If you are lucky, you will have the opportunity some time in your life to move to an exotic locale. Let’s pick a country: Singapore has the largest foreign currency reserves per capita anywhere in the world and also top-rate education and health-care systems. Here are some practical tips for moving to Singapore, the jewel of Asia:
- Accumulate Cash: Travel costs and renting are less formidable than you might think. The cost of living is on par with other metropolises around the world. If you are taking children with you, budget about $50,000 a year per kid for the local American School.
- Get Inoculated: The Center for Disease Control recommends vaccines for Hepatitis, Typhoid, Encephalitis and Rabies. You won’t need anti-malarial drugs unless you plan to visit rural areas in Asia.
- Forget About Foreign Languages: Your English skills will be good enough – English is the common language of business. Most signs have an English version, and most residents speak English.
- Line Up a Job: You’ll need a job to get a long-term visa and employment pass, so take care of that right away. There are plenty of jobs in finance and technology, and highly-educated expats are in high demand. Another alternative: become an English teacher. You can use the Internet to find a job in Singapore, as long as you have from two to six years of experience in your chosen field. You can also contact recruiting offices of banks and consultancies.
- Get a Visa: Find out the bureaucratic hoops and then jump through them. The Singapore Government will issue you the papers you need to emigrate and work.
- Contact the Expat Community: Locate the American expat community in Singapore. If there is an official organization, join it. Check social media for friends who have already made the move and contact them. Also see if there are any alumni from your university living in Singapore.
- Get Ready to Move: Find a rental property using an agent on the ground in Singapore. Contact international shippers and get moving quotes. Look for a small, Western-style apartment that won’t break the budget. Get car transportation prices if you plan to ship your car.
- Buy Your Plane Ticket: Look for bargains and redeem you frequent flyer miles. Use the Internet to find the best prices, and take out travel insurance in case you chicken out.
- Exchange Your Cash: Buy Singapore dollars at your local currency exchange, AAA office or a travel agency. Notify your credit card companies of the upcoming changes so that you can get cash advances in the local currency once you arrive.
- Have a Good Life: You’ve done it! Enjoy yourself, make friends, eat the local food, and relax. It’s all good.