Geographical

Singapore's strategic location at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula has ensured its importance, which is greater than its size might seem to justify. Singapore consists of the island of Singapore and some 63 islets within its territorial waters. The main island is about 26 mi/42 km from west to east and 14 mi/23 km from north to south. It's a mostly undulating country with low hills (the highest, 540-ft/166-m Bukit Timah Hill, is to the northwest of the city).

Singapore's Central Business District actually spreads across both the central and southern parts of the island (you'll know when you're there - it boasts striking high-rise structures). You can get a good visual orientation to the city as you cross the Benjamin Sheares Bridge on the East Coast Parkway, which links the airport to the city center. The Singapore cityscape looks magnificent, particularly at night when buildings are brilliantly lit. Offshore, there appears to be another city all lit up because of the many ships anchored there - Singapore is one of the busiest seaports in the world.

Relocation Relocating to a new place can be very stressful. We have compiled information that can be very helpful with the many issues you may consider. Here are some of the issues: Coping with Culture Shock Cost of living in Singapore Schools & childcare Taxes & taxable income Transportation

COPING WITH CULTURE SHOCK

Culture shock is caused by the stress of being in a new culture. It is a normal part of adjusting to new foods, customs, language, people and activities. The most effective way to combat culture shock is to step back from a given event that has bothered you, assess it, and search for an appropriate explanation and response. Try the following:

1. Are you misunderstanding the host people's treatment of you? Where can you find more information about this aspect of the culture? Behavior which seems rude to you, may not be intended as rude. Polite customs are different for each culture. When situations seem senseless, remember the hosts may be following social rules unknown to you. Ask questions about social customs. And plan how you may want to act to this similar situations in future.


2. If you are still bothered by a situation, find ways to minimize the irritation. Is the situation necessary? If not, you may be able to avoid or minimize involvement.


3. What do you miss the most which was enjoyable in your home country? Look for ways to meet these desires or replace these with something new. For example, if you miss your favourite American steak, go to an American steakhouse or head to the supermarkets to cook some yourself. In Singapore, expatriates are fortunate as we are very cosmopolitan, it is very easy to find a treat from your own country as Singapore serves up many cultures' food.


4. Develop friendships with both Singaporeans and people from your own country. At times the friendships with culturally different people will seem very taxing. That is why it is important to have people from your own country or area to spend time with also. This helps you re-energize for interacting cross-culturally. However, isolation in either group alone causes more adjustment problems.


5. Talk to people from your country about your stresses and ask how they have dealt with the same situation.


6. Continue improving your language proficiency (watch TV, listen to the radio, read books in English).


7. Have a sense of humor. Allow yourself to see the humor in misunderstandings or embarrassments. Laughter heals. Singaporeans are generally very easy-going and helpful.


8. Exercise and a nutritional diet also help to reduce stress.


9. Remember that some culture shock is a normal part of adjusting to a new country. However, the more severe symptoms mean the adjustment process is blocked and you need help to move into a more comfortable stage.


10. Find a place where you feel comfortable and spend time there. In Singapore, you can head down to the East Coast beach.

COST OF LIVING IN SINGAPORE

The job seeker can either live rather cheaply in Singapore, or can live a life of luxury. Salaries are competitive, and numerous benefits (such as recreation facilities and bonuses) make working here a rewarding experience.

Food is relatively cheap in Singapore. Food courts (which are often air-conditioned) or what are commonly called hawker centers are recommended for an expensive, hearty meal. However, restaurant prices are higher.

Those on expatriate compensation packages may also receive additional benefits, such as transportation/car allowances, housing, childcare, payment of school fees, entertainment allowances, and work-related benefits. According to Mercer survey (1 June 2003) on the cost of living, Singapore is easier to stretch the dollar than that of Hong Kong and Beijing, making it cheaper for expatriates to live in. Singapore fell eight places from 24th to the 32nd position, in a survey of cost of living of 144 cities. The survey measures the comparative cost of more than 200 items in each city, including housing, food, clothing and household goods, transport and entertainment.

SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE

When a family moves to a new location, the biggest factor in deciding on a neighborhood could be the school district. Information on the list of international schools will help you decide better. In a country lacking in natural resources, human talent becomes the most valuable resource. As a result, significant emphasis is placed on education in Singapore. Education is inexpensive, but even at that, financial assistance through scholarships and bursaries is provided for needy students from primary to tertiary levels.

Starting at the age of 5, a typical student goes through 2 years of kindergarten, 6 years of primary school, 4 or 5 years of secondary school, 2 years of Junior College leading to the GCE A Levels, and 3 or 4 years of university education. Singapore alone has more than 370 childcare centres, and the best way to select your children's childcare centre would be based on where you reside.

