Where to stay in Singapore - A guide to the best areas and places to stay. Life in Singapore Singapore where to stay for three days
Singapore is a small country compared to neighboring countries, and, it would seem, what difficulties can be with the choice of housing when you plan to spend a few days of vacation here. Usually I come here for 3-5 days to see the main attractions, those who are interested in shopping and entertainment on Sentosa Island stay longer. But in any case, the right choice of housing is important for a comfortable stay in the country.
You can choose a place to live in Singapore according to two main criteria: location and your needs for the level of comfort. But first, it will be useful to get acquainted with the general features.
Features of rental housing in Singapore
Of the amenities, one can note the presence of a kettle and tea bags in many hotels as a tribute to the colonial past under the rule of England, as well as the knowledge of English at a good level by the staff.
Choosing an area to live in Singapore
Airport area usually chosen by those who come to the country for exhibitions and conferences, and passengers flying to other countries with a connection in Singapore and deciding to take advantage of visa-free stay opportunities for transit passengers.
The ugliest area Geelang . If you are not afraid of the situation here (nightclubs and brothels), you crave entertainment, and want to save a lot, then you can take a chance and settle in a local hotel. Even such an area of Singapore is safe for tourists, unless, of course, they themselves look for trouble.
The choice of hotels in Singapore is large, and, despite the overall high cost, you can also find economical options - it all depends on your preferences and purpose of travel.
Sights of Singapore
A great opportunity to see the city in just one day is the City Sightseeing Singapore bus tour. For 25 Singapore dollars (about 625 rubles) during the day, you can catch a glimpse of the main attractions, as well as explore the city a bit. Tourists are offered a double-decker comfortable air-conditioned bus on the first floor, and with an open roof on the second. This tour is unique in that you can get off at any time in the place you like, and then transfer to another bus at the bus stop, continuing the tour.Sentosa. Paradise for a tourist!
History of the island Previously, the name of the island was closely associated with the cult of the dead and ideas about afterlife. But until now, scientists cannot find an answer to this question and do not know why it was so. However, there are several assumptions that guides often tell tourists who decide to visit the islet. In the middle of the 19th century, a terrible epidemic occurred here, which claimed the lives of more than half of the entire population of the island - this is the first possible reason.Shopping in Singapore
Some travelers visit Singapore solely to buy new things for their collection, acquire souvenirs and various local products. This is especially true for the period from May 25 to July 22, when one of the most anticipated events in the city takes place - the Great Singapore Sale. At this time, you can purchase absolutely any product with an incredible discount of up to 70 percent.Like them 25.05.18 304 166 53
Four years ago, my husband and I decided to move to Singapore.
Slavina Bueva
moved to Singapore
We wanted to change the country and the climate, and we thought that nothing prevents us from doing this. Before that, we came to Singapore just as tourists for three days, and we really liked the city.
My husband found a job in Singapore in IT finance. When he received an official job offer, I transferred to the Singapore office within my company - then I worked at Iota Devices.
moving
First, my husband came to Singapore alone for three months to see how things would go. new project, and make sure that you can live comfortably in a completely new country where there are no acquaintances at all.
Finally, we sent the necessary things to Singapore: clothes and shoes, small household appliances, books, medicines and several packs of buckwheat - there is no buckwheat in Singapore, but we love it. The husband's employer paid for the transportation. Several people of a heroic physique came to our Moscow apartment, packed everything in a dozen branded boxes and left - and two weeks later they brought us to an address in Singapore. We didn't take any part in it at all.
About Singapore
Singapore is a city-state in South-East Asia. About 5.3 million people live here. IN last years On the Internet, they often write about the Singapore economic miracle.
I recommend the memoir of the former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew "From the Third World to the First", where he describes how a prison, the death penalty and socio-economic instruments helped the country to attract businesses and investors
As early as the mid-20th century, Singapore was known as a corrupt port city where the opium trade flourished. For 50 years, the city has become a separate state, the largest financial and logistics center of the region and the second largest sea port in Asia after Shanghai.
I'll tell you why we chose Singapore for the move.
It's comfortable here. Big and small. Everywhere there are elevators, clean free toilets at every metro station. Covered walkways have been built everywhere to keep from getting wet when it rains - and it rains a lot here.
Singapore has a very high standard of living and safety. You can't see the police at all, but the cameras are everywhere. The police respond to incidents in a maximum of 15 minutes.
Compared to Europe and Australia, taxes are low here.
The banking sector and IT are very developed. There are many main offices of various service companies and manufacturing companies with factories all over Asia - all this is a great opportunity to find a job. If the company is international, most likely it has at least a small office in Singapore.
We like the local climate. On average, it is +27 °C all year round - and there is a lot of greenery.
Most of the bureaucratic procedures in Singapore can be completed online. My friends were able to register a legal entity and obtain a business permit in 24 hours.
All this has a downside: living in Singapore is expensive.
Money
There are 117 foreign and 6 local banks in Singapore. Most international banks have their representative offices or main offices here. The undisputed leaders are DBS, UOB and OCBC. DBS - The Development Bank of Singapore - is the local analogue of Sberbank. In my experience, DBS is an extremely customer-oriented bank, with a user-friendly app and online banking. There is a DBS office or ATM near every metro station.
The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar
You can open a bank account at any branch. It's quick and easy: you need a passport, a valid work or study visa, and proof of residential address. A letter from an employer or school will do. You can just bring a utility bill.
You can make a deposit or a loan directly in the Internet Bank. The annual interest on a consumer loan will be only 4.5-8%, depending on the bank, but you can’t count on high profits on deposits either. Most deposits in Singapore will bring a maximum of 1% per annum, some options - up to 2.5%.
per annum will bring most deposits in banks in Singapore. Rarely 2.5%
In some small stores, you can only pay with a card with the national payment system NETS - Visa and MasterCard will not be accepted. There are local banks that, by default, issue only cards that support the NETS system to customers.
There are places that only accept cash, such as some taxis and fast food establishments.
taxes
Taxes in Singapore are low. For us, this was one of the reasons for the move.
