travel

It’s common for people to stay in the same location for their whole lives. They’ll grow up in their family home and stay within a close vicinity to their family and childhood friends for the rest of their lives. Occasionally people will go to uni for a few years or perhaps take to travelling the world for a year or so, but they will usually return to their hometown at the end of the day. Who can blame them? After all, home is where the heart is and it’s always beneficial to stick with what you know. But for some of us, wanderlust strikes. Wanderlust is the urge to experience new places, to see new sights and immerse yourself in a completely new atmosphere or environment. So, if this describes you, you may be itching to get away. A place to keep in mind? Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is a continent generally associated with temporary travel: the gap year student, the businessman and the casual tourist all spring to mind when the area is mentioned. It consists of many countries, all entirely unique. So why not experience them to their utmost by moving there? Here are a few pieces of information about some of our favourites.

Singapore

Singapore offers so much, not only to the short-term tourist but to the individuals who decide to plan their life out in this great location. Officially known as the Republic of Singapore and casually referred to as “Lion City”, this sovereign city-state is ideal for individuals who are a little more habituated to city life. It lies one degree north of the equator (so you can expect majoritively warm weather) and its main territory consists of one main island accompanied by sixty-two smaller islets. It is rich in arts and culture, so you are guaranteed to be kept entertained if you’re the cultural type. The city puts on award-winning performances at world-class venues, showcasing the region’s multicultural heritage with traditional song and dance performed in Chinese, Malay and Indian. There are plenty of local and international masterpieces located in astounding galleries and museums. If you have a touch of art about you yourself, there are almost always small workshops taking place with professional artisans and crafters. If you’re a foodie, then your luck is in! There are Michelin star restaurants alongside local cuisine. Try out Nasi Lemak, Laksa, Kaya Toast, Hokkien Mee and Rojak.

Making the Move

So, if this all sounds great to you, here’s a quick guide to making the big move overseas. First, you should be aware of the cost of living in the area. It is now ranked the tenth most expensive city for expats to move to. Within Asia, it falls just below Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, and Beijing.Your largest expense is likely to be rent. But you can minimise this by engaging with resale hdb. Make use of HDB map services and register for resale seminars to learn more about resale policies and procedures. If you already have a job lined up before you move to Singapore, you will need to submit an Employment Pass (EP) application. Your employer should be able to help you to complete this.

The Philippines

The appeal of the Philippines is pretty clear. Consisting of over 7000 islands, it is home to a vast array of stunning landscapes. Crystal clear waters and powder sand beaches really do have a special allure to them. Just take a look at Hinatuan Enchanted River, Bohol’s Chocolate Hills and Asik-Asik Falls. There’s much more to this place than the landscape alone, though. Entertainment is incorporated into the Philippines’ beauty. San Pablo City has encompassed this perhaps at its best with its Waterfalls Restaurant. The country is also steeped in culture. You can spend long days exploring the Ruins in Talalay, visiting the Timbac Mummies in Kabayan and taking a look around the Abandoned Puerto Azul in Ternate.

Making the Move

You can stay in the Philippines for up to thirty days without a valid visa, however, if you’re planning on moving permanently, you will need to contact a Philippine Embassy or a Borough of Immigration to apply for a visa. You will need a local driving licence or an international driving licence if you wish to drive near your new home, which can be obtained from the Philippines’ Land Transportation Office (or LTO). It must be noted that purchasing property in the Philippines can be complicated, as disputes often arise over property titles and ownership, so make sure that you seek legal guidance from a certified lawyer before you commit to any property. This includes signing contracts or putting down deposits. You should also be aware that the quality of health care varies across the region and practices, clinics, surgeries or hospitals may not be up to the standards that you are used to.

Vietnam

If you’re looking for a break from the relative mayhem of inner city life, why not consider retreating to the Vietnamese countryside. Now, Vietnam isn’t often the first place to spring to mind when thinking of a place to move to. It is often associated with the poor and historical wars and an undesirable economy. However, don’t let these stereotypes fool you. Nowadays, Vietnam is expanding and its tragic past is slowly but surely being pushed aside with more positive imagery and an acknowledgement of its beautiful countryside and stunning beaches. The weather is tropical in the South and Monsoonal in the North, so choose an exact location carefully. As the area is still establishing itself as a wonderful potential home, you can seize the opportunity now to make the most of its low cost of living. You can move to this destination without excessive expenditure. There’s something to meet any accommodation needs. From apartments in upmarket cities to small homes in the suburbs. There are some quirks that you may need to get used to, however. First: the main language of this country is, unsurprisingly Vietnamese, so if you have no knowledge of the land’s native tongue, you may want to start learning. English is rapidly rising in popularity as the country’s second language though, so you should be able to get on fine as you learn once you move. A second issue is the pollution. In certain areas, you will find people wearing face masks to avoid the inhalation of fumes.

Making the Move

You will need to obtain a Vietnam Visa before attempting to make the big move there. Once you arrive, you will have to make your presence known to the local police, so make sure to do this as soon as possible. If you are planning on working for more than three months upon arrival, you’re going to have to apply for a work permit and a work visa too. Remember to apply for a Vietnamese licence if you plan to drive too.

These are just a few of the stunning locations that could prove to be a perfect home in Southeast Asia. If these places haven’t already taken your fancy, take a look around all of the countries in the area to get a better idea of where might suit you best. Do your research and give yourself plenty of time to plan the move. This isn’t the kind of thing that you can do last minute. Once you’re settled into a new, stunning home, you will realise that all of your work and effort will be well worth it.