Welcome to my digital nomad information to dwelling in Singapore. If like me, you spend your life on the street, laptop computer in hand, hopping from nation to nation, I’ve acquired a lot 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 places throughout the town meant I acquired to discover lots and was capable of uncover many cool spots which can be usually missed. Let’s get began!

About Singapore

Singapore is a energetic Southeast Asian city-state, situated 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 residence to iconic spots together with the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. You’ll discover breathtaking, towering skyscrapers, a lot 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 previous and new and is regarded by many as a monetary powerhouse and gateway to Southeast Asian enterprise and finance.

Digital Nomad in Singapore: Private Expertise

I accomplished 3 back-to-back home sits while in Singapore, which helped me immensely with lodging prices. Apart from caring for some pretty 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 infrequently 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. Certainly one of 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.

Try my Home Sitting Information to Singapore to learn all about my expertise dwelling 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 snug strolling canine in any respect hours, because the streets are well-lit and CCTV is all over the place. I had no security considerations throughout my keep.

Whereas severe crime is uncommon, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to be cautious of minor scams. Widespread points corresponding to overcharging can happen in tourist-heavy areas, nevertheless, that is simply averted by utilizing respected companies. Singapore’s strict legal guidelines assist keep order.

All of the neighborhoods I traveled to felt secure, nevertheless it’s sensible 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 fundamental security suggestions will higher your possibilities of having a cushty and secure expertise.

Greatest 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 straightforward and there are many thrilling methods to spend your downtime. Listed here are 5 nice areas to contemplate dwelling in Singapore:

1. Bugis

Bugis is a busy part of the town heart identified 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 a fantastic place to be located because of the encompassing cafes, coworking areas, and lodging choices.

It’s near the whole lot, with straightforward MRT entry, nice purchasing choices, and the close by Bugis Road Market. There’s at all times one thing to do after work, whether or not it’s having fun with the night time 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 excellent 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 reasonably priced making it straightforward to get round.

There are many laptop-friendly cafes to arrange store from, excellent for getting by means of 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 around the globe however Chinatown Singapore was a novel expertise. It’s a part of the town the place historic custom meets the fashionable world with startling contrasts all over the place.

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 greatest glad hours on the town – to not point out unimaginable views of the skyscrapers!

4. Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru is one in all Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods, well-known for its artwork deco buildings and hip, inventive scene. It’s a fantastic 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, excellent for unwinding after a workday. Many digital nomads I do know love Tiong Bahru for the pleasant environment, relaxed vibe, and distinctive mix of previous and new Singapore.

5. Katong

Katong is a residential neighborhood outdoors of the primary metropolis limits. Right here, you’ll discover colourful shophouses and heritage colonial bungalows which supply a stark distinction to the towering metropolis skyscrapers. It feels extra homely on this a part of the town.

Katong has a gradual 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 superb place to go to the tze char stalls and to pattern some frog porridge (when you fancy!).

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 possibility presents one thing distinctive, so you may select what most closely fits your wants and finances.

1. Airbnb: At all times a preferred possibility for brief to mid-term stays, use Airbnb when you’re in search of a totally furnished place. You could find the whole lot 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’d like a novel, low-cost option to keep in Singapore strive Trusted Housesitters. From private expertise, home sitting is a perfect possibility for animal lovers and lets you immerse your self within the metropolis like an area with out rental prices.

Goats On The Highway readers get a particular 25% low cost by clicking this hyperlink.

3. Fb: Singapore has a number of lively Fb teams together with ‘Rooms For Hire Singapore‘. These teams supply direct entry to locals and ex-pats with lodging to hire, normally reducing 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 Residing in Singapore

I’ve to confess, Singapore is likely one of the costlier cities I’ve visited. Costs weren’t insane, however nearly the whole lot value a bit of 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.

Residing 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 very 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 might be considerably greater than in lots of cities, with long-term leases round 30% costlier than in a serious US metropolis. Renting an condo in central Singapore will value round $2500 earlier than utilities.

Brief-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 fluctuate extensively relying on the placement you need and the facilities you require.

The common worth 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 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 around the globe to date – a number of the underground stations themselves are even good locations to go to!

You possibly can merely scan any lively credit score or financial institution card when hopping on and off the buses or going by means of the metro turnstiles. A bus journey prices round $1.50 and a brief taxi experience utilizing a ride-share app like Seize will run you round $10-$15.

SIM Playing cards and Information

Selecting up a SIM card is straightforward to do, as even in a chaotic market you’ll see stalls providing offers on information plans. Most are official retailers for giant operators corresponding to SIMBA, the community I utilized in Singapore and extremely advocate.

You will get 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 the whole lot is working earlier than you permit. I acquired 10GB for $15 which lasted me 30 days and it labored rather well.

Should you plan to hotspot or use an information plan for distant work, contemplate upping your month-to-month allowance. Costs are extra affordable the upper up you go. If doubtful, discover a native retailer, as the bulk communicate nice English and are glad to have a chat about your wants whereas within the metropolis.

Cash Saving Ideas for Singapore

Listed here are a couple of suggestions to assist maintain prices down in Singapore;

1. Use Public Transport: Singapore’s MRT and buses are environment friendly, reasonably priced, and canopy most components of the town.
2. Eat on the Hawkers: For budget-friendly, genuine meals, strive Singapore’s well-known hawker stalls like Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat.
3. Get pleasure from Free Points of interest: Extra on this later, however relaxation assured there are many free sights to get pleasure from.
4. 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.
5. Safe a Home Sit: Trusted Housesitters is a superb possibility when you love animals and need to save on lodging prices.
6. Funds-Pleasant Lodging: Past home sitting, contemplate co-living areas or shared flats by means of Airbnb.
7. Negotiate: Whether or not purchasing within the markets or renting an condo, it’s at all times price haggling over a worth.
8. Restrict Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol is pricey in Singapore, so contemplate limiting nights out or ingesting at residence.
9. Discover Joyful Hours: Joyful hour is a well-liked factor in Singapore with many bars providing every day decreased costs on drinks.
10. Store Sensible: Keep away from premium supermarkets and store at native markets or locations like FairPrice.