Here is a progressive tax system: the higher the annual income, the higher the tax. For example, an employee's salary before taxes is 5,000 S$ (236,386 R) per month, which is 60,000 S$ (2,836,636 R) per year:
- The first $20,000 of this amount is tax free.
- For another $10,000, the tax is 2%.
- For another $10,000, the tax is 3.5%.
- For another $20,000, the tax is 7%.
Salaries in Singapore are always quoted before taxes. Taxes are paid once a year. The total amount is calculated for all annual income, including bonuses.
Language
Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. For everyday communication at work and in the city, everyone uses English. Knowing Chinese is useful in some cases, but so far I have always had enough of ordinary spoken English.
It is necessary to make a reservation that there is a local version of English - "Singlish" (Singapore + English). It is a mixture of English, Malay and Chinese. The most common manifestation of Singlish is to add "la" (lah) after any word to make it more convincing. This is mostly what the service industry says.
I got used to Singlish in a couple of months, as well as to Chinese, Indian and many other accents of the country's multinational population.
Visa
In Singapore, 30% of the population are expats who came to work or study. As an expat, I feel very comfortable here. Thank you for this official policy of mutual respect in the country. In Singapore, for the manifestation of intolerance towards another religion or nationality - responsibility up to criminal. Even here, caning is still used as a punishment. For example, this is how they punish for robbery or for an expired visa.
Long-term Singaporean visas come in three categories: work, "dependent" and study. I'll tell you in detail about different types visas
S-Pass (SP)- the first type of work visa. To obtain such a visa, you need to have an official salary in Singapore of 2500 S$ (118,193 R) per month. By law, each company only 15-20% of employees can work on S-Pass, the rest must be Singaporeans or permanent residents.
30%
residents of Singapore - expats
Employment Pass (EP)- the second type of work visas. Since 2018, the official salary for this visa must be at least 6,000 S$ (283,663 R), but the quota for employees here is almost nominal.
Dependant's Pass (DP)- the first type of "dependent" visas. Such a visa is obtained, for example, by the spouse of a person who arrived in Singapore on SP or EP. The sponsor's minimum salary must be $6,000 per month. With a DP visa, you can work in Singapore. The quota for the employer will not apply, because he does not have to sponsor - this is convenient for the employer.
Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)- the second type of "dependent" visas. The sponsor must be a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore who is legally married to the person applying for the visa. The minimum salary of a “sponsor” to apply for LTVP is also $6,000.
student pass- a student visa sponsored by an educational institution. With such a visa, you can stay in the country exactly as long as the training lasts. You can work with such a visa no more than 16 hours a week, but only if the school or university is on a special list. Even if you yourself want to work more, the employer will not let you: for this he can be fined, and your visa will be cancelled.
My husband has an Employment Pass and I have a Dependant's Pass. This made it very easy for me to find a job in Singapore. Instead of applying for an Employment Pass, my new employer simply notified the state that they were hiring an employee with a DP.
After several years of living in the country on a work visa, you can apply for permanent resident status (Permanent Resident, PR). It is necessary to sign up for the submission of documents for a year, for another six months the documents will be considered. PR status is assigned for 6 years, then you need to apply for an extension. Previously, the renewal was almost automatic, but lately, refusals have become more frequent. The authorities do not like that expats receive residency with its privileges and a minimum of responsibilities, but do not want to later receive citizenship of Singapore and stay in the country forever.
Expats rarely apply for citizenship. It's forbidden to have double citizenship- You can become a Singaporean only when you document your renunciation of any other citizenship.
Both permanent residents and citizens of Singapore are required to complete two years of military service and participate in the annual muster. Only men are eligible.
Citizenship also has its advantages. You can buy social housing, receive benefits for education and medical services.
My husband and I do not plan to obtain citizenship of Singapore.
Rental of property
The employer usually pays an expat employee for one month's housing. During this time, it is necessary to find and remove the permanent. The lease contract here is concluded by default for a year or two. If you sign at once for two years, then the price per month will be less.
All expats mostly live in condominiums. This is a building or several buildings with a fenced area, security and magnetic card entry. The condominium has its own parking, gym, swimming pool, barbecue area and playground.
An alternative to a condominium is apartments. So here they call an ordinary residential building with an entrance by a magnetic card, sometimes with a swimming pool on the roof.
Another type of housing is HDB, from the Housing & Development Board. This is social housing, which the state sells at a discount to citizens of the country. Usually HDB apartments are large and inexpensive, but with a minimum of privacy. Still such apartments can be rented only three years after the purchase. Locals joke that Singaporeans do not propose with the words “Will you marry me?” But “Let's take HDB together?”, Because a decent amount of subsidy is given only to families.
By and large, HDBs are typical panel high-rise buildings.
A house or townhouse can be found for the price of a condominium, but then it will be far from the center and with very limited transport accessibility. Otherwise, the range of prices for individual houses is quite wide and depends on many factors.
Rental prices in Singapore have been falling for the third year. I recommend haggling when renting. Often in the ads on the sites there is a note: "The price is negotiable."
A one-bedroom apartment in a condominium 30 minutes from the center by metro can be rented for 2100-2300 S $ (99 300 -108 757 R). With two bedrooms - 2700-3000 S $ (127 666 -141 851 R). Apartments are on average $200-$300 cheaper than condominiums. HDB is also a little cheaper, depending on size and location.
Paying for utilities in Singapore is simple: all utility bills are carried out by one company - SP Service. On average, for a one-bedroom apartment, it turns out 100-150 S $ (4700 -7050 R).
142 000 R
on average, we pay for the rent of a two-bedroom apartment near the center per month
We live in a condominium 30 minutes from downtown. On the scale of Moscow, it is as if we lived on Kolomenskaya. With the birth of a child, we moved to an apartment with two bedrooms, we pay 3,000 S$ (141,852 R) per month for it, plus utility bills.
Lease contract
The contract is required. It is not accepted to conclude a contract without a realtor. The contract is usually signed as a template, it equally protects the tenant and the owner of the home.
