Singapore Expats

HI, I am moving to Signapore in 1 month, and just curious and see if i can get to know someone before i get there~

Hi there,

I'm 23 from UK and here by myself too, let me know if you want to exchange email address etc as it would be good to socialise with somebody other than the one expat I go out with from my work place.

Liam

Hey, Thanks for reply!!

anyway that I cant chat with you? do you have a facebook??

btw, any suggestion on renting an apt?

Hi,

Are you aware of how the housing system works in Singapore? (HDB vs condos)

As an expat I would opt for a condos if you have the budget, especially as you'll be here alone. There are often many other Expats residing in Condos so it could be easier to find some common ground. HDB are also fine though, I viewed a couple and the standard was pretty high for goverenment housing, especially compared to that of the UK but you obviously miss out on all the luxaries that a condos brings.

I'm not on Facebook, unfortunately as my stubborness wont allow it after I said I'd never join when I was at Uni.....Shocking I know!!!

I only moved here in January so I let me know if you need anymore info whilst I can still remember it.

Liam

Hi Alicia,

Where in the US are you from? Have you traveled through here much before?

I'm 26, just arrived a week or so ago. I originated from the Midwestern US, but have been to Singapore several times before so I pretty much knew what I was getting myself into. I think meeting people here depends a lot on who you know when you get here and if you're coming alone or with someone. Truthfully, I'm not big on going out alone no matter where I am at, so I have not done a lot of socializing. But that's okay, since in Singapore, you can always work a 12 or 14 hour day if you can stay awake.

Best of luck to you.

Hi - I'm Dan local/M/20. May I cash in on this "party"? Keen to make new friends - expats and locals. I can show you guys around Singapore, maybe catch a movie or two together or go for drinks.

Drop me a line @ [email protected] if your keen. Meanwhile, welcome to Singapore.

Cheers,

Dan

Hey Alicia... I'm Larry.

Posted a short blurp about myself on the Bored 25m thread..... We should totally exchange fb. Chat up there. I can't pm yet, so pm me your name and network so I can add you.

that's a good quetion! I am in MI now. I moved here around 10 months ago because I got this job. before that I was IN Arizona. I went to ASU. before that, I was in china. so...well, i been moving around. now it's Singapore. Why do you move to Singapore? how do you like it?

Frozen1 wrote:Hi Alicia,

Where in the US are you from? Have you traveled through here much before?

I'm 26, just arrived a week or so ago. I originated from the Midwestern US, but have been to Singapore several times before so I pretty much knew what I was getting myself into. I think meeting people here depends a lot on who you know when you get here and if you're coming alone or with someone. Truthfully, I'm not big on going out alone no matter where I am at, so I have not done a lot of socializing. But that's okay, since in Singapore, you can always work a 12 or 14 hour day if you can stay awake.

Best of luck to you.

My fb name is Alicia Chen, network ASU.
I think that's how you search people of FB.
btw, i cannot us pm either

wawro106 wrote:Hey Alicia... I'm Larry.

Posted a short blurp about myself on the Bored 25m thread..... We should totally exchange fb. Chat up there. I can't pm yet, so pm me your name and network so I can add you.

lol, I would love to get a luxury condo if my company pay me US based salary, but that's not the case~haha. I am still working on a reseanonable buggest now. what do you pay for the condo? you are renting it, right? why did you move to Singapore? do you love it?

Komakino wrote:Hi,

Are you aware of how the housing system works in Singapore? (HDB vs condos)

As an expat I would opt for a condos if you have the budget, especially as you'll be here alone. There are often many other Expats residing in Condos so it could be easier to find some common ground. HDB are also fine though, I viewed a couple and the standard was pretty high for goverenment housing, especially compared to that of the UK but you obviously miss out on all the luxaries that a condos brings.

I'm not on Facebook, unfortunately as my stubborness wont allow it after I said I'd never join when I was at Uni.....Shocking I know!!!

I only moved here in January so I let me know if you need anymore info whilst I can still remember it.

Liam

This is an okay place, once you get used to a few things. In the US, I had two cars... here I have none. In the US, I had a house, here I have a very urban style apartment. So it's a lifestyle change. Certain things are really cool... cheap food on every corner, as an example. There are malls and shopping centers all over.

Socially, the traditional expat hangouts like Clarke are okay, but very expensive. Since I am planning on being here for a while, I'd like to become as localized as possible and not necessarily hang out with Americans/Canadians exclusively. That being said, I have spent a couple evenings at a KTV joint near where I live.

I work in telecommunications. While we're based in SG, I travel to Jakarta and KL at least once a month. So, it's a nice break from the daily grind. I can't say that I have fallen head over heels for SG, but I'm starting to get more comfortable, and starting to feel more like I fit in. It's the normal feeling you get when you move anywhere new, multiplied by 10.

AliciaCC wrote:that's a good quetion! I am in MI now. I moved here around 10 months ago because I got this job. before that I was IN Arizona. I went to ASU. before that, I was in china. so...well, i been moving around. now it's Singapore. Why do you move to Singapore? how do you like it?

