Moving to Singapore from Florida Keys and Key West: Expat Guide searches usually come from people who love laid-back island life but want Asia’s business opportunities, safety, and top-class infrastructure.
As someone who knows both the Overseas Highway drive from Key Largo to Key West and the daily MRT commute from Paya Lebar to Raffles Place, this guide will walk you through visas, cost of living, housing, and how life in Singapore really compares to the Florida islands.
From Florida Keys & Key West to Singapore: What Life Really Feels Like
Life in the Florida Keys and Key West revolves around the water: fishing off Islamorada, sunset at Mallory Square, and that iconic Overseas Highway road trip with 360° ocean views.
Singapore offers a very different island experience: instead of one long highway, you get a compact, hyper-connected city-state where you can get from Changi Airport to Marina Bay in under 25 minutes by taxi and cross the island east to west in under an hour by MRT.
Key similarities expats from the Florida Keys often notice:
- Warm, humid, tropical climate (think Key West in August, but almost year-round)
- Strong outdoor culture – parks, waterfront promenades, and island getaways like Sentosa
- Diverse international crowd – in Singapore, expats make up roughly a third of the population[6]
Key differences:
- Singapore is far denser and more urban than Key Largo or Marathon – closer to a very safe, cleaner Miami core than to a small Keys town
- Public transport is world-class; driving is optional and car ownership is heavily regulated and very expensive (Certificate of Entitlement, or COE, adds well over SGD 80,000–100,000 to a car)
- Crime is extremely low and laws are strictly enforced – a contrast to the more relaxed, sometimes rough-around-the-edges feel of certain Florida islands
If you’re still researching the Keys themselves, you can compare your current home base with our travel resources such as the Ultimate Florida Keys & Key West Guide Ultimate Florida Keys & Key West Guide: Homejourney Travel Insights , the Budget Travel Guide to Florida Keys & Key West – Homejourney Insights Budget Travel Guide to Florida Keys & Key West – Homejourney Insights , and the Florida Keys & Key West with Kids: Homejourney Family Guide Florida Keys & Key West with Kids: Homejourney Family Guide .
Visa & Work Options When Relocating from the Florida Keys
Most people moving to Singapore from Florida Keys and Key West come on an employment-related pass or as a dependent of someone working here. Immigration rules change regularly, so always confirm details on official sites like the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Main visa types for US citizens
The most common passes include:
- Employment Pass (EP) – For professionals, managers, and executives with a job offer in Singapore. There is a minimum qualifying salary, which rises with age and is higher for financial services.
- S Pass – For mid-skilled roles with lower salary thresholds than EP, but subject to foreign worker quotas.
- Dependent’s Pass (DP) – For legally married spouses and children of EP/S Pass holders, subject to minimum salary requirements.
- Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) – For common-law spouses, elderly parents, or other dependents who do not qualify for a DP.
Unlike spending a few weeks doing a Keys road trip along the Overseas Highway, you cannot simply “arrive and figure it out” in Singapore. You typically need a job offer and approved pass before relocating. For the latest thresholds, refer to MOM and URA data and reputable coverage on platforms like CNA Property News .
Employment prospects for people from Florida Keys & Key West
Many expats from Florida gravitate toward:
- Financial services and fintech (Marina Bay, Raffles Place)
- Technology and startups (one-north, Mapletree Business City)
- Hospitality and tourism management (Sentosa, Orchard, Marina Bay)
- Maritime, logistics, or energy roles that parallel port or marine industries in Florida
If your career in the Keys has been in tourism, boating, F&B, or property, you may find transferable roles in Singapore’s hotels, marinas, and real-estate sector, but competition can be high and employers must show why a foreign hire is needed.
Cost of Living: Florida Keys vs Singapore
Both the Florida Keys and Singapore are high-cost environments – one for its remote island supply chain, the other for its land scarcity and global-city status. However, cost structures differ.
Housing costs
In the Keys, you might pay a premium for an oceanfront cottage in Key West or a canal-front house in Key Largo. In Singapore, the main cost driver is proximity to MRT, CBD, and international schools.
As a directional guide (check Projects Directory and Projects on Homejourney for up-to-date market data):
- Central two-bedroom condominium near an MRT (e.g., Tanjong Pagar, Newton): rental often in the range of mid- to high-4 figures SGD per month, depending on project age and facilities.
- City-fringe condos (e.g., Paya Lebar, Queenstown, Redhill): typically lower than prime Core Central Region but still above heartland HDB prices.
- Heartland HDB flats (e.g., Tampines, Bukit Panjang): more affordable rentals, especially if you are open to older estates.
Unlike buying a house along the Overseas Highway where even older wooden homes can be pricey due to land scarcity, Singapore’s housing stock is mostly high-rise, with very transparent public data from HDB and URA on past transactions and rental trends.
Everyday expenses
Day-to-day, you may find:
- Public transport (MRT, buses) much cheaper than driving in the Keys
- Local food (hawker centres like Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell, Old Airport Road) surprisingly affordable
- Imported goods like US cereals, cheese, and alcohol more expensive than in Florida due to duties and shipping
To manage the move from USD to SGD, Homejourney’s currency-friendly approach helps you plan property budgets in both currencies and compare mortgage scenarios. Always double-check current exchange rates before big commitments.
Buying or Renting Property in Singapore as a Florida Keys Expat
For expats arriving from Key West or Key Largo, one of the biggest mindset shifts is that foreigners have more restrictions in Singapore’s property market than in Florida, but the ecosystem is more regulated and transparent, which supports safety and trust.
What foreigners can buy
Under the Residential Property Act (administered by the Singapore Land Authority), most non-residents can freely buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments
- Strata-titled commercial units (shops, offices)
Foreigners need special approval for most landed residential property (e.g., bungalows, terrace houses) and cannot buy most public HDB flats directly. Always refer to SLA and HDB for the latest rules.
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for foreigners
On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty when purchasing residential property. The rate has been significantly increased in recent cooling measures to moderate demand from overseas buyers, so this can materially affect your budget. For current ABSD percentages and worked examples, cross-check IRAS and market coverage on EdgeProp Property News .
Homejourney’s team keeps ABSD tables and worked calculations updated so Florida Keys and Key West expats can model real acquisition costs safely before making offers.
Popular neighborhoods for Florida Keys & Key West expats
Based on feedback from North American and coastal-lifestyle expats, the following areas often appeal to those used to water, sunsets, and walkable nightlife:
- East Coast / Katong / Joo Chiat – Similar to a more urban, shophouse-lined version of a beach town; close to East Coast Park cycling path and seafront. Many US expats like the balance between heritage, cafes, and relatively easy access to CBD.
- Sentosa Cove – If you want the closest thing to living in a Florida marina community, this is it. Waterfront condos, yachts at ONE°15 Marina, and resort-style living – but at a premium.
- Robertson Quay / River Valley – Riverfront lifestyle with restaurants and jogging paths, very popular with expats who would have otherwise chosen Old Town Key West for walkability and dining.
- Holland Village / one-north – Café culture, greenery, and a very expat-friendly vibe.
References
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general reference only. For accurate and official information, please visit HDB's official website or consult professional advice from lawyers, real estate agents, bankers, and other relevant professional consultants.
Homejourney is not liable for any damages, losses, or consequences that may result from the use of this information. We are simply sharing information to the best of our knowledge, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of the information contained herein.