If you yourself found housing on the site, then the owner pays for the services of a realtor. If you found a realtor, and he found a suitable apartment for you, then you will already pay for his work. Typically, a realtor's fee is equal to one month's rent.
After the conclusion of the contract, you need to transfer a deposit to the owner within a few days - a fee for 1 month if you have a contract for a year, or for 2 months if the contract is for 2 years.
It is very important to take a picture of all the shortcomings of the apartment when you rent it. In the future, this can save you time and money if you decide to change accommodation and return the deposit. Usually, landlords try to keep the maximum deposit for themselves by picking on every scratch or stain in the apartment.
It is important that the tenant is given 1 month to "test" housing. All problems that you identify during this period, the owner will repair at his own expense. All other breakdowns are paid as follows: the first $ 150 of the repair cost is at your expense, the rest is paid by the owner.
Buying a home
Most banks give mortgages in Singapore at 1.5-2% per annum. You can take a maximum of 80% of the value of the apartment in a mortgage. Without citizenship or residency, you can only buy condominium housing or apartments. Still without citizenship, you will have to pay an additional fee - about 18% of the total cost of housing.
The cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment will cost a minimum of S$500,000 (R23,600,000).
23.6 million R
average cost of the cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment
Since we do not plan to stay in Singapore forever, we are not going to buy our own apartment. For those who do not have permanent resident status, an apartment in Singapore is a dubious investment.
Pets
It is forbidden to import Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Akita and a number of other breeds of dogs into Singapore. In addition to the standard requirements for the import of an animal such as vaccinations and a chip, it will be necessary to quarantine the animal for the first 30 days. Singapore quarantine is a kind of pet hotel. A room of 2 m² will cost 30 S$ (1420 R) per day, the dog will be fed and walked.
You can get a pet in Singapore, but there are also many restrictions. Only breeders with a license can keep an uncastrated animal at home. There are few breeders, prices are high, demand exceeds supply.
We wanted to take a cat and contacted the cattery. The cattery needs to prove that your home is ready to receive the animal, for example, that you have already installed bars on the windows. An expat by default is not the best candidate: what if he leaves the country and leaves the cat to die on the street? In the end, we were denied.
Then we took a cat in a Chinese family, where the child suddenly developed an allergy to wool. We paid 900 S$ (37,800 R) for the cat - and they also sold it to us at a 50% discount from the breeder's price.
42 500 R
on average we paid for a cat
Landlords don't usually welcome pets. Many directly in the contract prescribe that this is unacceptable, or increase the deposit several times as soon as they find out about their availability. We also took a double deposit for a cat.
Width="600" height="614" class=" outline-bordered" style="max-width: 600px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> We bought this cat for 42,500 R . The Chinese owners called the cat Onyx, but we gave him a simple Russian name Sausage
Medicine
There is no free healthcare in Singapore.
Usually employers provide insurance to employees. Often insurance is issued for the entire family of an employee. The insurance includes a visit to the GP - general practitioner, this is a general practitioner like our general practitioner. You can come to him with any symptoms and receive the minimum necessary treatment. A visit costs an average of 40-70 S$ (1890 -3307.5 R).
9500 R
at least worth a visit to a doctor of a narrow specialty
Sometimes employer insurance covers emergency care and specialist doctors. A visit to the emergency room with a swollen ankle will cost 300 S$ (14,200 R) for an appointment and x-ray. If you need to adjust something else and apply a retainer - 400 S $ (18 913 R). An appointment with a specialist doctor with an ultrasound, tests or an eye test has never cost us less than 200 S$ (9450 R). Dentistry is usually not included in the insurance, and a regular visit to the dentist will also cost at least $200.
If there is no insurance from the employer, it is definitely worth buying - at least the cheapest one for 100 S $ (4728 R), which will cover accidents and hospitalization. Surgery for appendicitis in a public hospital will cost 2,000 S$ (94,500 R). In private - about 12,000 S$ (567,400 R).
Without a prescription in Singapore, you can only buy remedies for symptoms like fever and diarrhea. Everything else is by prescription only. All Russian expats bring a first aid kit and a supply of various dietary supplements from Russia.
Public transport
Singapore has a large metro, many bus routes. Transport runs predictably on schedule. To get from one end of the city to the other - a maximum of 4 S $ (190 R). The shorter the distance, the lower the price. The ticket must be applied to the turnstile at the entrance and exit. The payment will be deducted upon the fact of the trip.
I really love local buses. Firstly, half of the buses in Singapore are double-decker - any trip turns into an excursion. Secondly, even during rush hour you can take a seat, because the buses run frequently. And it is also an opportunity to spend the whole trip in a comfortable temperature, under air conditioning.
There are many dedicated lanes for buses. There are almost no traffic jams in the city, especially compared to Moscow.
In Singapore, there are ordinary taxis with a mileage meter and Grab Taxi (the local analogue of Uber. If you take a regular, non-premium car, you can get to any part of the city for 25-30 S $ (1183 -1419.6 R). If to go on a Friday evening in the rain from the center, the price can increase to 40-50 S $ (1900 -2375 R), but for this you have to go really far and long.On a country scale of 50 by 27 km, this is not easy.
Many people use taxis. Shopping malls have special exits where there is a queue for a taxi.
Personal car
If you are accustomed to moving around in your car, it will be very difficult for you in Singapore. The Singapore authorities have done everything so that people travel by public transport. It is very expensive to own a car here.
Singapore has a fixed number of cars by law. Licenses to own a car (COE) are also limited, and in 2018 they stopped releasing new ones.
COE is bought for 10 years. Depending on the type of car, a license costs 35,000-55,000 S$ (1,600,000 -2.51429e+06 R). When buying, you must pay a registration fee - this is 140% of the cost of the car. Import duty - another 31% of the cost. And also road tax, insurance and license plates.
As a result, a new 2017 Audi A4 in Singapore costs $182,000 already with a license. BMW 328 - 238,000 S$ (11,259,161 R). Mercedes E-200 - 202,000 S$ (9,556,095 R). On credit at 2-4% per annum, you can take only 60% of the cost of the car.
A liter of AI-95 gasoline costs 2.2 S$ (105 R), diesel - 1.56 S$ (74 R).
