Singapore

Singapore is an island nation located in the Oceania region. Cultural traditions include markets with locally-grown food and religious practices such as Catholicism, Buddhism, and Islam. The nation was first known as a trading post for the British East India Company in the early 19th Century. In the mid-20th century, Singapore began to see more action around World War II; Japan defeated Singapore in 1942, and renamed the nation Syonan-to, or "Light of the South Island," in Japanese. When Japanese forces surrendered at the end of World War II in 1945, Singapore became a British colony no longer under Japanese control. Finally, in 1965, Singapore declared full independence from the Federation of Malaysia; it was established on August 9, 1965.

Today, much of Singapore's population is Chinese, with Malays and Indians comprising most of the remainder. Singapore is a very densely-populated area, with many residents living in apartments, townhomes, or tower blocks, large city skyscrapers with apartment-style living. There are four different languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. The Singapore Dollar (SGD) is the currency used; one SGD equals $0.73 USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

Singapore is known as Asia's Tech Hub, with opportunities ranging from information technology to financial services, infrastructre, and biotechnological work. Within the city's business and financial sectors, there are opportunities in banking, international trade for importing and exporting goods, business and systems analytics, software and web development, in addition to telecommunications and local real estate property management. With Singapore's location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there are many jobs in manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding. From working onshore to delving into Singapore's innovative technological hub of opportunities, the city is well-developed and full of economic and employment activity.

Cost of Living

The rent prices in Singapore significantly differ based on location and occupancy. Renting a small unit in the city center may closely align in prices with a larger unit in the suburbs. In the city, a one-bedroom apartment costs SGD $2,900 ($2,150 USD), while a three-plus bedroom apartment averages around SGD $5,500 ($4,100 USD). By living outside the city, prices range from SGD $1,900 ($1,400 USD) for one-bedroom units to SGD $3,150 ($2,350 USD) for three-bedroom units.

Typical utility expenses, such as water, heat, and electricity, average SGD $155 ($115 USD). Other expenses, such as cell service and internet usage, come in near SGD $45 ($33 USD) monthly. If owning a car is in consideration, the lowest-priced new cars are around SGD $100,000 to 110,000 ($74,000 to $81,000 USD), with gas averaging SGD $8.65 ($6.44 USD) per gallon. Overall, living in a smaller apartment downtown or larger one out of town gives the best value for the money; using public transit in place of a car is also advisable.

Transportation

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system in Singapore is the most convenient transportation method. This line travels around the heart of Singapore and into its suburbs, making for an easy commute for any occasion. For single-fare tickets, prices depend on the distance travelled, ranging from SGD $1 ($0.74 USD) to SGD $2.50 ($1.85 USD). For more long-term use, the EZ-Link Rechargeable Card is available for SGD $12 ($8.78 USD) and lessens long lines at ticket counters.

Buses are also a convenient mode of transportation around Singapore. Fares are also charged by distance travelled and age group. The bus option is the most ubiquitous in Singapore, as it is far more widespread than the metro and travels all around the country.

Recreation

Being an island, Singapore offers a veriety of water sports. These include kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. These activities can be done in nearby Bedok and Marina Reservoirs, as well as the Passir Ris Park. Water skiing is also a common activity, with possibilities in Riverside Park and Changi Beach.

Singaporeans also value competitive sports. One example is football, with the S League being a local competitive football league. There is also dragon boat racing, in which large teams will race in dragon boats on the water with 15-20 people per boat. Other popular sport-related activities include tennis, cricket, ice hockey, and skating. All have clubs to join for any experience level.

For those interested in arts and entertainment, Singapore has the Ce La Vi, where one can sit on top of the Marina Bay Sands and enjoy a concert all while taking in city views. For different entertainment, Haji Lane and Bali Lane host DJs regularly at night. There will be singing, dancing, and karaoke at these venues. From sports and recreation to the performing arts, Singapore offers something for all interests.

Climate

The weather in Singapore is somewhat consistent year-round. Expect highs in the 80s to low 90s (30 to 32 degrees Celsius), with lows in the low to mid 70s (23 to 25 degrees Celsius). Like the temperature, precipitation is also consistent. June and July see the lowest monthly precipitation totals of around 6 to 8 inches per month; the highest rainfall occurs between November and January, with around 9 to 10 inches per month. Overall, the climate of Singapore is consistently warm yet full of precipitation.