Moving to Singapore from Flåm Railway: Expat Property Guide | Homejourney

If you are moving to Singapore from Flåm Railway Scenic Train: Expat, expect a shift from quiet fjord-side villages and the iconic Flåmsbana mountain railway to one of Asia’s safest, most efficient, and most property-driven cities, with world-class transport, strict housing regulations, and a high but predictable cost of living.[1][2]

This guide is a focused cluster in our broader Singapore relocation and property pillar (see: Moving from Times Square to Singapore: Expat Guide | Homejourney ). It zooms in on the specific questions travelers and expats who love the Flåm Railway, Norway rail, and other scenic train experiences ask when considering Singapore as their next base or investment market.

From Flåm Railway to Singapore: What Life Really Feels Like

If you know Flåm, you know the rhythm: early morning mist over Aurlandsfjord, the slow ascent of the Flåmsbana through tunnels and waterfalls, and evenings that go quiet by 9 pm outside the summer cruise rush. Singapore is the opposite kind of compact: 5.9 million people on a small island, late-night dining, and an MRT network as punctual as Norway rail, but running from 5:30 am to just after midnight.

People who love the scenic train life in Norway are often drawn to Singapore for:

Career growth in finance, tech, maritime, logistics, tourism and sustainability
World-class safety (very low violent crime, stringent enforcement, and clear regulations)
Transport connectivity across Asia instead of across fjords
Transparent, rules-based property market with strong government oversight (HDB, URA)

Both places prize punctual public transport and scenic experiences. In Singapore, your daily views may be more skyline-and-sea than mountains-and-fjords, but you still get lush greenery on city walks like the Southern Ridges or MacRitchie.

Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Jobs and Cost of Living

Visa and Work Permit Options for Flåm Railway Scenic Train: Expat Residents

Norwegian and wider European nationals commonly relocate to Singapore under:

Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals with a qualifying fixed monthly salary (usually at least S$5,000, higher for experienced roles) and acceptable qualifications; employer applies via MOM.
S Pass – for mid-skilled staff with lower salary thresholds but quota limits.
EntrePass – for founders of innovative, venture-backed or tech-driven startups.
Dependent’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – for spouse and children of main pass holders.

Always confirm current criteria directly with the Ministry of Manpower and, when in doubt, engage a licensed relocation or immigration consultant. Homejourney focuses on safe, verified property decisions, so for visas we recommend users refer to official MOM and ICA resources.

Employment: Where Flåm Railway Skills Fit in Singapore

If your background is tourism, hospitality, transport operations, or rail engineering, you will find Singapore’s economy more diversified but still familiar in key sectors:

Travel & tourism: roles with airlines, cruise lines, OTAs, hotel chains, and attractions (integrated resorts, Sentosa).
Transport & logistics: Singapore is a global hub for aviation, shipping and rail-systems engineering consulting in the region.
Green and sustainable tourism: experience from eco-focused Norway rail and fjord tourism translates well to sustainability teams and destination planning.

Most expat professionals in Singapore report total monthly budgets of roughly S$3,500–S$6,000 for singles and S$6,000–S$12,000 for a family of four, including rent.[2] Your actual spending depends heavily on housing choice and schooling.

Cost of Living: Flåm vs Singapore

Flåm is expensive by Norwegian standards but still a small village; Singapore is consistently ranked among the world’s most expensive cities, largely due to rent.[1][6]

Key benchmarks in Singapore (2025 estimates):

Average monthly costs (excluding rent): around S$1,500 for a single and S$5,400 for a family of four.[1][9]
Rent: from about S$1,800–S$5,000/month for a 1-bedroom, depending on district; S$3,000–S$10,000/month for 3-bedroom units.[1][2]
Income tax: progressive resident rates up to 22%; many expats find effective rates much lower than in Europe.[2][3]

Insider tip: many new arrivals from Norway over-estimate daily costs and under-estimate rent. Hawker-centre meals from S$4–S$7, tap water is safe to drink, and public transport is efficient, but central private rents can exceed S$6,000/month for modest apartments.[3][5]

Buying or Renting Property as a Flåm Railway Expat

Homejourney’s core mission is to make Singapore housing safe, transparent, and verifiable for expats. Whether you are just exploring or ready to buy, always start by checking data, regulations, and risks before signing anything.

What Foreigners Can Buy in Singapore

As a foreigner (non-Singapore Citizen / non-PR), you typically can:

Buy private condominiums and apartments with no restriction, subject to financing rules.
Buy strata-landed in approved condo projects (e.g. cluster houses) – still counted as non-landed.

For landed property (e.g. terrace houses, bungalows), foreigners generally need approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit and approvals are difficult unless you make exceptional economic contributions. Foreigners cannot buy HDB BTO or resale flats in their own name unless they become Singapore Permanent Residents and meet HDB’s eligibility criteria. Always confirm latest rules with HDB and URA.

ABSD: Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty for Foreigners

Foreigners buying any residential property must pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty. Rates have changed multiple times over the past decade to cool the market; for many non-FTA foreigners, ABSD is now a substantial extra cost on the first property.

Because this directly affects investment returns, Homejourney strongly recommends:

Checking the latest ABSD table on IRAS before committing
Running net-yield scenarios using our tools and bank offers via Bank Rates
Speaking to a licensed agent from our verified agent directory for tailored advice

Popular Neighbourhoods for Rail & Nature Lovers

If Flåm’s fjords and the mountain railway are your benchmark, you may prefer Singapore areas with greenery, water views, and quieter streets:

Queenstown / Buona Vista: close to rail-tech, R&D and business parks; good mix of expat condos and local food. About 10–15 minutes by MRT to the CBD.
East Coast / Katong: laid-back, near the sea, cycling paths and family-friendly; about 20–30 minutes to downtown by MRT or bus.
Upper Thomson / Marymount: lots of nature (MacRitchie Reservoir) and cafes; feels like living near a forest rather than a fjord.
HarbourFront / Telok Blangah: quick access to Sentosa, Mount Faber and the Southern Ridges for evening walks with views.

Use Homejourney’s verified property search at Property Search and project insights at Projects Directory to compare real sale and rental data, not just asking prices.