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How Utilities And Rent Are Handled?

One of the first questions to ask is what utilities are covered in the lease agreement. Different companies handle utilities differently, but you will most always be expected to cover your telephone, cable, and Internet costs. Some apartment management companies pay for electricity and gas, but it isn’t common so plan to pay for those every month to keep your home comfortable. Water and trash services are usually paid for by the landlord.

When asking about utilities, it’s also a good idea to ask about any grace period for rent. Rent is almost always due on the first of the month and some places offer a five day grace period in case you can’t drop off your rent right on the first. Some others require a direct debit every month for rent. Doing this means you’ll never have to worry about a late fee since the company is responsible for debiting the money every month.

Why choose homestay?

A major concern of many parents of children studying abroad is their offspring’s accommodation. Parents are usually worried about the location or district where the house is sited, the accommodation type, the costs involved and the quality of the related services.

Before embarking on your shopping spree, the first place you must visit is Orchard Road. This is the epicenter of the whole shopping scene in Singapore and here, you can find almost anything and everything you need from designer wear, electronic goods, souvenirs and many more! The whole stretch of road is flanked by malls cramped into just a few blocks of the shopping district where some of the biggest shopping centers in Singapore, including (from west to east) Tangs, The Forum Shopping Mall, Palais Renaissance, The Shopping Gallery at Hilton, Lucky Plaza, Centrepoint Shopping Centre, Paragon, Orchard Towers and Singapore Plaza.

If you’re particularly wealthy, you can start your promenade at the Tanglin Shopping Centre at the very head of Orchard Road, which offers plenty of shops dealing in antiques, souvenirs, exquisite Persian, Pakistani, and Afghanistan carpets and discreet tailors. Further down the road, there is the Palais Renaissance. This marble edifice, as its posh name suggests, is distinctly upmarket, and offers a superb range of prestigious, exclusive boutiques that carry top-notch international designer labels.

Singapore’s Chinatown evolved around 1821 when the first Chinese junk arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. The passengers, all men, set up home around the south of the Singapore River which is known today as Telok Ayer. Conditions were harsh. The only source of fresh water were from the many wells in Ann Siang Hill and at Spring Street. Each household had to collect fresh water in bullock-drawn carts, hence Chinatown’s local name - Niu Che Shui (Bullock Cart Water).

Chinatown is full of contrasts and fascinating details. A place where many of our forefathers first made their homes, where the historic buildings have been lovingly conserved, where century-old beliefs are still practiced, and, in a manner true to the New Asia -Singapore spirit, where fashionable new ideas have taken root. Much of Chinatown has recently been renovated, but the old traditions endure. During Chinese New Year, the whole of Chinatown is lit up and buzzes with activity as stalls sell a variety of festive goods.

The Gardens epitomises the tropical island’s luxuriant parks. Spread over 52 hectares and close to the centre of the city, the Gardens is a combination of untouched primary forest and specialty gardens displaying frangipanis, roses, ferns and desert plants, to name a few. There are numerous plant species here, including many rare specimens, reflect the Gardens’ richness and diversity of plant life.

The present orchid enclosure has 20,000 orchid plants on display. The National Orchid Garden promises sprawling orchid displays, water features, and an exotic bromeliad collection from Central and South America. Other attractions for visitors’ enjoyment include Palm Valley, Eco-Lake and outdoor concerts on Symphony Lake.

Pulau Ubin is an island off the northeastern coast of Singapore, shaped like a boomerang and covered by low hills. This offshore island is being developed into a nature park complete with trails, shelters, camping sites, chalets and other basic amenities.

To enjoy the natural vegetation and the laidback kampong atmosphere, you should try leisure walking or cycling. Bicycles can be rented at the village. The trails have been upgraded to facilitate trekking and basic amenities like toilets and shelters are available for the convenience of visitors.

Much of its natural environment will be preserved in the development programme and visitors can still experience the rustic village atmosphere encompassing granite quarries, coconut and rubber plantations, mangrove swamps, fish and prawn farms, and traditional fishing “kelongs”.

Underwater World Singapore is one of Asia’s most exciting tropical oceanarium (Large aquarium). Tourists will have the opportunity to admire the amazing sea lives from this part of the world together with endangered underwater animals. This place offers visitors the chance to look at different ocean creatures which are sure to captivate you and you do not need to dive into the water and get yourself wet. These creatures, native to Australia, have the natural camouflage of leafy and frilly appendages. This large aquarium features a long walk-through tank where you can experience sharks and rays swimming right over your head; especially liked the little sea dragons, relatives of the sea horse.

The Singapore Zoo (Former Singapore Zoological Gardens) is acclaimed as one of the world’s most spectacular zoos. The use of natural barriers like streams, rock walls and vegetation to separate animals from visitors enhances the “open” zoo concept. Spreading over 28 hectares, it is home to over 3,600 mammals, birds and reptiles, including rare and endangered species. The Zoo’s orang utan breeding programme has created a large community of these gentle, endangered species.

The breeding programme has also witnessed the first tropical birth of a polar bear. Other endangered species like the Malayan tiger, the white rhino, proboscis monkey, komodo dragon and the sealion have also found a haven in the zoo. A highlight is the Fragile Forest - an exciting and educational display of ecosystems and rainforest culture.

This is the world’s premier night zoo. The twilight holds many surprises and more so at Night Safari, where you can look a rhinocerous in the eye or hear the howls of a pack of striped hyenas. There are over 1,200 animals of over 110 exotic species to watch out for. The animals are in 8 zones that recreate various geographic regions like the Southeast Asian rainforest, African savanna, Nepalese river valley, South American pampas and Burmese jungle.

There is no limit to the amount of money you may bring into Singapore. However, customs/immigration may question you on the purpose of the money that is being brought in. To ensure hassle-free clearing of customs, you are advised to declare it to the immigration and customs officers on duty.

Travellers who require customs services or to pay duty and/or GST on their goods may proceed directly to the Customs Duty Office at the Checkpoint.

Dutiable Goods

There are 4 types of dutiable goods in Singapore in general. For a full list of dutiable goods, please refer to the Singapore Customs website.

* Intoxicating liquors, including spirits, wine, beer, ale and stout;
* Tobacco, including cigarettes and cigars;
* Motor spirit; and
* Motor cars and motorcycles/motor scooters.