Hello Folks! I have recently accepted a job offer in Singapore and will be heading over soon. I have a draft plan regarding relocating there and setting myself up before commencing work.

1. Take a direct bus from MY to SG, e.g. Bus from TBS to a location in SG closest to budget hotel (within work location).
2. Get a Grab or Taxi to the budget hotel due to luggage constraints, staying for 1 night or 2.
3. View rental properties that were shortlisted with appointments made with agents prior to leaving MY. Securing a rental property should be priority with rentals near to work location at a maximum rent of 900 SGD or below.
4. Acquire SG number with affordable telco plans, e.g. Simba. Current MY Hotlink number will be on a roaming plan for data use in Singapore (1 month validity) and then be retained with 365 plan.
5. Open a SG bank account for salary purposes, and then having WISE as transfer between MY and SG.
6. Setting up local SG apps and Transport card, e.g. SGQR and EZ-Link.
7. Perform medical checkup at approved clinics for prerequisite to EP being issued.
8. Wander around SG, particularly living/work location to familiarise with the area, e.g. malls, hawkers, etc.
9. Start work.

I'm sure there are Malaysians here that have gone through this process, any advice/recommendations are greatly appreciated, whether it is relocation or living

Rental sgd 900 is doable but a little restrictive. Agent in sg are pretty professional

For phone I suggest just get the umobile u68 plan.

Also for rental there are 2 types one is co living the other is living with owner. Really depends what you want.

1. Take a direct bus from MY to SG, e.g. Bus from TBS to a location in SG closest to budget hotel (within work location).
Book your bus ticket via Easybook.com. Get a ticket for a bus that stops at "The Plaza" which is literally downtown where all/most budget hotels are. Eltabina bus is a good example, and very reliable (never late, clean, reasonably priced).

2. Get a Grab or Taxi to the budget hotel due to luggage constraints, staying for 1 night or 2.
Can check the price between Grab or taxi if you are cost conscious. "CDG zig" app is a good place to start. But short distance, not much difference in price la...

3. View rental properties that were shortlisted with appointments made with agents prior to leaving MY. Securing a rental property should be priority with rentals near to work location at a maximum rent of 900 SGD or below.
Depends on where is your workplace. If CBD area, rental starts at a few thousand onwards (mostly for lazy angmo). Malaysians will start further and take train.

4. Acquire SG number with affordable telco plans, e.g. Simba. Current MY Hotlink number will be on a roaming plan for data use in Singapore (1 month validity) and then be retained with 365 plan.
For a start, Simba is cheapest, but not the best in coverage. Usable never the least. $10 per month - what is there to complaint? Number can be easily ported to other telcos. You can also ask to get special numbers. Can start from $50 - 4-figures, depending on how special the number.

5. Open a SG bank account for salary purposes, and then having WISE as transfer between MY and SG.
This I think you need a letter from HR. And you need your WP/SP/EP NIRC.

6. Setting up local SG apps and Transport card, e.g. SGQR and EZ-Link.
For now, can just use your Visa card. Transport cards like EZ-link may offer some discounts, but I don't bother. I tap using my Visa on my Apple watch for convenience.

7. Perform medical checkup at approved clinics for prerequisite to EP being issued.
Best make appointment. SG healthcare not friendly to walk-ins.

8. Wander around SG, particularly living/work location to familiarise with the area, e.g. malls, hawkers, etc.
Google map is your friend.

9. Start work.
Ganbatte neh...


And welcome to SG.

Hey there! Thanks for the advice!

The rental price stated was my observation for single room (without roommates) in HDB/Condo, co-living or with owner, near my work area (Payar Lebar). Propertyguru will be the best option I suppose?

Is there a reason you suggest that mobile plan? It see it being useful if I'm not using my SG telco much, with Hotlink 365 it's RM30 to retain my number for a year, albeit without any data plan with it.

