Moving to Singapore from Geirangerfjord: Homejourney Expat Guide

Moving to Singapore from Geirangerfjord UNESCO: Quick Overview

If you are moving to Singapore from Geirangerfjord UNESCO: Expat Guide, expect to trade the quiet rhythm of a scenic fjord village, Norway cruise visitors and the Seven Sisters waterfall for one of Asia’s safest, most efficient cities with world‑class infrastructure and a very high cost of living. Daily life will feel faster and denser than in Geirangerfjord, but Singapore offers excellent public transport, low crime, strong expat support and a transparent, well‑regulated property market that Homejourney helps you navigate safely.

This article is a focused cluster that supports our main Singapore relocation and property pillar guide . Here we zoom in on the specific journey from Geirangerfjord and similar UNESCO fjord regions to Singapore, with practical steps, real numbers, and insider tips from the ground.

1. From Geirangerfjord UNESCO to Singapore: What Changes?

Life around Geirangerfjord is defined by dramatic cliffs, seasonal Norway cruise traffic, and a tourism‑driven economy that slows significantly outside summer. In contrast, Singapore is a year‑round, service‑driven financial hub with humid tropical weather, dense high‑rise living and a highly international workforce.

Key differences you will feel immediately:

Climate: From cool, crisp fjord air and snowy winters to 31°C tropical heat, high humidity and no real “winter”. Many Geirangerfjord newcomers initially underestimate how much air‑conditioning matters in daily comfort; when shortlisting homes on Homejourney, check photos and listings carefully, and budget for servicing via Aircon Services .
Scale & density: Geiranger village is walkable end‑to‑end in minutes. In Singapore, you will use MRT and buses daily, but the island is still compact enough to cross in about 1–1.5 hours by train [6].
Cost of living: Everyday groceries can be comparable or slightly higher than Norway, but housing costs are dramatically steeper and will dominate your budget [1][2][8].
Safety & order: Both Norway and Singapore rank among the world’s safest; in Singapore, low crime is supported by strict laws and visible enforcement.

Similarities that make the transition easier:

Strong public trust in government institutions and clear rules.
High quality healthcare and education compared to global averages.
Regular, reliable public transport in both destinations (ferries/buses around the UNESCO fjord; MRT/buses in Singapore).

2. Visas, Work Passes & Jobs for Fjord Expats

Singapore immigration rules are nationality‑based, not “place of residence” based. If you are Norwegian (or from another Schengen country around Geirangerfjord), you follow the same rules as other Europeans under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Main work and stay options

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals with a job offer from a Singapore employer who meets salary and qualification thresholds. EP holders can live and rent freely but face restrictions when buying property as foreigners.
S Pass: For mid‑level skilled employees with lower salary thresholds than EP, subject to quotas.
EntrePass / business routes: For founders building venture‑backed or innovative businesses in Singapore.
Dependent Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass: For qualifying spouses, partners and children of EP or S Pass holders.

Always confirm current criteria on MOM’s official site and consult an immigration professional for complex cases. Homejourney focuses on the housing and settlement side, but we strongly recommend getting visa eligibility clarified before you sign any tenancy agreement.

Job opportunities relevant to Geirangerfjord profiles

If you are coming from seasonal work around Geirangerfjord (cruise tourism, hospitality, guiding near the Seven Sisters waterfall or other scenic fjord spots), your most transferable skills are in:

Hospitality & F&B: Hotels, restaurants, attractions on Sentosa or Marina Bay; shift‑based but less seasonal than Norway cruise work.
Tourism & experiences: Roles in inbound tour companies and attractions; Nordic language skills can be a plus for Scandinavian tour segments.
Maritime & logistics: If you have cruise, marine or port experience, Singapore’s major container port and maritime ecosystem offer specialist roles.
Remote work: Some fjord expats continue remote roles with Scandinavian employers while living in Singapore; ensure tax and visa compliance.

Cost of living comparison (Geirangerfjord vs Singapore)

In a fjord village, housing can be modest but relatively affordable compared to income, especially outside peak tourist season. In Singapore, housing is usually your largest expense:

Average monthly expenses excluding rent: about S$1,500 for a single, S$4,300–5,500 for a family of four [1][5].
With rent included, a single expat should plan roughly S$3,500–6,000 a month, and a family of four S$6,000–12,000 depending on lifestyle and neighbourhood [2][8].

Homejourney recommends doing a realistic monthly budget before you move, including rent estimates from our property search tool Property Search so you do not rely on outdated assumptions from fjord‑village life.

3. Property in Singapore for Geirangerfjord Expats

Singapore treats property ownership by foreigners carefully to maintain stability. Homejourney verifies listings and key ownership restrictions so you can make safe, compliant choices.

What foreigners can buy

Private condominiums & apartments: Freely purchasable by most foreigners.
Executive Condominiums (ECs): Only after the 10‑year mark when they become fully privatised; earlier years are restricted to citizens and PRs.
HDB flats: Generally restricted to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents; non‑PR foreigners cannot buy resale HDB flats directly.
Landed homes: Most require approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit for foreigners; approvals are exceptional, not the norm.

ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for foreigners

On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential purchases. The rate has been periodically increased to cool the market; check IRAS or our latest explainer in the main pillar guide before committing to any purchase. For most foreigners, ABSD significantly raises the cash needed to buy, so many fjord expats rent for the first few years while they test neighbourhoods and consider long‑term plans.

Rental market overview

As of 2025, rental prices are high by global standards and fluctuate with demand [1][2][3].

Rooms in shared HDB (public housing, open to rent by foreigners): from around S$800–1,200 in non‑central areas up to higher ranges in city fringe [3].
Entire HDB flats: Roughly S$2,200–4,000+ depending on size and location [3][5].
Private condos: One‑bedroom units typically start around S$2,800–4,000 in outlying areas and go higher in core central locations; family‑sized units can exceed S$6,000–8,000 in prime districts [1][5][7].

On Homejourney’s verified listings, you can filter by commute time, MRT line and budget, similar to how you would choose between staying near the Geiranger port or higher up the valley. Start with Property Search and cross‑check each project’s past performance and facilities via our Projects Directory .