Singapore Government Schools

Children of expatriates residing in Singapore on employment passes or skilled work permits can apply for admission to government or aided schools.

Foreign Students Unit, Ministry of Education

1 North Buona Vista Drive Singapore 138675

Tel: (+65) 6872-1110

Fax: (+65) 6775-5826

Website: www.moe.gov.sg

If the student is accepted, the Foreign Students Unit will send a letter requesting a contribution to the Education Fund. Parents of nationalities other than Malaysian must contribute $5,000.

For admission to kindergartens, private schools, universities and polytechnics, applcations can be made directly to the school, and the contribution to the Education Fund is not required.

The following is a list of some Singapore Universities. You may click on the list to go to their website:

1. Nanyang Polytechnic


2. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore


3. National University of Singapore


4. Ngee Ann Polytechnic


5. Singapore Polytechnic


6. Temasek Polytechnic


7. Australian International School


8. British Association of Singapore Nursery School


9. Canadian International School


10. Chatsworth International School


11. Dover Court Preparatory School


12. Dutch School


13. Eton House


14. German School Singapore


15. International Community School


16. ISS International School (Lower School)


17. ISS International School (Upper School)


18. Japanese School


19. Lycee Francais De Singapour


20. Overseas Family School


21. Rosemount International School


22. Singapore American School


23. Swiss School


24. Tanglin Trust School


25. United World College of South East Asia

TAXES AND TAXABLE INCOME

Tax rates differ based on the residential status of individuals. A resident is defined by anyone who resides permanently in Singapore, or is physically or receiving employment in the country for over 182 days, unless the taxpayer is a company director. Thus, residents who are on overseas employment for at least six months in a calendar year may choose to be treated as a non-resident in the following year of assessment, a status which may be renewed on an annual basis. Taxpayers who are required to travel overseas for the purpose of their employment in Singapore, or who are deployed overseas by the Government of Singapore for governmental functions are not eligible for this option.

From YA2003, Singapore residents may also opt for the Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) Scheme, tailored for individuals who travel out of Singapore frequently. These individuals must, however, fulfill two criteria, namely being qualified as a resident during the Year of Assessment, and a non-resident for three consecutive Years of Assessment immediately prior to the Year of Assessment in which the application is being filed. Successful applicants are entitled to NOR status for five years commencing from the year of eligibility based on the above criteria, which will then allow the taxpayer to only pay income tax proportionate to the number of days spent in Singapore, and only on the portion earned directly in Singapore. This tax concession is only applicable if the taxpayer is outside Singapore for at least 90 days for business purposes, and taxes payable on employment income in Singapore exceeds 10% of that total income. A NOR taxpayer also enjoys tax exemption on income earned prior to arrival in Singapore. Further more, a non-citizen or non-PR taxpayer will not be taxed for employer contributions to any non-mandatory overseas contribution scheme, such as a pension fund, although the exemption amount is subject to a cap.

Individuals employed by non-resident employers will be taxed for income derived from employment in Singapore, even if the income itself is not paid locally. These individuals may, however apply for area representative status, if all criteria are met, upon which they may be taxed on the remuneration relative to the number of days spent in Singapore. Should the applicant be a Singapore resident, he will be taxed using either system, whichever is higher.

TAX RATES FOR INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS:

Should an individual have an annual chargeable income of S$400,000, for example, his gross tax payable will be S$[(20,000 X 0%) + (10,000 X 3.5%) + (10,000 X 5.5%) + (40,000 X 8.5%) + (80,000 X 14%) + (160,000 X 17%) + (80,000 X 20%)] = S$58,700 (Average tax rate = 14.7%).

The maximum tax payable went down from 22% in YA2005 to 21% in YA2006, and 20% in YA2007, with the rest of the scale rate adjusted accordingly. This is in line with the Singapore Government's gradual reduction of nominal individual tax rates since the 1980s, a trend similarly observed in other countries. Tax rates ranged from 3.5-33% in 1987, and dropped to a range of 2-28% in 1997. In 2002, it ranged from 0-26%, before dropping further since 2003.

TAX RATES FOR INDIVIDUAL NON-RESIDENTS

TAXABLE INCOME

1. Profits from a business, profession or vocation


2. Earnings from full or part-time work


3. Dividends from shares in a company


4. Interest, pension, charge or annuity


5. Rent, royalties and other profits arising from property

TRANSPORTATION

Singapore is riddled with MRT stations all around the metropolis. Click here to see the MRT map as provided by Singapore Land Transportation Authority.

