Moving to Singapore in 2025? Shipping to settling in, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re planning a move to Singapore, first of all, welcome! You’re in for an exciting chapter.
Singapore is often described as clean, efficient, and safe (which it is), but it’s also full of contrasts. Historic shophouses sit alongside futuristic architecture, hawker centres exist in the same neighbourhoods as Michelin-star restaurants, and lush nature walks are just minutes from high-rise living. It’s a city that surprises people. Like any international relocation, settling here smoothly takes more than booking a flight and packing a suitcase.
At Red Dot Relocation, we’ve helped many families and professionals transition into life in Singapore. Over time, we’ve learned that the right partnerships make all the difference. That’s why we’ve chosen to work with Reddot Movers, a like-minded local company that shares our values and attention to detail. We’ve seen how much smoother the process can be when it’s planned with both logistics and life in mind. Whether you're coming alone, with family, or through a corporate assignment, here’s a practical breakdown of what you’ll want to consider before arriving, and how we can help you along the way.
1. The Physical Move
Let’s start with the obvious… shipping your life across international borders.
But, before you start packing, it's important to ask – what you should bring. At Red Dot Relocation, we help our clients make informed, realistic decisions about what to ship. It’s important to understand the realities of housing in Singapore. Through personalised consultation, we help you assess what type of home will actually suit your lifestyle, family needs, and budget. Many newcomers assume they’ll rent a spacious landed house, only to find that a condo is more practical for location, amenities, and building community. Others have sent an entire household’s worth of furniture across the world, only to realise that much of it won’t fit. Making these decisions early, with realistic guidance, can save you significant cost and frustration.
Once you know what to bring, the next step is working out how to move it. You’ll need to decide between air or sea freight, handle customs paperwork, and possibly arrange storage if your new home isn’t ready when you arrive.
This is where Reddot Movers come in. We’ve chosen to partner with them because they are outstanding at what they do. Their perfect Sirelo rating reflects what we’ve seen ourselves: a professional, well-organised team that communicates clearly and genuinely cares about each move. They provide:
Skilled packing by experienced movers
Advice on freight options based on your budget and timing
Full customs clearance and delivery directly to your home
Storage solutions in Singapore if you're staying in temporary accommodation
2. Finding the Right Place to Live
One of the biggest challenges for new arrivals is figuring out where to live. On paper, Singapore’s small. But once you're here, every neighbourhood definitely has its own feel.
If you want walkability and city buzz, River Valley or Orchard might suit you. Prefer quiet, green family vibes? Bukit Timah and Holland Village are expat favourites. Dreaming of sea breeze? East Coast has larger homes and parks. At Red Dot Relocation, we help you narrow your options based on lifestyle, commute times, schooling, and budget – but also based on who you are and how you want to live.
We combine market data with personal insight and real conversations to help you choose with confidence. Our home search service includes curated listings, in-person or virtual viewings, and lease review. We also provide an in-depth handover and property condition report to protect your rental deposit.
3. Choosing Schools
If you’re relocating with children, schooling is likely top of mind. Singapore is one of the world’s strongest and most competitive international education markets, with over 70 schools offering curricula like IB, British, American, Canadian, French, Australian, German, bilingual, and more.
As a former international educator myself, I understand these systems in depth. Our approach goes far beyond shortlisting schools based on your nationality, school websites, or proximity. We match families with the right learning environment based on curriculum preferences, your child’s needs, and longer-term academic goals.
We help you:
Shortlist schools based on your unique criteria
Understand curriculum differences and educational philosophies
Clarify testing, application requirements, and deadlines
Coordinate in-person or virtual school tours
Navigate enrollment and documentation
Whether your child is entering preschool or transitioning into the IB Diploma Programme, we’ll guide you through with clarity and care.
4. Setting Up a Real Life in a New Country
Relocation is about building a life from the ground up. That means tackling the everyday details and creating a sense of normalcy quickly, even in unfamiliar surroundings.
Red Dot Relocation provides end-to-end settling-in support that includes:
Coordinating utilities, mobile, and internet setup
Opening local bank accounts and setting up PayNow
Registering for Singpass and key government systems
Finding a family doctor, paediatrician, dentist, or vet
Foreign domestic worker - live-in “helper” pre-screening or referrals to ethical agencies
Tried and true suggestions for ad-hoc cleaning, meal preparation, or other domestic services
Coordinating driver’s license conversion and insurance
Mapping out your commute and local services
We also support your broader integration, from joining social networks and parenting circles to helping spouses find purpose and connection.
Why We’ve Teamed Up
Relocation isn’t just about moving boxes. It’s about moving lives – and making sure people feel settled. That’s why we’ve partnered with Reddot Movers. Their team handles the logistics of packing, shipping, and customs with skill, expertise, and care, while we focus on the human side of the move. From choosing a neighbourhood and finding the perfect home, to enrolling in school, setting up essential accounts, and finding a rhythm in a new country, we’re here to support the full journey.
When your movers and relocation consultants work together from day one, the entire process becomes smoother, calmer, and far more personalised. If you’re planning a move to Singapore, or even just beginning to explore the possibility, we’re here to help. Whether you want to understand freight timelines, school waitlists, or how far your budget goes at the grocery store – we’re always happy to talk.
