If you are moving to Singapore from Vancouver, the most important steps are to secure the right work pass, understand Singapore’s higher housing and daily living costs, and choose safe, well-connected neighbourhoods that fit your lifestyle and budget while using trusted platforms like Homejourney for verified property search and financing support.[1][5]
This cluster guide zooms in on the specific journey from Vancouver, Canada to Singapore and complements Homejourney’s broader Canada-to-Singapore pillar guide by focusing on lifestyle contrasts, cost differences and neighbourhood choices that feel natural to someone used to Stanley Park, Granville Island and Vancouver’s mountains-meet-ocean setting.[1][5]
From Vancouver to Singapore: Mountains Meet Ocean, City Meets Tropics
Living in Vancouver means weekend hikes on the North Shore, seawall cycles around Stanley Park, craft coffee in Kitsilano, and rainy winters with cool summers by the Pacific.[1] Most Vancouverites are used to a mix of low-rise living, easy access to nature, and a strong outdoor culture, whether you are kayaking around Granville Island or planning BC travel to Whistler and Vancouver Island.[1]
Singapore offers a different but surprisingly compatible lifestyle: a compact, hyper-connected tropical city where you can finish work in the CBD and be walking by the ocean at East Coast Park or hiking MacRitchie Reservoir in under 30–40 minutes.[1][5] Instead of snowy mountain peaks, you get lush rainforest trails at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and year-round temperatures of about 25–32°C, with humidity that can feel intense in the first few months.[1][5]
Many people from Vancouver consider Singapore for three main reasons: strong job markets in finance, tech and logistics, political and personal safety, and the ability to use Singapore as a travel hub into Southeast Asia while maintaining business and family ties back in Canada.[1][5] Both cities value multiculturalism and public safety, but Singapore is denser, more regulated, and far more apartment-oriented than most parts of Metro Vancouver.[1][4][5]
Visas and Work Passes for Vancouverites Moving to Singapore
For most Canadians, including those from Vancouver, entry to Singapore is visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, but you need a valid pass to live and work long-term.[1][2] Work passes are administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and your Singapore employer usually applies on your behalf.[1]
The main options for Vancouver professionals are:
- Employment Pass (EP) – For skilled professionals with a qualifying salary (generally at least SGD 5,000/month, higher for older candidates); tied to a specific employer and normally valid up to two years, renewable.[5]
- S Pass – For mid-skilled employees with slightly lower salary thresholds and quota limits per employer.[5]
- EntrePass – For entrepreneurs who want to start and operate a venture-backed or innovative business in Singapore.[7]
- Dependent’s Pass / Long-Term Visit Pass – For eligible spouses and children of EP/S Pass holders.[5]
Insider tip from expats who have done the Vancouver–Singapore route: start visa discussions early—ideally 3–4 months before your target move date—because your work pass outcome determines whether you can secure long-term rentals, school placements, and bank accounts.[1][5][7] Always confirm the latest rules with official MOM resources and, where needed, a licensed immigration specialist, because criteria change periodically.[6][7]
Job Market and Cost of Living: Vancouver vs Singapore
Vancouverites working in tech, finance, engineering, and global logistics often find Singapore competitive or better in terms of gross salary, but overall cost of living is high in both cities, with Singapore typically more expensive for housing but often lower for income tax.[1][3][5]
Employment opportunities for Vancouver expats
Singapore is a regional HQ hub for banks, fintechs, shipping/logistics firms and fast-growing tech companies, many of which recruit from North America.[5][6] Skills in software engineering, data analytics, cybersecurity, green finance, and maritime/logistics management are in demand, and Canadian qualifications are generally well recognized, especially when combined with Asia-Pacific experience.[5][7]
If you currently work for a global firm in downtown Vancouver (for example in the Coal Harbour or Bentall Centre area), your most straightforward route may be an internal transfer to their Singapore office, which often comes with relocation support and pre-approved EP sponsorship.[1][4][5] For independent job seekers, platforms like LinkedIn and direct company career pages are more effective than generic portals, and employers will expect you to be available for video interviews across time zones.