Parking is almost always paid, even near the house. If you work downtown and want to leave your car in the parking lot during working hours, be prepared to pay 5-6 S$ (236 -283.2 R) per hour until 17:00 and an average of 3 S$ (142 R) per hour after 17: 00.
105 R
the average cost of a liter of gasoline AI-95
Another tangible cost item for a car is toll roads. In recent years, there have been more and more of them. Paid here not only express highways, but also the entrance to the city center. On Sunday, travel is free, and on weekdays during rush hour, travel along one of the main highways will cost 3 S $ (142 R) for a passenger car. More expensive for trucks, cheaper for motorcycles.
The device for payment in each car lies under a windshield. Money is withdrawn automatically at the moment when you pass under the gate with a reader.
Cafes and restaurants
Singaporeans joke that food is their national sport. Going to the other end of the city for a certain dish is a normal practice. Restaurants with delicious food are scattered throughout the city. The cuisine is mostly Asian.
Hawker centers were a discovery for me. These are food courts that are found at every turn in Singapore. There are a lot of Chinese, Peranakan and Korean dishes in the hoker centers. Huge portions cost 2-4 S $ (95 -190 R) The establishments here are not branded, only the cuisine or type of dishes is indicated on the signs. Large hawker centers also offer Western and Japanese cuisine.
A huge percentage of residents constantly eat in hawker centers, regardless of age, nationality and social status. Here, a top manager can dine at the same table with a janitor in a neighboring office, a schoolboy, or an elderly seller of handkerchiefs on the street.
76% of Singapore's population is of Chinese origin. It is not customary for them to cook at home, unless they need to feed the child. But children also begin to be fed in hawker centers from the age of 3-4. Initially, HDB social housing did not even have stoves installed, probably to discourage people from cooking at home.
Another 15% of the population are Malays, 7.5% are Indians. On the contrary, they usually cook at home. But they can easily be found at lunchtime in hawker centers, because they are delicious and inexpensive.
In addition to hockey centers, there are food courts and cafes that are much more similar to Russian ones. You can eat something more familiar in them. A business lunch will cost 10-15 S$ (470 -705 R) per serving.
A traditional Singaporean breakfast is "kaya toast" with butter and coconut jam, two boiled eggs and tea or coffee. In a business area, this will cost from 3 S $ (142 R). A European breakfast with pastries and scrambled eggs costs about 10 S$ (472 R).
Dinner in an ordinary restaurant in the center for two will cost about 100 S $ (4730 R) without alcohol. Alcohol is expensive in Singapore due to import duties. A bottle of Heineken beer 0.5 liters in a bar will cost 11 S$ (520 R), in a supermarket - 7.5 S$ (354 R). Chilean table wine "Sauvignon Blanc" costs 10-15 S$ (470 -705 R) for a glass in a restaurant and 20-30 S$ (938 -1407 R) for a bottle in a supermarket.
4700 R
the average cost of a dinner in a restaurant for two without alcohol
Products
The three largest supermarket chains are Fairprice, Giant and, the most expensive, Cold Storage. There is hardly an area in the city where one of these stores does not exist. There are also tiny 7-Eleven supermarkets everywhere.
Many Singaporeans save time by ordering groceries through Honestbee's delivery service. Shipping costs 3.5 S$ (165 R) per order. The products are the same as in the store, on the website you can
Approximate product prices are as follows:
- 300 g of chilled chicken breast, Malaysia - 3 S $ (142 R).
- 300 g of chilled pork fillet, Malaysia - 4 S $ (190 R).
- 300 g of chilled beef sirloin steak, Australia - 11-30 S $ (520 -1418.18 R).
- 300 g fresh tiger prawns, Malaysia - 10 S $ (472 R).
- 1 kg of potatoes, Malaysia - 2 S $ (95 R).
- 1 kg of carrots, Malaysia - 2 S $ (95 R).
- 1 kg of tomatoes, Malaysia - 3 S $ (142 R).
- 1 dozen eggs, Malaysia - 2 S $ (95 R).
- 1 liter of milk, Australia - 3.5 S$ (165 R).
- 400 g of white bread for toast, Singapore - 2 S $ (95 R).
- Bread from a bakery, Singapore - 6.5 S $ (307 R).
- 1 kg of rice, Malaysia - 1 S $ (47 R).
I indicate the country of origin, because there are still Chinese products everywhere. They are much cheaper, but there is an opinion that it is unsafe to eat and cook from them due to chemistry, hormones and antibiotics. We try not to buy Chinese. We spend about 1,000 S$ (47,284 R) on groceries per month, we mostly dine at home.
47 000 R
on average we spend per month on groceries
We also buy drinking water. A 1.5 liter bottle costs from 0.75 S $ (35 R). You can drink tap water here, but it has an unusual taste.
Internet and mobile communications
Singapore's telecommunications market leaders are Singtel and Starhub. There is also Circles Life, but it has appeared recently and so far is trying to attract customers with low prices. And I simply do not recommend M1 to you.
Mobile communications can be paid with prepaid cards. This method is suitable if you do not yet have a long-term work, study or other visa. With a visa, you can apply for a postpaid tariff - an invoice will be sent to the post office once a month.
If you subscribe to a postpaid tariff for 2 years, you can take a phone with it. You will have to pay a little more per month, but the total amount in any case will be less than if you buy a phone and pay separately mobile communication. In January 2018, it was possible to make an initial payment of 400 S$ (18,900 R), take an iPhone 8 for two years, then pay 50 S$ (2364 R) per month for 3 GB of Internet and 200 minutes of calls.
1500 R
the average cost of a month of home internet
The newer the phone model, the less profitable such a contract. Prices are reduced six months after the release of the phone.
You can save money on home Internet with the “only SIM card + Internet” package. The router and internet at home will be free for the first six months. By default, the Internet here costs from 30 S$ (1418 R) per month for 200 Mbps and from 50 S$ (2346 R) per month for 500 Mbps.
Life
In Singapore, it is customary to hire a helper to do housework. There are two options. You can invite an assistant for 3-4 hours once a week to clean and iron clothes. It costs 50 S$ (2364 R) for one visit.