No. Use Carousell.sg if you want to deal direct with laondlord/owner. Propertyguru are usually via agents.

Hey! Thanks for your advice! Some extra questions:

3. My workplace is Payar Lebar, seems to have some options around the area or other close MRT stations, e.g. Aljunied, Eunos, etc. It is not CBD, so probably prices aren't that extreme?

4. Is there some other telco plan you recommend for balanced coverage/cost?

5. There shouldn't be any difference between bank options I presume? Probably their local banks like UOB/DBS/OCBC.

6. Is that a Visa from a MY bank, or you have a credit card from a SG bank?

Oh Yes! Carousell! Didn't realise they did rentals as well, options seem more affordable too?

Thanks for the tip

3. My workplace is Payar Lebar, seems to have some options around the area or other close MRT stations, e.g. Aljunied, Eunos, etc. It is not CBD, so probably prices aren't that extreme?
Explore carousell.sg


4. Is there some other telco plan you recommend for balanced coverage/cost?
All telco in SG got its own problem wan la. Singtel coverage is good, but expensive. M1/Starhub is cheaper but coverage "meh". Might as well just start with Simba first (get the SIM only deal). If your company is an MNC (or big enough), they may have a deal with the telco and then you can sign a contract with them. Contracts with phone deals in SG are worth it (unlike blood-sucking telcos in MY).


5. There shouldn't be any difference between bank options I presume? Probably their local banks like UOB/DBS/OCBC.
DBS/POSB is the oldest local bank in SG. They have the most branches and most ATMs (macam Maybank in MY). More convenient for you to make transaction or withdraw cash from ATM. Unlike ATMs in MY, you can't make a transaction via another bank's ATM.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4211035

you can try property guru... while lawerenceha suggested carousel but some times you might not get the location you want.

I have a company sg number which I rarely used. in fact I use U68 more often lol. U68 is 500gb shared with singapore data and free incoming call. but I suppose if you die die want a sg number I think My Republic is ok. they have SGD10, its good enough.

for bank just go with DBS you can't go wrong. you can apply online (forget about go to the branches its always super full). but you will need your employment letter and proof of residence .

try to get somewhere walking distance from MRT. also most mall have this Food Junction Food court, get their loyalty card, you get 10% discount.

also bear in mind, SG can be a boring place if you dont have other activities. try to find your circle of "friends". It offer a lot of opportunity. My Malaysian colleagues all go concert. like 5-6 concerts a year.

anyway all the best to you. Payar Lebar is an ok place la....

Walau. So true. Really need circle of friends. But in SG, they are so hard to come by. Busy with work la. Busy with family la. I'm always alone and damn bored!

Work as what? How much salary?

Put up at friends and family place in SG is better if you know anyone

sgd 900 for a room is quite hot in SG but good luck.

CIMB SG has the best FOREX rate

You need to have CIMB SG and CIMB Msia account.

Thanks for more tips!

Ah yes, technically I would be alone there as well. Hobby/interest groups hard to come by?

Client Management in a Travel Tech company. I won't disclose the salary but it is a bit of a cut compared to my MY salary, due to jumping from an absolutely different industry (IT > Environment > Travel). Opportunity presented itself and I find this industry fascinating, since I'm still young (almost 30) with no dependants, I just decided to go for it.

Don't know anyone here unfortunately. I'll have to look around.

How much is the pay cut?

Oh? Even better than WISE?

My current plan is:

Salary SG Account using DBS, then use WISE to transfer to Maybank MY Account.

I'll just say number to number value is lower, but after currency conversion is still more than double of my previous MYR pay.

For renting can consider McPherson area, rental can be quite cheap around there. I have a friend renting at 600 per month.

Bank, either OCBC or UOB with the monthly interest from GIRO.

Sg is small almost every mrt station has a mall or a hawker next to it

Do they offer the salary following this age table? Look under "EP qualifying salary (Stage 1)"

https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/e...alifying-salary