#2 Settling in Singapore Series: Living
Editor: Hye Soo Seol @hyssl.kr
From 12°C to 30°C: A New Chapter Begins in Singapore
Three months ago, I left behind the crisp, 12-degree spring air of Seoul and landed in the thick, humid heat of Singapore - well above 30 degrees. I still remember that first breath I took outside Changi Airport, the heat pressing down like a weight I wasn’t prepared for.
It wasn’t my first time in Singapore. I’d been here on a business trip just six months prior, and even vacationed here with my family once. But there’s something distinctly unfamiliar about a one-way ticket.
Now, three months in, I’ve learned how to welcome the unfamiliar—and in doing so, I’ve found a new kind of comfort. The kind that doesn’t come from routine, but from quiet acceptance. In this three-part series, I’ll explore how I’ve adapted to life in the tropics through the lens of three human essentials: food, clothing, and shelter.
Let’s begin with the last of the three - Home
Finding Spaces to Feel at Home
My first challenge in adjusting to life in Singapore was simple in theory, but deeply personal in practice: finding spaces.
Not just a place to live, but places to be.
Cafés where I could bring my laptop and my restless thoughts. Walking routes that offered just enough shade to keep going. Little corners of the city that, in under an hour, could shift my mood.
Back in Seoul, I had a mental map of these spots. I never realized how much I depended on them until I found myself without them. Suddenly, even deciding where to eat became a quest: Where should i go out for dinner? What are even my options? I’ve since built a small constellation of places that anchor me. Some I stumbled upon. Others I sought out with intention, based on what I missed most about my life in Korea.
Here, I’ll share two of my favorite discoveries so far—spaces that, in their own ways, feel like home.
@the projectors
I like going to the movies after work. When my mind is tangled with scattered thoughts, I enjoy the thrill of immersing myself completely in a large screen and sound for two to three hours, and then coming out feeling refreshed. That’s why one of the very first things I did during my first week here was to find a movie theater.
The Projectors is one of the few (perhaps the only) places in Singapore that screens both commercial and independent films. Recently, in celebration of Pride Month, they hosted an LGBTQIA+ film festival week, and like this, they often choose a theme and hold special re-screenings.
There are two locations, each with its own unique charm. The Golden Mile Tower branch is a rebirth of the Golden Theatre, which was once the largest cinema in the city. They still use the original round hall structure, so if you’re used to modern theaters like AMC theaters, you might feel a sense of unfamiliarity the moment you step in. (Think of it as if Yonsei University’s open-air amphitheater were moved indoors. Or Colosseum in Rome.) The other location, Cineleisure, is situated on Orchard Road, lined with department stores, and is newly built. It also houses a bar and restaurant called No Spoilers, making it a perfect spot not just for movie-watching but also for dining and shopping in the city center.
The pre-show intro video featuring a Skywalker and the entry announcements are cute touches as well. They also host events like DJ nights on selected days of the week and produce and sell their own merchandise. The programs change slightly every time I visit, which makes the space feel alive—and it makes me curious about the people who run it.
@National Library of Singapore
For those who enjoy working at cafés, Singapore’s café scene can be a bit disappointing. Many places don’t offer power outlets or Wi-Fi, and some even close as early as 5 or 6 PM. In such cases, I recommend checking out Singapore’s public libraries instead.
The Harborfront Library, which boasts a sea view, or the Orchard Library, known for its wave-shaped bookshelves, are both worth a visit.
The place I personally frequented was the National Library. It’s located near Bugis Station and is the largest library in Singapore. The ceilings are high and the space is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, so it doesn’t feel stuffy even if you stay there for hours. The reading and study areas are also spacious and well laid out. Another impressive detail: they use Castelli’s iconic DSC chairs. (A dream chair in a public library—can you believe it!)
Just like in Korea, you can reserve a seat through an app, and it will be yours for the duration you select. If you pick the right spot, you can even enjoy a view of Marina Bay Sands. The library stays open until 10 PM, making it more appealing than most cafés, and I can’t help but be amazed that such a public facility even exists.
One last tip—and a little confession: during my first month after moving, I didn’t have Wi-Fi at home, so I went to the library for internet access.
But it turns out, you can’t just connect right away. You have to use an app called Wireless@SG to access the library Wi-Fi, so if you’re planning to work online, make sure to download the app at home in advance.
