Sarah Emery is a Filipina British American living in Singapore. After graduating, every male citizen is required to do active service in the military. Of course I am thankful that we are very safe, and low risk. Also, lunchtime can be quite a sight at food courts and hawker centres. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. When working as an expat in Singapore, there are some cultural matters to be aware of. Even those that live in a freestanding home will find that backyards are rarities, but there are lots of green spaces and parks around the island to make up for it. Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): http://www.samaritans.org.sg/ This is a full on dining experience. Read our full guide on how to get a COVID-19 vaccine as an expat. The Dos and Don'ts in Singapore - EHL If your spouse will be working too, have you applied for one work visa that will apply to both of you? Sarah and I bonded over our shared pains to find a reasonably priced apartment in our foreign lands. Although as of now the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) is at a low, owning a car in Singapore is still seriously expensive. We will be visiting for the first time in a couple of months, but I'd like to know what are some of the less obvious cons or the worst things about living in Singapore. Last week was my final week living in Singapore. Probably 80% of Singapore's professional foreign workforce lives in HDB common rooms. Otherwise, be on the lookout for organisations that hostsocial events, as these are great places to meet likeminded individuals. Of course, since the pandemic, hardly anyone comes to the office anymore, so choping has become a thing of the past. Group social distancing is in place too, so you cant meet up in groups like before. Become our local expat expert for your area! Singapore is very clean, organised and safe! Other types of Singapore work permits may be granted to professionals with certain skills. Sign up to get the latest insights delivered to your inbox 2x a week. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Singapore Expats Forum is a useful resource for finding rentals and checking the latest rates. Swapping political uncertainty for Singapores shores has been a key priority for some, leaving prime Singaporean property in high demand. Singapore imports the majority of its foodstuffs, but so far big supermarket chains like NTUC FairPrice have decided not to pass on higher prices to consumers. However Singapore is located a few degrees from the equator and receives direct sunlight, and high levels of UV radiation. CON: Poor pedestrian and cyclist safety Pedestrians do not have the right of way in Singapore, so it's a smart idea to use crosswalks whenever possible. This mighty city-state is a cosmopolitan, vibrant island. My con list is weather and the ongoing Covid restrictions. Best way to get your foot in the door and show your worth in a Singapore working environment? Once youve arranged your accommodation, job and taxes, its time to finalise your application by applying for a visa.