Singapore: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Singapore is a city-state at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula with about 6 million people. It is Asia's financial, trading and logistics hub: regional offices of banks and corporations, family offices, funds and one of the world's largest ports. The city is safe, clean and predictable, and English is the language of work and government.

Singapore suits entrepreneurs with business in Asia, finance and IT professionals with a contract, owners of capital and family offices, and families who value safety and strong schools. It suits less those seeking a cheap life or wanting to buy property: for foreigners, housing here is among the most expensive in the world.

Language and culture

Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil, and English is used at work and in government. The city is multi-ethnic: Chinese, Malay and Indian quarters, the festivals of every community and a shared love of street food. Hawker culture, with dozens of local cooks in each food centre, is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, and lunch there costs several times less than in a restaurant.

Districts

• Orchard and River Valley - shopping streets, condominiums with pools, close to the centre and schools, the highest rents.
• Tanjong Pagar and the CBD - offices and restaurants, convenient for those working in the financial district.
• Holland Village and Bukit Timah - green districts with private houses and strong schools, popular with families.
• East Coast - a seafront park, cafés and a calm life, closer to Changi Airport.
• Sentosa Cove - the only place where a foreigner can buy a landed house, in a resort setting.
• Suburban districts - condominiums and public housing cheaper than the centre, 30-40 minutes to the business district by metro.

Housing and prices

Rent is the main expense. A one-bedroom condominium flat costs in 2026:

Food courts are cheap, while alcohol, cars and imported groceries are very expensive: the right to own a car is bought at auction and costs more than the car itself. Home purchases by foreigners carry an additional 60% stamp duty on top of the normal one, so foreigners almost always rent.

Taxes

The first 20,000 Singapore dollars of income a year (about $15,622) are tax-free; the rate then rises to 24%. Dividends, capital gains and inheritances are not taxed, corporate tax is 17% with relief for small profits, and goods and services tax is 9%. Foreigners do not pay contributions to the national provident fund; only citizens and permanent residents do. More on the page about taxes in Singapore.

Practicalities

• Climate. Equatorial: about 25-32 degrees all year, high humidity and short tropical downpours almost daily.
• Transport. The metro and buses cover the whole island, and taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive. Changi Airport is one of the world's best, 20-30 minutes from the centre.
• Rules. Fines for litter, smoking in the wrong places and chewing gum are real, and drug laws are among the toughest in the world.
• Schools. International schools are strong but expensive and oversubscribed, with places booked a year ahead.

Moving and legal status

Professionals move on an employment pass: in 2026 new applications require a salary of at least 5,600 Singapore dollars a month (about $4,375), more in financial services, plus a points-based assessment. Top talent can use the overseas networks and expertise pass with a salary from 30,000 Singapore dollars a month. Permanent residence through investment costs from $7.8 million. More on the page about Singapore permanent residence.

Business, family and healthcare

A private company in Singapore is registered online in a day or two, with minimum share capital of 1 Singapore dollar, but it must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Registration for goods and services tax is mandatory once turnover reaches 1 million Singapore dollars a year. Company founders who are not employed by a local firm have a separate entrepreneur pass.

An employment pass holder can bring a spouse and children on dependant passes if their salary is at least 6,000 Singapore dollars a month. Healthcare in Singapore is among the best in Asia but expensive for foreigners: government treatment subsidies go to citizens and permanent residents, so foreigners take out private insurance, most often through their employer.

Is Singapore worth considering for life

Pros: safety, order, low taxes, English, strong schools and healthcare, the region's best airport and a world-class business environment. Cons: very expensive housing and cars, a hot humid climate all year, strict laws and tough selection for permits. Singapore is one of the best options for an entrepreneur or high-earning professional in Asia and unsuitable for living on a modest budget. Write in the chat and we will choose a pass or programme for your income.