Cost of living comparison: what changes from Vancouver
Based on recent expat data and Homejourney’s on-the-ground experience, you should expect these broad shifts when you swap Vancouver for Singapore:[1][3][5]
- Housing: Central rentals are typically higher in Singapore than in many Vancouver neighbourhoods, especially for condos with full facilities.[1][3][5]
- Income tax: Singapore’s progressive tax rates are generally lower than Canada’s for many mid- to high-income earners, but always confirm with a tax professional familiar with both systems.[1][5]
- Transport: Daily commuting is cheaper via MRT and buses, but owning a car is far more expensive due to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system.[3][5]
- Groceries and eating out: Local hawker food is usually cheaper than eating out in Vancouver, but imported groceries and alcohol are often more expensive.[1][3]
Homejourney’s Canada-to-Singapore guide estimates monthly rentals of roughly SGD 3,500–4,800 for a one-bedroom condo near the city core (e.g. Tanjong Pagar, River Valley) and SGD 5,000–7,000 for a three-bedroom condo on the city fringe (e.g. Queenstown, East Coast).[1] A 4-room HDB flat (public housing) in a mature town like Tampines or Toa Payoh might run SGD 3,000–4,200 per month, depending on age and proximity to MRT.[1]
Property Options in Singapore for Vancouver Expats
As a foreigner (non–Singapore Citizen/PR), you can freely buy most private condo apartments and strata-titled units but face restrictions and higher taxes on certain landed properties.[1][4][5] This is where partnering with a trusted platform like Homejourney matters: we verify listings, highlight regulatory risks, and connect you with licensed professionals, so you can make confident decisions from overseas.
What foreigners from Vancouver can buy
Under Singapore’s Residential Property Act, foreigners can generally:
- Buy private condominiums and apartments without special approval.
- Buy executive condominiums (ECs) that are at least 10 years old (fully privatized phase).[1][4]
- Rent HDB flats (public housing) but cannot buy most HDB units unless you obtain PR and meet specific criteria.
Buying landed property (e.g. bungalows, semi-detached houses) as a foreigner usually requires special approval, with Sentosa Cove being the main exception where non-citizens can buy landed homes more freely.[4]
ABSD for foreigners from Vancouver
All foreign buyers currently pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on residential property purchases in Singapore, on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty.[1][5] The exact ABSD rate depends on your residency status (foreign, PR, or citizen) and the number of properties you already own; you must always confirm the latest rates from IRAS or a qualified lawyer before committing, as these regulations change over time.[1][5]
Because ABSD can significantly affect your total cost, many Vancouver-based investors initially start with a single, well-located condo unit as a Singapore foothold, then reassess after gaining more clarity on long-term plans and potential PR status.[1][5] Homejourney’s Bank Rates page can help you compare estimated mortgage rates across major banks, while our Projects Directory provides verified data on specific developments, from launch prices to rental yields.
Popular neighbourhoods for Vancouver expats
Vancouverites often gravitate to neighbourhoods that feel familiar: near water, greenery, and good cafes, with safe walking environments and quality schools.[1][4][5]
- River Valley / Robertson Quay: Central, walkable, with riverside paths that echo Vancouver’s seawall vibe; easy access to Great World and Fort Canning MRT.[1][4]
- East Coast (Katong / Siglap): Popular among families; relaxed, with easy access to East Coast Park’s cycling paths and the sea; commutes to Raffles Place by bus/MRT around 25–35 minutes.[1][4]
- Bukit Timah: Leafy, low-rise feel with access to nature reserves and many international schools, somewhat like living near the North Shore but with tropical greenery.[4]
- Holland Village / Queenstown:
References
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 5 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 7 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 6 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2025)