If you have children, they often hire an assistant with permanent residence - they are called "helpers" or "maids" (from the English maid - a maid). Usually helpers and maids are women from the Philippines, Indonesia or Burma. Their working day starts at 7-8 in the morning and ends at 8-9 in the evening. Sunday is a day off. The usual duties of a helper are: cleaning, ironing, cooking, grocery shopping, caring for a child, pets, the elderly or people with disabilities.
It is obligatory to conclude a contract with a helper. The standard contract term is 2 years. This is usually done through an agency, which also helps you find a helper and settle all the formalities with a visa - there is a special Foreign Domestic Worker visa for helpers in Singapore.
66 000 R
the cost of a housekeeper per month, if you take all the expenses per year and divide by 12 months
As an employer, you are fully responsible for the assistant. Her residence and stay at your address is regulated by law. If the helper becomes ill, you must pay for her care.
How much does a helper cost:
- Salary 600-800 S$ (28,000 -37333.3 R).
- Additional products, if for some reason the helper cannot eat the same as you, - about 250 S $ (11 821 Р ).
- Fixed tax - 265 S$ (12,530 R).
- Accident insurance, including hospitalization - an average of 300 S $ (14,185 R) for 2 years.
- Flights to hometown and back - 200-400 S $ (9500 -19 000 R) once a year.
Total - approximately 1100-1400 S $ (52,000 -66181.8 R) per month, if you take the total amount for the year and divide by 12.
Despite all the above costs and features of hiring, a rare Chinese family with children or elderly parents in Singapore does without such an assistant. In addition, the decree in Singapore is 4 months for citizens and permanent residents and only 2 months for expats.
Grandparents in Singapore usually work as long as possible. The pension here is exactly what you yourself managed to accumulate over the years of work. Savings are very easy to use up at the first difficult medical case. So, Singapore does not count on the help of grandparents.
For working expat moms, an assistant in the house is almost a must: you can’t cope without it. All my working friends in Singapore, as well as a decent part of those who are not working, have an assistant, and this is a real salvation.
Services sector
Massages, wraps, spas, beauty treatments - of course, there are all this in Singapore, but you should not expect low prices like, for example, in Thailand.
Estimated prices in a regular salon are as follows:
- Men's haircut - 20 S $ (950 R).
- Women's haircut - 20-60 S $ (950 -2850 R) depending on the length of the hair.
- Coloring 60-120 S $ (2900 -5800 R).
- Classic edged manicure with OPI varnish - 28 S$ (1323 R), with gel polish - 48 S$ (2270 R).
- Classic pedicure with varnish - 38 S$ (1800 R), with gel polish - 68 S$ (3215 R).
A massage costs an average of 35 S$ (1642 R) for 30 minutes or 65 S$ (3100 R) for an hour. For comparison: in Thailand on the beaches of Phuket, an hour full-body massage with oil in terms of Singapore dollars will cost 16 S $ (751 R) in low season and 24 S$ (1126 R) in high.
950 R
average men's haircut
Sports and fitness
Singapore is a paradise for summer sports lovers. It is always warm here, there are many parks, convenient infrastructure for running, cycling and rollerblading. There are a lot of pools in the city: swimming can be practiced endlessly. There are also beaches here, some of which you can swim in, but still Singapore is a port city, the water here is not very clean.
On the territory of large residential complexes there are often tennis courts. They are free for residents, so tennis is very accessible here, as is badminton. Lessons with a tennis coach cost 100 S $ (4728 R) per hour.
Several large shopping centers have sports facilities such as a climbing wall or an ice rink. It costs about 35 S$ (1660 R) per session. Climbing walls in Singapore are popular. Some are equipped with an "automatic partner" - this is a special mechanism that will pick up if you suddenly fell off the wall. You can safely go to such climbing walls alone, if suddenly there is no partner for training - I am happy to use this opportunity.
9500 R
the average cost of an unlimited yoga subscription for a month
Wakeboarding and wakesurfing in Singapore are available all year round, my husband and I are very happy about it. In January and February, there is a strong wind season - at this time you can even go windsurfing and kitesurfing.
There are also many fitness and yoga centers in Singapore. An unlimited subscription for a month will cost about 200 S$ (9500 R).
Intellectual leisure
Let's say you are not a fan of physical activity and prefer to have fun in a different way. Unfortunately, the number of large-scale events in Singapore is much inferior to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Concerts of performers of the level of "Scorpions" or Sting are 4-6 times a year. Tickets for the stands cost from 170 S$ (8000 R), dance parter - about 300 S$ (14 200 R).
Every September, Singapore hosts a Formula 1 night race. For her sake, half of the center is blocked, and famous musicians, such as Bon Jovi or Robbie Williams, are invited to the opening.
14 200 R
there is a ticket to the dance floor for a concert of a famous artist like Sting
There is a theater and an opera in Singapore, but, in my opinion, productions cannot be compared with the level of theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
I went to dances in Singapore, paid 40 S $ (1890 R) for a lesson. I also attended cooking classes at the Culinary - it costs from 88 S $ (4160 R), cook three different dishes during the lesson. I also took first aid courses just in case, they cost 160 S$ (7565 R). Sometimes my friends and I go to play quests - from 28 S$ (1323 R) per room, the session lasts 45 minutes.
In Singapore, the site "Meetup" is popular. Here you can search for like-minded people on even the most unusual interests. Meetings, master classes, games and discussion clubs for every taste are organized through the site. There are free activities. Larger events can be found on the Eventbright portal, but they are all paid.
You can always just go to the movies. An evening session costs about 12 S$ (570 R). By default, movies are shown in English with Chinese subtitles, and if the movie was shot in China, then vice versa.
Trips
It is very easy to travel around Asia from Singapore. You can fly to the beach in Thailand in 2-2.5 hours, up to ski resorts in Japan - in 7 hours. If you fly with local low-cost airlines - Eirasia, Tiger, Skut, Jet-Star - tickets will be very inexpensive.
