Moving to Singapore from Boston: Historic City Expat Guide | Homejourney

Moving to Singapore from Boston Historic City as an expat means swapping the Freedom Trail for tropical skylines, while gaining access to a safe, efficient and globally connected hub – but it also requires careful planning around visas, housing, cost of living, and schools. This Homejourney guide gives Boston-based expats and investors a structured, practical playbook to relocate confidently and explore Singapore property opportunities safely.

This cluster article supports our main Singapore Expat & Relocation pillar guide by going deep into the specific needs, expectations, and lifestyle shifts for people moving from Boston, Massachusetts – including those connected to Harvard, MIT and the wider New England region.

From Boston’s Historic Streets to Singapore’s Skyline

Life in Boston Historic City revolves around brick townhouses in Back Bay, Red Line commutes from Harvard and MIT in Cambridge, leafy New England suburbs, and weekends along the Charles River or the Freedom Trail. Many Boston professionals – especially from tech, biotech, finance and academia – look to Singapore for its low crime, political stability, and role as a gateway to Asia’s growth markets.[5]

Singapore offers a similar blend of historic quarters (Chinatown, Kampong Gelam) and modern business districts (Raffles Place, Marina Bay), but in a far more compact, tropical setting. You trade Boston winters for year-round heat and humidity, but gain an MRT system that runs every 2–4 minutes, extremely low violent crime, and one of the world’s most efficient airports.[4][6]

Key similarities and differences for Boston expats:

Education & research hubs: Boston has Harvard, MIT and the Longwood Medical Area; Singapore has NUS, NTU, Duke-NUS and a strong R&D ecosystem.
Finance & tech: Both cities are strong in asset management, fintech and startups, with Singapore serving as a regional HQ base for Asia.[7]
Cost of living: Central rents in Singapore are comparable to or higher than central Boston, but taxes are generally lower; food can be cheaper if you use hawker centres.
Car ownership: In Boston, owning a car is common; in Singapore, the MRT–bus network makes cars optional and very expensive due to vehicle quotas.[4][6]

Relocating from Boston to Singapore: Visas, Work & Cost of Living

Visa and Work Pass Options for Boston Expats

Most Boston professionals move to Singapore using one of these main passes (administered by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, MOM):[5]

Employment Pass (EP): For foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore and a minimum qualifying monthly salary (varies by sector and age). Applications are assessed using the COMPASS points framework, which considers salary, qualifications and diversity.
S Pass: For mid-skilled workers with lower salary thresholds than EP, often in technical roles.
ONE Pass / Tech passes: For top talent with high salaries or achievements in specific sectors, giving more flexibility to work for multiple companies.
Dependant’s Pass & Long-Term Visit Pass: For spouses and children of EP/ONE Pass holders.

If you run a Boston-based business and want to anchor it in Asia, some founders incorporate a Singapore company and then apply for an Employment Pass through that entity, subject to MOM rules and COMPASS points.[1][4] Always verify the latest criteria on MOM and consult a licensed immigration or corporate service provider for personalised advice.

Employment Opportunities for People from Boston

Boston’s strengths align well with Singapore’s key sectors:[5][7]

Financial services & asset management (good for ex–Back Bay and Downtown Boston professionals).
Biotech, pharma and medtech – leveraging experience around Kendall Square and Longwood into roles at Biopolis, one-north and Tuas biomedical parks.
Tech & data science – for those from MIT, Harvard, Northeastern or Boston’s startup ecosystem.
Higher education & research – at local universities and research institutes.

Recruitment is often via LinkedIn, regional job portals, and direct offers from US multinationals with Singapore offices. Many Boston expats relocate internally via their existing employer, which simplifies the visa process.

Cost of Living: Boston vs Singapore

Both Boston and Singapore rank among the world’s pricier cities, but the cost profile differs. Indicative comparisons (subject to change):

Rent: A central 1–2 bedroom condo near Orchard, River Valley or Tanjong Pagar can range roughly from SGD 4,500–7,000/month depending on size, age and facilities, comparable to high-end apartments in Back Bay or Seaport.[4][6]
Transport: Public transport in Singapore is significantly cheaper than MBTA commuter rail or driving/parking in Boston. Typical MRT/bus rides cost under SGD 2 with stored-value cards.[3][4]
Food: Daily meals at hawker centres can be SGD 4–8 per dish, much cheaper than eating out regularly in Boston. Western and premium restaurants price similar to major US cities.[2][6]
Taxes: Singapore has lower personal income tax rates than the US, but you should seek professional cross-border tax advice for US filing obligations.

Homejourney’s verified rental listings and project data Projects Directory can help Boston expats benchmark realistic housing budgets before they relocate.

Property in Singapore for Expats from Boston Historic City

What Foreigners Can Buy in Singapore

Singapore distinguishes between public and private housing. Key rules for most foreigners (including US citizens) under the Residential Property Act:

Private condominiums & apartments: Foreigners can freely buy strata-titled condo units without special approval.
Executive Condominiums (ECs): Foreigners can usually buy EC units only after the 10-year period when they become fully privatised.
HDB flats: Generally reserved for Singapore citizens and PRs. Non-resident foreigners cannot buy resale HDBs directly, except in limited situations (e.g., as non-owner spouse) and cannot buy new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats.
Land(ed) property: Foreigners need special approval to buy most landed homes on mainland Singapore; some strata-landed in condos are allowed.

Always cross-check with official HDB and Singapore Land Authority resources, as policies can change.

ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for Foreigners

On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners are subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) when buying residential property. Current ABSD rates for foreigners are significantly higher than for Singapore Citizens and PRs, and are periodically updated to cool the market. Check IRAS or consult a qualified conveyancing lawyer before any purchase decision.

Because ABSD is substantial for foreigners, Boston investors often:

Start with renting while they understand neighbourhoods.
Use Homejourney’s project analysis tools Projects to compare yields, past transactions, and upcoming launches.
Speak with licensed agents in Homejourney’s agent directory for impartial, regulated advice.

Popular Neighbourhoods for Boston Expats

Having lived in both Boston and Singapore, the areas below often feel most familiar to Bostonians in terms of vibe, greenery and convenience:

River Valley / Robertson Quay: Feels a little like living along the Charles River – riverfront paths, cafes, and easy access to the CBD.
Holland Village / Buona Vista / one-north: Popular with academics and researchers; convenient for NUS and biomedical parks, with a laid-back, almost college-town feel.
Bukit Timah: Leafy residential area with many international schools, akin to Boston’s suburban feel but much closer to the city.
East Coast / Katong: More relaxed, coastal lifestyle with a strong local food scene; good for families used to New England’s outdoor spaces.
Orchard & City Hall: Central and urban, similar in energy to living near Back Bay or Downtown Crossing – ideal if you value walkability and shopping.

For rentals, start your search early with Homejourney’s property search tool Property Search , using verified listings and filters for budget, travel time to the office, and proximity to MRT stations.