Moving to Singapore from Jeddah Al-Balad UNESCO: Expat Guide | Homejourney

Moving to Singapore from Jeddah Al-Balad Historic District UNESCO: Expat Guide is about exchanging the coral buildings and narrow souqs of historic Jeddah for Singapore’s sleek skyline, efficient MRT, and ultra-safe, family-friendly urban life. If you love the community feel of Al-Balad Jeddah but want world-class infrastructure, stable rules, and transparent property options, Singapore is one of the most attractive choices in Asia, and Homejourney is here to make that move safer and more predictable.

This cluster guide supports Homejourney’s main expat relocation pillar, focusing specifically on people coming from historic Jeddah, UNESCO Saudi, and old town Jeddah. You’ll find concrete steps, current rules, and local insights so you can plan your visa, housing, and daily life with confidence—always with user safety, verified information, and transparency at the centre.

Life in Jeddah Al-Balad vs Singapore: What to Expect

Al-Balad Jeddah is famous for its coral buildings, wooden mashrabiya balconies, and maze-like alleys where families, shop owners, and travelers mix late into the night. It’s social, historic, and deeply walkable—but infrastructure, public transport, and regulation can feel less structured compared to Singapore.

Singapore, in contrast, is compact, hyper-organised, and consistently ranked among the world’s safest cities for residents and investors.[1] Streets are clean, rules are strictly enforced, and public transport (MRT and buses) covers nearly every residential area. Like old town Jeddah, Singapore is multicultural and strongly Muslim-friendly, with halal options in almost every mall and many mosques across the island.

Key similarities:

Strong family culture and emphasis on safety for children.
Hot, humid climate (though Singapore is more humid and greener).
Active waterfront lifestyles—Red Sea in Jeddah, East Coast Park and Sentosa in Singapore.

Key differences:

Singapore’s cost of living and housing are higher, but so are salaries and public services.[5][6]
Singapore is much more walkable with air-conditioned malls and connected MRT links.
Regulations are clearer and more consistently enforced—from tenancy rights to building rules.

If you’re still exploring Jeddah before relocating, you can deepen your feel for the area with Homejourney’s Jeddah content, such as Homejourney’s Ultimate Jeddah Al-Balad Historic District UNESCO Guide Homejourney's Ultimate Jeddah Al-Balad Historic District UNESCO Guide or our Budget Travel Guide to Jeddah Al-Balad Homejourney's Budget Travel Guide to Jeddah Al-Balad Historic District UNESCO .

Relocating from Historic Jeddah to Singapore: Visas, Jobs & Costs

Visa and Work Permit Options

For most professionals moving from UNESCO Saudi to Singapore, the main work passes are administered by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM):

Employment Pass (EP) – for professionals, managers, and executives with a qualifying salary (from around SGD 5,000/month, higher for more experienced roles).[1][5]
S Pass – for mid-skilled staff with lower salary thresholds and quota limits per employer.[5]
EntrePass or EP via your own company – for entrepreneurs who set up a Singapore company and then hire themselves, as many business owners now do.[2]
Dependant’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – for spouse and children when the main applicant meets income requirements.[5]

Insider tip: Many Jeddah-based professionals secure a job offer before arrival. Singapore employers usually apply for EP online; processing is often about 2–3 weeks, though complex cases can take longer.[2][5] Always confirm current requirements on MOM’s official site before you commit.

Employment Opportunities for Al-Balad Expats

Typical sectors attracting talent from Jeddah and the wider Saudi market include:

Banking and finance (Sharia-compliant expertise is valued in some roles).
Oil, gas, petrochemicals, and maritime services, especially regional HQ roles.[1][6]
Logistics, trade, and shipping, benefiting from Singapore’s port status.
Tech, fintech, and digital marketing, especially for bilingual Arabic–English talent.

If you’re used to working near Al-Balad’s waterfront, you’ll likely feel at home around the CBD, Marina Bay, and HarbourFront, where many regional HQs sit a few minutes’ walk from the sea.

Cost of Living: Jeddah Al-Balad vs Singapore

Singapore is consistently rated more expensive than Jeddah, especially for housing and private schooling.[5][6] As of 2025:

Rent: A family-sized condo (2–3 bedrooms) in central Singapore often ranges from SGD 4,000–7,000/month depending on district and facilities.[1][5]
Utilities: Around SGD 200–350/month for a typical condo unit (higher if you run aircon all day).
Groceries: SGD 600–1,000/month for a family of four, depending on preference for imported brands.
Transport: MRT and bus fares are relatively affordable; daily commuting by public transport is far cheaper than driving.[6]

In Jeddah, many residents own cars and fuel is cheaper. In Singapore, car ownership is heavily taxed and often unnecessary. For most new arrivals, pairing MRT with ride-hailing (Grab, Gojek) is the most cost-effective and stress-free approach.

Homejourney’s currency tools support SAR, so you can compare property prices and estimated monthly rents in familiar terms before committing, helping you avoid surprises and stay within a safe financial range.

Property for Expats from Jeddah Al-Balad: Where and What to Rent or Buy

What Foreigners Can Buy in Singapore

Singapore has clear, rule-based property regulations overseen by agencies like the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). For most non-resident foreigners (including Saudi citizens):

You cannot buy HDB (public housing) flats directly, except in very narrow cases (e.g., if you become a Permanent Resident and meet various conditions).[5]
You can buy private condominiums and apartments.
You can buy landed properties (terrace, semi-detached, bungalows) only with special approval under the Residential Property Act, which is not guaranteed and typically reserved for exceptional cases.

ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) for Foreigners

On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners currently face a significantly higher Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) rate when purchasing residential property, which as of 2025 can be around 60% for foreign individuals, depending on policy updates.[1] This can dramatically change your budget.

Because ABSD rules and percentages can change, it is critical to verify the latest figures on official sources (IRAS, URA) or via a licensed conveyancing lawyer. Homejourney always advises buyers to cross-check numbers with official government pages before signing any Option to Purchase.

Where Jeddah Al-Balad Expats Like to Live

If you love historic Jeddah’s atmosphere but want modern convenience, these Singapore neighborhoods tend to appeal to expats from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East:[1]

East Coast / Katong – Sea breeze, coastal park, and a strong food culture. Many Middle Eastern families like the relaxed, slightly less "CBD" environment and the ability to walk or cycle along East Coast Park, a bit like strolling the Red Sea corniche.
Marina Bay / CBD / Tanjong Pagar – For professionals who want to walk to work in Grade-A offices, with direct MRT connectivity and upscale condos.
Orchard / River Valley – Central, near international schools, medical centres, and high-end malls. Popular with families who value convenience.
Holland Village / Buona Vista – Expat-friendly, with cafes and eateries; feels like a compact lifestyle hub rather than a purely business district.

Insider tip: If you’re used to the late-night bustle of old town Jeddah, consider staying near areas like Bugis, City Hall, or Orchard initially—these areas remain lively into the evening and let you ease into Singapore without feeling too quiet after dark.