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 bought a number of nice info 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 bought to discover loads and was capable of uncover many cool spots which are typically missed. Let’s get began!
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About Singapore
Singapore is a energetic 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 secure, Singapore has a incredible 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, a number 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 It’s a mix of outdated and new and is regarded by many as a monetary powerhouse and gateway to Southeast Asian enterprise and finance.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. Except for 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 infrequently flaunted.
There are ample possibilities to calm down and discover town with nice mountain climbing alternatives and lots of websites of historic and cultural significance to get pleasure from. One in all my favourite issues to do was to go to cool streets like Haji Lane, a preferred and energetic strip of bars, cafes, and eating places.
Take a look at 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 this point, with low crime charges and a welcoming ambiance towards guests and vacationers. Throughout my home sits, I felt snug strolling canine in any respect hours, because the streets are well-lit and CCTV is in all places. 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 similar 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 preserve order.
All of the neighborhoods I traveled to felt secure, but it surely’s clever to keep away from unfamiliar areas late at evening, simply as I’d advise in any large metropolis. Staying conscious of your environment and following primary security ideas will higher your probabilities of having a cushty and secure expertise.
Finest Areas to Reside in Singapore
Being a digital nomad in Singapore opened up alternatives for me to discover totally 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 heart 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 incredible place to be located because of the encircling cafes, coworking areas, and lodging choices.
It’s near every part, with simple MRT entry, nice purchasing choices, and the close by Bugis Avenue Market. There’s all the time 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 plenty of inexperienced areas and a relaxed, residential vibe. It’s very best for many who get pleasure from a quieter spot however nonetheless need fast entry to town heart. Public transport is dependable, environment friendly, and reasonably priced making it simple to get round.
There are many laptop-friendly cafes to arrange store from, very best for getting via 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 singular expertise. It’s a part of town the place historic custom meets the fashionable world with startling contrasts in all places.
My high 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 a few of the greatest completely happy hours on the town – to not point out unbelievable views of the skyscrapers!
4. Tiong Bahru
Tiong Bahru is one in every of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods, well-known for its artwork deco buildings and hip, artistic scene. It’s an incredible place for impartial bookstores and informal cafes that double up as snug 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 ambiance, relaxed vibe, and distinctive mix of outdated and new Singapore.
5. Katong
Katong is a residential neighborhood outdoors of the principle metropolis limits. Right here, you’ll discover colourful shophouses and heritage colonial bungalows which supply a stark distinction to the towering metropolis skyscrapers. It feels extra homely on this a part of town.
Katong has a gradual 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 superb place to go to the tze char stalls and to pattern some frog porridge (in the event you fancy!).
Methods 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 closely fits your wants and funds.
SEE ALSO: The place to Keep in Singapore (Finest Areas & Locations)
1. Airbnb: At all times a preferred choice for brief to mid-term stays, use Airbnb in the event you’re searching for a completely furnished place. You’ll find every part from funds rooms in individuals’s properties to luxurious flats, many with reductions for weekly or month-to-month stays.
2. Trusted Housesitters: If you need a singular, low-cost strategy to keep in Singapore attempt Trusted Housesitters. From private expertise, home sitting is a perfect choice for animal lovers and means that you can immerse your self within the metropolis like an area 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 lively Fb teams together with ‘Rooms For Lease Singapore‘. These teams supply direct entry to locals and ex-pats with lodging to lease, normally reducing out the intermediary.
4. Reserving.com: A trusty and dependable alternative for short-term stays, Reserving.com has a large number of motels, serviced flats, and hostels. It’s particularly helpful in the event you want flexibility, as many choices include free cancellation.
Value 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 every part price a little bit 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 regular margin, a weekly store in Singapore doesn’t differ too a lot from my present digital nomad spot – Austin, Texas.
Dwelling in Singapore offers the total 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% dearer than in a significant US metropolis. Renting an residence in central Singapore will price round $2500 earlier than utilities.
Quick-term stays on platforms like Airbnb supply a spread of lodging and infrequently have good offers on month-long or prolonged stays. Nevertheless, costs can range broadly relying on the situation you need and the facilities you require.
The typical worth per evening of a lodge room in Singapore is $212, one thing to concentrate on in the event you’re planning to remain within the metropolis for some time. Contemplate 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 likely one of the greatest I’ve seen world wide to this point – a few of the underground stations themselves are even good locations to go to!
You’ll be able to merely scan any lively credit score or financial institution card when hopping on and off the buses or going via 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
Selecting 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 retailers for big operators similar to SIMBA, the community I utilized in Singapore and extremely advocate.
You will get a very good quantity of information for an affordable worth and have the SIM card put in and activated proper in entrance of you, which means you may relaxation assured every part is working earlier than you allow. I bought 10GB for $15 which lasted me 30 days and it labored rather well.
