Moving to Singapore from Abel Tasman: Expat Property Guide | Homejourney

If you love the golden beaches and coastal walks of Abel Tasman but are now considering a move to Singapore, the safest way to do it is to plan your visa, budget, and housing together from day one – and use a trusted platform like Homejourney to verify information, compare properties, and manage your move with confidence.

This cluster guide – Moving to Singapore from Abel Tasman National Park Hiking and Kayaking: Expat Guide – ties into Homejourney’s main Singapore relocation pillar, focusing specifically on people who know Abel Tasman, the Abel Tasman Track, and kayaking NZ life, and are now exploring Singapore for work, lifestyle, or investment.

From Abel Tasman to Singapore: Lifestyle Shift Explained

Life around Abel Tasman – Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, and the wider Tasman region – is defined by nature: glassy bays for kayaking NZ, the multi-day Abel Tasman Track, and quiet town centres where most things shut early.

Singapore is the opposite in many ways: dense, vertical, hyper-connected, and humid year-round, but also extremely safe, efficient, and international. As someone who has lived in Singapore and frequently escapes to Abel Tasman’s coastal walk and golden beaches, the contrast is real – but so are the opportunities.

Why people from an Abel Tasman lifestyle consider Singapore:

Higher earning potential in finance, tech, logistics, aviation, and professional services.
Gateway to Asia for careers and business, with excellent air connectivity.
Consistently safe city with low crime and strong rule of law.
High-quality infrastructure, healthcare, and schools.

Key similarities that make the transition easier:

English is widely used in both places (English is one of Singapore’s official languages and the main working language).
Strong outdoor culture – in Singapore it’s more about East Coast Park cycling, MacRitchie and Bukit Timah hiking, and island getaways than multi-day tramps.
Multicultural food scenes, from Kiwi cafés to Singapore’s hawker centres and global cuisine.

Visa, Work Passes, and Relocation Basics

Unless you are a Singapore citizen or PR, you will need an appropriate pass (visa) to live and work in Singapore. For most expats, this is tied to employment with a Singapore-registered company.

Main work passes for professionals

Work passes are issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The most common for professionals are:

Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals, managers, and executives. As of 2025, new EP applicants generally need to earn at least S$5,600 per month and pass the COMPASS points framework, which assesses salary, qualifications, and employer profile.[8][4]
S Pass – for mid-level skilled staff, with lower salary thresholds but quotas and levies for employers.[8]
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) – for very high-earning professionals (around S$22,500 per month), more flexible but with strict conditions.[5]

For shorter stays (e.g., exploring Singapore before committing), most nationalities can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, but you must check your specific requirements with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or ICA visa checker.[2][1]

Pathways to long-term stay and PR

Many expats from NZ-style outdoor hubs like Abel Tasman initially come on EPs, then consider:

Permanent Residence (PR) via the Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Workers (PTS) scheme after a few years of continuous employment in Singapore.[6][9]
Investor schemes such as the Global Investor Programme (GIP) for those investing substantial sums into Singapore’s economy.[6]

Singapore assesses PR applications based on your employment record, salary, qualifications, family ties, and integration into society.[6][9]

Cost-of-living comparison: Abel Tasman vs Singapore

If you are used to Motueka rents and Abel Tasman campground rates, Singapore will feel expensive, especially for housing and cars. Broadly:

Housing – significantly higher, especially in central areas and new condos.
Food – local hawker food is affordable (S$5–8 per meal), while imported goods and cafés can be pricier than in NZ.
Transport – public transport is cheaper and more efficient than owning a car; cars are extremely expensive due to COE.
Healthcare – high quality, with costs manageable if you have good insurance.

Homejourney helps you estimate realistic housing budgets and mortgage limits with tools like Bank Rates and localised cost guides, so you don’t rely on outdated or generic figures.

Property Options in Singapore for Abel Tasman Expats

Whether you are selling a bach in Tasman or coming from full-time van life around the Abel Tasman Track, understanding Singapore’s property rules is critical before you commit.

What foreigners can and cannot buy

Foreigners (including Kiwis and most expats) typically can:

Buy private condominiums and apartments without special approval.
Buy certain strata-titled commercial properties.

Foreigners generally cannot buy the following without government consent:

HDB resale flats (public housing) unless you are a Singapore PR meeting specific conditions.
Landed residential property (e.g., bungalows, terrace houses) unless you obtain approval from the Singapore Land Authority under the Residential Property Act.

These rules are set out by agencies such as HDB and URA; for high-value investments, you should always confirm details against current regulations and seek professional legal advice.

ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners

On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential purchases. The rates have been tightened multiple times to manage speculation and maintain market stability, and vary by residency status and whether you are buying your first or subsequent property.

Because ABSD policy can change, Homejourney presents clearly dated, verified ABSD tables in our property calculators and explains how they affect your total cost before you sign anything. Always verify the latest figures with IRAS or your conveyancing lawyer before committing.

Best neighbourhoods for outdoorsy expats

If Abel Tasman’s national park vibe is your baseline, you will likely appreciate Singapore neighbourhoods with greenery, waterfronts, and easy access to trails:

East Coast / Katong – Sea breezes, East Coast Park’s 15km cycling path, beachside cafés; popular with families and runners.
Mountbatten / Meyer – Quieter, near the park and coast, with a mix of older condos and new luxury projects.
Bukit Timah – Close to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, MacRitchie Reservoir, and the Rail Corridor; feels like the "green belt" of Singapore.
Punggol / Sengkang – Riverside parks and cycling tracks along the Punggol Waterway; more budget-friendly than central districts.

Browse these areas safely via Homejourney’s verified listings on Property Search , where we flag key details like MRT access, nearby parks, and recent transacted prices via Projects Directory .

Rental market overview

Most newcomers from Abel Tasman rent first while they settle into work and understand the city layout. In Singapore:

Leases are typically 12–24 months with a diplomatic clause for longer contracts.
Standard security deposit is one to two months’ rent, plus a one-month agent fee for private rentals in many cases.
Condos with pools and gyms (your substitute for post-kayak dips) cost more than walk-up apartments, but may save on separate gym memberships.

Homejourney’s agent directory connects you with vetted agents who understand both expat expectations and local regulations, minimising the risk of unfair clauses or scams.