Moving to Singapore from Nami Island & Petite France | Homejourney Expat Guide

If you love the calm, storybook charm of Nami Island, Petite France and the Gangchon Rail Bike on a Seoul day trip but are now considering a long-term move to Singapore, this Moving to Singapore from Nami Island and Petite France Day Trip from Seoul: Expat Guide will walk you through visas, housing, costs, and how to find a safe home with Homejourney.

This article is a focused cluster guide that complements Homejourney’s main Singapore Expat & Property Pillar Guide , with specific tips for travellers and expats who know Nami Island, Petite France and the Winter Sonata filming locations and are now looking at Singapore as a place to live or invest.

From Nami Island & Petite France Day Trips to Everyday Life in Singapore

If you’ve done the classic Seoul day trip combo – Nami Island, Petite France, and Gangchon Rail Bike – you’re familiar with Korea’s mix of nature, themed villages and K‑drama culture. Daily life there is seasonal: stunning foliage in autumn, snow in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, and lush green in summer.

Singapore offers a very different but equally distinctive experience. As someone who has lived in Singapore for years and regularly returns to Korea, here’s how it feels on the ground:

Climate: Singapore is warm and humid all year (~25–32°C), unlike the cold winters you’d feel cycling the Gangchon Rail Bike in January. No snow, but frequent rain – you’ll swap padded coats for umbrellas.
Nature: Instead of Nami’s riverside paths, you get tropical greenery at MacRitchie Reservoir, Southern Ridges and East Coast Park. Weekends often mean park connectors and hawker centres rather than ferries to an island.
Atmosphere: Where Petite France is curated and themed, Singapore’s neighbourhoods like Tiong Bahru, Joo Chiat and Kampong Glam blend heritage shophouses with very lived-in local life.
Convenience & safety: Singapore’s reputation for low crime, clean streets and efficient transport is very much real, and it’s one of the big reasons expats and investors choose it.[4][6]

Many travellers who fall in love with Korea’s lifestyle start comparing Asian cities for work, business, and investment. Singapore stands out for its safety, English-speaking environment, and strong rule of law – all crucial when you’re buying or renting property.

Relocating to Singapore: Visas, Jobs & Cost of Living

Visa & Work Permit Pathways

For those coming from Korea (or any country) after memorable trips to Nami Island and Petite France, the main visa routes into Singapore are:

Employment Pass (EP): For professionals with a job offer from a Singapore company; minimum salary requirements apply and are periodically updated by the Ministry of Manpower.
S Pass: For mid‑skilled employees, with different salary thresholds and quotas.
EntrePass / business routes: For entrepreneurs setting up innovative businesses.
ONE Pass or other specialised passes: For established, high-earning professionals or top talent in specific sectors.

Always refer to MOM and official government sites for the latest criteria, as salary floors and pass conditions can change.

Employment Opportunities for Seoul Day‑Trip Lovers

Many people who enjoy the culture and tourism scene around Nami Island and Petite France work in:

Travel & hospitality (tour operators, guides, hotels)
Creative industries (content creation, K‑culture marketing, media)
Education & language training (Korean language, English teaching)

In Singapore, equivalent opportunities exist in:

Tourism & MICE: Hotels, attractions, events and travel tech companies
Finance & tech: Many regional HQs for banks, fintechs and tech firms are located here[2][7]
F&B & lifestyle: Korea-themed cafes, supermarkets and K‑culture venues increasingly cater to Korean wave fans

English is widely used at work, but speaking Korean plus English can be a bonus for roles dealing with Korean tourists, corporates or investors.

Cost of Living: Seoul & Gapyeong Area vs Singapore

If you’ve based yourself in Seoul and regularly escaped to Gapyeong for Nami Island or Petite France, you’ll notice:

Housing: Central Singapore rents (Orchard, River Valley, CBD) are often higher than equivalent Seoul districts; suburban areas can be closer to Seoul prices.[1][4]
Food: Hawker centre meals (SGD 4–7) can be cheaper than many Seoul cafes, but imported groceries and alcohol cost more.
Transport: MRT and buses are safe, frequent and reasonably priced, similar to – or a bit higher than – Korean subway costs.

Homejourney’s data-backed guides draw on market data from sources like URA and HDB, as well as news outlets such as Straits Times Housing News and EdgeProp Property News , to help you compare realistic budgets, not just tourist impressions.

Property in Singapore for Nami Island & Petite France Expats

What Foreigners Can Buy

Singapore has clear, rule-based property regulations – one reason many international investors feel safe parking capital here. Key points for foreigners include:[1][2]

Private condominiums & apartments: Freely purchasable by foreigners, subject to stamp duties.
Landed houses: Generally restricted; foreigners need special approval for most landed residential properties.
HDB flats: Public housing is usually off‑limits for foreign buyers, except in specific, narrow situations (e.g., some PRs meeting conditions).

As of 2025, the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD)60% of the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, in addition to standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty.[1] This is a significant cost that investors from Korea or elsewhere must factor in.

Popular Neighbourhoods for Korea‑Linked Expats

Among expats who love Korean culture – from Winter Sonata scenes on Nami Island to K‑pop and K‑beauty in Seoul – some Singapore areas tend to appeal:

Tanjong Pagar / Tiong Bahru: Central, convenient, with easy access to Korean restaurants and supermarkets.
Orchard / River Valley: Close to premium malls and international schools, similar to staying near central Seoul with strong amenities.[1][3]
East Coast / Katong / Marine Parade: More relaxed, near the sea, with a lifestyle that can feel like a blend of urban and resort.
West Coast / Clementi: Practical for those working in western business parks, with slightly more affordable rents.[1][3]

To see real listings, use Homejourney’s trusted property search tool Property Search , where properties and agents are verified to support safe, fraud‑free transactions.

Renting vs Buying When You First Arrive

For most new arrivals – including those transitioning from a temporary life between Seoul and Gapyeong – renting first is advisable:[1][2]

You learn the MRT lines and commuting patterns before locking into a long‑term location.
You avoid rushing a purchase under time pressure, which is risky in a tightly regulated market.
You can test different neighbourhood "vibes" – central city, coastal East, or quieter north‑west.

When you are ready to buy, compare bank financing via Homejourney’s mortgage and bank rates page Bank Rates , and study new and resale projects using our projects directory Projects Directory for verified data on tenure, developer track record and past transaction prices.