Moving home is a definitive life event for most of us. Moving to a home in another country is even more significant.
You want to have the opportunities and pitfalls scoped out, you definitely want a plan. If you’re moving to Singapore, you can potentially do this research online or by proxy, using local property agents and special-purpose websites. But experienced expats and movers such as Allied Pickfords recommend that you make a reconnaissance trip to the country first, if at all possible, to give yourself the best idea of what you might be getting into and which properties and environments really suit your needs.
When do we start?
For many looking to move to Singapore, the urge is to get your arrangements well organised as soon as possible. But with the fast-moving local market, our experience shows any trip more than a month in advance of your moving date is more of a survey of possible conditions and won’t be taken seriously, since the properties you look at are likely to be off the market by the time you would move in. Do those preliminary inquiries online and save your reconnaissance for when it’s decision-making time.
Focus on the Location
Most people making a permanent move to Singapore do so for work, or at least with a job in mind. It’s worth it to prioritise getting a place near to your workplace, or school if you have children, for the sake of convenience, so make that area the focus of your scouting trip. Singaporean HDB (Housing and Development Board) regulations mean that accommodation of wildly varying price and luxury is much more likely to share a postcode than in some other countries, so don’t give up hope on finding something in your range nearby.
Scrutinise the Details
This is your only chance to get a close look at things before potentially committing to live somewhere, so use it to check everything is in order in your future home. Are there facilities in your condo that you won’t be using that will jack up your rent? Is the owner of your HDB flat renting it to you on the sly instead of with government permission? Does your apartment come furnished, and how much of it can you replace with your own property (get a quote from professional movers such as Allied Pickfords on the costs). Once you’re ensconced in Singapore you will have dramatically less leverage to pursue problems in these areas, so keep your eyes open and make the time count.
As established removalists, Allied Pickfords developed a comprehensive network of moving professionals enabling them to offer customers an extensive array of services. So whether you need to move an entire office floor or a family of three, Allied Pickfords have all the skills and expertise to ensure you have the necessary support and assistance when moving to a new location.
