Moving to Singapore from Korea: Ultimate Expat Guide | Homejourney

Moving to Singapore from Korea Adventure can be both a practical life decision and an exciting new chapter in your ultimate Korea adventure story. This Moving to Singapore from Korea Adventure: Expat Guide by Homejourney focuses on what Korean-based expats, frequent Korea two weeks travellers, and Korea 14 days visitors need to know if they are considering living, working, or investing in Singapore property.

This article is a focused cluster that supports our main Singapore relocation and property pillar guide . Here you will find specific, tactical advice for Korea-based expats – from visas and jobs to safe housing choices, neighbourhoods that feel familiar, and how to keep your Korea connections alive while building a secure new base in Singapore.

1. Life in Korea Adventure vs Singapore: What Changes?

If you have built a life around your own Korea adventure – perhaps weekends in Hongdae, a Korea 14-day itinerary through Busan and Jeju, or regular Korea two weeks work trips – Singapore will feel both familiar and very different.

Similarities Korean expats usually notice first:

Both are safe, efficient, highly urban Asian hubs with excellent public transport and strong rule of law.[1][5]
English is widely used in business in both, but day-to-day English usage is higher in Singapore, which can make administration and banking easier for international expats.[5][9]
High-tech infrastructure, fast internet, and strong support for international business are standard.[5][6]

Key lifestyle differences that impact housing and daily life:

Climate: Singapore is fully tropical – hot and humid year-round, unlike Korea’s four seasons. Good aircon and reliable servicing quickly become non‑negotiable in your rental choice. Homejourney partners vetted providers via Aircon Services so overseas tenants can maintain units safely and transparently.
City scale: You can cross most of Singapore by MRT in under an hour, so choosing a neighbourhood is more about lifestyle (near parks, near CBD, near international schools) than beating extreme commute times.[3][9]
Space and density: Typical Singapore condos may feel smaller than spacious Korean apartments, but often come with pools, gyms, BBQ pits and 24/7 security – elements many Korean investors value.[3][6]

If your personal ultimate Korea adventure involved walkable, historic Seoul areas, you may feel at home in Singapore’s city-fringe districts such as Chinatown, Bugis / Kampong Gelam or the Katong–Joo Chiat shophouse belt, which combine heritage, food culture and modern condos.[3]

2. Relocating from Korea to Singapore: Visas, Work & Costs

2.1 Visa and work pass options for Korean expats

Singapore work passes are administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Requirements change regularly, so always confirm details with MOM, but the main passes relevant to Korean expats include:[3][8]

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals with a job offer in Singapore and meeting salary and qualifications criteria. Employers usually sponsor this before you arrive.
S Pass: For mid‑skilled workers, subject to quotas and levies for employers.
EntrePass: For founders who want to start and operate a venture‑backed or innovative business in Singapore.
Dependant’s Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass: For spouses and children of eligible EP or S Pass holders.

Unlike a simple Korea 14 days visitor trip, relocation requires your employer or registered business entity to apply for your pass in advance, and your pass type will directly affect what kind of rental contracts and lease durations landlords prefer. Homejourney recommends confirming your exact pass status before committing to a long lease so that your housing timeline and immigration status are aligned.

2.2 Employment opportunities for Korea-based professionals

Many Koreans moving from Seoul, Busan or Incheon find work in Singapore’s core economic clusters:[3][6]

CBD & Marina Bay: Banking, trading, consulting, legal and HQ roles – similar to Gwanghwamun or Yeouido.
One‑North: Tech, gaming, media and R&D – attractive for IT and engineering talent coming from Korea’s tech ecosystem.[6]
Changi Business Park: Financial back‑office, aviation and logistics functions.[3]

For investors, Singapore is also a regional base for accessing Southeast Asia, with a stable regulatory framework and strong protection of property rights.[6][9] This is a key reason many who start with a short Singapore stopover on their Korea two weeks Asia trip eventually explore local property as a long‑term wealth or lifestyle play.

2.3 Cost of living: Singapore vs Korea

Both Korea and Singapore are relatively high-cost markets, but the composition of costs differs.[1][5][9]

Housing: Central private rentals in Singapore (e.g. Orchard, River Valley, Tanjong Pagar) typically cost more than similar city‑centre apartments in Seoul, especially full‑facility condos.[1][3][6] Many expats adjust by living slightly outside the core (e.g. East Coast, Novena).
Transport: Public transport is efficient and affordable in both cities. A typical monthly public transport spend in Singapore is about SGD 80–100 for regular commuters, broadly comparable to Seoul’s subway for similar usage.[1][9]
Food: Local hawker meals start from around SGD 4–6, often cheaper than dining in Korean city-centre restaurants, but imported groceries can be pricier.[1][6]

Because housing is the largest variable, Homejourney provides verified rental listings and live market data via Projects and Projects Directory , so Korean expats can benchmark current median rents against their Korea adventure starting point and avoid overpaying.

3. Property in Singapore for Expats from Korea Adventure

3.1 What foreigners can buy – rules & ABSD

Singapore distinguishes clearly between public housing (HDB) and private property. For Korean citizens without Singapore permanent residency, the broad rules are:[3][6][9]

Allowed: Buying private condominiums and apartments anywhere in Singapore, subject to standard legal and financing processes.
Restricted: Buying most HDB flats directly. Non‑resident foreigners generally cannot purchase HDB resale flats unless they later obtain PR and meet family and Minimum Occupation Period rules as set out by HDB.
Limited: Buying landed houses and some strata landed properties, which usually requires approval from the Land Dealings (Approval) Unit.

In addition to Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), foreigners typically pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) when purchasing residential property. ABSD rates and conditions change over time and differ between foreigners, PRs and citizens, so investors should always refer to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and seek professional tax advice before committing.

Homejourney’s mission is to keep overseas buyers safe by surfacing current regulatory information clearly and connecting you only with vetted partner agents, lawyers and mortgage specialists, rather than anonymous online ads.

3.2 Popular neighbourhoods for Korean expats

Based on current expat patterns and on-the-ground experience, Korean expats and Korea‑loving investors often gravitate to these areas:[1][2][3]

Tanjong Pagar / Telok Ayer: Walkable to the CBD, with Korean restaurants, K‑BBQ and K‑beauty shops clustered around Tanjong Pagar Road – ideal if you want a quick taste of Korea after work.
River Valley / Robertson Quay: Popular with professionals who like riverside jogging routes, cafes and proximity to the CBD and Orchard.
Orchard / Somerset: Prime shopping belt living, high‑rise condos with full facilities, and easy access to international schools and embassies.[1]
East Coast / Katong–Joo Chiat: Seafront living with a strong food scene and a more relaxed vibe – similar to staying in a quieter coastal Korean city while still being close to the centre.[1][3]
Holland Village / Bukit Timah: Favoured by families for international schools, greenery and cafes.[1][8]

To safely explore these areas and compare projects, start with Homejourney’s verified property search at Property Search , then drill into building-level insights via Projects and Projects Directory . All listings are standardised so overseas readers do not need to guess floor area conversions or rely on low‑detail photos.