Discussion
A quick question with the hope of finding some valued insight.
Have been offered a post in Singapore, I have only visited the place on holidays, and to be honest didn't do much but stay in the Long Bar getting merrily hammered.
Anyone lived there? Yes I know about the draconian law system and the no cuddling on the metro, having chewing gum etc.
But what is it like to put up with on a daily basis?
What is it like to drive there, can you escape to faster roads?
Is it really feasible to take family and dogs?
Schooling, are you limited to International Schools or does the local system cater?
We have been through these questions with the company involved and their relocation people, but i am aware they have a vested interest in selling me on the place.
I'd like views of people on the place who really couldn't give a stuff if I move or not!
Just for comparison I currently live in Luxembourg and do enjoy the small country feel and community spirit this place currently has. Oh, and the neighbouring playground called Germany.
Have been offered a post in Singapore, I have only visited the place on holidays, and to be honest didn't do much but stay in the Long Bar getting merrily hammered.
Anyone lived there? Yes I know about the draconian law system and the no cuddling on the metro, having chewing gum etc.
But what is it like to put up with on a daily basis?
What is it like to drive there, can you escape to faster roads?
Is it really feasible to take family and dogs?
Schooling, are you limited to International Schools or does the local system cater?
We have been through these questions with the company involved and their relocation people, but i am aware they have a vested interest in selling me on the place.
I'd like views of people on the place who really couldn't give a stuff if I move or not!
Just for comparison I currently live in Luxembourg and do enjoy the small country feel and community spirit this place currently has. Oh, and the neighbouring playground called Germany.
I think it's great if you want to go and marry your maid. That's what most single blokes seem to do anyway.
Don't take your woofer though, some bugger will probably try to eat it.
I lived in the far east for years and loved it but I wouldn't go now with a family to somewhere like Hong Kong due to pollution and poor schools and distance from family etc but I think Singapore is much cleaner.
I expect it's quite a nice safe clean place to live. There are many great locations in Malaysia and Thailand or the Philippines near by for your holidays.
Don't take your woofer though, some bugger will probably try to eat it.
I lived in the far east for years and loved it but I wouldn't go now with a family to somewhere like Hong Kong due to pollution and poor schools and distance from family etc but I think Singapore is much cleaner.
I expect it's quite a nice safe clean place to live. There are many great locations in Malaysia and Thailand or the Philippines near by for your holidays.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 18th September 09:57
Have Spanish friends currently living in Singapore, after leaving HK when they started a family.
They love it. Definitely on my list for "next place to emigrate to".
btw, don't knock Milton Keynes. That roundabout system is the only public road on which I've ever experienced brake fade.
They love it. Definitely on my list for "next place to emigrate to".
btw, don't knock Milton Keynes. That roundabout system is the only public road on which I've ever experienced brake fade.
Never lived there but been a few times on business. It's very clean ("the Switzerland of the East") and has virtually no crime due to the harsh penalties imposed on crims (3 people hanged in Changi jail the day I arrived on my first trip). It can be humid but I belive the ave daily temperature of 89 is costant all year round except in Dec / Jan when it drops to a miserly 79.
I lived there in the late nineties, so admittedly a few years ago now and as such my advice may no longer be valid!
As a previous poster said, expect it to be VERY humid pretty much all year round.
To be honest, there's not a huge amount to do on the island itself. It's restricted to eating/drinking (the latter being very expensive), shopping and going to the movies (which are all censored anyway).
Having said that, it's a great base for travelling around and exploring the region on weekends etc.
Forget about owning a car unless you get a company one. It's amazingly expensive. And if you want to get up any kind of speed, go over the causeway into Malaysia and get yourself on the KL expressway.
As a previous poster said, expect it to be VERY humid pretty much all year round.
To be honest, there's not a huge amount to do on the island itself. It's restricted to eating/drinking (the latter being very expensive), shopping and going to the movies (which are all censored anyway).
Having said that, it's a great base for travelling around and exploring the region on weekends etc.
