Moving to Singapore

Singapore is one of the most organized countries in the world.

Job Market
Singapore market is growing post recession and it is a good time to find jobs in Singapore. However, give yourself a good two to five months to get a job as things are slower here. In emerging markets like India you may find five jobs in a week with different salaries and bargain for the sixth job. Such instances are unheard off in Singapore. Jobs in Banking, Finance, HR, Consulting sector are hard to get unless you have solid domain expertise.
Software and shipping are two industries where jobs are easier to find. I know a little more about the software market.
Software firms here can be classified into two kinds:
1) Traditional/Mainstream software firms like IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, HP, etc
2) Banking firms like Citibank, HSBC, Standard Chartered, etc.
The traditional software firms are less in number and their salaries are lesser compared to banking firms. People also say that work culture is better in the traditional software firms compared to banking firms.
If you are desperate to move here then you need to find agents and keep in constant touch with them. This is not easy because unless you meet them face to face they do not trust the candidate.
The interviewing process is different for banks as compared to other software firms. The banks apparently ask you theoretical questions like name the parameters of a function, name of a certain class to be used for a particular requirement, etc. Most of the mainstream or traditional software firms focus on problem solving and practical aspects of work. Once you get a job here things will get easier.

First Steps

Your employer will issue an in-principle with a single visit Visa, which is valid for the first two weeks. You will need to obtain an Employment Pass (EP) for the longer term.
In order to do that, book an appointment online at the Ministry of Manpower(MoM), visit the MoM on the day of the appointment, and complete the formalities. Typically, it takes less than an hour. The MoM authorities will ask you to collect the EP card in the next few days.
While you can use your in-principle for setting up basics such as, a phone connection, bank account, etc., it is mandatory to obtain an EP.
Visit www.mom.gov.sg for more details.

Housing
Overview
There are primarily three varieties of houses available –
1. Housing Development Board (HDB)
HDB housing units are government-built apartments and constitute about 70% of Singapore's housing. These can be considered the standard in Singapore.
These units can have two bedrooms (known as “3Room”) or three bedrooms (known as “4Room” or “5Room”.) Most of the units have a kitchen, two bathrooms, a hall and bedrooms. Some houses have a store room and very few houses have balconies. A few things that one might want to get familiar with:
A lot of units are furnished. Therefore, getting your own goods might not be necessary. Some owners provide a variety of items ranging from television to crockery. But this is not a mandate and depends on the owner's generosity.
Of the two bathrooms, one is generally inside the kitchen.
A lot of units do not have ceiling fans and instead have table fans.
Wet clothes are typically dried on poles, supported between two sockets or that protrude outside the kitchen window.
HDB apartment blocks usually have play areas for children, work-out areas for adults, tennis courts, etc.
Every neighborhood has a community center with facilities such as Swimming pool, gymnasium, etc. These are open for public use, at a nominal fee.
Reference: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/

2. Condo
Condo Units are apartments built by private builders and are usually 20-30% more expensive than HDB units.
These apartment blocks have amenities such as swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, squash courts, etc., inside the premises.

3. JTC Units
JTC units are owned and rented out by the Government. These are unfurnished apartments. You will not be able to inspect the place before you agree to rent it. The pros are that you save on Agent fees and are not tied down by a contract.
Visit http://www.jtc.gov.sg for more details.

Rent and Location
The rent of an apartment depends on various factors like proximity to the bus stop, train station, shopping area, size of the unit, interiors of the house, amenities near the house, the owners expectation, and so on. The trend indicates that the closer the house is to a bus stop or a train station, the costlier it gets. Also, some neighborhoods are more mature, with good malls and other amenities, and are therefore more expensive.

Agent
A lot of people prefer to rent out a unit with the help of an agent. Finding a good agent is the key. A good agent generally takes half of a month's rent as a commission but helps you negotiate with the owner, shows you multiple units/houses, does the paper work, suggests you alternatives etc.

