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.

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

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.

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!