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 plenty of 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 primarily based in three areas throughout town meant I received to discover loads and was capable of uncover many cool spots which might be typically missed. Let’s get began!
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About Singapore
Singapore is a full of life Southeast Asian city-state, positioned simply south of Malaysia. It’s small however filled with thrilling sights, making exploring straightforward.
Well-known for being clear and secure, Singapore has a implausible 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, plenty of 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 It’s a mix of outdated and new and is regarded by many as a monetary powerhouse and gateway to Southeast Asian enterprise and finance.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. Other than caring for some pretty 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 possibilities to calm down and discover town with nice mountaineering alternatives and lots of websites of historic and cultural significance to get pleasure from. Considered one of my favourite issues to do was to go to cool streets like Haji Lane, a preferred and full of life 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 Secure?
Singapore is likely one of the most secure locations I’ve visited to date, with low crime charges and a welcoming environment towards guests and vacationers. Throughout my home sits, I felt comfy strolling canines in any respect hours, because the streets are well-lit and CCTV is all over the place. I had no security issues throughout my keep.
Whereas critical crime is uncommon, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to be cautious of minor scams. Frequent points comparable to overcharging can happen in tourist-heavy areas, nevertheless, that is simply prevented by utilizing respected providers. Singapore’s strict legal guidelines assist keep order.
All of the neighborhoods I traveled to felt secure, however it’s smart to keep away from unfamiliar areas late at night time, simply as I’d advise in any massive metropolis. Staying conscious of your environment and following fundamental security ideas will higher your probabilities of having a cushty and secure expertise.
Greatest Areas to Stay 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 ideal place to be located due to the encompassing cafes, coworking areas, and lodging choices.
It’s near all the pieces, with straightforward MRT entry, nice purchasing choices, and the close by Bugis Avenue Market. There’s at all times one thing to do after work, whether or not it’s having fun with the night time 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 best for many who get pleasure from a quieter spot however nonetheless need fast entry to town middle. Public transport is dependable, environment friendly, and reasonably priced making it straightforward to get round.
There are many laptop-friendly cafes to arrange store from, best for getting by your workload with out distractions. With locations like Alexandra Canal and the native hawker facilities close by, there’s loads 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 historic custom meets the fashionable world with startling contrasts all over the place.
My high issues to do had 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 a number of the greatest glad hours on the town – to not point out unimaginable views of the skyscrapers!
4. Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is certainly one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods, well-known for its artwork deco buildings and hip, inventive scene. It’s an ideal 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, good for unwinding after a workday. Many digital nomads I do know love Tiong Bahru for the pleasant environment, relaxed vibe, and distinctive mix of outdated 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 (when you fancy!).
How you can 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 possibility gives one thing distinctive, so you may select what most accurately fits your wants and finances.
SEE ALSO: The place to Keep in Singapore (Greatest Areas & Locations)
1. Airbnb: At all times a preferred possibility for brief to mid-term stays, use Airbnb when you’re searching for a totally furnished place. Yow will discover all the pieces from finances rooms in individuals’s houses to luxurious flats, many with reductions for weekly or month-to-month stays.
2. Trusted Housesitters: If you would like a novel, low-cost method to keep in Singapore strive Trusted Housesitters. From private expertise, home sitting is a perfect possibility for animal lovers and means that you can immerse your self within the metropolis like a neighborhood with out rental prices.
Goats On The Street readers get a particular 25% low cost by clicking this hyperlink.
3. Fb: Singapore has a number of energetic Fb teams together with ‘Rooms For Hire Singapore‘. These teams provide direct entry to locals and ex-pats with lodging to lease, normally slicing out the intermediary.
4. Reserving.com: A trusty and dependable selection for short-term stays, Reserving.com has an enormous number of inns, serviced flats, and hostels. It’s particularly helpful when you want flexibility, as many choices include free cancellation.
