Moving to Singapore from Dubai: Shopping, Entertainment & Expat Life

If you're a Dubai resident considering a move to Singapore, you're likely weighing the appeal of Dubai's iconic shopping experiences—like the sprawling Dubai Mall with its aquarium and ice rink—against Singapore's compact, efficient lifestyle and stronger long-term residency prospects. While Dubai offers larger retail spaces and tax-free income, Singapore provides clearer permanent residency pathways, world-class infrastructure, and a thriving expat community that makes relocation smoother for professionals and families.

This guide walks you through what to expect when transitioning from Dubai to Singapore, from understanding visa requirements to navigating property purchases, cost of living adjustments, and finding your place in Singapore's dynamic expat ecosystem. Whether you're drawn by career opportunities in finance and technology, or seeking a more stable long-term base, Homejourney helps you make informed decisions about your move and property investment.

Why Dubai Expats Choose Singapore: Key Differences

Dubai and Singapore are both thriving international hubs, but they offer distinctly different living experiences. Dubai's appeal lies in its tax-free income, expansive shopping destinations like Dubai Mall, and outdoor leisure culture. Singapore, by contrast, emphasizes regulatory stability, efficient public systems, and clearer pathways to permanent residency.

The climate shift is immediate: Dubai's arid heat (often exceeding 40°C) gives way to Singapore's tropical humidity (28–32°C with frequent rainfall). You'll transition from car-dependent living to relying on the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), one of Asia's most efficient public transport systems. Shopping culture differs too—while Dubai Mall and similar megamalls dominate Dubai's retail landscape, Singapore integrates shopping into mixed-use developments and neighborhood shopping centers, often within walking distance of residential areas.

For families and professionals, Singapore's appeal centers on long-term stability: clearer PR (Permanent Residency) pathways, world-class healthcare, top-tier international schools, and a multicultural environment that welcomes expats. If you've spent years renewing visas in Dubai, Singapore's residency options feel like a meaningful shift toward permanence.

Cost of Living: Dubai vs Singapore Reality Check

While both cities are expensive, your money stretches differently. Here's what you'll notice:

Housing: Renting a one-bedroom apartment in central Singapore costs approximately SGD 4,000–6,000 monthly, compared to Dubai's AED 80,000 annually (roughly AED 6,667 monthly). Buying is steeper in Singapore: entry-level one-bedroom condos start around SGD 900,000, versus Dubai's AED 1.2M. However, Singapore offers stronger rental yields and clearer ownership rights.
Food & Dining: This is where Singapore wins. Hawker meals cost SGD 4–8, versus AED 30–50 in Dubai. Singapore's hawker centers (like Maxwell Food Centre in Tanjong Pagar) deliver world-class meals at a fraction of Dubai's restaurant prices.
Transport: An MRT monthly pass costs SGD 120, far cheaper than Dubai's taxi-dependent lifestyle. However, car ownership in Singapore is significantly more expensive due to high vehicle taxes and Certificate of Entitlement (COE) costs.
Utilities: Monthly utilities in Singapore average SGD 200–400 (with heavy aircon use), versus Dubai's AED 650–750. Budget for professional aircon servicing via Aircon Services to maintain efficiency in Singapore's humidity.

Overall, Dubai expats typically find Singapore cheaper for daily living (food, transport, utilities) but more expensive for housing and car ownership. Monthly family budgets often range from SGD 6,000–12,000, depending on lifestyle and children's schooling.

Visa & Work Permit Options for Dubai Expats

Singapore offers several visa pathways, each suited to different professional profiles:

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals earning SGD 5,000+ monthly. Most common for Dubai expats transitioning to Singapore roles in finance, tech, and consulting. Processing takes 1–2 weeks; you'll need a job offer and passport.
Dependant's Pass: If your spouse holds an EP, you can obtain a Dependant's Pass, allowing you to work or study.
Tech.Pass: For technology professionals and founders, offering more flexibility and faster processing.
Permanent Residency (PR): Available after 2 years on an EP (or shorter for skilled professionals). PR opens doors to property ownership with lower Additional Buyer Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates and stronger residency security.