Standards
1)The owner takes one to two month's rent as deposit. It is a security deposit and the owner generally returns the money after the lease period. In case the unit is damaged, the owner might not return some part or all of the deposit.
2)The lease contract can be for up to two years. The advantage of a two year lease is that the rent is generally constant for two years. Breaking a contract before it expires can mean paying the balance of rent as a penalty to the owner. Please read the contract carefully.

Useful links:
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/
http://singapore.roomsdb.net/display_offers.php
http://www.easyroommate.com.sg
http://www.sg-house.com

Banking
Singapore has many banking options to choose from. To name a few, POSB/DBS, OCBC, CitiBank, etc. It is best to set yourself up with a Savings Account and a Debit card. A debit card in Singapore is usually NETS enabled. That means you can use it everywhere around the city from shopping malls to barber shops.
In terms of specific choices, opting for a local bank has it advantages. For example, DBS/POSB is has good acceptance across the island.
In addition, you might consider applying for a credit card. Credit card holders enjoy discounts on a lot of goods purchased using credit cards.

Internet/Mobile Phone/Cable TV connections
There are multiple options for taking a mobile connection. It is better to take your mobile connection, internet connection and cable television connection from the same provider as it might get you discounts. Most of the providers offer corporate discounts. Carry your Office badge for verification.
You can walk into any office of the service provider and their representative will guide you. You can find these offices in every neighborhood mall. Also there are certain government approved agents who can come down to your house and get the work done. This may help you avoid long queues. You will need to have an employment letter, employment pass or the in-principle of the pass, and a housing address proof to get a connection.
Useful links:
Singtel - http://info.singtel.com/personal/communication
Starhub - http://www.starhub.com/promotions.html
Mobile1 - www.m1.com.sg

Transport
Singapore has one of the best transport systems in the world. The day you land just go to a train/bus station passenger information booth and get a card known as the EZ-Link card. This rechargeable smart card will help you travel in trains, buses, and light rail across Singapore. Taking the card is an advantage as it is cheaper than paying cash. Just flash the card and get going. The card can be recharged in any automated kiosk by using your ATM card or by feeding cash.
Taxis are available all around the city. The prices of taxis might vary based on the time. Peak hour charges are slightly more than non-peak hour charges. Also, luxury taxis like Mercedes and Chrysler charge you a little more.
Useful links:
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/
http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/index.asp
Note: Private vehicle ownership is discouraged by levying high vehicle taxes and by imposing quotas on vehicle purchase.

Maps and Directions
Some useful resources:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/
http://www.google.com.sg
http://www.map.gov.sg/StreetMap/

Basic Culture
Singapore enjoys a diverse mix of races and cultures. People are friendly, helpful, and punctual. While interacting with taxi drivers, attendants, plumbers, electricians, etc., use small sentences. Make sure you always remember your Employment Pass number, which is also known as FIN number. There is always someone to help you out in case you have any problem.

Note: People in Singapore use their thumb with the other four fingers closed to point at objects. As a courtesy gesture, use this method especially while interacting with locals. It is preferred that you avoid using your forefinger, etc., to point at things.

Cost of Living:
Monthly Rent (nice 3 BR)
Independent homes are not available for rent and in case they are then I don't know the pricing. 90% of people stay in apartments. There are two kinds of apartments -HDB and Condos.
We stay in a good HDB. I can send you pics later. We pay 1950 SGD.
The condos would cost you 3500 SGD at least depending upon the area. The condos have common swimming pool, gym, etc. It is like your typical colony in US.

Groceries
For a family of two we spend around 400 SGD per month. We experiment with things so we spend more but there are people who stick to basic food and their costs are only around 200 SGD. But Food is the most important thing for me so we spend :-)
With kids you might have to spend a good 800 SGD.

Utilities
Gas + Water + Electricity == Max 200 SGD. ie if you have your A/C on all the time.

Mobile Phones
60 SGD per month per phone.

Internet, Landline and TV
70 SGD including two Hindi channels :-)

Medical Expenses
IBM covers my medical expenditure and 80% of my wife's expenditure. Say you go to a doctor for a flu checkup. The cost will be around 40 SGD including medicines. I don't think it is bad.


Welcome to Singapore!