Price of Dwelling in Singapore
I’ve to confess, Singapore is likely one of the dearer cities I’ve visited. Costs weren’t insane, however virtually all the pieces price 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 prospects; from native hawker markets and road meals stands costing a couple of dollars a meal to the best of high-end choices. However, for a median meal out for 2 in a pleasant place, you may count on to pay round $70.
Lodging Prices
Lodging prices in Singapore may be considerably greater than in lots of cities, with long-term leases round 30% dearer than in a serious US metropolis. Renting an condominium in central Singapore will price round $2500 earlier than utilities.
Quick-term stays on platforms like Airbnb provide a variety of lodging and sometimes have good offers on month-long or prolonged stays. Nevertheless, costs can differ broadly relying on the situation you need and the facilities you require.
The typical value per night time of a lodge room in Singapore is $212, one thing to pay attention to when 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 save lots of prices.
Transportation Prices in Singapore
Life in Singapore runs fairly easily due to a community of environment friendly buses, trains, and taxis. The MRT (Mass Speedy Transit) is likely one of the greatest I’ve seen world wide to date – a number of the underground stations themselves are even good locations to go to!
You possibly can merely scan any energetic credit score or financial institution card when hopping on and off the buses or going by the metro turnstiles. A bus journey prices round $1.50 and a brief taxi journey 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 knowledge plans. Most are official shops for giant operators comparable to SIMBA, the community I utilized in Singapore and extremely advocate.
You may get a great quantity of knowledge for an affordable value and have the SIM card put in and activated proper in entrance of you, which means you may relaxation assured all the pieces is working earlier than you permit. I received 10GB for $15 which lasted me 30 days and it labored rather well.
For those who plan to hotspot or use a knowledge plan for distant work, think about upping your month-to-month allowance. Costs are extra cheap the upper up you go. If doubtful, discover a native retailer, as the bulk converse nice English and are glad to have a chat about your wants whereas within the metropolis.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Singapore
Listed below are a number of ideas to assist maintain prices down in Singapore;
- Use Public Transport: Singapore’s MRT and buses are environment friendly, reasonably priced, and canopy most elements 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 Points of interest: Extra on this later, however relaxation assured there are many free sights 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 possibility when you love animals and wish to save on lodging prices.
- Funds-Pleasant Lodging: Past home sitting, think about co-living areas or shared flats by Airbnb.
- Negotiate: Whether or not purchasing within the markets or renting an condominium, it’s at all times value haggling over a value.
- Restrict Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is pricey in Singapore, so think about limiting nights out or consuming at house.
- Discover Blissful Hours: Blissful hour is a well-liked factor in Singapore with many bars providing each day lowered costs on drinks.
- Store Good: Keep away from premium supermarkets and store at native markets or locations like FairPrice.
Coworking Areas in Singapore and WiFi Pace
Singapore has a number of the quickest and most dependable web speeds on this planet, making it best 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 stable 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 number of choices for distant working:
1. The Hive
With 5 areas in Singapore and a presence in 6 nations globally, The Hive has been a helpful alliance to me by 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 possibly can at all times be assured of a quiet desk to work from, wonderful WiFi, and all of the services you can 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 area in Singapore must be WeWork, with 12 areas within the metropolis. I’m not capable of touch upon all of them however my experiences with this well-established worldwide chain have at all times been optimistic.
I can extremely advocate the Suntec Tower 5 location which is perched in a superb skyscraper and gazes out over town. It’s not the most cost effective at $35/day however it gives state-of-the-art services and is an excellent cool place to work from.
3. The Work Boulevard
For the very best working view in Singapore, head to The Work Boulevard at Collyer Quay. They’ve 3 areas within the metropolis however this explicit department seems out over the marina and the long-lasting Marina Bay Sands – so far as workplaces go, it’s pretty much as good because it will get!
There’s ample area within the lovely lounge for hot-desking and devoted workplaces for many who search a extra everlasting residence or some remoted work time. Costs begin at $22/day with 24/7 entry out there.