Coworking Areas in Singapore and WiFi Velocity

Singapore has a number of the quickest and most dependable web speeds on the earth, making it excellent for digital nomads. WiFi speeds in cafes and public areas typically vary from 50 to 100 Mbps, whereas coworking areas can attain as much as 1 Gbps.

The WiFi connection is strong and barely has outages. Easy video calls, uploads, and different on-line work with out interruptions create dream situations for digital nomads. There are additionally many wonderful coworking areas, right here’s a couple of choices for distant working:

1. The Hive

With 5 places in Singapore and a presence in 6 nations globally, The Hive has been a helpful alliance to me by means of years of traversing the world. I included a Vietnam Hive in my earlier article – Digital Nomad Information to Residing 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 might require. Costs begin at $22/day with entry from 8 am – 6 pm. There are nice reductions and extra advantages for longer stays.

2. WeWork

Probably the most distinguished coworking area 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 at all times been constructive.

I can extremely advocate the Suntec Tower 5 location which is perched in a wonderful skyscraper and gazes out over the town. It’s not the most affordable at $35/day nevertheless it 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 specific department appears out over the marina and the long-lasting Marina Bay Sands – so far as places of work go, it’s nearly as good because it will get!

There’s ample area within the stunning 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.

Greatest 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 filled with nice choices for us digital nomads, listed here are my high 3 picks:

1. The Ebook Cafe: Combining my love of books and low, this nice possibility 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, first rate WiFi, and a calming vibe.
2. 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 energetic however enjoyable place to arrange together with your laptop computer.
3. Enchanted Cafe Rangoon Highway: A captivating 24/7 cafe that appears like a classic tea room. There’s a tasty all-day brunch menu filled with the whole lot you might want and it has a pleasant environment 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 profit from versatile hours. Whether or not you’re free to discover throughout the week or maintain weekends open, listed here are some nice methods to totally get pleasure from Singapore:

1. Take a Customized 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 lot 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 Complicated. You’ll style as many as 8 completely different road meals and get to go to a standard working moist market. Click on right here for particulars.

2. Go to The Battlebox

My husband’s Grandfather was taken prisoner in Singapore throughout WWII so we made some extent to go to as most of the poignant websites, of which there are a lot of, across the metropolis. The most effective was The Battlebox hidden beneath Fort Canning Park.

This free-to-visit exhibit is a must-visit for historical past lovers. It presents an immersive look into Singapore’s WWII historical past by means of an enormous underground command heart the place hourly excursions take you thru the historical past and tales. Donations are welcome so contemplate supporting when you can.

3. Discover the Metropolis by Bike

A implausible option to uncover Singapore is on a guided half-day bike tour. The town streets are bicycle-friendly and it’s a cool place to discover on two wheels.

This guided tour takes you thru historic areas together with Chinatown, Little India, and Marina Bay plus many hidden treasures – what higher option to get to know Singapore? Click on right here for extra details about this wonderful small-group tour.

4. Stand in Pole Place

Yearly one of many greatest Components 1 races of the season descends on the streets of Singapore. The Singapore Grand Prix is a big occasion that pulls guests from around the globe as the perfect drivers on the planet velocity alongside the town’s roads at 200 mph.

Though the whole lot returns to regular after the busy weekend of racing, a number of the most important 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 mild exhibits. Don’t miss the long-lasting Supertree Grove, the place towering, plant-covered buildings 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 surprising 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 usually above 80%. Being near the equator, the town experiences little seasonal variation.

Rain is widespread, 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 sensible to maintain an umbrella helpful.

With excessive humidity and frequent rain, it could 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.

Professionals and Cons of Residing in Singapore

There’s little doubt that Singapore is a superb metropolis, however there are each professionals and cons to contemplate as a digital nomad, earlier than selecting it as a base. Right here’s what I discovered from my expertise:

Professionals of 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 thought 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 supplies a excessive way of life.
• Enterprise Focussed: As a monetary powerhouse, enterprise is prospering in Singapore – it’s completely arrange for digital nomads.
• Ex-Pat Group: There’s a big ex-pat group which may also help it really feel like a house from residence.
• 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 Residing in Singapore

• Excessive Price of Residing: Working remotely in Singapore might be costly, with excessive lodging and eating prices.
• Restricted Area: Many flats and dwelling areas are compact, which can really feel cramped for some.
• Humidity and Warmth: The tropical local weather usually results in intense humidity and warmth, which might 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 occasions.
• 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 might 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 worth, climbing the value by 15%-20%.
• Development: My last home sit in Bugis was slighted by the quantity of in depth development taking place on the skyscraper throughout the road. Constructing work is widespread throughout the town.

Digital Nomad Visa for Singapore

Singapore doesn’t at the moment supply a selected digital nomad visa, which may make it difficult for distant staff seeking to dwell 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 a minimum of six months past their date of entry.

This non permanent association is nice for month-long visits however not excellent 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 most recent entry necessities and updates, discuss with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

In Conclusion

I hope my digital nomad information to Singapore has highlighted why you must contemplate it as a distant working location. Amongst many different qualities, it’s additionally a really perfect base for additional exploration, particularly throughout Southeast Asia.

The town’s numerous foodie scene and countless thrilling actions will guarantee that you’ve 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 unimaginable to not be impressed by this type of dynamic environment and welcoming surroundings.