💰 Cost of Living
Average monthly expenses for a digital nomad
🏠 Accommodation
🍜 Food & Dining
🚗 Transportation
🎯 Other
⚡ Digital Nomad Essentials
Everything you need to work remotely from Singapore
📶 Internet
☁️ Weather
✈️ Transport
🛂 Visa
✓Advantages
- ✓World-class internet infrastructure with 300+ Mbps fiber speeds
- ✓Extremely safe - ranked 6th globally on Peace Index
- ✓Excellent public transport with MRT covering entire island
- ✓English widely spoken - one of four official languages
- ✓World-renowned food scene from hawker centers to Michelin stars
- ✓Clean, efficient, and well-organized city
- ✓Strong expat and business community
- ✓Excellent healthcare system
- ✓Perfect hub for Southeast Asia travel
- ✓Multicultural city with Chinese, Malay, Indian influences
✗Disadvantages
- ✗Very expensive - one of costliest cities globally
- ✗Hot and humid year-round with temperatures 24-32C
- ✗No dedicated digital nomad visa available
- ✗Strict laws and regulations on many activities
- ✗Small city can feel limiting for long stays
- ✗High accommodation costs eat into budget
- ✗Limited nightlife compared to other Asian cities
- ✗Can feel overly sanitized and corporate
- ✗Work permits difficult to obtain
- ✗Haze from Indonesian fires May-August
💼 Top Coworking Spaces
Best places to work in Singapore
WeWork City House
📍 6 Battery Road, Singapore 049909 • 300 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
JustCo Marina Square
📍 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039594 • 250 Mbps • 24/7 • Meeting rooms
The Great Room Centennial Tower
📍 3 Temasek Avenue, Centennial Tower, Singapore 039190 • 500 Mbps • Meeting rooms
The Working Capitol
📍 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109 • 200 Mbps • Meeting rooms
The Hive Carpenter
📍 36 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059915 • 150 Mbps • Meeting rooms
☕ Best Cafes to Work From
Laptop-friendly cafes with good WiFi
Working Title
📍 Rochor
The Book Cafe
📍 Robertson Quay
Plain Vanilla
📍 Tiong Bahru
Common Man Coffee Roasters
📍 Robertson Quay
Botany
📍 Robertson Quay
Tiong Bahru Bakery
📍 Tiong Bahru
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Singapore
Tiong Bahru
Singapore's oldest public housing estate transformed into the city's hippest neighborhood. Tiong Bahru charms visitors with its distinctive Art Deco architecture, trendy cafes, independent bookstores, and artisanal bakeries. The area maintains a village-like atmosphere despite being just minutes from the CBD. Popular spots include Tiong Bahru Bakery, Plain Vanilla, and the bustling wet market. The neighborhood attracts young professionals, creatives, and digital nomads who appreciate its blend of heritage charm and modern amenities. Excellent for those seeking a more relaxed, authentic Singapore experience.
Bugis / Kampong Glam
Vibrant district that seamlessly blends Malay heritage with modern urban energy. Bugis offers excellent MRT connectivity, diverse shopping options from street markets to malls, and close proximity to Little India and Arab Street. Kampong Glam features the stunning Sultan Mosque, colorful Haji Lane with its boutiques and street art, and excellent Middle Eastern cuisine. The area buzzes with activity day and night, making it perfect for nomads who want to be in the thick of things. Accommodation options range from budget hostels to boutique hotels.
Holland Village
Popular expat enclave with a laid-back, community-oriented vibe. Holland Village offers a pleasant escape from the intensity of central Singapore while remaining well-connected via MRT. The area features numerous cafes, restaurants, bars, and specialty shops catering to international tastes. Weekly markets, cooking classes, and community events make it easy to meet people. The surrounding residential areas like Chip Bee Gardens offer charming low-rise living. Perfect for those seeking a slower pace with strong Western amenities and an established expat community.
Marina Bay / CBD
Singapore's gleaming financial district and tourist heart featuring iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion. The CBD offers world-class infrastructure, premium coworking spaces, and easy access to everything Singapore has to offer. While accommodation here is expensive, the convenience is unmatched. Perfect for business travelers, those attending conferences, or nomads who want the full Singapore luxury experience. Countless dining options from hawker centers to Michelin-starred restaurants within walking distance.
🏛️ Top Attractions
Best things to do in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay
Singapore's most iconic attraction featuring the otherworldly Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest with its 35-meter indoor waterfall, and the climate-controlled Flower Dome. The futuristic vertical gardens light up spectacularly during the free nightly Garden Rhapsody light show. Walking through the outdoor gardens is free, while the conservatories require tickets. Perfect for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. The OCBC Skyway connects Supertrees at 22 meters high for panoramic views. Allow extra time to explore all sections of this 101-hectare horticultural wonderland.