Greatest Cafes to Work From in Singapore
As a digital nomad residing in Singapore, it’s helpful to know the place the laptop-friendly cafes are. Fortunately, Singapore is filled with nice choices for us digital nomads, listed here are my high 3 picks:
- The Ebook Cafe: Combining my love of books and low, this nice possibility 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 implausible menu starting from breakfast sandwiches to fish and chips. It’s a full of life however enjoyable place to arrange together with your laptop computer.
- Enchanted Cafe Rangoon Street: An enthralling 24/7 cafe that looks like a classic tea room. There’s a tasty all-day brunch menu filled with all the pieces you can need and it has a pleasant environment 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 in the course of the week or maintain weekends open, listed here are some nice methods to totally get pleasure from Singapore:
1. Take a Personalised Meals Tour
If you wish to dive headfirst into the native meals scene I extremely advocate a road meals tour. It’s a good way to pattern plenty of native delicacies in locations off-the-beaten-track that many vacationers merely wouldn’t in any other case uncover.
This personalised tour with a neighborhood host tailors the expertise to your tastes and explores well-known spots together with the Chinatown Meals Advanced. You’ll style as many as 8 completely different road meals and get to go to a conventional 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 a degree to go to as most of the poignant websites, of which there are various, across the metropolis. Among the finest was The Battlebox hidden underneath Fort Canning Park.
This free-to-visit exhibit is a must-visit for historical past fanatics. It gives an immersive look into Singapore’s WWII historical past by an enormous underground command middle the place hourly excursions take you thru the historical past and tales. Donations are welcome so think about supporting when you can.
3. Discover the Metropolis by Bike
A implausible method 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 method 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 Formulation 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 very best drivers on the planet pace alongside town’s roads at 200 mph.
Though all the pieces returns to regular after the busy weekend of racing, a number of the primary infrastructure is everlasting and open to the general public. You possibly can 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 gentle reveals. Don’t miss the long-lasting Supertree Grove, the place towering, plant-covered constructions gentle as much as music every night – it’s really 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 widespread, particularly from November to February in the course of 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 helpful.
With excessive humidity and frequent rain, it may 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 totally get pleasure from any outside actions.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Singapore
There’s little question that Singapore is an excellent metropolis, however there are each execs and cons to contemplate as a digital nomad, earlier than selecting it as a base. Right here’s what I discovered from my expertise:
Execs of Dwelling in Singapore
- Environment friendly Public Transport: Singapore has an intensive and dependable public transport system, making it straightforward to get round.
- Security: Singapore is thought for its low crime fee and strict legal guidelines, so it’s a secure surroundings 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, schooling, and infrastructure, Singapore supplies a excessive way of life.
- 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 group which will help it really feel like a house from house.
- Proximity to Nature: Regardless of its city setting, Singapore has many fantastic 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 Price of Dwelling: Working remotely in Singapore may be costly, with excessive lodging and eating prices.
- Restricted Area: 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 may be uncomfortable if it’s not one thing you’re conversant in.
- Strict Laws: Whereas legal guidelines contribute to security, strict laws can really feel limiting and appear overbearing at occasions.
- Quick-Paced Life-style: The fast-paced metropolis life may 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 problem for US residents who’re used to including tax and tip however most locations in Singapore add tax and tip to the marketed value, mountaineering the worth by 15%-20%.
- Building: My ultimate home sit in Bugis was slighted by the quantity of in depth development occurring on the skyscraper throughout the road. Constructing work is widespread throughout town.
Digital Nomad Visa for Singapore
Singapore doesn’t at present provide a particular digital nomad visa, which might make it difficult for distant staff seeking to reside there long-term. As an alternative, most digital nomads are capable of 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 at the least six months past their date of entry.
This momentary association is nice for month-long visits however not best for digital nomads looking for 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 newest entry necessities and updates, confer 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 think about it as a distant working location. In my view, it’s one of many greatest cities in Asia to tick off your journey checklist. Amongst many different qualities, it’s additionally an excellent base for additional exploration, particularly throughout Southeast Asia.
The town’s various foodie scene and limitless thrilling actions will guarantee that you’ve got loads 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 environment and welcoming surroundings.