Should you plan to hotspot or use a knowledge plan for distant work, take into account upping your month-to-month allowance. Costs are extra affordable the upper up you go. If unsure, discover a native retailer, as the bulk converse nice English and are completely happy to have a chat about your wants whereas within the metropolis.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Singapore
Listed below are a couple of ideas to assist preserve 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, attempt Singapore’s well-known hawker stalls like Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat.
- Take pleasure in 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 mountain climbing alternatives and loads of contemporary air to be present in Singapore’s parks and inexperienced areas.
- Safe a Home Sit: Trusted Housesitters is a superb choice in the event you love animals and need to save on lodging prices.
- Finances-Pleasant Lodging: Past home sitting, take into account co-living areas or shared flats via Airbnb.
- Negotiate: Whether or not purchasing within the markets or renting an residence, it’s all the time value haggling over a worth.
- Restrict Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is dear in Singapore, so take into account limiting nights out or ingesting at house.
- Discover Completely satisfied Hours: Completely satisfied hour is a well-liked factor in Singapore with many bars providing each day lowered 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 Pace
Singapore has a few of the quickest and most dependable web speeds on this planet, making it very 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 circumstances 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 nations globally, The Hive has been a helpful alliance to me via 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’ll be able to all the time be assured of a quiet desk to work from, wonderful WiFi, and all of the services you may 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
Probably the most outstanding coworking house in Singapore needs to be WeWork, with 12 places within the metropolis. I’m not capable of touch upon all of them however my experiences with this well-established worldwide chain have all the time been constructive.
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 but it surely presents state-of-the-art services 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 seems to be out over the marina and the enduring Marina Bay Sands – so far as places of work go, it’s nearly as good because it will get!
There’s ample house within the lovely lounge for hot-desking and devoted places of work for many who search a extra everlasting residence or some remoted work time. Costs begin at $22/day with 24/7 entry obtainable.
Finest 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 full of nice choices for us digital nomads, listed below are my high 3 picks:
- The E book Cafe: Combining my love of books and occasional, this nice choice is a refreshing however simply accessible distance from town heart. 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 incredible menu starting from breakfast sandwiches to fish and chips. It’s a energetic however enjoyable place to arrange together with your laptop computer.
- Enchanted Cafe Rangoon Street: An enthralling 24/7 cafe that appears like a classic tea room. There’s a tasty all-day brunch menu full of every part you may 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 benefit from versatile hours. Whether or not you’re free to discover in the course of the week or preserve weekends open, listed below 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 an effective way to pattern a number of native delicacies in locations off-the-beaten-track that many vacationers merely wouldn’t in any other case uncover.
This customized tour with an area 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 totally 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 numerous, across the metropolis. Top-of-the-line 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 via an enormous underground command heart the place hourly excursions take you thru the historical past and tales. Donations are welcome so take into account supporting in the event you can.
3. Discover the Metropolis by Bike
A incredible strategy 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 strategy 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 Method 1 races of the season descends on the streets of Singapore. The Singapore Grand Prix is a big occasion that draws guests from world wide as the perfect drivers on the planet velocity alongside town’s roads at 200 mph.
Though every part returns to regular after the busy weekend of racing, a few of the essential infrastructure is everlasting and open to the general public. You’ll be able to 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 enduring 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 crops and even a surprising 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 clever to maintain an umbrella helpful.
With excessive humidity and frequent rain, it will probably usually really feel hotter than the precise temperature. Many vacationers, digital nomads, and locals favor 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 doubt 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:
Execs of Dwelling in Singapore
- Environment friendly Public Transport: Singapore has an intensive and dependable public transport system, making it simple to get round.
- Security: Singapore is understood for its low crime charge and strict legal guidelines, so it’s a secure surroundings for residents and guests alike.
- Multicultural Surroundings: The town is a melting pot of cultures, providing numerous meals, festivals, and experiences.
- Excessive High quality of Life: With wonderful healthcare, schooling, and infrastructure, Singapore offers 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 Group: There’s a big ex-pat neighborhood which might 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 probably 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 Rules: 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 can 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, mountain climbing the value by 15%-20%.
- Building: My closing home sit in Bugis was slighted by the quantity of intensive building taking place on the skyscraper throughout the road. Constructing work is widespread throughout town.
Digital Nomad Visa for Singapore
Singapore doesn’t at present supply a selected digital nomad visa, which may 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 very least six months past their date of entry.
This short-term association is nice for month-long visits however not very best for digital nomads searching 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 most recent entry necessities and updates, check with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.
In Conclusion
I hope my digital nomad information to Singapore has highlighted why you need to take into account it as a distant working location. For my part, it’s one of many greatest cities in Asia to tick off your journey record. Amongst many different qualities, it’s additionally a great base for additional exploration, particularly throughout Southeast Asia.
The town’s numerous foodie scene and limitless thrilling actions will guarantee that you’ve 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 ambiance and welcoming surroundings.
