Expat Community in Singapore
Singapore is home to one of Asia's largest and most established expat communities. Finding your people is relatively easy.
Expat Demographics
- ~1.5 million foreigners in Singapore
- ~30% of the total population
- Major nationalities: Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Filipino, American, British, Australian, European
Where Expats Live
Popular expat neighborhoods:
| Area | Vibe | Expat Community |
|---|---|---|
| Holland Village | Relaxed, cafes, families | Very high |
| Orchard/River Valley | Central, urban, convenient | High |
| East Coast | Beach access, relaxed | High (families) |
| Tiong Bahru | Hipster, trendy | High (young professionals) |
| Bukit Timah | Leafy, families, landed homes | High (established expats) |
| Novena/Newton | Central, convenient | Moderate |
| Sentosa Cove | Luxury, waterfront | High (wealthy expats) |
Finding Your Community
Expat Groups & Clubs:
- InterNations: Global expat network, regular events
- American Club: Large membership, sports, dining
- British Club: Traditional club with sports facilities
- Tanglin Club: One of Singapore's oldest expat clubs
- Singapore Cricket Club: Historic sports club
- American Association of Singapore: Community events
- British Association of Singapore: British expat community
- ANZA: Australia New Zealand Association
Online Communities:
- Singapore Expats Forum: Active discussion board
- Facebook Groups: "Expats in Singapore", nationality-specific groups
- Reddit: r/singapore (locals + expats)
- Meetup.com: Many interest-based groups
Professional Networking
Industry groups:
- Singapore chapters of professional associations
- Tech community: SGInnovate, NUS Enterprise events
- Finance community: CFA Society Singapore, various banking groups
- Startup community: The Hub Singapore, Block71
Networking events:
- Regular meetups at coworking spaces
- Chamber of Commerce events (AmCham, BritCham, etc.)
- Industry conferences
Social Activities
Sports & Recreation:
- Hash House Harriers (running + social)
- Expat sports leagues (football, cricket, rugby, tennis)
- Golf clubs (expensive but popular)
- Diving clubs (Pulau Hantu, trips to Malaysia)
- Running groups (Parkrun at various locations)
Interest Groups:
- Book clubs
- Wine tasting groups
- Photography clubs
- Hiking groups (MacRitchie, Bukit Timah)
- Language exchange meetups
Family & Kids
For families:
- International school parent communities
- Playgroups and parent meetups
- Children's activities and classes
- Domestic helper networks (common to employ a helper)
Family-friendly areas: Holland Village, East Coast, Bukit Timah
Building Connections
Tips for making friends:
- Join clubs/activities: Best way to meet people with shared interests
- Accept invitations: Even when tired—building network takes effort
- Be patient: Singaporeans are friendly but friendships develop slowly
- Expat events: Good starting point but branch out
- Workplace: Colleagues often become friends
- Volunteer: Singapore has active volunteer scene
Cultural Adaptation
Things expats notice:
- Singaporeans are friendly but can seem reserved initially
- Kiasu culture ("afraid to lose") drives competitiveness
- Work is central to identity—common conversation topic
- Expat bubble is easy to fall into—make local friends too
- Food is a national obsession—embrace it!
Leaving Singapore
When your assignment ends, the expat community is supportive:
- Moving sales (Facebook groups)
- Farewell parties are common
- Many expats stay connected globally
- Singapore often becomes a "home base" for Asia travel
Pro Tips
- •Join InterNations or a nationality-based club early
- •Expat areas like Holland Village make initial settling easier
- •Make effort to befriend Singaporeans too—not just expats
- •Sports and hobby groups are great for meeting people
- •Facebook groups are active for buying/selling when leaving
Have questions about expat community in Singapore?