I'm lucky in that my company give me an allowence for my rent otherwise there is no way I could afford a condos.

I've been in Singy 3 and a half months, and things are starting to fall into place. The working hours are long but on the whole, I like it. I would say the same as Frozen1, being English I love going out for drinks but all the tourist areas are very expensive, but usually get out once a week.....Just need to gather some more troops!

Liam

Hey, thanks for replying! lots of good info there!

such as, " like moving to anywhere else. but times 10" very encouraging! jk

well, Karaok sounds fun to me since I am an Asian~ as long as the food is cheap (and alcohol is cheap) I am all good to go~! I think in any Asian country, clubbing is expensive. I never went to any bars or clubs when i was in China (partially because I was under 18 too). but housing $ is a big shock to me, since the apt in U.S are mostly cheap. Plus, the apt in US are pretty much standardized, which includes AC and washer&dryer. Does the apt in Singarpore has AC normally or I have to buy a brand new one and istall it? i will generally assume there is no such a thing called dryer there

I am still pretty excited about the big change!~:)

Frozen1 wrote:This is an okay place, once you get used to a few things. In the US, I had two cars... here I have none. In the US, I had a house, here I have a very urban style apartment. So it's a lifestyle change. Certain things are really cool... cheap food on every corner, as an example. There are malls and shopping centers all over.

Socially, the traditional expat hangouts like Clarke are okay, but very expensive. Since I am planning on being here for a while, I'd like to become as localized as possible and not necessarily hang out with Americans/Canadians exclusively. That being said, I have spent a couple evenings at a KTV joint near where I live.

I work in telecommunications. While we're based in SG, I travel to Jakarta and KL at least once a month. So, it's a nice break from the daily grind. I can't say that I have fallen head over heels for SG, but I'm starting to get more comfortable, and starting to feel more like I fit in. It's the normal feeling you get when you move anywhere new, multiplied by 10.

AliciaCC wrote:that's a good quetion! I am in MI now. I moved here around 10 months ago because I got this job. before that I was IN Arizona. I went to ASU. before that, I was in china. so...well, i been moving around. now it's Singapore. Why do you move to Singapore? how do you like it?

My company does provide around S$1200 housing allowence, won't be the whole month of rent, but better than nothing. Do you know anything about the gym? is it expensive to get a membership?

again, Thx for replying. I added someone on the forum to my msn and he is very creepy, so I was really hesitate to use this forum for a monment; but i m glad i stick to it. very helpful~

Komakino wrote:I'm lucky in that my company give me an allowence for my rent otherwise there is no way I could afford a condos.

I've been in Singy 3 and a half months, and things are starting to fall into place. The working hours are long but on the whole, I like it. I would say the same as Frozen1, being English I love going out for drinks but all the tourist areas are very expensive, but usually get out once a week.....Just need to gather some more troops!

Liam

AliciaCC wrote:My company does provide around S$1200 housing allowence, won't be the whole month of rent, but better than nothing. Do you know anything about the gym? is it expensive to get a membership?

again, Thx for replying. I added someone on the forum to my msn and he is very creepy, so I was really hesitate to use this forum for a monment; but i m glad i stick to it. very helpful~

Komakino wrote:I'm lucky in that my company give me an allowence for my rent otherwise there is no way I could afford a condos.

I've been in Singy 3 and a half months, and things are starting to fall into place. The working hours are long but on the whole, I like it. I would say the same as Frozen1, being English I love going out for drinks but all the tourist areas are very expensive, but usually get out once a week.....Just need to gather some more troops!

Liam

Hi Alicia,

HDB, condo's and Apartment here comes standard with AC, washer/dryer, fridge. Normally you go thru housing agents here to look for condo's, apartment's or HDB for you. But you could search in the forum on which type of accommodation you prefer. You might need to consider getting a place near your work location first. But travel time here is not that stressful and transport systems are very good. (Train and bus).

- Condos = renttal SGD 3,000-8,000 (depends on the location and class)
- HDB = 2+1 (2 bedroom+living room) = SGD 1,500-2,000
= 3+1 (3 bedroom+living room) = SGD 2,300 - 2,800
(depends on the place and location)
- Apartment have the same rates as condo's along with Apartments for HDB is also the same rate. (again depends on location).

As for the gym membership, depends on the perks you wanna get:
- SGD 145.00 for Fitness First (Largest Fitness club in Singapore and around world) many perks, nice and many place to workout in singapore, i'm a member here by the way.

- SGD 50.00 and up (but depends on the sales consultant agreement)

- SGD 10.00 ClubFit Gym (Singapore Sports Council) Public gym located in local sports community complex.

As for the Food, depends on what you prefer:
- Local food courts known as "Hawker" place cost SGD 3.00 - 10.00
- Resto's/Fast food around SGD 8.00 - 20.00

For beer and drinks = SGD 12.00 and up (depends on what you order)
For Cigarettes = SGD 10 and up (depends on what brand type you smoke).

The above as just estimates on what you had to spend. Then again there are some cheap places to go for drinks/beer SGD 5.00 and up..you need to explore the place...

Feel free to add me in for a chat and for details..