Singapore questions thread

[TizMe]

Originally Posted by slimboyfat

Tizme check out the websites I gave you and even better ask your employers.....

Half of my problem is that I'm not being directly employed by anyone in Singapore. I'm being contracted out by an Australian company to a Singapore based company that will then contract me out to another Singapore based company. The Aussie company has no experience in Singapore. I have no direct contact with either of the Singapore companies until I arrive.

I rang the contracting company today and they reckon that they can "fast track" the employment pass. Given that only 2 weeks ago they were taking about an employment visa I seriously doubt that they have any clue.

Thanks for those links. I'll have a read.

[TizMe]

Well I received a call yesterday from the agent in Singapore.

Apparently I'm starting in Singapore on 17th September. I still don't have an EP and I hadn't resigned from my current employment.

For the first month I will be working in Tampines which is the east side of Singapore and then after that I'll be based in Science Center which is the west side of Singapore.

Where would you suggest is a good area to live? I certainly wont be on a CEO megga $$$ package and only need a 1 bedroom apartment. Somewhere with a fairly easy commute would be nice.

[Airportwo]

Originally Posted by forreachingme

I liked The Paramount, but htis was back in 90 to 95, very decent rooms at 100 S at the time...

Fantastic breakfeast as well, karaoke with pinas downstairs...

I never ever was able to see the person who slides the massage card under the door, may be they send it by "sarbacanes " ?..


Is this hotel still nice and medium priced ?

I was in there a couple of weeks ago, to eat! ok I went to a couple of the bars underneath, looks to still be ok, though showing it's age.
I used to stay there when it first opened as it was not popular and was excellent VFM
Cheers

[slimboyfat]

Hmmmmmm.......I think Clementi/Dover area is the best.

Singapore is a small place. Wherever you are, if it is close to an MRT station you are not far from town. Funnily enough, I dont live too far from town but because there is no mrt station nearby it takes me just as long to get to work as those living way out east or west with good MRT access.

[TizMe]

Thanks that seems good. District 5 right? How much should I expect to pay for a 2 room apartment? Is there many small apartments around? Most of the web sites that I check don't seem to have any 1 bedroom apartments.

[slimboyfat]

prices are changing so fast (upwards) it is hard to keep up.

you probably will be looking at between 1.5k to 2.5k a month for modest accomodation (HDB flat or older private apartment) in that area.

There are a few property agents with websites. I cant recommend any because i hate the lot of them but do a google for singapore rentals and email a few of them with your requirements.

Don't be ashamed to go for an HDB flat - I have lived in one for 10 years plus and now as the days of expat packages are coming to an end you will find quite a few caucasians are taking the HDB option.....

[TizMe]

Good-o thanks. Only 4 days to go. I agree with you about real estate agents. They are just a fraction better than car salesmen. (funny, my ex-wife is now a real estate agent )

[slimboyfat]

great. in 4 days you can help us out with answers on this thread

[Happyman]

Back to the hotel question.
I used to travel to Sing on buisness regularly from Malaysia ( and still do from Phuket occasionally ) Always stay at Hotel 1929 in Chinatown. Really nice !
Company always picks up the bill but it was/is about 75 sing$ a night - may be corporate rate though.

[slimboyfat]

It is quite nice, but Hotel 1929 is a lot more expensive than that now. From the hotel's own website a single room is S$140 and a double room is S$160.

Even the much lower class Keong Saik Hotel is around $90 a night these days.

[Sir Burr]

I like the Asia Hotel, or, Cairnhill. Both within walking distance of Orchard Road.

[panama hat]

Originally Posted by TizMe

Thanks that seems good. District 5 right? How much should I expect to pay for a 2 room apartment? Is there many small apartments around? Most of the web sites that I check don't seem to have any 1 bedroom apartments.

I can give you the names of two r/e agents who are not too bad - pm on the way

[bar dog]

I have to go from Singapore to Johor Bahru. I intend to go over the causeway by bus. Where do the buses leave from in Singapore and where do they stop? Obviously (?) I will need to cross Immigration at the entry to Malaysia so I am assuming I need to get out of one bus, do Immigration, and then catch another one into town. Is this correct and can you please fill in more details on what has to be done ie fees, photo etc

[panama hat]

Catch the 170 from Singapore, I believe it starts in town and drives along Bukit Timah Road. (Costs $1 or so)
This will take you over the Causeway. You will alight before immigration, fill out the documentation and walk on through - no charge.

You can take a 5-minute walk to the shopping malls, it is hot and you'll be waylaid by dozens of guys offering taxi services. Bargain!