If you take a ticket for a low-cost airline about a month in advance, for 100-150 S $ (4678 -7017 R) you can fly back and forth to the following countries:
- Thailand - Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok.
- Indonesia - Bali island, Java.
- Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi resort.
- Cambodia - Phnom Penh.
- Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh.
If you have a budget of 300 S$ (14,200 R) per person, then you can fly anywhere in Asia. My friends and I most often fly to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Near Singapore there are the Indonesian islands of Bintan and Batam. You can get there in 45 minutes by ferry for 40 S $ (1890 R). On islands clean beaches, clear water and few sports activities. There is not much else to do there, but if you want a change of scenery or swim with children, then this great option.
1870 R
average cost of a ferry from Singapore to tropical island with a beach and clear sea
Children
Having children in Singapore is very expensive if you are an expat. Here's some simple math.
Pregnancy management: 100-300 S $ (4728 -14 184 R) per visit. On average, 12 visits are needed if the pregnancy is unproblematic.
natural childbirth without forceps and epidural anesthesia in a conditionally state maternity hospital and 2 nights in a ward for 4-6 people will cost about 4000 S$ (189,136 R). In a private maternity hospital - 8000-10,000 S$ (378,000 -472,500 R). Epidural anesthesia will add about 3000 S$ (141 852 R ) to the amount. Caesarean section - another 2000-4000 S $ (93 551 -187 102 R) depending on the maternity hospital.
I had a natural birth with an epidural. I spent two nights in a solitary room. All this cost 8500 S $ (401 914 R) - fortunately, insurance covered the entire amount.
400 000 R
the average cost of my birth, fortunately, they were covered by insurance
Annual medical insurance, which covers the management of pregnancy and childbirth, costs from 4,000 S$ (189,000 R) to 8,000 S$ (378,000 R). Often it contains a condition that at least 10 months must pass from the beginning of the policy to the birth, so that women do not buy insurance when they are already pregnant.
Kindergarten you can leave the child from 7 am to 7 pm. In groups of up to 15 children. The cheapest kindergarten I heard about costs 700 S$ (33,000 R) per month, otherwise the kindergarten costs 1000-1200 S$ (47,000 -56,400 R) everywhere else.
A school - international or just private - costs from 2500 S$ (118,000 R) to 4500 S$ (213,000 R) per month. This is not counting the form, payment for the bus, food and other additional expenses. To get a place in a regular public school, you need either citizenship or permanent resident status.
The Russian-speaking community in Singapore is quite large, so there is both a school and a kindergarten in Russian. There are simply language, dance and other circles in Russian.
Where to stay in Singapore: local advice on the best area to stay and best hotels in Singapore for any budget. We break down 5 different neighborhoods and the best things in each.
Singapore may not be a massive city, but with all the options on offer, it can still be a bit confusing when looking for the best place to stay or the best place to stay.
Don't hold back from his reputation expensive city. There is something for every budget level.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced visitor, you will learn about the best places to stay and the best entertainment in Singapore.
Where to stay in Singapore
If you would like to go directly to any of Singapore's areas, please follow the links below.
There are some affiliate links in the post below where theplanetd will earn a commission if you make a purchase, but you don't have to pay for it!
- Orchard Road is one of the oldest and most popular streets in Singapore, lined with distinctive shopping malls.
- Marina - Iconic architectural works based on Singapore's skyline and major landmarks.
- Sentosa Island is a famous tourist destination where you can find sandy beaches, various attractions and Resorts World Sentosa.
- Clarke Quay & Chinatown - located along the Singapore River, with a lively nightlife and traditional Chinese cultures intertwined.
- Little India and Arab Streets - A hipster neighborhood with boutiques, hotels and unique street art.
- Plan your trip to Singapore - Before you travel, find flights, book tours and quick tips
Best places to stay in Singapore
We found that best advice When you need to know where to stay in the city - ask a local. So that's exactly what we did.
Singaporean and local travel writer Sharmaine Lowe of Bunnyhoptravels shares her knowledge from her years in this incredible city.
From the best neighborhoods and cool nightlife to her favorite little cafes, you'll get an insider tour.
Most of the attractions in Singapore are accessible on foot. It can be fun walking from one end to the other, exploring various Singapore attractions and experiencing it all.
Transport is also widespread and efficient.
You can always find a bus stop or railway station(MRT) a few kilometers from your current location, with prices based on distance travelled.
Singapore tourist pass. If you are going to tour the city for a few days, it is best to purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass.
This gives you unlimited travel on public buses, MRT & LRT. One-day passes are about $10, two-day passes are about $16, and three-day passes are $20, which can be purchased here.
As already mentioned, getting around Singapore is very convenient and not a big problem; Buses and MRT trains run throughout the city with stops that are usually right in front of your hotel or apartment.
Best area to stay in Singapore
Singapore officially has 28 districts. In this small town of only 278.6 sq.m, almost everywhere is easily accessible by car or bus.
The attractions in Singapore are so well planned that you can explore every unique place on foot if you like.
Return to top - return to the top of the page to get complete list where to stay in Singapore.
About Singapore
Singapore, located at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia in Southeast Asia, has a perfect skyline and bustling shopping mall. It is an independent city-state that many refer to as the "Lion City".
As one of the smallest countries in the world, covering an area of approximately 719.9 km², it is also known as the "Red Dot". Despite its small physical form, Singapore is an economic giant.
The Singapore government is committed to excellence in building a global financial center. Today it is one of the fastest and most developed countries in Southeast Asia.
Although Singapore has developed so widely, it still retains its culture and traditions. As a multiracial country; its wide variety will amaze you.
You will find different streets and areas dedicated to each ethnicity.
The Grand Colonial Times building is located in the city center, while the traditional buildings used by the Peranakans and Chinese in the 60s and 70s are also in the area.
Walking and walking around Singapore on foot is easy.
This small town, and attractions are well planned and grouped.
What I like about this busy city is efficiency public transport. You can actually get anywhere by train or bus!
