Singapore is a tropical island and the weather is hot and humid all year around. The temperature during the day is around 26 -34 degrees Celsius and the humidity level is around 75-85%. There is no distinct wet or dry period period and you can expect short spells of rain almost every alternate day during the afternoons and early evenings. Singapore has two main monsoon seasons spanning December to March and June to September.

To know more about the weather and climate of Singapore, watch this video.

Yes. One of the most advantageous aspects of working, living and doing business in Singapore is that English is widely spoken. English is the first language Singapore and the three other official languages are Chinese (Mandarin), Malay and Tamil. The medium of instruction in most of the schools is English and it is the most common language that is spoken in the country.

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, ethnic groups and religions. Singapore's principal religions are Buddhism/Taoism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. However, with a large immigrant population one can find diverse religious faiths such as Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Baha'I, Jainism, etc. being practiced in Singapore. According to the 2000 Census, 14.8% of the resident population have no religious affiliation. The major religious festivals that are celebrated in Singapore are: Lunar New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas, Deepavali, and Vesak day. The following diagram represents the religious composition of the main ethnic groups in Singapore:

One of the positive aspects of living in Singapore is that there is an openness and respect for all individuals, irrespective of their religious faith or ethnic background. It doesn't matter who you are or where you are from - you will be treated with sensitivity, warmth and respect. The entire nation looks forward to the various festivals. Thanks to a diverse and cosmopolitan population Singapore celebrates all year round be it Chinese New Year, Easter, Vesak Day, Christmas, Deepavali, or Hari Raya. The Singapore government has time and again emphasized the importance of collectivism and social cohesion in Singapore.

According to Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day speech in 2009,

Many faiths share this country, share this island. Each has different teachings, different practices. If we have to live together in peace, then all have to adopt 'live and let live' as our principle. We (the government) hold the ring so that all groups can practise their faiths freely without colliding with one another in Singapore. And that's the way Singapore has to be...

Singapore offers various housing rental options to suit varied budgets. Housing in Singapore can be broadly categorized into private housing and public housing.

Private housing: Private housing comprises of three options: Condos, private apartments and landed property.

Condominiums: Condominiums or condos as they are popularly called, is the most common type of private property that Singapore's expatriate community turns to. Condos are equipped with pools, gyms, tennis courts, BBQ pits, etc. and are located in the Central Business District (CBD) as well as the suburbs. Depending upon the property location, property age, apartment size, and condo amenities, the average rental range for condos in the suburbs is from S$3,000 a month. Note that the rent for condos in the prime districts such as Bukit Timah, Newton, Orchard, etc. can  go up to S$6,000 a month. Condos can be found in every neighborhood. However, the popular locations for condos are the East Coast, West Coast and Central areas.

Image: Singapore's latest condominium offering - The Sail @ Marina Bay

Private apartments: Private apartments are similar to condos except that they are smaller developments and equipped with fewer facilities. Most private apartments have a small swimming pool. Other amenities such as tennis courts, gyms, a club house, etc. are not offered by private apartment complexes. The average rental range for private apartments in the suburbs is between S$2,300-S$4,000 a month, while the prime areas command a higher rental range of S$4,500-S$6,000 a month.

Image: A private apartment complex in the East of Singapore.

Landed property: Landed property are stand alone houses that are quite rare in Singapore and extremely expensive. The average rent is around S$6,500-S$15,000 a month.

Image: A typical stand alone house in Singapore.

Public Housing: Public housing in Singapore comprises of flats built by the Singapore Housing Development Board. 80% of the local population live in HDB flats. Unlike other countries, public housing in Singapore does not have a negative connotation and is not associated with a lower standard of living. Most HDB flats are located in self-contained neighborhoods with close proximity to shopping malls, medical centers, schools, train stations, etc. HDB flats range from two bedroom apartments to 4 bedroom units. Unlike condos there are no amenities like swimming pools, gyms, BBQ pits etc. However, all HDBs have a common children's play area and a basketball court. Some of the matured HDB estates are Clementi, Hougang, Bedok, etc., while the newer HDB towns are in Sengkang and Punggol. Depending upon the location, apartment size, proximity to amenities etc., the average rental range for HDBs is S$1,000-S$2,500 a month. Note that the HDB also builds what are known as "Executive Condos" i.e. HDB apartments that are similar to condos.

Image: A typical HDB housing estate in Singapore

The cost of renting property in Singapore is pegged to certain factors such as:

1. Private housing or public housing: The rental cost of  private property such as condos or private apartments is higher than renting a HDB flat in the open market.
2. The residential area where the property is located: Apartments that are located closer to the CBD or that are located in prime areas such as Tanjong Pagar, Bukit Timah, River Valley, Holland, Orchard, Tanjong Rhu, etc. command higher rents than property in the suburbs.
3. The apartment size, amenities and age of the building: Usually, newer apartments that are larger in size and within close proximity to amenities cost higher than older buildings, small unit sizes and apartments that are situated away from amenities.

