Welcome to my digital nomad information to dwelling in Singapore. If like me, you spend your life on the highway, laptop computer in hand, hopping from nation to nation, I’ve received 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 areas throughout the town meant I received to discover lots and was in a position to uncover many cool spots which can be typically missed. Let’s get began!
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About Singapore
Singapore is a full of life Southeast Asian city-state, situated simply south of Malaysia. It’s small however full of thrilling sights, making exploring straightforward.
Well-known for being clear and protected, Singapore has a unbelievable public transport system and is dwelling 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 the 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 It’s a mix of outdated and new and is regarded by many as a monetary powerhouse and gateway to Southeast Asian enterprise and finance.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 taking good care of some beautiful properties and pets, feeling settled allowed me to crack on with loads of distant work.
Residing 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 chill out and discover the town with nice climbing alternatives and plenty of websites of historic and cultural significance to get pleasure from. One in every of my favourite issues to do was to go to cool streets like Haji Lane, a well-liked and full of life strip of bars, cafes, and eating places.
Take a look at my Home Sitting Information to Singapore to learn all about my expertise dwelling in Singapore as a digital nomad.
Is Singapore Protected?
Singapore is among the most secure locations I’ve visited up to now, 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 in all places. 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 resembling overcharging can happen in tourist-heavy areas, nevertheless, that is simply prevented by utilizing respected providers. Singapore’s strict legal guidelines assist preserve order.
All of the neighborhoods I traveled to felt protected, however it’s smart to keep away from unfamiliar areas late at night time, 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.
Finest Areas to Reside in Singapore
Being a digital nomad in Singapore opened up alternatives for me to discover completely different areas of the town. Getting round is simple and there are many thrilling methods to spend your downtime. Listed here are 5 nice areas to think about dwelling in Singapore:
1. Bugis
Bugis is a busy part of the town heart recognized for having nice city-wide hyperlinks, quite a few fashionable spots, and tons of facilities. It’s my favourite location in Singapore, and as a digital nomad, it’s a fantastic place to be located due to the encompassing cafes, coworking areas, and lodging choices.
It’s near every little thing, with straightforward MRT entry, nice buying choices, and the close by Bugis Road Market. There’s all the time one thing to do after work, whether or not it’s having fun with the night time market or exploring Haji Lane only a few minutes stroll away.
2. Queenstown
Queenstown is a extra laid-back space, with lots of inexperienced areas and a relaxed, residential vibe. It’s supreme for many who get pleasure from a quieter spot however nonetheless need fast entry to the town heart. Public transport is dependable, environment friendly, and inexpensive making it straightforward to get round.
There are many laptop-friendly cafes to arrange store from, supreme for getting via your workload with out distractions. With locations like Alexandra Canal and the native hawker facilities close by, there’s lots to discover after shutting down the laptop computer for the day.
3. Chinatown
I’ve visited many Chinatowns all over the world however Chinatown Singapore was a novel expertise. It’s a part of the town the place historical custom meets the trendy 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 number of the finest joyful hours on the town – to not point out unbelievable 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 a fantastic 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 outdated and new Singapore.
5. Katong
Katong is a residential neighborhood exterior of the principle 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 the town.
Katong has a sluggish tempo offering loads of alternatives for distant work. Foodies will love the standard 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 (if you happen to fancy!).
How one can Discover Lodging in Singapore
Listed here 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 affords one thing distinctive, so you may select what most closely fits your wants and finances.
SEE ALSO: The place to Keep in Singapore (Finest Areas & Locations)
1. Airbnb: At all times a well-liked choice for brief to mid-term stays, use Airbnb if you happen to’re on the lookout for a totally furnished place. You could find every little thing from finances rooms in individuals’s houses to luxurious residences, many with reductions for weekly or month-to-month stays.
2. Trusted Housesitters: If you would like a novel, low-cost solution to keep in Singapore strive Trusted Housesitters. From private expertise, home sitting is a perfect choice for animal lovers and lets you immerse your self within the metropolis like an area with out rental prices.
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3. Fb: Singapore has a number of lively Fb teams together with ‘Rooms For Hire Singapore‘. These teams provide 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 accommodations, serviced residences, and hostels. It’s particularly helpful if you happen to want flexibility, as many choices include free cancellation.
Value of Residing in Singapore
I’ve to confess, Singapore is among the dearer cities I’ve visited. Costs weren’t insane, however virtually every little thing price somewhat 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 buying 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.
Residing in Singapore gives the complete scope of eating potentialities; from native hawker markets and road meals stands costing a couple of bucks a meal to the 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 may be considerably larger than in lots of cities, with long-term leases round 30% dearer than in a serious US metropolis. Renting an residence in central Singapore will price 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 range 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 if you happen to’re planning to remain within the metropolis for some time. Think about 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 among the finest I’ve seen all over the world up to now – a number 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 Information
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 resembling SIMBA, the community I utilized in Singapore and extremely advocate.
You may get quantity of knowledge for an inexpensive value and have the SIM card put in and activated proper in entrance of you, which means you may relaxation assured every little thing is working earlier than you allow. I received 10GB for $15 which lasted me 30 days and it labored rather well.
