Never been to Singapore, know nobody, moving in 6 wks

[emilyhbenjamin]

Hi,

My name is Emily I'm 24 and currently living in Los Angeles. I'm moving to Singapore to start a job in the middle of September. I have never been to singapore and I don't know a soul in Asia, so I'm very excited but also very nervous!

The job is at a small company so they don't have anyone to assist me with the logistics of the move so it's all on me.

Please help if you can:

1. What neighborhood is fun, young and has easy access to public transport?

2. How can I go about finding a room mate?

3. Can I keep my iPhone? I'm so hooked on this thing I don't know what I would do without it....

4. Should I get a vespa?

5. Any advice you wish you had received when you first arrived? Either tricks on how to make life easier, insider knowledge or just general suggestions on how life is in Singapore.

Thank you so much!!

Emily

[nakatago]

1. How long is a piece of string? Numerous threads here address that already.
2. Numerous threads here address that already. Please use the search function.
3. Did you get that from your telco? (I'm guessing AT&T). Numerous Americans have asked that and have been answered already. Please use the search function.
4. Ha. hahahahahahaha
5. Do more research.

If I see anyone telling OP here to PM or contact them because you can help her find a place, I know you're an agent and you're violating the rules and I will drop the banhammer on you.

[JR8]

Hi,

My name is Emily I'm 24 and currently living in Los Angeles. I'm moving to Singapore to start a job in the middle of September. I have never been to singapore and I don't know a soul in Asia, so I'm very excited but also very nervous!

The job is at a small company so they don't have anyone to assist me with the logistics of the move so it's all on me.

Please help if you can:

1. What neighborhood is fun, young and has easy access to public transport?

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Without knowing what your budget is that is very difficult to answer. 'Young' districts suggests entertainment, suggests central districts. But again it goes back to your budget, i.e. is it $2k a month or $20k?

2. How can I go about finding a room mate?

Yes possible. There are local websites.

3. Can I keep my iPhone? I'm so hooked on this thing I don't know what I would do without it....

I don't do Apple, so no idea. Can they be unlocked? If so I don't see a problem.


4. Should I get a vespa?

No probably not. Not at least until you've experienced the local drivers. Public transport is exceptional. Get to grips with that first before seeking alternatives (well, that's my advice!)

5. Any advice you wish you had received when you first arrived? Either tricks on how to make life easier, insider knowledge or just general suggestions on how life is in Singapore.

My first move (back in the 90s!) I lived in District 9 (I took over an existing rental from an ex-colleague), in retrospect I'd have seen more of the real-SG if I'd not lived 100m off Orchard Road.

Thank you so much!!

Come back with round #2 when you're ready

Emily

[emilyhbenjamin]

Thank you!!

I have actually been looking at places specifically using the search term orchard road since that's my guess on what may be a fun location but I'm so glad you said that so I can refocus my search on some different areas too! And it terms of budget I'm thinking $2k (if I'm renting a room) so if you have any directions to point me in I'd love it.

And I think you're right, I'll pass on the vespa for the moment!

Hi,

My name is Emily I'm 24 and currently living in Los Angeles. I'm moving to Singapore to start a job in the middle of September. I have never been to singapore and I don't know a soul in Asia, so I'm very excited but also very nervous!

The job is at a small company so they don't have anyone to assist me with the logistics of the move so it's all on me.

Please help if you can:

1. What neighborhood is fun, young and has easy access to public transport?

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Without knowing what your budget is that is very difficult to answer. 'Young' districts suggests entertainment, suggests central districts. But again it goes back to your budget, i.e. is it $2k a month or $20k?

2. How can I go about finding a room mate?

Yes possible. There are local websites.

3. Can I keep my iPhone? I'm so hooked on this thing I don't know what I would do without it....

I don't do Apple, so no idea. Can they be unlocked? If so I don't see a problem.


4. Should I get a vespa?

No probably not. Not at least until you've experienced the local drivers. Public transport is exceptional. Get to grips with that first before seeking alternatives (well, that's my advice!)

5. Any advice you wish you had received when you first arrived? Either tricks on how to make life easier, insider knowledge or just general suggestions on how life is in Singapore.

My first move (back in the 90s!) I lived in District 9 (I took over an existing rental from an ex-colleague), in retrospect I'd have seen more of the real-SG if I'd not lived 100m off Orchard Road.

Thank you so much!!

Come back with round #2 when you're ready

Emily

[JR8]

Ok, and where are you going to be working?

[zzm9980]

You can only use your iPhone if it is unlocked and GSM, so I guess it depends on your contract now. If you have Verizon or Sprint, it is CDMA so just won't work. If it is AT&T and locked, contact them. In some situations now they will unlock your phone if your contract is complete and you're in good standing with them.

Any iPhone you get in Singapore you'll be able to use back in the US with AT&T, since everything phone in Singapore is sold unlocked. If you don't mind a two year contract when you get here, there is a good chance it is financially advantageous for you to just sell your phone there and sign up for a new one when you get here. But do note you cannot get an mobile contract until you have your EP issued from MOM. (IPA isn't good enough)

$2k should be enough to rent you a room in most locations, but barely enough to get your own place anywhere. Where are you going to work? We can recommend rough locations for you to focus on depending on that. (Places where you'll only have to take one train or bus, avoiding xfers for example)

[zzm9980]

I have actually been looking at places specifically using the search term orchard road since that's my guess on what may be a fun location

Probably not so much, it's mostly shopping and tourists. The bars there will be swarmed with working girls, and not the crowd you'll probably want. In your situation with no consideration for work commute, I'd look at River Valley and Robertson Quay. But again, tell us where you work because commute is important. The trains can be crowded.

