Living in Singapore for 5 months need advice

[My Wild Ride]

Hello!

I'm from the U.S. and will be living in Singapore from the end of November through the end of March 2010. I'll be working at the new Universal Studios Singapore (USS) and have some questions/concerns.

First, I get conflicting information regarding the whether. I would love a realistic viewpoint on the whether in Singapore during this time of year.

I know that it's very humid in Singapore which is a concern for me because I don't do well in humidity. However, I'm still going as it's a great opportunity that I don't want to miss (please don't reply by saying things like "if humidity isn't your thing then you shouldn't go to Singapore". I'm determined to go and want to make the best of it so I need positive feedback). Any advise on dealing with the humidity? My friend was in Singapore for a short while and she said she chafed on every part of her body it was possible to chafe, lol.

My company is paying for living expenses but not transportation. They are giving me $17.50 a day per diem. This sounds pretty low but they've assured me it will be sufficient for my meals and traveling to and from work using public transportation (they say our housing will be very close to the theme park).

Do apartments usually have central air or is this not common?

Any ideas on what to do during my off hours? I don't mind tourist attractions but would rather visit "off the beaten path" areas. Also, what are television programs like in Singapore? Any english channels?

Thanks for any and all advise! :)

[durain]

Any english channels?

dude, have you done any research on singapore? maybe start with the CIA World Fact Book?

is your $17.50 a day per diem USD or local currency? how low is low? anyway, you are getting a salary, so it is not like you will be living on your per diem. do you get per diem in your home country?

eating out can be as cheap as you want and to the very expensive. a plate of chicken rice is S$2.00 or can be S$20+++ at a hotel restaurant!

the first thing you step out of the air-cond airport is the humidity. it's like someone just open the oven door on you! but after a while your body will adjust to it.

most places will have air-cond. most apartments will have air-cond.

goto www.visitsingapore.com for tourist places to go. you can also go over to malaysia or the island of bintan/batam or www.nikoi.com for "off the beaten track".

[guruvishwanath]

Let me dispel a few "myths". And good on you to have a positive attitude to make the best of your assignment.

1. The project you are working on overall is costing a lot of BILLION dollars. Professional and its absolutely stunning (I know a lot of people working on different areas of the project).
2. Singapore is RICH country. There are no BAD areas to live in Singapore. You have excellent locations, very good locations and good locations.
3. Relatively crime free. There is crime but relatively low. Safety is absolutely solid and in my 14 years I have never had an issue.
4. If your company is paying you accomodation, then you are fine.
5. Everything is airconditioned. The public transport is THE BEST in the world and believe me, I just dont bother having a car because there is no need.
6. The nightlife here is absolutely superb. Lots of awesome bars, clubs, beach bars, chic lounges and every musical genre is catered.
7. The weather is between 28C and 32-33C. Being located just 1 degree north of equator, the weather is humid, hot and definitely sunny clothes are the order of the day. But there is very low pollution (stringent pollutions controls). YOu will have to get used to it. Some find it hard, some find it easy. Upto you.
8. Withing less than 2 hours of flight time from Singapore, you can visit absolutely stunning places with pristine beaches, rocks, volcanoes, diving, snorkeling or just enjoying so many cultures. Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, KL, Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi, Borneo, Kota Kinabalu etc. Beleive me, you will certainly enjoy the low budget travel which can be done on weekends.
9. Check wikipedia for Singapore and its history.
10. Singapore is a multi cultural society. I have made friends from every corner of this world and am enjoying life to the fullest extent. I have been here for 14 years and life certainly is different since the time I came.

Finally, dont listen to people whining. Every place and its pros and cons! Even Singapore has negatives but you have to be positive and life a good life and enjoy whatever comforts life has to offer and believe me, in Singapore everything works and the goverment is freakishly efficient (which sometimes scares the crap out of me).

[nakatago]

5. Everything is airconditioned. The public transport is THE BEST in the world and believe me

I thought that was Tokyo (you can synch your clock with the trains!). Sure, there's a language barrier but everything has subtitles.

Anyway, to OP...

from today until January (I think), is the "rainy" season, meaning it tends to rain in the afternoon. It's just at most an hour downpour and then it'll be sunny again.

Also, the humidity will be unbearable just before it rains but it can be dealt with. Bring a fan and/or a bottle of water with you to help you cope.
Wear light clothing (cotton, light colors).

Not all apartments have central air, but most aparments's bedrooms do. But yes, everything else will be AC'ed.

Your 17.50 is enough for meals + public transport, if three meals at 4 dollars each. Anything else, will have to come from your salary.

[My Wild Ride]

Thank you all so much for the information!

Nakatago and Guru, excellent information, just what I needed to know.

Unfortunately my only day off will be Sundays and we'll be working 10 hour days the rest of the time so I won't have time to travel, just short daytime excursions. :(

Again, thanks and keep sending information, I welcome anything positive! :)

[SGBoyxxx]

Let me dispel a few "myths". And good on you to have a positive attitude to make the best of your assignment.

1. The project you are working on overall is costing a lot of BILLION dollars. Professional and its absolutely stunning (I know a lot of people working on different areas of the project).
2. Singapore is RICH country. There are no BAD areas to live in Singapore. You have excellent locations, very good locations and good locations.
3. Relatively crime free. There is crime but relatively low. Safety is absolutely solid and in my 14 years I have never had an issue.
4. If your company is paying you accomodation, then you are fine.
5. Everything is airconditioned. The public transport is THE BEST in the world and believe me, I just dont bother having a car because there is no need.
6. The nightlife here is absolutely superb. Lots of awesome bars, clubs, beach bars, chic lounges and every musical genre is catered.
7. The weather is between 28C and 32-33C. Being located just 1 degree north of equator, the weather is humid, hot and definitely sunny clothes are the order of the day. But there is very low pollution (stringent pollutions controls). YOu will have to get used to it. Some find it hard, some find it easy. Upto you.
8. Withing less than 2 hours of flight time from Singapore, you can visit absolutely stunning places with pristine beaches, rocks, volcanoes, diving, snorkeling or just enjoying so many cultures. Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, KL, Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi, Borneo, Kota Kinabalu etc. Beleive me, you will certainly enjoy the low budget travel which can be done on weekends.
9. Check wikipedia for Singapore and its history.
10. Singapore is a multi cultural society. I have made friends from every corner of this world and am enjoying life to the fullest extent. I have been here for 14 years and life certainly is different since the time I came.

Finally, dont listen to people whining. Every place and its pros and cons! Even Singapore has negatives but you have to be positive and life a good life and enjoy whatever comforts life has to offer and believe me, in Singapore everything works and the goverment is freakishly efficient (which sometimes scares the crap out of me).

lol well said I totally agreed been a local here

hmm noticed you stated braddel.

You are staying at braddell heights?

[revhappy]

...

[sundaymorningstaple]

I would have to agree that US17.50/day per diem is too little. You can do it on US$25/day but even that is crimping it pretty tightly and it also says a lot about the company you are working for. Most companies use a standard $50/day in the majority of Asian countries. Better companies use $80-$100/day in Singapore. Working/living here is like working in any large metropolitan city in the US. It's not cheap. Additionally, who's gonna wash your clothes? As it is humid, you will not be wearing the same clothes every day will you? Not all units/complexes have washing facilities. While the majority if not all public building are air conditioned, not all living quarters are. Some are not out of convenience and for health reasons (Mine is not airconed and I've been here 27 years. (I'm a Yank as well - who lived in a worse place than the tropics for 8 years before coming here (Coastal Louisiana). It's not that bad.