Korean living in Singapore

[wonjin]

Hi everyone,

I am going to relocate to Singapore, so I am very much worried about new life. And also I am wondering, should not I go there?
Could anyone tell me your experience, such as living expense, housing rent fee (apartment), etc.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have a same plan and wanna talk more.

Thank you a lot!

[BedokAmerican]

I haven't been to Korea so I can't compare it with Singapore. However, why are you coming here? I guess that's the big question and maybe people will be able to better answer your questions.

I'd suggest only coming here if you were offered a high-paying job and your moving expenses paid. Cost of living is very high compared to the USA, but I don't know how it is compared to South Korea. Check for online cost of living comparisons internationally.

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic89846.html

Apartment costs will vary depending on where you live and what type of place you get and whether you're near a train station, near the water, etc. You usually deal with a private landlord here, as opposed to a property leasing office. Some landlords are tough.

Also, if you do come here, I hope you have an undying love for the following:
Crowds
Extreme heat every day of the year
Long lines (long Qs)
Overpriced items
Trips to the grocery store that last a good chunk of the day

[JR8]

You need to say roughly what age you are. Married? Coming with family? What salary are you being offered here? There are infinite answers to your question, and only you can help narrow it down.

p.s. Korea? Yes wonderful place, and lovely people, fascinating history and culture, geography, and then *the food*!! It's not on most people's holiday-radar, it should be, I'm so glad I visited (long ago) ... just wow.

Funny, I'm struggling to compare it anywhere else. It's very different from neighbouring Japan, and China. No, try as I might, I can't make any kind of parallel, for a country that is so idiosyncratic within a region.

[beppi]

Koreans work A LOT more and harder than Singaporeans.
So (assuming your work is local in nature and not for a Korean company/boss/department) you will find your job easy and you'll actually have free time.
There are many Koreans in Singapore, and the area around Bukit Timah Plaza is something like a "Little Korea" with several good Korean restaurants and shops within walking distance.

[ScoobyDoes]

beppi is correct. There are a lot of Korean cafes and restaurants around Bukit Timah Plaza, Beauty World and Lorong Kilat where there is a small Lotte named minimart.

There are a lot of Koreans living in the Bukit Timah area as the International School is not far away after having moved recently to near the British/Swiss clubs.

I just got back from Haeundae yesterday where you should maybe view Singapore as very similar, though not Korean, if you see what I mean. High end eateries and International selections to food served through and in doorways. High rents and 'normal' rents though Korea is still cheaper. I noticed cars, even Korean ones, were not so cheap as they should be so if you need one here you'll only need to double prices instead of the rest of us that might need to quadruple them.