Food, Fun and Leisure

One of the best things about being in Singapore is undoubtedly the food. It is no secret that Singaporeans eat and drink with a passion. For the newcomer, deciding where and what to eat can be an intimidating, yet at the same time, exciting experience. Some of Singapore delicacies include Satay (Originated by the Malays, but also sold by Chinese these days), Roti Prata (Indian "pizza"), Fried Kway Tiao (fried black noodles- normally served with cockles), Hokkien Noodles (seafood noodle delight), Hainanese Chicken Rice, and some of our local desserts like Ice Kachang (flavoured ice with ingredients like red bean and jelly), Chendol (coconut based dessert), Grass Jelly (a refreshing black jelly that cools down on a hot day) and Tao Suan (bean in sticky paste, topped by fried dough).

Orchard Road, would be the most popular and most commonly heard names if anyone should mention about shopping. This place is the central hub, also known as the 'city' of Singapore, and it is well known among tourists. Orchard Road offers major departmental stores, supermarkets, movie theatres, restaurants. famous hotels and other entertainment outlets. Some of the well known hotels are - The Boulevard, Hilton International, Mandarin Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Goodwood Park, Orchard Parade, Le Meridien and Orchard Hotel. The main shopping complexes would be Centrepoint, The Far East Plaza, Paragon, Ngee Ann City, Orchard Point, Far East Shopping Centre, Forum the Shopping Mall, Lucky Plaza, Orchard Emerald, Orchard Plaza, Orchard Towers, Orchard Plaza Wisma Atria, Shaw House, Shaw Centre, Tanglin Place and Tanglin Mall.

You can get there by MRT as there are Orchard and Somerset MRT stations along the Orchard Road stretch. You can also find cheap buys like apparels and accessories in orchard Road, and wait till mid July every year, there is the great Singapore sales, where even major retailers slash their prices.

Housing

The vast majority (more than 80%) of Singaporeans live in public housing. These homes are located in housing estates, where most are developed neighborhoods with schools, supermarkets, clinics, food centres and recreational facilities. Popular neighborhood estates include names like Ang Mo Kio Town, Toa Payoh, Clementi, Yishun, Bishan, Hougang, Simei, Woodlands, Punggol, Bukit Batok,Tampines and others to the name. In short, they are called HDB.

There are three-room, four-room, five-room and executive flats. A three-room flat has two bedrooms , which is about 1,000 sq ft. A four-room flat has three bedrooms which is about 1,200 sq ft of space. A five-room flat is about 1,400 sq ft. An Executive mansionette has three and they are relatively larger than any other HDB units- some even have double storey, with the rooms on the second level.

The rest of the population live in private housing, such as apartments, condominiums and landed properties.

In this site, you'll find a wide array of properties you can choose from. Click here to search for a property that would best fit your lifestyle, or click here to find hot properties.

TYPES OF PROPERTY

LANDED PROPERTIES

SEMI-DETACHED
Houses that have one common wall and will usually have their own garden.  These can be up to three storey.

 

TERRACE HOUSES 
Joined houses in a row.  These homes do often have a paved or grassed garden.  Townhouses in this style may have communal facilities such as pool, playground and gym.

 

 

CORNER TERRACE 
The landed house at the end of a row of terrace houses that normally has a larger land area compared to the other terrace houses.

 

 

MAISONETTE 
A 2-level residential unit in a building.  The 2 adjoining floors of the unit are connected by an internal staircase in the unit.

 

 

SHOP HOUSES 
The original Singapore style houses that would have been shops below and accommodation above.  Many are renovated to include original features and tiling. Outdoor areas are usually small but many have internal courtyards.  These are generally found central or east.

 

 

DETACHED HOMES 
Bungalows with single, double or  three storey with a car porch and a garden.

 

 

DUPLEX HOUSE
Two-storey house consisting of one residential unit on the first floor and another residential unit on the second floor sharing the same land.  The second floor unit is accessible from a staircase outside the first floor unit.

 

 

TOWNHOUSE
One in a row of not less than three residential units having ground contact and common ownership of the land.

 

 

CLUSTER HOUSING
Cluster housing is a marriage between conventional landed housing and condominium housing.  All units have ground contact but with shared facilities similar to those found in condominiums.  Cluster housing therefore have Strata Titles.

 

 

APARTMENTS & CONDOMINIUMS

APARTMENTS
Apartments can range from studios to expansive five bedroom flats set over one or two floors.

 

 

CONDOMINIUMS  
Condos are properties that offer facilities which usually include a gym, tennis court, function room, pool and small shop.

 

 

PENTHOUSES
Are less plentiful but if you need to be central they offer private outdoor living with some great views.  Many of the newer ones have their own Jacuzzi.

 

 

HDB FLATS
Singaporeans can rent their flats or sublet bedrooms to either Permanent Residents or Non-Citizens with employment or student passes or work permits.  But there are restrictions so check these out first.