1. Orchard Road
Great Trade Belt in Central Singapore
Orchard Road is a 2.2 km shopping area in the central part of Singapore Road. Being one of the most famous shopping streets in Singapore, it attracts both local residents and tourists alike to shop, enjoy, dine or have a pleasant walk.
You can discover this bustling underground boulevard as you walk from mall to mall or walk down the luxurious tree-lined street while enjoying the exterior of all the malls.
Orchard Road offers you one of the best hikes shopping outdoors. Walking down the tree-lined street, you will see huge luxury stores such as Michael Kors, Gucci, Armani and many more located on your right.
Walking down Orchard Road and shopping has always been one of my favorite things to do.
Staying here is a great option if you want the best shopping experience! Staying at Orchard gives you access to all the malls in just a few steps.
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Where to Stay in Singapore Near Orchard Road
Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore
Luxurious 5-star hotel surrounded by exotic gardens. It is a 7-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road, which costs over $350 per night.
Check availability and prices
MIDDLE RANGE
Jen Orchard Gateway Hotel
A beautiful outdoor pool located right in the middle of Orchard Road gives you direct access to the tube station and luxury shopping malls.
Check availability and prices
Trip Advisor / Expedia.com / Booking.com
Hotel Supreme Singapore
A friendly, clean hotel that provides you with all the basic amenities you need during your stay. Walking distance to Singapore's famous shopping street!
Check availability and prices
Trip Advisor / Expedia.com / Booking.com
What to see in Singapore near Orchard Road
Shopping Belt Walk- 20 minutes walk from Ion Orchard to Singapore Square.
Fort Canning Hill- One of the most historical attractions in Singapore. An ideal place for nature seekers and history buffs.
National Museum of Singapore- Located across from Fort Canning Hill, this museum is one of the oldest in Singapore, dating back to 1849. Inside, you can learn about the history and culture of Singapore.
Emerald Hill Road- If you like a drink or two, Emerald Hill is a hipster place with plenty of local pubs open in the early hours of the morning.
Singaporean Botanical Garden - This 158-year-old tropical garden located on the edge of Orchard Road. It's colossal a tropical forest with a fantastic orchid garden.
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Suggested tours
Singapore Sightseeing is one of the best transportation services that any tourist can use to catch Singapore's key attractions with King Hop-on and Hop-off tours.
By purchasing it, you get access to 7 transport lines, 63 bus stops and up to 100 flights per day! You don't have to worry about wasting time waiting for the buses to arrive!
Shuttle buses include trips to Night Safari, Zoo and Jurong Bird Park. It also gives you 2 free walking tours to learn more about Singapore Heritage.
The 24 hour pass starts at S$39.13.
Singapore Private Tour: Make your visit to Singapore as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Choose from 2, 3 and 4 hour options for this private city tour with a local guide. Get transportation tips and the best things to see and do.
2 hour individual tour tour of Singapore at night: soak up the incredible nightlife Singapore on a private 2-hour evening tour. Enjoy the unique urban atmosphere, taste delicious street food and watch a breathtaking light show.
Get there
Hippie tours: Take the hippie hop and take the bus using the yellow MRT line. There are several stops you can make from number 14 to number 19, depending on where you are going. The hippie tours are part of the Singapore tour package mentioned above.
Buses: Several buses run from different parts of Singapore to Orchard Road. Click here to find out which bus you can take.
Other in a simple way research will search in "buses to Orchard Road". Make sure the location settings for Safari or Chrome are turned on. Google will give you the fastest way to get to Orchard.
MRT: Traveling by subway is also very convenient! Get off at Orchard and Somerset stations. You can purchase train tickets at the box office or get a Singapore Tourist Pass that gives you unlimited access to transportation throughout the city.
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2. City Centre: Marina
City center
An area of iconic architectural work depicting the Singapore skyline and its main landmarks.
The Marina area is built on reclaimed land and today it gives you the best views of the city skyline, especially since it overlooks the world's most expensive stand-alone casino and resort, Marina Bay Sands, costing only $8 billion.
If you are a nature lover, you will also enjoy the scenic walk along the Singapore River with beautiful scenery in the background.
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Best Places to Stay in Singapore near The Marina
MBS Hotel
The Iconic Hotel in Singapore with the world's largest infinity pool, world-class casino and dining options. This luxury hotel offers fantastic views from the hotel room and rooftop pool.
Check availability and prices
TripAdvisor / Booking.com
MIDDLE RANGE
Konrad Continental
Rated as one of best picks in Singapore at Marina Bay. This gives you easy access to the Marina area's top attractions such as the Singapore Flyer and shopping! Great location!
Check availability and prices
TripAdvisor / Booking.com
Hotel Orchid
This spacious luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city, within walking distance of restaurants, bars and railway station MRT. Getting anywhere with the MRT train is easy and convenient!
Check availability and prices
TripAdvisor / Booking.com
What to see near the pier
Merlion- Being on the waterfront, it is the official mascot of Singapore, which annually attracts a huge number of tourists to Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands- Hotel with 2561 rooms, topped by a sky park with a panoramic view of the city. There is also the world's largest Infinity pool offering you one of the best views the landscape of Singapore.
On weekends and Thursdays, the event plaza in front of Marina Bay The Shoppes hosts light and water shows. Click here to find out more about the show time!
Flyer Singapore- A giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city skyline and historical landmarks.
Gardens by the Bay- an attraction that many tourists liked; Colorful and futuristic park in Singapore. It is known for its supertree structures, bridges and conservatory domes.
Art History Museum - Hosts Interactive Art and Science Exhibitions in the Marina Bay area.
Helix Bridge- The world's first curved bridge. Distinctive double helix bridge and the longest pedestrian bridge, connecting the Marina South with the center of the Marina.
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Suggested tours
Flyer Saver Combo - You can freely combine the Flyer tour with other tour options such as bus tour Hop On Hop Off”, duck tours, night safari, Gardens by the Bay or Universal Studios. http://hippopass.com/singapore/package-saver-pass/
S7 & Gardens by the Bay - Tour starts at S$73; The package includes the Hop On Hop Off bus tour and tickets to the Twin Domes of the Conservatory.