Unlike Dubai's renewable visa model, Singapore's PR pathway appeals to expats seeking long-term stability. Many Dubai professionals transition via an EP, then apply for PR after establishing themselves professionally and socially.

Property for Dubai Expats: What You Can Buy & What It Costs

Foreigners can purchase private condominiums in Singapore, but the financial landscape differs significantly from Dubai's property market.

ABSD (Additional Buyer Stamp Duty): The Foreign Buyer Tax

As a foreigner, you'll pay 60% ABSD on top of the purchase price—unchanged through 2026. On a SGD 2 million condo, you'll remit SGD 1.2 million in ABSD alone, due within 14 days of signing. This punitive rate prioritizes housing for Singapore citizens and PRs while cooling foreign speculation. Permanent Residents pay significantly lower rates (5–15%), making PR status a strategic property investment milestone.

Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) applies separately, calculated on the property's value. For our SGD 2 million example, BSD totals approximately SGD 64,600. Factor these costs into your investment calculations—they're substantial and non-negotiable.

Popular Neighborhoods for Dubai Expats

Dubai expats typically gravitate toward neighborhoods offering convenience, international community, and proximity to employment hubs:

Tanjong Pagar (Central Business District): Walking distance to hawker centers, MRT connections to Marina Bay, and major office clusters. Popular with young professionals transitioning from Downtown Dubai.
Marina Bay: Modern condos, waterfront dining, and proximity to financial services jobs. Reminiscent of Dubai Marina's lifestyle but more compact.
Orchard: Singapore's premier shopping and dining district, with luxury condos and international schools nearby. Appeals to families and those seeking familiar retail experiences.
Bukit Timah: Quieter, more residential, with landed properties and family-friendly amenities. Popular with expat families seeking space.
East Coast: Beach access, younger demographic, and more affordable entry points than central areas.

Use Homejourney's Property Search to explore available properties in these neighborhoods, filter by your budget and preferences, and access verified listings with transparent pricing—no hidden ABSD surprises.

Shopping & Entertainment: Singapore vs Dubai Mall

If you're accustomed to Dubai Mall's scale and variety, Singapore's retail landscape requires a mindset shift—but it's equally rewarding.

Shopping Culture Differences

Dubai Mall dominates as a singular, massive destination: over 1,200 stores, the Dubai Aquarium, ice rink, and entertainment under one roof. Singapore distributes shopping across multiple hubs: Orchard Road (luxury brands and department stores), Bugis Junction (fashion and youth culture), and neighborhood malls integrated into HDB estates and condo complexes.

Singapore's approach prioritizes convenience—most residents shop within their neighborhood, reducing transport time. Orchard Road offers comparable luxury retail to Dubai Mall, while hawker centers and wet markets provide affordable, fresh alternatives to supermarkets. For families, shopping often combines retail with dining and entertainment in mixed-use developments rather than monolithic malls.

Entertainment & Leisure Options

Singapore's entertainment differs from Dubai's outdoor-focused culture. Instead of beach clubs and desert activities, you'll find:

Universal Studios Singapore (Sentosa Island): Theme park entertainment comparable to Dubai's attractions.
Singapore Zoo and Night Safari: World-class wildlife experiences unique to Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay: Iconic botanical spaces with light shows and dining venues.
Sentosa Island: Integrated resort with beaches, attractions, and water sports.
Cultural districts: Chinatown, Arab Street, Little India—offering authentic dining and shopping experiences.

While Singapore lacks Dubai's vast shopping megamalls, it compensates with curated urban spaces, cultural diversity, and seamless MRT access to entertainment. Many Dubai expats appreciate the shift from car-dependent leisure to walkable, transit-connected experiences.

Practical Settling-In: Banking, Healthcare & Daily Life

Banking & Finances

Open accounts with major banks (DBS, POSB, OCBC) using your passport and address proof. Singapore's banking system is efficient; most accounts open within days. If you're transferring funds from Dubai, use Homejourney's multi-currency tools to track AED-to-SGD exchange rates and optimize timing.

Singapore doesn't tax foreign income for non-PR residents, but PR status triggers income tax on worldwide earnings. Consult a tax advisor to understand your obligations—this differs significantly from Dubai's tax-free model.

