Ez-Link, living expenses? Help a clueless youngster.

[grymek]

Hey guys,

Instead of ploughing around, I decided to stop lurking and just ask.

To give you an idea about the situation: I'm starting an internship in Singapore, in August, for 6 months. I will be arriving mid-July but I'd like to be prepared beforehand. I'm 17/student, so I was wondering whether I could apply for a EZ-Link student card? Or does that not apply to overseas interns?

Also, what are the general fares?
I've checked the route to work: approx. 30min bus-ride and some walking. I plan to purchase a bicycle or a longboard depending on the road situation on that route, but before that happens I'd like to create an overview of my living expenses. (Yes, yes I'm extremely frugal so this will be a good mental challenge as well: paying rent, public transport, food, all of which available here at home.. )

Oh yeah - one last thing - are there any thrift shops in Singapore? Preferably East-Coast.

Thank you in advance!

[menudown]

I don't think students from overseas are given a student card during their internship here..

a 30min bus ride may cost around $1.50 - $2.00

which part of east coast? there are many shops along east coast neighbourhood especially marine parade area ..

[the lynx]

Thrift shops would be Daiso and Valu$ (or known as Value Dollar).

Student card for EZ-Link is also for local student or those with student pass. Not interns.

[zzm9980]

And there is a Daiso in Parkway Parade (mall in Marine Parade, East Coast) on the 3rd floor. This is like a "dollar store" in the US/the West.

But by "thrift shop", I assume you may mean a re-sale clothing store. I'm not aware of any of these. However if you go to any market in an HDB estate (Marine Parade Central, next to Parkway mentioned above, Haig Rd Market near Paya lebar MRT, or Bedok near Bedok MRT are the ones in East Coast) you'll find extremely inexpensive clothing for sale. You can also walk through the shops along Geylang Rd. These are the places favored by the foreign domestic workers (maids) and laborers from other countries that come here to work very low income jobs.

[grymek]

And there is a Daiso in Parkway Parade (mall in Marine Parade, East Coast) on the 3rd floor. This is like a "dollar store" in the US/the West.

But by "thrift shop", I assume you may mean a re-sale clothing store. I'm not aware of any of these. However if you go to any market in an HDB estate (Marine Parade Central, next to Parkway mentioned above, Haig Rd Market near Paya lebar MRT, or Bedok near Bedok MRT are the ones in East Coast) you'll find extremely inexpensive clothing for sale. You can also walk through the shops along Geylang Rd. These are the places favored by the foreign domestic workers (maids) and laborers from other countries that come here to work very low income jobs.

I guess Daiso is my best bet on that then haha! I've been in one in Korea, so I wonder if there's any difference on the prices in Singapore. Thanks for all the suggestions. I've heard of Geylang so I'll make sure to check that out.

Thanks guys!

[JR8]

I guess Daiso is my best bet on that then haha! I've been in one in Korea, so I wonder if there's any difference on the prices in Singapore. Thanks for all the suggestions. I've heard of Geylang so I'll make sure to check that out. Thanks guys!

Singapore
There are twelve Daiso stores in Singapore. The stores are located in following malls: Vivocity, IMM Mall, Plaza Singapura, ION Orchard, Tampines 1, Rivervale Mall, Bukit Panjang Plaza, Sembawang Shopping Centre, Chinatown Point, City Square Mall, Parkway Parade and Kallang Wave (latest opened in August 2014). All products are priced at SGD$2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daiso

If we are in a mall with a Daiso and have time to spare we sometimes pop in and browse. The one in Ion is pretty small. If you're in the downtown area the one at Plaza Singapura is much larger/better.
p.s. Or going to source. Here is the branch listing for SG... -> http://www.daisoglobal.com/store/list/?c_id=C0019

Or there is Valu$, which is what I would refer to as a dollar-shop. That's good for stuff like generic snap-lock kitchen storage container and some bathroom consumables. The consumables stock rotates pretty quickly so it's a case of dropping by and seeing if they have anything you need.
I can't find their corporate www, if indeed they have one, but this will give you an idea -> http://www.thesmartlocal.com/sg/thrift- ... valudollar