Listed below is the average rental range for various types of property in Singapore as of June 2010. Note that this does not include landed property, as such housing is usually quite hard to come by in Singapore and very expensive.

• Condominiums: The average rental range for a 2 bedroom condo is around S$2,500-S$3,000 a month,  while a 4 bedroom condo can cost you anywhere between S$4,000-S$6,500 a month, depending on its location and proximity to amenities and the city center. Note that these figures are reflective of the current average rents of condos in the suburbs.
• HDB Flats: The average monthly rental fee for HDB flats are as follows:
  • 2 bedroom units: S$1,000-S$2,000
  • 3 bedroom units: S$1,800-S$2,300

The choice of a residential area will depend upon factors such as your budget, the size of accommodation that you are seeking and your lifestyle.

The popular living areas for expats in Singapore include the following:

Orchard (City center): If you have a handsome budget and like being amidst all the action then you can consider the Orchard area - Singapore's shopping belt. Most condos in the Orchard area are located along Cairnhill Road, Grange Road, and Killeney Road, all within a stone's throw away from the city's major glitzy shopping malls. You will find yourself within close proximity to the CBD, international schools, shopping and entertainment hubs. You can expect to pay around S$6,000-S$9,000 for a 3 bedroom condo in this area.

River Valley (South of Orchard): As the name suggests, the River Valley constitutes the neighborhood that runs along either sides of the Singapore River. It's a popular location with expats who have a hefty budget in mind, as rents mirror those of the Orchard area. Some of Singapore's most expensive condos can be found in this prestigious location. River Valley is close to the CBD and most international schools.

Newton, Novena and Thomson (North of Orchard): Newton is sandwiched between the hip Orchard Road and the posh Bukit Timah. It's a fairly old residential estate with plenty of greenery sans noise and crowds. There is plenty of private property in Newton and owing to close proximity to the city and international schools, rents can be quite high. Novena houses condominiums and private apartments and only few public housing units. One of Singapore largest hospitals, Tan Tock Seng Hospital is located here. Located on the outskirts of the city center, Thomson is hustling and bustling with life. You can find hotels, residential apartments and shopping centers in Thomson. Rents can be quite high, but definitely cheaper than Orchard.

Tanglin, Holland, and Bukit Timah (NorthWest of Orchard): Tanglin is a lush green area that houses a number of embassies, consulates and ministries. A number of shopping centers, hospitals and condos can be found here. Nestled in Holland Village, popularly called as Holland V, are restaurants, cafes and pubs which are frequented by expats. Holland is a trendy suburb with condos that are within close proximity to the CBD and international schools. Bukit Timah houses some of Singapore's wealthiest expats and comprises of many condominiums and landed property. Some of Singapore's top ranked schools can be found here. There aren't many shopping centers in Bukit Timah. Houses in Bukit Timah tend to be large and expensive.

East Coast: East Coast is by far the most popular expat haven owing to its proximity to the CBD, beach, airport and sea facing apartments with panoramic views. What's more, rents are affordable. For instance, a 3-bedroom condo can be rented from S$3500 onwards. East Coast Park is a top recreational spot in Singapore for cycling, roller blading, picnicking, and water sports. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and pubs. International schools are close by as is the central business district.

Woodlands (North): Woodlands is a  popular locale for American expats as it houses the American School. Note however that Woodlands is at the northern tip of Singapore and is quite far from the city center/CBD. You can expect a train ride to the city area to last for at least 45 minutes. So unless you are keen on sending your kids to the American International school, this area is not highly recommended.

West Coast (West): Singapore's Western region houses a number of educational institutions such as the National University of Singapore, INSEAD, Singapore Polytechnic etc. It is also close to the  Jurong industrial center. Expats who don't mind a 30 minute train ride to the city often rent an apartment in the West Coast area. There are some interesting water front residential options to explore in this area.

Marina Bay (South): Marina bay is an exciting and hip location in Singapore, offering panoramic views of the bay. It will soon house a number of prestigious commercial, residential and entertainment outlets. The Sail @ Marina Bay is a much awaited residential project and is rumored to become one of the most expensive and sought after residential choices in Singapore.

Yes. Singapore is definitely a place you can move to with your family. There are a number of entertainment and recreation options for children in Singapore. Some of these include:

Museums: The MINT Museum of Toys, the Singapore Mint Coin Gallery and the Singapore Philatelic museum are quite popular with kids.

