Moving to Singapore from Boracay: Expat Water Sports & Lifestyle Guide | Homejourney

If you love Boracay activities like water sports, nightlife and island hopping and are considering moving to Singapore, this expat guide shows how your lifestyle can translate to the Lion City—while helping you make safe, confident property and relocation decisions with Homejourney as your trusted partner.

This article is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s main relocation pillar guide for international buyers and expats in Singapore, and is tailored specifically for people familiar with Boracay’s water sports, nightlife and island-hopping scene who are now exploring Singapore as a place to work, live or invest.

1. From Boracay Lifestyle to Singapore: What Really Changes?

Living in Boracay usually means easy access to White Beach, daily water sports, sunset sailing, and a nightlife that runs late along Stations 1–3 and around Bulabog Beach. In Singapore, you trade a small island resort feel for a highly connected global hub with structured waterfront recreation, modern infrastructure, and one of the safest urban environments in Asia.[4]

The key similarities:

Warm, tropical climate and year-round outdoor activities
Strong tourism and service sectors
Active expat and digital nomad communities

The main differences:

Water sports: In Boracay, activities like parasailing, island hopping and kitesurfing are walk-up experiences on the beach. In Singapore, you’ll find structured clubs and reservoirs for kayaking, wakeboarding and sailing (e.g., Kallang Basin, East Coast, Sentosa).
Nightlife: Boracay nightlife is mostly beach bars and island clubs. Singapore’s nightlife is centred around Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, Ann Siang, and Marina Bay with stricter regulations and closing times.
Island hopping: Instead of Boracay island-hopping packages, Singapore offers regional getaways—Bintan and Batam (Indonesia), Tioman (Malaysia), and short flights to Phuket, Bali and back to Boracay.

If you’re used to Boracay activities, Singapore will feel more urban and structured, but with far better public transport, healthcare, education and long‑term career prospects.[1][4]

2. Relocating to Singapore from a Boracay Lifestyle

2.1 Visa and Work Pass Options

Most expats in Singapore live here on one of a few main passes administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[1][2]

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers and executives. As of 2025, the typical minimum qualifying salary is around SGD 5,600/month, higher for older applicants and certain sectors.[2] This is the most common route for skilled expats moving from tourist hubs like Boracay.
S Pass: For mid‑skilled workers in technical or operational roles, with lower minimum salary but quota limits.[2]
Work Permit: For semi‑skilled workers (e.g., F&B, construction). Usually arranged by employers.
Short‑Term Visit Pass: For up to 30–90 days for tourism, business or visits. Not valid for work.[1]

Many expats apply for Permanent Residency after several years on a work pass, which offers longer‑term stability and more property options.[1]

2.2 Employment Opportunities for People Coming from Boracay

If your background is in Boracay tourism—water sports operations, hotels, F&B or nightlife—relevant sectors in Singapore include:

Hospitality and hotels (Marina Bay, Orchard, Sentosa)
Travel and tourism services, cruise and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)
F&B management and bartending in expat areas like Robertson Quay, Holland Village or Jalan Besar
Sports and fitness (water sports coaching, leisure clubs, gyms)

Singapore’s job market is competitive and more regulated than Boracay, so securing a contract before you move is strongly recommended. Homejourney encourages users to verify employers and contracts carefully and only rely on official MOM information and legitimate recruiters.[2]

2.3 Cost of Living: Boracay vs Singapore

Compared to Boracay, Singapore has:

Higher housing and transport costs but
Higher median salaries and stronger social stability.

Indicative monthly ranges for a single expat in Singapore (excluding rent):[3][4]

Food (mix of hawker & eating out): ~SGD 500–800
Public transport: ~SGD 100–150
Mobile + internet share: ~SGD 80–120

Rents vary widely by location and property type (see Section 3). Homejourney’s transparent listings and filter tools on Property Search help you avoid overpaying and compare verified properties safely.

2.4 Community and Social Networks

Where Boracay social life happens along the beach, in Singapore it’s centred on neighbourhoods, co‑working spaces and interest groups:

Water sports clubs (wakeboarding at Punggol, sailing at Marina Bay or Changi)
Fitness and outdoor groups (running clubs at East Coast Park, dragon boating at Kallang)
Expat and regional communities on Facebook, Meetup and Singapore Global Network[6]

Homejourney’s focus on verified information means we recommend joining official or well‑moderated groups and avoiding unregulated “too good to be true” job or housing offers.

3. Property in Singapore for Expats Coming from Boracay

3.1 What Foreigners Can Buy

Singapore distinguishes between public housing (HDB) and private property, with specific rules for foreigners (non‑citizens and non‑PRs):[2][4]

HDB flats: Generally not available for direct purchase by foreigners. Some may rent whole units with HDB approval.
Private condominiums & apartments: Foreigners can buy most non‑landed private units without needing special approval.
Landed property: Usually restricted; foreigners typically need Singapore Land Authority approval for landed homes on the mainland.

For detailed regulations, always refer to HDB and Singapore Land Authority guidelines. Homejourney cross‑checks listings with official rules so foreign buyers from Boracay‑style destinations know exactly what is permissible.

3.2 ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for Foreigners

Foreign buyers pay Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) plus Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property. ABSD rates for foreigners are significantly higher than for Singapore Citizens and PRs and are periodically revised by the government.[2]

Because ABSD has a direct impact on your investment yield, Homejourney strongly recommends:

Checking the latest IRAS rates before any purchase
Using our financing tools on Bank Rates to model different downpayment and loan scenarios safely
Consulting a qualified lawyer or tax advisor before committing to a deal

3.3 Popular Neighbourhoods for Water‑Sports‑Loving Expats

If you love Boracay water sports and island life, these Singapore areas offer the closest match:

East Coast / Katong: Coastal lifestyle, access to East Coast Park (cycling, skating, kite flying), and easy weekend wakeboarding or kayaking. About 15–25 minutes by bus/taxi to CBD.
Sentosa & HarbourFront: Resorts World Sentosa, Siloso and Palawan beaches, and waterfront living. Higher rent but closest to an island‑resort feel.
Robertson Quay / Clarke Quay: Riverside nightlife, bars and restaurants—ideal if you enjoy Boracay nightlife but prefer a city‑river setting.
Punggol: Punggol Waterway Park and wakeboarding facilities nearby; more suburban, family‑friendly.

Search by lifestyle filters and MRT access on Property Search . Homejourney verifies listing details to minimise scams and inaccurate information, a critical safety difference compared to informal rental arrangements common in tourism hubs.