[kaz2204]

Hi Emily,

I've come across your post, I'm sorry I can't PM you as I'm a newbie still.

I just wanted to know how it went relocating to Singapore? I'm moving in January and I won't know anyone.

Was it hard t find a place? Did you meet loads of new ppl or was it through work?

Thanks,
Kaz

[Kelstra]

Hi Kaz and Emily,

My partner and I are moving to Singapore in January, (we are Aussie 27 (me) and Kiwi 31 (him) and have been living in the UK for the last 4.5 years. He works in IT and has been given a full company relocation package, I've come from a Health/Consulting background and currently am unemployed going for interviews with Big 4's. Craig will be based in the Financial District

We are keen to meet other expats and make the most of the minimum 18 months we are committed to Singapore. We enjoy eating out, drinking fine wines (wish our wine luck that it won't fry at the docks...) socialising and
exploring new areas as well as meeting up with friends to go to some event.

We don't know where to live yet - trying to sort out a budget (as well as seeing what my earning power is going to be) but have been sorted with accommodation for the first 2 months in Marina Bay.

Any advice/input anyone could offer would be appreciated - otherwise any one keen to get together for an introductory meal in mid Jan?

[JR8]

Kelstra,

I don't think any particularly useful suggestions can be made before you can advise a ballpark budget. So when you know more post back, together with what's important to you, facilities, lifestyle, bedrooms/space desired, commute time etc, and people will be better able to help you.

Until then!

p.s. BTW 2 months provided accommodation is a really sweet deal, and plenty of time to find a great place, even starting from complete scratch. So really don't worry about it, you've loadsa time. In fact dare I say I wouldn't be that surprised if you find a place in perhaps half that time and end up itching to set up your new home.

[Kelstra]

Thanks JR8

Ideally we are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment (looking at around $4000/month) but can stretch either way. We are undecided about newer high rise apartments (we're noticing the differences in cultures already as they don't seem to show photo's of flats on offer, instead they are general photos) but are leaning towards a smaller older place (ie not HDBs but say 15-20 years old) as we prefer space and ample storage. (I like to cook in my spare time so I need gas hot plates!!)

Ideally we don't want a long commute - no more than 30mins max and walking distance of a MRT.

We were thinking of being (thinking in London terms - a zone or 2 out of the Financial District) But after 2 months in Marina Bay we may find it hard to move out....

You're right though - we have loads of time on our hands - just trying to get a feel and do some prior research before we meet with our agent.

How's everyone else settling in?

[Cath C]

A large number of expats here live in districts 9 and 10 nd you might need to stretch just a little on budget to be near work and walking distance of an MRT, unless you're ok to live on a slightly noisy place on a main road.

If it were me, I'd also consider district 4, near Harbourfront MRT. It would be on your MRT line, 2 stops from Marina Bay. I know that Reflections at Keppel Bay is quite a popular condo and you can walk to the MRT. (Again, you would probably need to stretch your budget a little).

Hope you find a lovely place to call home!

[nutnut]

2 bedder for $4K? you have loads of options! ost of Singapore is 30 mins or so to the CBD, if your hubbby works in Raffles Place then look at the areas around the Red (North-South) or Green (East-West) Lines, that pretty much covers the most of SG.

Living around Marina Bay is very false and will end up quite expensive for property, drinking and eating out, if you opt for somewhere a little out of that area, you will find a much richer culture, a great localised shopping area and cheaper local bars/pubs/winebars!

up to you though, and to the OP. Don't get a vespa, unless you want to end up under the wheels of a taxi in the first month of your stay. The locals seem to think the less road tax you pay, the more they have a right to drive at you!

[JR8]

I agree with Nut2. I can understand the draw to live at Marina Bay, but SG is a very small country and I think you would quickly realise you're living 'on top of the shop'. I used to work in the City of London and live in walking distance, great if you're doing 80 weeks and work is your total focus, otherwise I don't recommend it one bit. A short commute is both a geographic as well as psychological separation.

If you look at the MRT map, there is a version that shows travel times between stops. The trains tend to be very reliable.

1st time I lived in SG I lived up on Mount Sophia. That was unusual in that it was just off Orchard and yet you did feel almost completely removed from it once you got home, or were sitting by the pool. Many of the condos up there have quite recently been demolished though, to make way for something new, and anything worthwhile that remains might be over your budget.

2nd time around we lived in Toa Payoh, much more 'real Singapore' and less expat ghetto, much better value for money. Built as a 'new town' so all the facilities are within walking distance, plus it is a transport hub. Only downside is there are (or were) only two condos, Trellis Tower and Oleanders Towers. Not sure of prices right now, but that area might be worth looking at.

[zzm9980]

Only downside is there are (or were) only two condos, Trellis Tower and Oleanders Towers. Not sure of prices right now, but that area might be worth looking at.

I've been starting to look recently, and Oleander will definitely be within poster's budget. $3300-3800/month for 2bed there.