Image: MINT Museum of Toys

Nature activities: One of Singapore's unique features is that despite being a bustling metropolis it is also an environmentally friendly country. There are various parks, gardens and nature reserves for kids who love to explore the outdoors. Some of the interesting outdoor places to explore include: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, East Coast Park,  MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Pasir Ris Park, etc. The list is quite exhaustive and we suggest you look up the National Parks website for a complete list of parks, gardens and nature attractions. Some of the activities you can enjoy outdoors are barbecuing, bird watching, camping, cycling, fishing, skating, picnicking, kite flying, water sports and other fitness and wellness activities.

Image: East Coast Park

Animal attractions: There are several animal attractions that have proven to be popular with children and adults. Some of these include: Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Underwater World, and Dolphin Lagoon.

Image: Underwater world @ Sentosa

Themed attractions: You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to themed attractions. Some of the popular ones include: Universal Studios, Singapore Science Center, Sentosa Island, Singapore Discovery Center, Snow City, Downtown East, Forest Adventure, Lilliputt Indoor Mini Golf, Singapore Flyer, Cable Ski Park, etc.

Image: Universal Studios, Singapore

You can choose to send your child to either a local school or a private international school in Singapore.

Local Schools:

• Local schools are government aided schools with majority of students being Singaporeans. Although foreign students on a Dependant Pass can apply for admission to local schools, you must note that they are given last priority during school admissions.
• The standard of education is excellent in the local schools and students are often very strong in Math and Science.
• Almost all local schools deploy English as the medium of instruction.
• The curriculum comprises of preschool (i.e. a 3- year kindergarten program for children aged 3 to 6), primary education (a 6-year course focused on English, Math and a mother tongue language i.e. either Mandarin, Malay or Tamil), and secondary education (a 4-year course that focuses on English, Math, Science, Mother Tongue language,  History, Geography, Philosophy and even Physical Education). The pre-school, primary and secondary levels are equivalent to the elementary, middle school and high school levels of other countries.
• Local school fees are very affordable as compared to international schools.  The fees for primary level is around S$80 a month, while for secondary level it is around S$130 a month.
• Note that local schools give a lot of importance to exams, tests and grades.
• Some of the popular local schools include: Nanyang Primary School, Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Tao Nan School, Anglo Chinese School, Dunman High School, Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Instituition, etc.

International Schools:

• Singapore has a large expat population and there are several top international schools in Singapore.
• The international schools offer an International Baccalaureate high school diploma or a high school diploma that is  recognized in a specific country.
• Most international schools use English as the medium of instruction. However, there are certain schools such as the Japanese School and French School that offer a country specific curriculum that is taught in Japanese and French respectively.
• You must note that the annual school fees you would have to pay for an international school would be quite high, normally in the range of S$8,000-S$30,000 a year.
• International schools tend to focus on the all round development of the child, with an emphasis on creativity rather than exams, tests and scores.
• Some of the international schools in Singapore include United World Class of South East Asia, Tanglin Trust School, Singapore American School, Canadian International School, Overseas Family School, Chatsworth International School, Australian International School, DPS International School, Global Indian International School, Dover Court Preparatory School, German European School, ISS international School, International Community School, Singapore Japanese School, Lycee Francais de Singapour, Chinese International School, Hollandse School,  etc.

For more information on this topic, refer to the Singapore education website.

The standard of education is excellent in Singapore - irrespective of whether you are studying in a local institution or international establishment. The Singapore government recognizes the importance of grooming talent and invests heavily in its education sector. Singapore has an excellent reputation for offering high-quality education and has resulted in several leading educational institutions from all over the world setting up campuses in Singapore.

Interesting facts:

• In 2007, there were 86, 000 international students from 120 countries studying in Singapore.
• There are over 1,200 private education organizations and 44 pre-tertiary schools offering international curricula in Singapore.
• Singapore emerged first in both Mathematics and Science in a 49-country study of Grade 4 (Primary 4) and Grade 8 (Secondary 2) students conducted in 2002-03.

Watch this video to gain perspective on what education in Singapore is all about:

For more information on this topic, refer to the Singapore education website.

