Coliving in Singapore
A guide to coliving in Singapore for digital nomads — best areas, coworking, costs, and tips for remote workers in Southeast Asia's most advanced city.
Why Singapore works for coliving
Singapore’s coliving market is one of the largest in Asia — driven by the same economics as London: private apartments are so expensive that shared living with amenities included becomes the rational choice. Hmlet, Cove, and Lyf offer monthly coliving from SGD 1,200-2,500/month — roughly half what you’d pay for a private studio.
For nomads, Singapore is the efficiency play. Everything works. The MRT runs on time, the internet is 200+ Mbps everywhere, hawker food costs $4, and you can walk alone at 3 AM without a second thought. It’s also the best gateway city in Asia — direct flights to Bali, Bangkok, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and every other Asian destination.
The remote work scene
WeWork has multiple locations. JustCo and The Great Room are the premium alternatives. The Hive and Trehaus cater to creatives and parents respectively. One-north tech cluster (near Holland Village) has several startup-focused spaces. Day passes: SGD 30-60 ($21-42).
The cafe scene is excellent. Common Man Coffee Roasters, Apartment Coffee, and Chye Seng Huat Hardware (a former hardware store, now a coffee institution) are all laptop-friendly. Working from hawker centers is an option too — grab a kopi, set up, and alternate between emails and chicken rice.
What to watch out for
Cost is the elephant in the room. A nomad lifestyle that costs $1,500/month in Chiang Mai runs $3,500-4,500 in Singapore. The savings come from hawker food (skip restaurants) and smart housing choices (coliving or HDB flat shares).
The humidity is relentless. 80-90% humidity year-round means you’ll sweat walking to the MRT. Indoor spaces are aggressively air-conditioned — bring a light jacket for offices and malls.
Singapore’s nightlife is expensive and regulated. Alcohol is taxed heavily, bars close at regulated hours, and the famous “Singapore is boring” reputation comes partly from this. Find the pockets — Haji Lane bars, Ann Siang Hill, and Keong Saik Road have genuine atmosphere.
Where to stay in Singapore
Tiong Bahru
Art Deco apartments, specialty coffee, independent bookshops, one of Singapore's most characterful neighborhoods. Walkable, good food options, and a creative community. HDB flats available at lower prices. Studios from SGD 2,000/month (~€1,400).
Bugis / Kampong Glam
Between the Arab Quarter and downtown. Haji Lane street art, Sultan Mosque, mix of heritage and modern. Good coworking access, central location. Studios from SGD 2,200/month (~€1,540).
Geylang / Aljunied
Singapore's grittier side — neon signs, authentic hawker food, durian stalls, 24-hour eateries. Cheaper than central areas, excellent food. Not everyone's cup of tea aesthetically. Rooms from SGD 1,200/month (~€840).
Holland Village
Expat-friendly neighborhood. International restaurants, relaxed bars, Sunday farmers market. Close to one-north tech hub. Residential and family-oriented. Apartments from SGD 2,500/month (~€1,750).
Monthly expenses in Singapore
| Coworking day pass | SGD 30-60 (~€21-42) |
| Lunch (hawker center) | SGD 4-8 (~€3-6) |
| One-bedroom apartment (center) | SGD 2,500-4,500/month (~€1,750-3,150) |
| Coffee (kopi) | SGD 1.50-2 (~€1-1.40) at kopitiam, SGD 5-8 (~€3.50-5.60) specialty |
| Monthly MRT pass | ~SGD 120 (~€84) |
| Groceries (weekly) | SGD 60-120 (~€42-84) |
| Beer | SGD 12-18 (~€8-13) at a bar |
| SIM card (monthly, unlimited) | SGD 10-20 (~€7-14) |
Quick facts
Last verified: April 2026. Prices and availability change — always check with operators directly.
Common Questions
Is Singapore affordable for digital nomads?
No. Rent is extremely expensive (comparable to London or NYC), and alcohol is heavily taxed (a beer costs $10-15). But hawker food is world-class and costs $3-6 per meal, public transport is cheap, and there's no income tax for non-residents. Budget $3,000-5,000/month.
Can I work remotely in Singapore on a tourist visa?
Technically, working on a visit pass is not permitted. Enforcement against remote workers for foreign companies is minimal, but Singapore takes immigration compliance seriously. Don't discuss 'working' with immigration. For legal stays, the ONE Pass or EntrePass provide work authorization.
Why would a digital nomad choose Singapore?
Best infrastructure in Southeast Asia (world-class internet, transit, healthcare), English-speaking, extremely safe, gateway to all of Asia (direct flights everywhere), excellent food, business-friendly environment. It's expensive but everything works. It's the 'adult' option in SEA.
How's the food in Singapore?
Some of the best street food in the world, and it's cheap. Hawker centers (Maxwell Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, Old Airport Road) serve Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, and roti prata for SGD 4-8. Singapore is one of the few cities where the cheapest food is also the best.
Is Singapore too sterile for nomads?
Common criticism, partially valid. Singapore is clean, safe, and organized to an extreme. The creative scene and nightlife exist but are smaller than Bangkok or KL. The trade-off is that absolutely everything works — internet, transit, healthcare, safety. Some nomads love it; others get bored in 2 weeks.