Healthcare System

Singapore's healthcare is world-class but operates differently from Dubai's expat-friendly private clinics. The system combines subsidized public hospitals (for residents and PR) with private options. As a foreigner on an EP, you'll typically use private healthcare: Mount Elizabeth (Orchard Rd, 24/7 A&E) and Fullerton Health (Raffles Place, 5-min MRT walk) are popular choices.

Budget SGD 1,000–2,000 annually for international health insurance. Many employers provide coverage; verify your EP package includes healthcare benefits. Public clinics are affordable but often have longer wait times.

Transportation & Getting Around

Forget car dependency. Singapore's MRT is your lifeline: efficient, clean, and covers most residential and commercial areas. An adult monthly pass costs SGD 128. Taxis and ride-sharing (Grab) supplement MRT for convenience, but owning a car requires a Certificate of Entitlement (COE)—currently costing SGD 80,000+—making ownership prohibitively expensive for most expats.

Walking and cycling are viable in most neighborhoods. Many expats ditch cars entirely after relocating from Dubai, discovering that Singapore's compact size and transit infrastructure make cars unnecessary.

Maintaining Connections: Dubai to Singapore

Staying connected to Dubai while building your Singapore life is straightforward:

Flights: Direct flights operate daily (Emirates, Singapore Airlines). Flight time is 7.5 hours; fares typically range AED 2,000–4,000 return. Visit family 2–3 times yearly without major logistical hurdles.
Currency Management: Use Homejourney's currency conversion tools to track AED-SGD rates and optimize transfers. Many Dubai expats maintain AED accounts for family support or investments.
Community: Singapore hosts active UAE expat groups on Facebook and Meetup. Mosques like Sultan Mosque (Arab Street, Bugis MRT) provide cultural and religious continuity. Indian, Filipino, and other communities ensure you're never far from familiar cultures.

Why Dubai Expats Thrive in Singapore

Beyond logistics, Dubai expats often discover unexpected advantages in Singapore:

Career Growth: Singapore's finance and tech sectors offer rapid advancement. Many Dubai professionals find Singapore roles more dynamic and better-compensated than their previous positions.
Family Stability: PR pathways and excellent schools (Singapore American School, Tanglin Trust) provide long-term security that Dubai's renewable visas don't offer.
Cost Efficiency: While housing is expensive, daily living costs (food, transport, utilities) are lower, freeing up budget for savings and investments.
Quality of Life: Green spaces, efficient systems, and multicultural tolerance create a balanced lifestyle that many Dubai expats describe as less transient and more rooted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy property in Singapore as a Dubai expat on an Employment Pass?

Yes, you can purchase private condominiums, but you'll pay 60% ABSD on the purchase price. Many Dubai expats buy as an investment while renting, then upgrade to PR status to reduce future ABSD liability. Homejourney's Projects directory helps you evaluate properties and understand long-term investment potential.

How long does it take to get PR status in Singapore?

Typically 2 years after obtaining an Employment Pass, though skilled professionals (tech, finance) may qualify faster. PR status significantly reduces property taxes (ABSD drops to 5–15%) and opens doors to HDB (public housing) purchases—a major financial advantage.

Is Singapore's shopping scene comparable to Dubai Mall?

Different, not inferior. Orchard Road offers luxury retail comparable to Dubai's high-end brands, while neighborhood malls and hawker centers provide convenience and affordability Dubai Mall doesn't match. Many expats appreciate the shift from monolithic malls to distributed, walkable shopping integrated with dining and culture.

What's the cost of living for a family of four moving from Dubai?

Budget SGD 8,000–15,000 monthly depending on school choices, housing, and lifestyle. International schools cost SGD 20,000–40,000 annually. Housing (rent or mortgage) typically consumes 40–50% of expat budgets. Use Homejourney's tools to compare neighborhoods and housing costs aligned with your budget.

How do I maintain my Dubai connections while living in Singapore?

Direct flights make visiting feasible 2–3 times yearly. Singapore's expat communities (UAE, Indian, Filipino) provide cultural continuity. Use Homejourney's currency tools to manage AED-SGD transfers for family support or investments back in Dubai.