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Observation deck atop Singapore's most recognizable building offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city skyline, Gardens by the Bay, and the Singapore Strait. Located 57 stories up, the SkyPark provides unparalleled photo opportunities, especially at sunset when the city lights begin to twinkle. The infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests, but the observation deck is open to all. Consider visiting twice - once during day for clear views and again at night for the illuminated cityscape. Skip the crowds by visiting on weekday mornings.
Chinatown Heritage Centre
Immersive museum experience in the heart of Singapore's historic Chinatown, housed in three beautifully restored shophouses. Walk through meticulously recreated living quarters that show how early Chinese immigrants lived in cramped cubicle-style rooms. Learn about the hardships, triumphs, and cultural traditions of Singapore's Chinese community. After the museum, explore the surrounding streets filled with temples, traditional medicine shops, and the famous Chinatown Complex hawker center. Don't miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple nearby.
Little India Walking Tour
Sensory overload in Singapore's most colorful district. Little India explodes with the aromas of spices, sounds of Bollywood music, and sights of flower garlands and silk saris. Must-visit spots include the ornate Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, 24-hour Mustafa Centre for eclectic shopping, Tekka Centre wet market, and the rainbow-colored House of Tan Teng Niah. Best explored on foot to discover hidden gems in narrow alleys. The area is particularly magical during Deepavali festival when streets are adorned with lights. Authentic Indian food at budget-friendly prices.
Sentosa Island
Singapore's premier resort island offering beaches, theme parks, and attractions connected to the mainland by cable car, monorail, or boardwalk. Highlights include Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and Madame Tussauds. Three beaches - Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong - offer swimming, kayaking, and beach bars. The island transforms at night with Wings of Time multimedia show. Can easily spend multiple days exploring, or visit for a single attraction. Avoid weekends and school holidays when crowds peak.
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
World-renowned open-concept zoo where animals roam in naturalistic habitats separated by hidden moats rather than cages. Home to over 2,800 animals including orangutans, white tigers, and pygmy hippos. The adjacent Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo, offering tram rides and walking trails through habitats illuminated by special lighting. River Wonders nearby features giant pandas and the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Combined tickets available for multiple parks. Book Night Safari in advance as it frequently sells out.
National Gallery Singapore
Southeast Asia's largest visual arts museum housed in two magnificently restored national monuments - the former Supreme Court and City Hall. The gallery showcases the world's largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art, spanning from the 19th century to present. Architecture lovers will appreciate the stunning renovation that connects the two colonial buildings with a dramatic glass and aluminum canopy. Multiple dining options including rooftop bar with Marina Bay views. Free admission for Singapore residents; others pay entrance fee.
Clarke Quay & Riverside
Singapore's vibrant riverside entertainment district transforms from a pleasant daytime stroll into a pulsating nightlife hub after dark. Historic warehouses now house restaurants, bars, and clubs spread across colorful blocks. Take a bumboat cruise along the Singapore River past the glittering skyline, or simply walk the scenic riverside promenade. Excellent for people-watching, waterfront dining, and experiencing Singapore's more relaxed side. The adjacent Boat Quay offers more intimate bar options. Great spot for sundowners with views of the financial district.
🛡️ Safety & Healthcare
What to know about safety and medical care
🚨 Safety
🏥 Healthcare
💬 What Nomads Say
Real reviews from digital nomads
"Singapore exceeded all my expectations as a base for my Southeast Asia operations. The internet is phenomenally fast - I consistently get 300+ Mbps at coworking spaces and never experienced a single outage in three months. The MRT system is incredible - clean, efficient, and covers the entire island. Food is amazing and diverse - hawker centers offer $4 meals while Marina Bay has world-class restaurants. Safety is unparalleled; I routinely worked in cafes until midnight and walked home without concern. Yes, it's expensive, but you get what you pay for. For serious professionals who value reliability and efficiency, Singapore is unbeatable."
"Singapore is a fantastic hub for short stays and regional travel, though I found it challenging for long-term budget-conscious nomading. The coworking scene is excellent - I loved The Working Capitol's creative vibe and JustCo's multiple locations. The expat community in Holland Village was welcoming and I made genuine friends. English spoken everywhere made work seamless. However, costs add up quickly - even budget accommodation was $1,500/month for a tiny room. The heat and humidity took adjustment, and I missed the spontaneous street life of other Asian cities. Perfect for a month or two, but I wouldn't base here long-term on a typical freelancer budget."
"Singapore is objectively impressive but somehow left me feeling unfulfilled. Everything works perfectly - the infrastructure is world-class, it's impeccably clean, and safety is absolute. But after two months, I felt like I was living in a luxury mall rather than a vibrant city. The strict regulations felt stifling, and I missed the chaos and character of other Asian destinations. Nightlife exists but feels sanitized. Making local friends was challenging as Singaporeans tend to keep to themselves. The main issue is cost - my $4,000/month budget barely covered basics, whereas I'd live luxuriously elsewhere in Asia. Great for business trips and short stays, but I craved more soul."
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