S7 & MBS Skypark - Tour starts at $69 including Hop On Hop Off bus tour and access to Marina Bay Sands Skypark on the 57th floor.
Singapore Pass with 3 or 5 Attractions - Ride the Hippo Tours and get access to 3-5 of the best attractions you can choose from at discounted prices. This pass is valid for five full days of validity.
Mandai Tours - visit the Singapore Zoo, night safari and river safari, meet the diverse wildlife and get to know nature! There are Park Hopper options you can choose from to save money and experience more!
Singapore Super Saver - An 8-hour tour combining the Singapore River Safari and the Singapore Zoo Night Safari, where you can get up close to animal habitats and see unique species you've never seen before. Round trip transportation included.
Get there
Hippie tours: If you are on the Hippo Tour (Hop On Hop Off bus tour), hop on the Green Lines. These buses travel throughout the Marina Bay area.
Buses: Several buses run from different parts of Singapore to Marina Bay. Click here to find out which bus you can take.
MRT train: You can also conveniently purchase your MRT train tickets at the ticket office or get a Singapore Tourist Pass that gives you unlimited access to transportation throughout the city.
Google Maps and Maps.me are good applications for convenient transportation information.
Advice! If you are looking for a cheap hotel affordable price and if you want to live in the center, near outstanding places, then do not book a room, but rent an apartment. What is the price? The price may vary. But it will come out much cheaper, especially if vacationers come for a long vacation.
Areas of Singapore attractive for housing
Depending on the purpose for which the tourist arrives in the country, this affects the duration of the vacation. If you plan to get acquainted with the sights, then book hotel rooms for 5 days. If you want to spend an unforgettable time and have fun, it is better to decide in advance where to stay in Singapore. Rooms need to be booked for a minimum period of 8-10 days, get acquainted with the reviews of other travelers.
The metropolis is divided into several districts. Some of them are unattractive for vacationers. Others, on the contrary.
Below we list in which area of Singapore it is better for a tourist to stay, point out the features of the area, infrastructure.
Sentosa Island
Singapore riverfront a good place for a complete rest. This is the central part of the metropolis, where key attractions are located. Singapore hotels have a fascinating history, unique design. Accommodation in hotels is chosen by those vacationers who are accustomed to a high level of service and comfort. Accordingly, the price of a room per night is impressive - from 10,000 rubles. If you are looking for an inexpensive place to stay in Singapore in this quarter, it will be difficult to find. The cheapest option is staying in a hostel. There are few of them, since the price is from 2,000 rubles. per night. It is recommended to book a hotel room in advance.
Advice! When looking for accommodation, we recommend that you study not only information from the official websites of establishments, but also get acquainted with the reviews of other tourists on the forums. This will help you choose the best place for vacation. And don't forget to leave your feedback.
Place for suitcases and safe
When you enter the room, the music on the TV automatically turns on, it sets the mood, suits Singapore. By the way, DJs specially selected the music.
The layout of the tiny room is well thought out. Tastefully furnished, everything is new and with a twist in the form of a dream catcher above the bed, a cozy corner with a table, a kettle. Working on a laptop here is surprisingly not crowded, there is even a place to put your feet. All sockets fit our chargers without adapters. The most important thing is that everything is clean, the bed is perfectly white.
All G Hotel Singapore guests are provided with a smartphone with unlimited internet and free calls within Singapore during their stay, which you can take with you to the city. It can be used to buy tickets for attractions, which are sometimes a little cheaper through the application than at the box office. True, we never used this phone, since it does not distribute the Internet, and there are no applications we need, like Grab-taxi, on it.
The hotel and the restaurant are run by the French, as we understand, so there is a certain amount of romance in the interior.
Space shell, that's what I call it 
Hairdryer and slippers in bags under the sink 
Good quality shower gel and shampoo 
In the reviews, tourists wrote that the air conditioner did not turn off. They simply did not find the control panel, which is located on the wall immediately upon entering the room.
Where can I order a transfer from the airport?
We use the service - Kiwi Taxi
Ordered a taxi online, paid by card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You have already talked about your experience In this article
water cooler
On each floor there is a cooler where you can pour cold or hot water for free. There's also an ice machine.
Cleaning
Cleaned every day, replenish water supplies, shampoos. If you hang a sign, they will not disturb you with cleaning.
Gym
There is a small gym on the 3rd floor. We never got to it, there was so much to see in Singapore.
Parking and calling a taxi
For a taxi through the application, it is better to mark a point on the street, and not the G-Hotel lobby, since the reception is located on the second floor and taxi drivers simply do not know that they need to call the hotel to the parking lot. We ordered a taxi from the hotel in the app, our taxi driver was spinning around the bush, could not figure out how to call in.
G Hotel restaurant in Singapore
On the ground floor of the hotel there is a first-class restaurant, where parties are held every evening in the best traditions of European establishments. Prices are higher than the city average, dishes from 25SGD. Wealthy Singaporean guys and girls celebrate their birthdays here and just meet to chat. I will say right away that the soundproofing is so strong that there is complete silence in the hotel rooms, you will definitely not be disturbed by restaurant visitors, especially since everything is civilized in Singapore.
Breakfasts
We recommend booking a room with breakfast included. Breakfast at the hotel is served from 7 am to 10 am. "Buffet". Large selection, fresh and tasty. European and Asian cuisine, a lot of pastries, cheeses, coffee from a coffee machine. We went to breakfast every morning with pleasure.
The chef prepares delicious omelettes with cheese
Our breakfast in Singapore
conclusions
A good, modern and clean hotel in Singapore with breakfast included, close to the center, average in price - all this is G Hotel. Cost of living: $ 120 per day (8400 rubles). For Singapore, $100 for a hotel is considered inexpensive. The check out deposit was returned. If you leave a deposit with a credit card, the money can be returned to the account only after 1-2 months.
G-Hotel Singapore on the map
From Benkulen metro station 5 minutes walk. Near 7-Eleven. Through the crossroads cheap cafe with sandwiches (see). Bugis shopping center is 10 minutes away, where there is a supermarket on the ground floor and inexpensive cafes in the food court. Exact location on the map.
