Moving to Singapore from the Kandy to Ella train region is a big leap—from misty tea hills, the scenic Kandy Ella train and Nine Arch Bridge to one of Asia’s most efficient, high-density cities. This expat guide connects what you love about life along the Sri Lanka railway with what to expect in Singapore, and shows how Homejourney helps you relocate and invest in property safely and confidently.
We treat this as a focused Moving to Singapore from Kandy to Ella Train Journey: Expat Guide, and link back to our main pillar on relocating to Singapore for international buyers and expats .
Life along the Kandy–Ella train vs life in Singapore
If you live in or frequently visit the Kandy–Ella corridor, you are used to cool air, slower days, and dramatic views from the Kandy Ella train—often called one of the most beautiful train rides in the world—with its blue carriages curving over the iconic Nine Arch Bridge on the old British-built Sri Lanka railway.
Singapore is the opposite in many ways: hot, humid, extremely fast-paced, with spotless MRT stations instead of open carriage doors and tea hills. Yet there are comforting similarities expats from Sri Lanka notice quickly:
- Both places are compact and easy to navigate without a car.
- Train culture matters—Sri Lankans have the Kandy–Ella scenic train; Singaporeans rely on the MRT and LRT for daily life.
- Tea, cricket, and strong family ties remain central for many Sri Lankan expats in Singapore.
People from Kandy, Ella, Colombo, or other Sri Lankan cities consider Singapore because it offers:
- Stable, high-income jobs and strong currency (SGD).
- Reliable healthcare and education.
- Transparent, well-regulated property market.
Homejourney’s role is to bridge that gap—translating your lifestyle and budget from the hills and railway towns into realistic, safe options in specific Singapore neighbourhoods.
Relocating to Singapore: visas, jobs & lifestyle fit
Key visa & work pass options
To live and work in Singapore, you need an approved pass from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The main options for professionals and skilled workers include:
- Employment Pass (EP) – For professionals, managers, and executives. Candidates must earn at least around S$5,600/month and pass the COMPASS points framework, which assesses salary competitiveness, qualifications, and company profile.[8][4]
- S Pass – For mid-level skilled workers in technical roles, with a lower salary threshold than EP but subject to quotas and levies for employers.[2][8]
- Work Permit – For semi-skilled workers in sectors like construction, marine, manufacturing and certain services, usually through an employer.[2][8]
Short stays for holidays or exploratory trips use a Short-Term Visit Pass issued at entry; some nationalities need an entry visa before arrival via the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).[3][7]
Insider tip from the ground: most Sri Lankan professionals in banking, IT, engineering and hospitality in Singapore come on an EP or S Pass arranged by their employer. Start job hunting 3–6 months in advance, and confirm your pass eligibility on MOM’s official checker before making big financial commitments.
Employment opportunities for Kandy–Ella region expats
If you are used to tourism- or railway-linked work around Kandy, Ella and the tea country, the closest Singapore sectors are:
- Hospitality & tourism – Hotels, F&B, attractions; roles increasingly require formal qualifications and experience.
- Logistics & transport – Roles with aviation, shipping and urban transport operators.
- IT, finance & professional services – Concentrated in CBD, Marina Bay, Raffles Place.
Professional roles tend to cluster near MRT nodes like Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, Bugis and One-North. When you search jobs, map office locations against neighbourhoods where you might rent—this is where Homejourney’s verified project maps via Projects Directory become essential.
Cost of living: Kandy–Ella hills vs Singapore
Even if you are used to tourist prices along the Kandy Ella train route, Singapore will feel significantly more expensive:
- Daily food at hawker centres can be affordable (S$5–8 per meal).
- Public transport is cheaper than owning a car, and very reliable.
- Housing and schooling are usually the two largest cost items for expats.
Use Homejourney’s Bank Rates and Projects tools to translate your Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) budget into realistic Singapore mortgage or rental ranges, factoring in exchange rates and bank financing norms.
Property in Singapore for expats from the Kandy–Ella region
What foreigners can buy & ABSD
Singapore has strict but transparent property rules. In general:
- Most non-resident foreigners can buy private condos and apartments.
- Buying HDB flats (public housing) is usually restricted to citizens and PRs, with a few exceptions.
- Land(ed) properties (e.g. terrace houses) are restricted for foreigners and require approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit.
Foreign buyers must also pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD), on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty. Rates and rules can change, so always confirm against IRAS or URA before committing, or work with a licensed agent listed in Homejourney’s agent directory .
Homejourney’s focus on verification means we surface up-to-date policy notes and flag any cooling measures that affect your total buying cost before you sign anything.
Popular neighbourhoods for Sri Lankan expats
Many Sri Lankans who once loved weekends on the scenic train between Kandy and Ella now settle in areas with easy MRT access, affordable food, and strong South Asian communities:
- Little India / Farrer Park – Vibrant South Asian food, temples, and grocery stores; 3–15 minutes by MRT to CBD depending on line changes.
- East Coast / Marine Parade – Sea breeze, park connectors, and a more relaxed vibe that may appeal if you miss the open air of the hill country.
- Jurong East / Lakeside – Major malls, green spaces, and newer developments at slightly lower prices than central zones.
- Queenstown / Commonwealth – Central but slightly quieter, with older but spacious flats and quick access to One-North and CBD.
Use Homejourney’s property search Property Search to filter rentals or resale units by MRT line, commute time to your office, and budget translated from LKR. This reduces the risk of overpaying or ending up far from your workplace or child’s school.
Rental market overview for new arrivals
Most expats from Kandy–Ella rent first, then decide whether to buy after 1–3 years. When renting, pay attention to:
- Lease length – Typical residential leases are 1–2 years.
- Security deposit – Often 1 month’s rent for a 1-year lease, 2 months for 2 years (subject to negotiation).
- Furnishing – Many condos are partially or fully furnished; HDB units vary.
- Aircon servicing – Clauses often require quarterly servicing; Homejourney connects you to vetted providers via Aircon Services so you don’t risk deposit disputes over poorly maintained units.
To study price trends and specific projects, refer to Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory and complement it with external market coverage like EdgeProp Property News or Business Times Property .
