transfer needs. However, more digital multi-currency applications are available in Singapore.  You have the option of exchanging, holding and spending foreign currency, without additional bank charges at your fingertips.

    • Wise
    • YouTrip
    • Instarem
    • Revolut

    Groceries

    The supermarkets and grocery stores here are stocked with all kinds of local and international quality produce from around the world.

    Some of the popular supermarkets and online grocery stores:

    Cold Storage :  http://coldstorage.com.sg
    FairPrice :  http://fairprice.com.sg
    Little Farms :  http://littlefarms.com
    Le Petit Boutique :  http://petiteboutique-sg.com
    Open Taste :  http://opentaste.sg
    Open Taste :   http://hubers.com.sg

    Telecommunication

    Since December 2013, Singapore has adopted DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial) as the digital broadcasting standard for the migration to digital TV. Therefore, appliances running on the analog system do not work in Singapore.

    SingTel Starhub M1
    Website http://singtel.com/ www.starhub.com www.m1.com.sg
    Home Phone SingTel Home Line Provide standard fixed phone lines. No need for Internet connection or additional equipment. Additional charges for all outgoing local calls. StarHub Digital Voice Home Phone line service using cable technology. Requires an additional modem. Free incoming and outgoing local calls. M1 Fixed Voice Service Fixed lines available for free with fibre broadband. Free incoming and outgoing local calls. Applicable to selected locations. May require an additional residential gateway.
    Mobile Phone
    Internet Broadband
    Cable TV/IPTV SingTel TV Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) with over 190 channels available in a number of customizable packages. Starhub TV Fiber TV with over 150 channels available in a number of customizable packages. x 
    Document Required Original passport, Employment Pass and Tenancy Agreement

    The 3 largest telecommunications providers in Singapore are SingTel, Starhub and M1.  Services and pricing schemes differ, so shop around for deals that suit you best.

    Home Repairs

    Handyman and Plumbing services are easy to find around the clock.

    Most handyman charge an upfront transport fee of approximately SGD40 per visit. Labor charges for each repair can range from SGD60 to 120, depending on the extent of repair needed. The direct cost of parts would also apply.

    Should you wish to purchase your own equipment for do-it-yourself (DIY) home repair or furnishing, hardware shops can be found at various locations all over Singapore, stocking items such as paint, brushes, plumbing parts, nuts, bolts, and screws.

    A common high-end DIY shop is Selffix, which can be found in many major shopping malls.

    Horne Hardware :  https://www.horme.com.sg/ 
    Mr DIY :  http://www.mrdiy.com/sg
    Selffix :  http://www.selffix.com/

    Utilities

    Tap water is moderately soft and safe to drink.   The electricity supply in Singapore is 200/400 volts using both 2 and 3 pinned plugs. To use foreign plugs, you can easily purchase an adaptor or a local electric cord.  For appliances with a higher voltage, it is advised to use the device with a transformer. Billing for all utilities is handled by SP Group as a one-stop customer service for electricity, water, and pipe gas supply.  So, opening a SP utility account is the first step to take before moving in.  If you wish to switch to a private electricity retailer, you may sign up again separately. SP Group https://www.spgroup.com.sg/ or the SP utility app Tel: 1800 222 2333

    Domestic Help

    Employing a domestic helper is very much part of living in Singapore. Most homes or apartments have an area in the house to accommodate live-in helpers. Whether part-time or live-in, getting a domestic helper is affordable.

    Part Time Helpers

    On a per hour basis, part-time helpers provide flexibility for those who want to keep their privacy at home. Most agencies work on a contract basis, so do not be afraid to request the same helper again as she is familiar with your cleaning requirements.

    Part-time rate (4 – 20 hours per week), SGD400 – SGD800 per month

    Live In Helpers

    Live-in helpers usually come from the Philippines, Indonesian, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The average salary is SGD450 – 700 per month.

    To employ a foreign helper, a Foreign Domestic Worker Levy is applicable at SGD300 per month. Agencies are available to process the work permit for the helper with a fee. This includes insurance, and a bank guarantee to the government in case your helper becomes an issue for the country.

    Nannies

    Nannies in Singapore have different rates to better fit your needs, ranging from hourly, daily or monthly. For support beyond daycare services, it is more common for a live-in helper to be engaged for childcare services.

    Let’s Have Fun

    Leisure & Entertainment

    Although Singapore is known for its culinary diversity, it also has a wide range of entertainment activities.

    • Located 15 minutes from the city, Sentosa Island is home to an exciting array of attractions, including Universal Studios, three beaches, a golf course, and an indoor skydiving facility.
    • The Esplanade is home to Singapore’s premier entertainment destination, in the form of shows, musicals and more.
    • Museums include the National Museum, Asian Civilization Museum, and Singapore Art Museum.
    • Singapore Botanic Gardens offers 202.63 acres of lush garden and flowers, and the Gardens by the Bay have three distinct and new waterfront gardens.
    • The Singapore Flyer is a big attraction in the Lion City. Standing 165 metres off the ground, it allows the flyer to be the world’s largest observation wheel.
    • Tour buses provide strategically placed stops and interesting commentary on Singapore’s history, building, and sights.
    • Holland Village is a bustling hub, popular with young people and expatriates, dominated by eateries, bars, and shops.
    • Shopping in Singapore is considered a national pastime, and the top location is Orchard Road, packed with modern malls.
    • Nightspots such as “Ce La Vi” on top of the Marina Bay Sands, bars and hip restaurants down Club Street and the clubs at Clarke Quay are all Singapore’s hottest locations after dark.

    Networking

    Being in a new environment can take away your important support network.  With established expatriate communities in Singapore, there are many support groups to help many just like you.  Several clubs and associations also provide similar support groups, so it is good to start your search from there.

    These useful websites offer tips and networking opportunities to expatriates living in Singapore.

    https://www.expatliving.sg/

    http://www.meetup.com/find/sg

    https://www.singaporeexpats.com/

    New Mothers Support Group http://www.nmsgsingapore.com

    This is a volunteer organization for parents of Singapore to get together and share experiences as parents and learn about raising young children in Singapore. Membership with this support group includes workshops and information talks by professionals on topics of pregnancy, post-natal childcare and other guides to raising children.

    Singapore American Community Action Council (SACAC) Counselling http://www.sacac.sg

    Dedicated to promoting mental health within the local and expatriate community, SACAC provides counseling, workshops, psychological and well-being activities for children in their growing years to deter youngsters from unwanted incidents of drug use.

    Need Help?

    Emergency Contacts

    Emergency

    Fire/Ambulance:995
    Police:999
    Police Hotline:1800 255 0000
    Non-Emergency Ambulance:1777
    Civic Ambulance:6333 3000
    SCDF General Enquiries:1800 286 5555

    Services Contact

    SP PowerGrid-24hr (Power Failure): 1800 778 8888
    Citygas-24hr (Gas Leaks/ Supply Disruption): 1800 752 1800
    PUB-24hr (Water Supply/ Flooding/ Drainage): 1800 284 6600

    Copyright @ Asian Tigers Ltd • 15/1/2019

    We make every effort to ensure the information contained in these destination guide is accurate and up-to-date. However, do keep in mind that the rules, regulations and other material in these guides change from time to time, so we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. We suggest that you contact the appropriate Asian Tigers office if you have any questions. They will be glad to help you.