Singapore Expats

Hi I'm new to the forum, I'm moving to Singapore in about a fortnight for work. I don't know anyone there yet so I'm sure I'll be on here hoping to meet you all soon enough but for now I just have a question.

My first month over there accommodation is being paid for and I get paid in arrears. So my question is how much (S$) do you think I will need to bring over to keep me going for that first month.

I'm just one single guy here on my own so no kids or gf to worry about. I know it would vary from person to person, I'm not looking to live it up in the first month just enough to eat well enough and get to work I suppose.

Hey

It all depends on where your workplace is. The island is only approx 54 kmsq. Not a big place. MRT runs thru many towns. Buses are excellent and cheaper way too. Both Public Transport is spot on on their timing and excellent condition with AC on most buses . You could pretty much save heaps by bus.
Accommodation is a tricky part. Unless you are not prepared to pay and live in the Central Business District(CBD) or Orchard road or close proximity to city. The rent could be cheap. Look up at the Strait Times paper under rent.
Outside this area you could be paying $1000.00 under a month depending on furnished, unfurnished, water and electricity rates inclusive or not. etc....
Look for HDB flats owners that are looking for rent. This is cheaper. But they will need to certify you as legal person to work here under your work permit with the Ministry of Labour. Illegal or overstayer or having fake permit will land the landlord in hot soup.
COndominium are nice too with swimmng pool, gym too. Heaps of it around the island
Again I stressed to you shop around. If you look for an agent to look for your houseor room to rent, you will have to pay commission to them.
Food... hmmm Glorious food. You can sample every last food court, hawker centre, restaurant for 365 day breakfast , tea, lunch , afternoon tea ,dinner and supper 365 days you will NOT able to sample the first place you eat.

Again if you are no fuss, food is cheap. local food are cheaper. Every township has Mac, BK, KFC, Delis , foodcourt, and hawker centre(cheapest).
Bring light clothes as it either rain or sunshine with 80% humidity.!!!
Talk to your work mate , they will point you to the right direction

Good Luck and enjoy your stay !!

If you eat at hawker centres and travel MRT/bus, the maximum money you would spend in a day is SGD 20-25. Multiply that by 30 and you would require SGD750 for sustenance. This is for a very minimalistic life with no luxury of a cab thrown in.

The major expense will be for your rent- so depending upon where you want to stay add that to this. Works out to be arnd 1000-1200 for a 3 room HDB in the suburbs and much higher if you move to CBD or to condos.

If your company offers you a chummery, make full use of it. Else try and shack up with other bachelor friends/colleagues for a month and that reduces the expense a lot. Hope this helps...

Mad Scientist wrote: The island is only approx 54 kmsq. Not a big place.

I know it's not too big here, but it's a bit bigger than that! Try around 500 kmsq. Or did you drop the last zero?

SMS

Yeah sorry mate !!. Miss the last zero on that one.Anyway is 700 approx km sq now according to wikipedia

Cheers

MS

rooms cost about $500 odd if you're renting with a family.