{"id":8048,"date":"2018-03-26T11:20:44","date_gmt":"2018-03-26T03:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/?p=8048"},"modified":"2018-04-02T09:53:53","modified_gmt":"2018-04-02T01:53:53","slug":"for-the-expat-in-singapore-on-a-shoestring-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/everyday-living\/for-the-expat-in-singapore-on-a-shoestring-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"For the expat in Singapore on a shoestring budget"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-4-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#fefeff” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”10px” top_margin=”-20%” width=”5\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none”]
<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”For the expat in Singapore on a shoestring budget” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1521772796150{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1522033269320{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Singapore has been named the world\u2019s most expensive city for expats for 5 years in a row according to the EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit). With everything from cars to groceries being one of the priciest in the world, it is important to save where and when you can, especially if your expatriate package is not all-inclusive.<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll tackle a few concerning questions and teach you how to work with a shoestring budget in the most expensive city in the world.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Where can you go for a couple of dollars?” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1521773199819{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Pretty far, especially armed with a <\/span>smartphone<\/span><\/a>, you can easily route your way through Singapore. The <\/span>local transportation system<\/span><\/a> has got you covered in most areas of Singapore so there isn\u2019t a need for cars or taxis. Cars in Singapore, whether you\u2019re buying or <\/span>renting<\/span><\/a>, is relatively expensive. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What\u2019s cheap, yummy and fills your tummy?” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1521773234948{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Hawker centres and food courts located all over Singapore are the way to go for most locals. Not only you can satiate your hunger with less than $10, the local fare is usually a delight on the taste buds. Foreign sounding food might be hard to discern, so we brought in some <\/span>well-seasoned expat friends<\/span><\/a> to tell you what\u2019s what when it comes to the local cuisine. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a budding home chef, wet markets and <\/span>local supermarket chains<\/span><\/a> sell produce at very affordable rates. <\/span><\/p>\n

Tip:<\/b> Not used to the grittiness of some hawker centres? Look out for <\/span>hygiene ratings<\/span><\/a>, almost every single hawker stall is given a hygiene rating by the government. You should be safe with any stall with a B or better.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What’s cosy, comfortable and affordable?” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1522127768194{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Another way of cutting costs is to rent a room over an entire serviced apartment. There are even inexpensive rooms for rent in the central area of Singapore. <\/span><\/p>\n

And with a booking platform such as <\/span>MetroResidences<\/span><\/a>, you don\u2019t need room rental agents to help you find accommodation. Here are some inexpensive rooms for rent:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Sky View Rooms @ Meyer Road.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1521773328412{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Located in the East, close to notably East Coast and Kallang, these rooms are not only inexpensive but tastefully furnished as well. It is also a walking distance from Mountbatten MRT, making commuting easy. These rooms come fully equipped with a shared kitchenette, bathrooms, and generous wardrobe space. A month\u2019s rental goes for S$1,000 – S$1,200 only. <\/span><\/p>\n

Look at photos and availability of the rooms:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Sky View Room 1<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Sky View Room 2<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Auberge @ Moulmein.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
    \"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1521773346972{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]These chic apartments not only come fully equipped with all you could ask for in a room, but they are located at the fringes of Singapore\u2019s main shopping district, Orchard Road. The rooms are spacious enough for two adults and a child to live comfortably in. There is a common area fitted with a kitchen, washer and dryer. These room range from S$2,415 – S$2,900 a month. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Look at photos and availability of the rooms here:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Auberge Standard<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    2. Auberge Superior<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
    3. Auberge Deluxe<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Where to spend, and where not to.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1522034354771{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Touristy areas like Marina Bay are going to have a hefty price tag attached to restaurants and attractions in the area. If you\u2019re visiting Sentosa and its attractions like Universal Studios Singapore<\/a> or Adventure Cove<\/a>, be sure to have a hearty meal before, as everything from food to souvenirs can be pricey. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Orchard Road has a wide spectrum of designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, but you also can find more affordable clothes like Uniqlo, H&M and local stores. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Look out for local stores, especially around Bugis Street, as they are usually cheaper. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”And who says you can\u2019t have fun on a budget?” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

      \"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1522637629338{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Having fun on a light wallet is not impossible, even in Singapore. Here is a list of activities and places to visit in Singapore that won\u2019t break the bank. We’ve also included a price gauge of what they might cost:<\/span><\/p>\n
        \n
      • Bowling ($10-$20)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Movies ($8-$15)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Museums (Free time slots, $15-$25 otherwise)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Botanic Gardens (Free)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Merlions\u00a0(Free)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Esplanade Theatres\u00a0(Free performances available)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Pulau Ubin ($2-$10)<\/li>\n
      • East Coast Park (Free, but paid activities)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_widget_sidebar enable_sticky=”true” sidebar_id=”blog-sidebar”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-4-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#fefeff” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”10px” top_margin=”-20%” width=”5\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”For the expat in Singapore on a shoestring budget” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[170,47,63],"class_list":["post-8048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-everyday-living","tag-budget","tag-expat","tag-serviced-apartment"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8048"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8069,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8048\/revisions\/8069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}