Moving to Singapore from Australia

Singapore is a true melting pot of people from all different cultures with approximately 1 in 3 residents being expatriates. You will find influence from all corners of the globe in Singapore which is what makes it such an interesting and exciting place to live. Australians moving to Singapore can expect warm, humid temperatures all year round, so be sure to pack your summer clothes. Thankfully, most housing in Singapore is equipped with air conditioning, meaning relief from the heat and humidity is never hard to find.

Singapore is a popular destination for people who are looking to advance their corporate careers in a challenging environment. With a workforce of highly educated and motivated individuals it holds great opportunities for learning and career advancement in a fast-paced economy. English is listed as the official language of business, so you will not have any trouble communicating with your colleagues and peers in your new home. Singapore is well known for having great quality of life as it has a stable political environment, a strong economy and a vibrant social-cultural environment. Mercer recently ranked it as the number one country in Asia for personal safety, making it a popular destination for people moving with families. Australians can expect to receive a similar level of healthcare to that which they enjoy in Australia. The Singaporean government puts a major focus on investing in infrastructure surrounding healthcare as well as expert doctors and specialists. Individuals moving with families can choose from some of the best schools in the world. If you wish, your child can continue to follow the Australian education structure at the Australian International School so there will be no disruption to their education during the move.

Once you have decided to move to Singapore is it time to prepare yourself for your move. International moves require a lot of careful planning and coordination, and you will need to enlist the help of a professional moving service provider. Choosing the right provider can be difficult, and at a glance you may struggle to differentiate between what is on offer. Making sure that you use an experienced and trusted removalist is the first step toward ensuring that your move runs smoothly. Allied have been moving people locally and internationally for over 300 years, so when you move with Allied, you are getting help from some of the most experienced removalists in the world. Before moving to your new home, spend some time researching the different customs to avoid experiencing unnecessary culture shock. Singapore is different from many Asian countries due to its history as a British colony. However, there are still many cultural differences that you will need to become accustomed to. Spend time researching the different laws, regulations, tax and business requirements of your new home to ensure that there are no surprises once you arrive. Due to the high percentage of international residents, there are a large number of expat community groups on Facebook. These are places where expats in Singapore go to chat about their experiences as well as ask each other questions and get advice on different aspects of expat life. The groups are a great place for you to start when researching your new home and will also be useful once you arrive.

Moving homes, whether down the road or overseas,  always takes a lot of time and energy. The first, and arguably one of the most important steps for any move is to declutter your home. You do not want to be paying to transport unnecessary belongings thousands of kilometres to Singapore. There are a number of great questions that you can ask yourself to help you when decluttering your home, such as the following:

•         Does this item spark joy?

This question has been brought into the spotlight recently by famous decluttering guru Marie Kondo whereby, if you hold onto an item and it does not spark joy inside you then that is a sign that you should get rid of it.

•         Have you used this item in the last 24 months?

If you have not used or thought about something in the last 24 months then the odds are that you will not need it in your new home. If you do not wish to get rid of items that you will not be bringing with you to Singapore, then consider putting your belongings into storage. Allied have secure storage options that will suit your needs. Storing your belongings with a licensed storage provider means that you have the peace of mind of knowing that they will be kept safe whilst you are away. Storing belongings in the garage or shed of a family or friend can mean that they may be more susceptible to risk factors such as water and vermin.  Allied storage solutions are commitment free, so you can give us a call at any time and we will return your items to you, wherever you are located.

Once the excitement of your move to Singapore has begun to fade and you begin to settle in to your new environment, you may begin to experience some homesickness. When homesickness begins to creep in the best option is to try and keep yourself busy, exploring your new home and getting to know new and interesting people. Making friends in Singapore is an important part of feeling at home. A good social network will mean that you have support when you need it, as well as people to share your exciting experiences with. Meeting people in Singapore doesn’t have to be hard. Due to the high number of expats in the country there are plenty of expat social groups where you can connect with like-minded people. Singapore’s competitive business environment and booming economy provides those who move there with incredible opportunities for professional development and career growth. Its low crime rates and excellent schooling system make it perfect for families looking to move abroad. Singapore’s central location makes it the perfect place to live if you wish to travel during your time off, as it is only a short plane trip to countries like Indonesia or Vietnam.