If you love the magic of a Bagan sunrise or sunset over the temples and are now considering moving to Singapore, this guide explains exactly how life here compares – from lifestyle and cost of living to visas, housing and where to live – so you can plan your move with confidence through Homejourney.
This cluster article supports Homejourney’s main Singapore expat pillar guide by zooming in on one niche audience: travellers and expats who know Bagan’s sunrise and sunset best spots and are exploring Singapore as their next home or investment base.
From Bagan Sunrise Temples to Singapore Skylines: What Changes?
Living around Bagan’s sunrise and sunset best spots usually means quiet mornings, cycling past pagodas, and planning your day around temple viewpoints and photography spots.
In Singapore, you swap temple silhouettes for a skyline of glass towers, waterfront promenades and lush urban parks – but you can still build a sunrise-sunset routine if you know where to go and which neighbourhoods to live in.
Key lifestyle shifts when moving to Singapore from a Bagan sunrise/sunset lifestyle:
- Scenery: Bagan offers temple views and misty plains; Singapore offers high-rise cityscapes, seaside parks like East Coast Park, and green hills such as Mount Faber and nature reserves.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- Climate: Both are hot, but Singapore’s humidity is higher and consistent year‑round; reliable air‑conditioning at home (and regular servicing via Aircon Services ) becomes essential.
- Cost of living: Day‑to‑day life and rent in Singapore are significantly more expensive than Bagan, especially dining out, transport and healthcare, though salaries are also much higher.
- Safety & rules: Singapore is one of the safest cities globally, with strict laws, efficient public transport and well‑maintained public spaces – a major draw for families and investors.
Many Bagan regulars choose Singapore because it combines regional travel convenience (fast access to Myanmar and the rest of Asia), strong career opportunities, a stable property market and a very high level of personal safety, all of which are core to Homejourney’s mission.
Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Work & Cost of Living
Visa and Work Permit Options for Bagan-Based Expats
Most people moving from Bagan to Singapore will be Myanmar citizens or long‑term residents of Myanmar, so your main options are:
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals with a job offer from a Singapore employer, meeting minimum salary and qualifications. Details and latest criteria are set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
- S Pass: For mid‑skilled staff in sectors like hospitality, logistics or technical roles; also employer‑sponsored with quota rules.
- Dependent’s Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass: For family members of eligible EP or S Pass holders.
- Student Pass: For those enrolling in MOE‑registered schools, polytechnics or universities.
Visa regulations change regularly, so always cross‑check with official MOM guidelines and, when in doubt, consult a licensed relocation or immigration professional. Homejourney focuses on helping once you have clarity on your visa path and are ready to compare neighbourhoods and properties safely.
Employment Opportunities Compared to Bagan
Bagan’s economy is heavily tourism‑driven (hotels, guides, photography tours, local restaurants). Singapore’s economy is far more diversified, with strong job demand in:
- Banking, fintech and wealth management
- Technology, data and cybersecurity
- Healthcare and biomedical sciences
- Logistics, aviation and maritime
- Travel, MICE and hospitality (for those with tourism experience from Bagan)
If you have run a Bagan guesthouse, guided sunrise tours or worked in hotel operations, you can often pivot into hospitality management, travel tech or customer‑facing roles in Singapore’s tourism ecosystem.
Cost of Living: Bagan vs Singapore
In Bagan, you might spend modestly on rent, food and transport. In Singapore, expect:
- Housing: Rent is usually your biggest cost. A typical 2‑bedroom condo in city‑fringe areas can be several thousand SGD per month, while HDB rentals are usually more affordable but still far above Bagan norms.
- Food: Hawker centres and food courts are reasonably priced; restaurant dining is much costlier than Bagan’s local eateries.
- Transport: Public transport (MRT & buses) is efficient and cashless; daily commuting costs remain manageable compared to running a car.
- Healthcare & education: Public systems are high quality but not free for foreigners; private insurance and school fees should be budgeted.
Homejourney’s tools allow you to model property budgets and mortgages in both SGD and Myanmar kyat or other regional currencies, so you can see clearly how your Bagan‑based savings translate into Singapore real estate.
Property in Singapore for Expats Coming from Bagan
What Foreigners Can (and Cannot) Buy
Singapore distinguishes between public housing (HDB) and private property, with specific rules for foreigners under the Residential Property Act:
- HDB flats: Generally not available for direct purchase by foreigners without PR status. Most Bagan expats rent HDBs rather than buy.
- Private condominiums & apartments: Foreigners can freely buy strata‑titled units in most condo projects. Use Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory to compare pricing, layouts and locations in advance.
- Landed homes: Foreigners need approval from the Singapore Land Authority and usually do not qualify unless they are PRs with special circumstances.
Homejourney verifies project information and combines URA and market data Projects to help you avoid misinformation and unrealistic listings.
ABSD for Foreign Buyers from Bagan
On top of basic Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), most foreign buyers must pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property purchases in Singapore, at higher rates than Singapore Citizens or PRs.
Rates and thresholds can change through government cooling measures, so always verify current ABSD rules from IRAS or seek professional advice from a qualified tax or legal professional. Homejourney’s calculators and expert network can help you model total transaction costs safely before you commit.
Best Singapore Neighbourhoods for Bagan Sunrise & Sunset Lovers
If you are used to planning your day around Bagan sunrise pagodas, sunset temples and photography spots, you will likely enjoy Singapore neighbourhoods with easy access to sunrise and sunset viewpoints:
- East Coast / Marine Parade / Katong: Near East Coast Park and Changi Bay Point Boardwalk, both popular for sunrise and coastal sunset views, with cycling paths that echo Bagan’s early‑morning bike rides.[2][3][4]
- Harbourfront / Telok Blangah: Convenient for Mount Faber Park and the Southern Ridges, great for golden‑hour skyline views and breezy evening walks.[1][2][3]
- CBD / Marina Bay / Tanjong Pagar: Close to Marina Barrage, Helix Bridge and Pinnacle@Duxton – some of the city’s favourite sunrise and sunset points for photography, replacing pagodas with skyscrapers.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- Pasir Ris / Changi: For those who love quieter coastal views similar to Irrawaddy river sunsets, plus fast access to Changi Airport for Bagan trips.[1][2][3][4]
Use Homejourney’s property search Property Search to filter by MRT line, budget and property type, and then shortlist homes within 10–20 minutes’ walk or ride from your favourite sunrise or sunset spots.
Renting vs Buying as a New Arrival
Most expats from Bagan choose to rent first for 1–2 years to understand neighbourhoods, commute times and lifestyle before buying.
To rent safely:
- Check that your landlord is the registered owner using official Singapore tools or a licensed agent.
- Use a standard tenancy agreement and avoid large cash payments without receipts.
- Clarify air‑con servicing responsibilities and frequency (often every 3 months) and budget via Aircon Services .