Finding a house
The second challenge in settling in Singapore was finding a place to live.
I was staying temporarily in the Central Business District (CBD), where I could look out over Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion - an indulgence in skyline luxury. But living somewhere hit different.
I wanted a home where I could both consume what I love and create what matters to me. I didn’t want to live among endless office towers and malls, in buildings stacked with chain stores next to more chain stores. Then one day, I came to a neighborhood called Katong with the friends I now make this magazine with. We were just here to grab some pizza, but that short visit changed everything.
Located about 10 minutes east of the CBD by car, Katong sits along the coast and offers a completely different atmosphere. There are rows of colorful Peranakan houses*, cafés that roast and blend their own beans, and vinyl shops tucked into the second floors of shophouses—you take off your shoes as if entering someone’s home. At the beachside park nearby, you’ll hear the soft crash of waves mixed with the sound of children playing in the sun. It felt worlds away from downtown. That very day, I told my agent there was no need to see any other neighborhoods.
* Peranakan houses: The term “Peranakan” refers to people born of Chinese men and Malay women who migrated to the Malay Peninsula.
Many Peranakans settled in Katong and built distinctive homes painted in pastel tones.
Their charming, low-rise designs evoke a sense of walking through Italy’s Burano Island.
* Shophouses: A traditional architectural style in Singapore where the first floor serves as a shop and the second floor as a residence.
So, I moved to Katong. But without a dining table, I ended up eating cup noodles off my suitcase. A home needs more than walls—it needs tools to function. Unlike Korea, where nearly half the population lives alone, it's common in Singapore to live with your parents until marriage. (In fact, only about 15% of households here are single-person households, according to recent data.) As a result, most furniture is designed for two- or four-person families. Products for singles are limited and lack variety—and more often than not, you’ll be shocked at the price-to-quality ratio. “I’m paying this much for that?” is a common reaction. It’s genuinely hard to find pieces you love. In my experience, the best option is to bring what you can from Korea. As a second-best, I’ll share a few places in Singapore that are worth visiting—the results of many hours of walking, comparing, and trial and error.
@Lorgan's the retro store
"There's a store in a place like this?" I thought as I got off the elevator, and I was in the right place. It's a vintage/used furniture store located on the second floor of an office building. After failing to find the furniture I wanted at fortytwo and hipvan (the equivalent of wayfair in the United States), Instagram magically recommended this store's account. They sell furniture, lighting, and accessories in unusual designs, and the prices are reasonable. I went to look at chairs and ended up buying a coffee table. It's a square table with steel legs and a wooden top. I loved the way it blended materials of different properties. I even imagined filling the lower section with my favorite things like LPs, magazines, and books, and I found myself signing a receipt. It's a place I've always enjoyed, having spent my time looking for furniture.
@Tiger and Arcadia
Located on Joo Chiat Road in Katong, this home decor shop has become something of a local favorite—a place you’ll keep coming back to, like birds to a millstone. It’s filled with eclectic treasures: butterfly-shaped ceramic wall hangings, vases modeled after the female form, tulip-shaped candlesticks, and many other exotic pieces that spark curiosity. The shop is a visual delight, with a carefully curated mix of colors and materials on display. Just to give you an idea of how rich the palette is—orange alone comes in many shades here: Hermès orange, neon-tinged orange, and the soft, glowing orange of a sunset. You can’t help but wonder: Where do they even find all this? As it turns out, the owners source these items from across Europe and Mexico, seeking out local artisans and one-of-a-kind designs. The staff are more than happy to chat and offer styling tips for how to incorporate the pieces into your home. But fair warning—if that conversation has started, you might as well forget about leaving anytime soon.
@carousell
If Korea has Danggeun, Singapore has Carousell. When you don’t want to pay full price but can’t find another product with a design you actually like - Carousell is the right option. There are generous sellers offering brand-new items at significantly lower prices. Some brands even post B-grade products directly at a discount, so it’s worth digging around. In addition, part of the fun is getting a glimpse into neighborhoods you wouldn’t normally visit, and checking out different condos and HDBs* along the way.
*HDB: Short for Housing and Development Board. While it's the name of the government agency in charge of housing in Singapore, the term generally refers to the country’s public apartment buildings.