[slimboyfat]

from Wiki

its all correct though

Buses between Johor Bahru and Singapore Line Stops in Singapore Stops in Johor Bahru Price Causeway Link CW-1 Kranji MRT only Larkin via KotarayaS$1.30, S$1.00 from Singapore
RM1.30, 1.00 from Malaysia
Causeway Link CW-2 Queen Street only Larkin only S$3 Route 1 (CW3) - Sikh Temple (Johor Bahru) - Taman Bukit Indah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange Route 2 (666) - Larkin Station - Taman Tun Aminah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange SBS 170 (red plate) Queen St via Kranji MRT Larkin only S$1.30 (EZ-Link OK) SBS 170 (blue plate) Kranji MRT Kotaraya only S$1.00 (EZ-Link OK) SBS 160 Jurong East MRT via Kranji MRT Kotaraya only S$1.50 (EZ-Link OK) SMRT 950 Woodlands MRT via Marsiling MRT Kotaraya only S$1.20 (EZ-Link OK) Singapore-Johor Express Queen St only Larkin only S$2.40
There's a pattern to the madness: Singaporean-operated buses (SBS, SMRT, SJE) can only stop at one destination in Malaysia, while the Malaysian-operated Causeway Link buses can only stop at one destination in Singapore. Terminals aside, all buses make two stops at Singapore immigration and at Malaysian immigration, which gives you the opportunity to hop on (esp. on those line buses where you can pay with an ez-link card). At both immigration points, you must disembark with all your luggage and pass through passport control and customs, then board the next bus by showing your ticket. On the Malaysian side, the bus stop is to your left as you exit the immigration post. Figure on one hour for the whole rigmarole from end to end, more during rush hour.
Note: Embarking of the express bus (and others) towards Singapore is done after you pass the customs. As you can pass from JB to the bus without passing customs first (by jaywalking across the street from the Lucky Foodcourt), this leaves you without an exit stamp. This could give you quite some trouble later if you try to re-enter Malaysia (as the Singapore customs pointed out).
Johor Bahru travel guide - Wikitravel

oh the table doesnt paste here properly. better look at the link then

i usually go on the singapore-johor express bus. it's slightly less plebby than taking 170

[bar dog]

Originally Posted by panama hat

Catch the 170 from Singapore, I believe it starts in town and drives along Bukit Timah Road. (Costs $1 or so)
This will take you over the Causeway. You will alight before immigration, fill out the documentation and walk on through - no charge.

You can take a 5-minute walk to the shopping malls, it is hot and you'll be waylaid by dozens of guys offering taxi services. Bargain!

Originally Posted by slimboyfat

from Wiki

its all correct though

Buses between Johor Bahru and Singapore Line Stops in Singapore Stops in Johor Bahru Price Causeway Link CW-1 Kranji MRT only Larkin via KotarayaS$1.30, S$1.00 from Singapore
RM1.30, 1.00 from Malaysia
Causeway Link CW-2 Queen Street only Larkin only S$3 Route 1 (CW3) - Sikh Temple (Johor Bahru) - Taman Bukit Indah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange Route 2 (666) - Larkin Station - Taman Tun Aminah - Gelang Patah - Tuas CIQ - Jurong East Bus/MRT Interchange SBS 170 (red plate) Queen St via Kranji MRT Larkin only S$1.30 (EZ-Link OK) SBS 170 (blue plate) Kranji MRT Kotaraya only S$1.00 (EZ-Link OK) SBS 160 Jurong East MRT via Kranji MRT Kotaraya only S$1.50 (EZ-Link OK) SMRT 950 Woodlands MRT via Marsiling MRT Kotaraya only S$1.20 (EZ-Link OK) Singapore-Johor Express Queen St only Larkin only S$2.40

<snip>
i usually go on the singapore-johor express bus. it's slightly less plebby than taking 170

Guys thanks very much for the replies - appreciated

[slimboyfat]

one thing though, if you come back to singapore again via the causeway there is a very good chance your bag will be searched/put through an x-ray machine.

don't bring any pirated dvds or cigarettes (more than one pack) with you or your day will be ruined.

another interesting development is that they have started giving 30 day social visit passes to Singapre at land and sea entry points to Singapore (at both Malaysia entry points and also from those ferries arriving from indo etc at Harbourfront and Tanah Merah). Previously you could only get 30 days if you arrive by air. So that's good news for all the hookers and anyone else who wants to stay longer in Spore.

[Jet Gorgon]

Slimboy, can you get some snaps of the warnings signs? My fav was one at SingTel's bldg on the other side of the MRT from Orchid Road. The one with the cop holding a rifle shooting a guy who trespassed.