Moving to Singapore from New York City: Homejourney Expat Guide

Moving to Singapore from New York City USA: Expat Guide searches usually start with the same questions: can I work there, what will housing cost, and how different is daily life from Manhattan or Brooklyn.

This Homejourney guide gives New York City expats a clear, step‑by‑step roadmap to relocate safely, find the right property, and settle into Singapore with confidence, drawing on first-hand local insight and verified information from Singapore government sources.

It also connects to our broader Singapore relocation and property pillar guide , so you can dive deeper into visas, neighbourhood comparisons, and buying vs renting decisions when you are ready.

Life in New York City vs Singapore: What to Expect

If you are used to New York City life – commuting on the subway from Brooklyn to Midtown, weekend walks through Central Park, and an endless list of things to do in NYC – Singapore will feel both familiar and surprisingly efficient.

Like NYC, Singapore is dense, urban, and highly international, but it is smaller, safer, and far more regulated, with excellent public transport and strict rules that keep the streets clean and crime very low.

In Manhattan you might compare neighbourhoods like the Upper West Side vs Williamsburg; in Singapore, expats often compare Holland Village vs River Valley vs Tiong Bahru for a similar blend of cafes, walkability, and easy access to the CBD.

Many New York-based travellers first encounter Singapore as a stopover or when researching USA travel and NYC tourism content such as Complete Guide to Things to Do in New York City (NYC) – Homejourney Singapore Edition Complete Guide to Things to Do in New York City (NYC) – Homejourney Singapore Ed... , then later return as expats or investors.

Visas and Work Passes for New York City Expats

As a US citizen coming from New York, you typically enter Singapore visa‑free for short visits, but to work or live long‑term you must hold an appropriate pass issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).[6]

Key work passes for professionals

Most New York City professionals relocating for a job will use one of these passes, applied for by your employer through MOM:[6]

Employment Pass (EP) – For professionals, managers, and executives earning at least around SGD 5,600 per month (higher for older candidates), subject to the COMPASS points framework.[6] Your firm (often a bank, tech company, or law firm if you are coming from Manhattan) sponsors the application.
S Pass – For mid‑level skilled staff; there are salary thresholds, quotas and levies for employers.[2][6]
Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) – For high‑earning professionals (currently from SGD 22,500 monthly) who want more job flexibility without reapplying for a new pass for each employer.[2]

For up-to-date criteria, always cross‑check directly with the MOM work pass portal.[6] Homejourney recommends speaking with your employer’s HR or an immigration professional before resigning your New York role, as pass eligibility can change.

Other common passes for NYC expats

Dependent’s Pass / Long‑Term Visit Pass – For spouses and children of EP or S Pass holders, processed via MOM or ICA depending on the pass type.[1][6]
Student’s Pass – For children enrolled in Singapore schools (international or local), handled through the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and school admissions.
Permanent Residence (PR) – Long‑term option once you have lived and worked in Singapore; decided by ICA under schemes such as the Professionals/Technical Personnel & Skilled Workers Scheme.[4][7]

Official requirements and forms are always best taken from ICA and MOM directly, not third‑party agents, to protect your data and avoid scams.[5][6][7]

Cost of Living: New York City vs Singapore

From experience, many New Yorkers find day‑to‑day living (transport, hawker food, basic healthcare) cheaper in Singapore, while housing and cars can feel as expensive or more expensive than Manhattan once you add taxes and fees.

Housing comparison

As a rough local benchmark (rents vary by market cycle and building quality):

Central condos (Orchard, River Valley, Marina Bay) – 2‑bedroom units can range roughly SGD 5,000–8,000 per month or more, comparable to a good 1‑ to 2‑bed rental in desirable Manhattan neighbourhoods like Chelsea or Tribeca.
City‑fringe areas (Queenstown, Redhill, Paya Lebar) – You may find 2‑bedroom condos from around SGD 3,800–5,500, similar in feel to outer Brooklyn or Long Island City with good MRT access.
HDB public housing (for rent) – A well‑located 4‑room flat (3 bedrooms) might rent from about SGD 3,000–4,000 depending on location and condition; foreigners can rent but generally cannot buy most resale HDBs.

Use Homejourney’s property search Property Search and projects directory Projects Directory to check current neighbourhood pricing and new project launches; we aggregate trusted data so you can benchmark against what you currently pay in New York.

Everyday expenses

Food – A hawker centre meal is commonly around SGD 5–8; a mid‑range restaurant dinner with drinks might be SGD 40–80 per person. Compared with eating out in Manhattan, this often feels more affordable, especially for weekday lunches.
Transport – A typical MRT ride costs roughly SGD 1.50–2.50 with a stored‑value card, and taxis/ride‑hails are usually cheaper than yellow cabs or car services in NYC for similar distances.
Healthcare – Private GP visits might be SGD 30–70 depending on clinic and medication; specialists and private hospitals cost more, so expats commonly carry international or local health insurance.[1][3]

For the latest macro housing trends, cross‑reference local reports from sources like The Straits Times’ housing coverage Straits Times Housing News or EdgeProp’s market analysis EdgeProp Property News .

Property Options for New York City Expats in Singapore

Whether you plan to rent first (highly recommended for newcomers) or buy as an investor, understanding foreigner rules and taxes is essential for safe decision‑making.

What foreigners can buy

In Singapore, foreigners (including US citizens) generally can buy:

Private condominiums and apartments – Both new launches and resale units.
Strata office and retail units – Subject to commercial considerations.
Some landed property – Only with special approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU), usually rare for non‑PR foreigners and often requiring substantial contributions.

You generally cannot buy most public housing (HDB flats) as a non‑PR foreigner, except in limited cases such as a unit with a Singapore spouse under specific HDB eligibility schemes; always verify directly with HDB for current rules.

Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for foreigners

On top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty, foreigners pay ABSD when purchasing residential property; this is a significant cost for investors and must be budgeted carefully.

ABSD rates have changed multiple times in recent years to manage speculation, so New York City investors should always confirm the latest percentage and scenarios with IRAS or a licensed conveyancing lawyer before committing to a purchase.

Homejourney’s projects directory Projects Directory lets you filter by tenure, price range, and location, then simulate your overall purchase budget using our bank rates comparison tool Bank Rates so you can compare Singapore mortgage costs against NYC home loans.

Popular neighbourhoods for NYC expats

From years of working with New York clients, these areas often resonate because they echo parts of Manhattan or Brooklyn:

River Valley / Robertson Quay – Comparable to the Upper West Side meets the Hudson River Park, with riverside dining, easy access to the CBD, and many modern condos.
Orchard / Somerset – High‑end shopping, serviced apartments, and premium condos; think of it as Singapore’s Fifth Avenue with better MRT access.
Tiong Bahru – Low‑rise art‑deco blocks, indie cafes, and a strong local community; often likened to a mix of Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens and the West Village.
Holland Village / Buona Vista – Popular with families, close to international schools and greenery, with a laid‑back vibe similar to Park Slope.
East Coast (Katong, Joo Chiat) – Heritage shophouses, cafes, and the beach nearby; a good fit if you want a relaxed, walkable lifestyle.

Use Homejourney’s property search Property Search to explore these neighbourhoods visually, compare listings, and shortlist options before your relocation trip.