The major differences between local and international schools are as follows:

• Curriculum: Local schools follow a specially designed national curriculum that prepares students for higher education in Singapore. The curriculum comprises of preschool (i.e. a 3- year kindergarten program for children aged 3 to 6), primary education (a 6-year course focused on English, Math and a mother tongue language i.e. either Mandarin, Malay or Tamil), and secondary education (a 4-year course that focuses on English, Math, Science, Mother Tongue language, History, Geography, Philosophy and even Physical Education). The pre-school, primary and secondary levels are equivalent to the elementary, middle school and high school levels of other countries. On the other hand international schools either offer an International Baccalaureate high school diploma or a high school diploma that is recognized in a specific country.
• Course fees: Local schools are government aided institutions and charge modest fees in the range of S$80-S$150  a month, whereas international schools are private establishments that often charge high fees in the range of  S$8,000-S$30,000 a year.
• Student profile: The majority of students in local schools are Singaporeans with a small percentage of foreign students, while international schools comprise a diverse mix of students from various cultural backgrounds.
• Class size: International schools have a smaller class size than most local schools. A better student--teacher ratio translates into individualized attention for students as compared to large class sizes.

For more information on this topic, refer to the Singapore education website.

Singapore's top international schools include:

• United World Class of South East Asia
• Tanglin Trust School
• Singapore American School

There are several other good international schools including the following:

• Canadian International School,
• Overseas Family School,
• Chatsworth International School,
• Australian International School,
• DPS International School,
• Global Indian International School,
• Dover Court Preparatory School,
• German European School,
• ISS international School,
• International Community School,
• Singapore Japanese School,
• Lycee Francais de Singapour,
• Chinese International School,
• Hollandse School,
• Etc.

Note that the above list is not exhaustive.

Singapore's healthcare system is one of the best in the world. It is modernized, clean, safe and efficient. In fact, Singapore is considered the healthcare hub of Asia.

Singapore's healthcare system comprises of public and private healthcare. Both offer high quality of medical care and government hospitals compete with the private sector. The only difference is that private hospitals have slightly better service levels and lesser waiting time for appointments. Furthermore, hospital fees are lower for public healthcare providers as compared to privatized hospitals and clinics.

The government offers subsidized healthcare services to Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents. The subsidy level ranges from 50%-80% depending upon the choice of ward class and residency status. Singapore citizens and PRs can also pay their medical bills by tapping into their Medisave or Medishield accounts. Medisave and Medishield form part of the Central Provident Fund - a compulsory retirement savings scheme - towards which every employer and employee makes monthly contributions. Part of these monthly contributions to the CPF account goes towards medical insurance schemes such as Medisave and Medishield. Note however that non-PR foreigners (i.e. work pass and Dependant pass holders) are not eligible for CPF contributions and neither do they qualify for  subsidized public healthcare. They will instead have to opt for private health insurance. Most large organizations offer medical insurance as part of their benefits package to employees. If you are not covered, then it is advisable to go in for a private insurance policy with any of the major private insurers in Singapore.

This video explains how Singapore's healthcare system works.

Day-to-day healthcare costs are moderate in Singapore. The average consultation fees for a general practitioner is usually around S$20-S$40 for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents. Foreigners can expect to pay between S$50-S$100. The consultation fees of specialists is around S$75-S$120. Hospitalization costs vary from S$30-S$350 per day depending upon the ward class you choose.

• Yes. Foreigners who are on an Employment Pass, EntrePass, Dependant Pass or any other work pass can buy health insurance from a private insurance company in Singapore.
• There are various types of medical insurance available that cover critical illness, long-term care, hospitalization, etc.
• The health insurance premium will vary depending upon factors such as your age, current medical condition, your income, the type of coverage you choose, etc. Premium can range from S$75 up to S$400 a month depending upon various factors.
• Usually, most insurance plans will not cover you for pre-existing conditions i.e. a long-term ailment that you are already suffering from prior to taking out the insurance policy.

Some of the popular health insurance providers in Singapore include:

1. AVIVA
2. HSBC Insurance
3. Allianz
4. Great Eastern
5. Prudential
6. AXA Insurance
7. Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance

If the insurance policy in your home country covers international claims, Singapore hospitals will accept it.

The main reason why the Singapore government banned chewing gum in the clean city-state was to curb the problem of gum littering in public places. Used chewing gum found its way into mailboxes, key holes, elevator buttons, streets, stairways, pavements and public transport. It even disrupted train services as it was stuck on the door sensors of subway trains. The cost of cleaning gum from public places was not only high but the gum also managed to damage cleaning equipment. To put an end to what had turned out to be a menace was a ban on the substance which came into effect in 1992. The ban was partially lifted in 2004 and ever since gum with medicinal properties is available, but with restrictions. According to a Channel News Asia news report,

The government decided to impose a complete ban on the sale of chewing gum in 1992 due to problems arising from the indiscriminate disposal of gum litter such as difficulty and costs incurred in removing gum litter from public places, vandalism and service disruptions caused by gum being stuck between the doors of MRT trains. The government made an exception in 2004 for the sale of chewing gum with therapeutic value as defined under the Medicines Act. These include those that help smokers quit as well as products of dental hygiene.