When you plan to hotspot or use an information plan for distant work, take into account upping your month-to-month allowance. Costs are extra affordable the upper up you go. If doubtful, 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 Suggestions for Singapore
Listed here are just a few ideas to assist preserve prices down in Singapore;
- Use Public Transport: Singapore’s MRT and buses are environment friendly, inexpensive, and canopy most components of the 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 sights to get pleasure from.
- Get Again to Nature: There are some fabulous climbing alternatives and loads of recent air to be present in Singapore’s parks and inexperienced areas.
- Safe a Home Sit: Trusted Housesitters is a good choice if you happen to love animals and need to save on lodging prices.
- Funds-Pleasant Lodging: Past home sitting, take into account co-living areas or shared residences via Airbnb.
- Negotiate: Whether or not buying within the markets or renting an residence, it’s all the time value haggling over a value.
- Restrict Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is pricey in Singapore, so take into account limiting nights out or ingesting at dwelling.
- Discover Comfortable Hours: Comfortable 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 Velocity
Singapore has a number of the quickest and most dependable web speeds on this planet, making it supreme 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 barely has outages. Easy video calls, uploads, and different on-line work with out interruptions create dream circumstances for digital nomads. There are additionally many glorious coworking areas, right here’s just a few choices for distant working:
1. The Hive
With 5 areas in Singapore and a presence in 6 international locations 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 Residing in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis.
You’ll be able to all the time be assured of a quiet desk to work from, glorious 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 needs to be WeWork, with 12 areas 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 all the time been optimistic.
I can extremely advocate the Suntec Tower 5 location which is perched in a superb skyscraper and gazes out over the town. It’s not the most cost effective at $35/day however it affords state-of-the-art services and is an excellent cool place to work from.
3. The Work Boulevard
For the most effective working view in Singapore, head to The Work Boulevard at Collyer Quay. They’ve 3 areas within the metropolis however this specific department seems out over the marina 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 area 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 dwelling 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 the town heart. It’s a pleasant spot near the river that has loads of spacious tables, respectable WiFi, and a calming vibe.
- Free the Robotic: From breakfast to dinner, espresso to cocktails this robot-themed cafe has a unbelievable menu starting from breakfast sandwiches to fish and chips. It’s a full of life however enjoyable place to arrange along with your laptop computer.
- Enchanted Cafe Rangoon Street: An enthralling 24/7 cafe that seems like a classic tea room. There’s a tasty all-day brunch menu full of every little thing you can want and it has a pleasant ambiance which makes for a peaceable spot for distant work.
Actions and Issues to Do in Singapore
Residing 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 throughout 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 a good 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 personalised 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 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 some extent to go to as most of the poignant websites, of which there are lots of, across the metropolis. Among the finest was The Battlebox hidden beneath Fort Canning Park.
This free-to-visit exhibit is a must-visit for historical past fans. It affords 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 if you happen to can.
3. Discover the Metropolis by Bike
A unbelievable solution 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 solution to get to know Singapore? Click on right here for extra details about this glorious small-group tour.
4. Stand in Pole Place
Yearly one of many greatest Components 1 races of the season descends on the streets of Singapore. The Singapore Grand Prix is a big occasion that draws guests from all over the world as the most effective drivers on the planet velocity alongside the town’s roads at 200 mph.
Though every little thing returns to regular after the busy weekend of racing, a number of the foremost 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 monitor. 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 out of doors 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 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 shocking indoor waterfall. It’s a peaceable escape proper within the coronary heart of the 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, the town experiences little seasonal variation.
Rain is frequent, particularly from November to February throughout 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 could 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 best time to go to to totally get pleasure from any out of doors actions.
Execs and Cons of Residing in Singapore
There’s little doubt that Singapore is a superb metropolis, however there are each execs and cons to think about as a digital nomad, earlier than selecting it as a base. Right here’s what I discovered from my expertise:
Execs of Residing in Singapore
- Environment friendly Public Transport: Singapore has an in depth and dependable public transport system, making it straightforward to get round.
- Security: Singapore is understood for its low crime charge 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 numerous meals, festivals, and experiences.
- Excessive High quality of Life: With glorious healthcare, training, and infrastructure, Singapore gives 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 neighborhood which can assist it really feel like a house from dwelling.
- 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 probably the most Westernized tradition I’ve seen in Asia.
Cons of Residing in Singapore
- Excessive Value of Residing: Working remotely in Singapore may be costly, with excessive lodging and eating prices.
- Restricted Area: Many residences and dwelling 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 acquainted with.
- Strict Rules: Whereas legal guidelines contribute to security, strict laws can really feel limiting and appear overbearing at instances.
- 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 can 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, 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 frequent throughout the town.
Digital Nomad Visa for Singapore
Singapore doesn’t presently provide a particular digital nomad visa, which might make it difficult for distant staff seeking to stay there long-term. As a substitute, 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 not less than six months past their date of entry.
This short-term association is nice for month-long visits however not supreme 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, consult 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 finest cities in Asia to tick off your journey listing. Amongst many different qualities, it’s additionally a really perfect base for additional exploration, particularly throughout Southeast Asia.
The town’s numerous foodie scene and countless thrilling actions will guarantee that you’ve got lots 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 sort of dynamic ambiance and welcoming atmosphere.
