If you are looking to move to Singapore and are struggling to know where to start to put your plan into action, then we recommend that you start off by finding a suitable place to live. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world flock to Singapore to start a new life in the sunny and tropical island, and while you may be nervous at the prospect of trying to find a new home, it may not be as difficult as you first suspect.
To make the process less stressful and to give you the guidance you need, we have put together all our top tips and hacks that can make finding a suitable place to live in Singapore enjoyable and lot more straightforward. Happy home-hunting!
Do Your Research Beforehand
First, it goes without saying that you should be sure to do plenty of research about a location before you decide to move there. So, we recommend that you find out what the way of life is in Singapore, and whether you think that will be something that you can adapt to. Whether you already have family out there or are relocating for a job, be sure that moving to Singapore is what you want before you start the ball rolling with finding a place to live.
You should also check out the visa requirements that apply to anyone wanting to move to Singapore and apply for anything that is required well in advance. Finding out everything you need to know before finding a place to live will save you time further down the line.
Find a Good Real Estate Agent
Many people who wish to relocate to Singapore often find it difficult to find the right place for them because they do not have the knowledge necessary to navigate the area. Therefore, we recommend that you find a local real estate agent who knows their stuff. This will give you a significant advantage and will save you time as they can locate the suitable properties available for you to view.
A good real estate agent will also be able to talk you through the different types of properties available in Singapore, including the HDB houses that are popular throughout the island. You can find listings for these online at PropertyGuru where you can find thousands of properties that are available for rent and sale. The website also allows you to search all listings via areas, so you can browse through HDB houses across Singapore at your own convenience.
Look at Your Finances
Just like when looking to find a suitable place to live anywhere in the world, you should look at your personal finances and consider how much money you have to spend. Properties are available for you to rent and buy in Singapore, and the housing market is much more affordable than many of the major cities around the globe. You may also want to consider getting in touch with your bank or inquire about having your current home valued, if you are a homeowner, so that you can start looking for a place to live in Singapore with an idea of how much money you can afford to spend.
Think About Your Long-Term Plans
While you may be keen to move to Singapore and get settled in your new home, you should also factor in the long-term plans that you have for the future. It can be easy to get carried away at the prospect of buying your own home oversees, but it is important that you don’t go on to make a big financial commitment that you later go on to regret.
Therefore, we recommend that you take some time to consider how long you plan to stay in Singapore for. For example, if you want to go traveling and visit the beautiful island for a few months, then it wouldn’t be a good idea to buy a property. However, even if you plan to relocate for good, then you may still decide to rent for a while until you are sure that you want to stay in Singapore long term.
Find Out About the Local Areas
Singapore is known for being a diverse melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds, and this is reflected in the different local areas. Therefore, you should make the effort to find out about the local areas in Singapore and think about which location best suits your needs. For example, if you want to be around other expats then you may feel more at home in Holland Village but if you are a young single person who wants an exciting nightlife then we recommend Robertson Quay.
There are many different places to choose from when it comes to finding a suitable place to live in Singapore, but by following our guide and assessing all your options before making any big decisions you will find it easier to locate your new home.
We voted Singapore one of our best places to visit in July because we love what Singapore has to offer.