Forget about owning a car unless you get a company one. It's amazingly expensive. And if you want to get up any kind of speed, go over the causeway into Malaysia and get yourself on the KL expressway.
davemac250 said:
A quick question with the hope of finding some valued insight.
Have been offered a post in Singapore, I have only visited the place on holidays, and to be honest didn't do much but stay in the Long Bar getting merrily hammered.
Anyone lived there? Yes I know about the draconian law system and the no cuddling on the metro, having chewing gum etc.
But what is it like to put up with on a daily basis?
What is it like to drive there, can you escape to faster roads?
Is it really feasible to take family and dogs?
Schooling, are you limited to International Schools or does the local system cater?
We have been through these questions with the company involved and their relocation people, but i am aware they have a vested interest in selling me on the place.
I'd like views of people on the place who really couldn't give a stuff if I move or not!
Just for comparison I currently live in Luxembourg and do enjoy the small country feel and community spirit this place currently has. Oh, and the neighbouring playground called Germany.
The best thing about Singapore is its location. You can very quickly (as in going for a drink) be in Indonesia or Malaya which are both far more interesting places. With a bit more time and money a lot of Asia is yours to play in. Hong Kong or Thailand for a weekend break.Have been offered a post in Singapore, I have only visited the place on holidays, and to be honest didn't do much but stay in the Long Bar getting merrily hammered.
Anyone lived there? Yes I know about the draconian law system and the no cuddling on the metro, having chewing gum etc.
But what is it like to put up with on a daily basis?
What is it like to drive there, can you escape to faster roads?
Is it really feasible to take family and dogs?
Schooling, are you limited to International Schools or does the local system cater?
We have been through these questions with the company involved and their relocation people, but i am aware they have a vested interest in selling me on the place.
I'd like views of people on the place who really couldn't give a stuff if I move or not!
Just for comparison I currently live in Luxembourg and do enjoy the small country feel and community spirit this place currently has. Oh, and the neighbouring playground called Germany.
For a single man the tarting is fantastic. In Singapore, and in Indonesia and Malaya, both of which have a huge tart population for the over the border trade.
Things to do in Singapore. You discovered the best one, peanuts and slings in the long bar. Sentosa is nice if you want to relax or take a girl for a day out and the cablecar is a cool ride, get a glass bottomed car. The botanical garderns are very nice and the orchid section is probably the best in the world for said plants.
Other than that it is shopping, eating and drinking.
The pity is that they tore down the old Singapore, hotels I used to stay in are no longer there.
Can't help you with the 'bring a family' part, but as mentioned above, as a single guy it's a great place to live. The social scene is huge - never an evening when I don't go out and get rat-arsed!
Crime rate is low
Tax is low
Food is cheap - I tend to eat in food court or Hawker centres at about $3-5 (roughly £1-1.50) a meal
Rental is pretty expensive - A decent 3 bedroom condo with full facilities will cost $3000/mth at least
IMO, cars are (comparativly) expensive to run when you take COE etc into consideration
I can't knock it personally, and I'm not looking forward to coming back home!
Anymore for anymore? I'm sure XJSJohn will be along later with some more info.
Crime rate is low
Tax is low
Food is cheap - I tend to eat in food court or Hawker centres at about $3-5 (roughly £1-1.50) a meal
Rental is pretty expensive - A decent 3 bedroom condo with full facilities will cost $3000/mth at least
IMO, cars are (comparativly) expensive to run when you take COE etc into consideration
I can't knock it personally, and I'm not looking forward to coming back home!
Anymore for anymore? I'm sure XJSJohn will be along later with some more info.
Timmy35 said:
Jock Strap said:
Anymore for anymore? I'm sure XJSJohn will be along later with some more info.
I keep intending to come out for a reccie. Is it easy to get a reasonable apart-hotel style place for a week or so? Any recommendations?I know serviced apartments are available but I don't know of any! And I wouldn't recommend anyone stay where I did when I first arrived here - $70 a night so you can guess the state of it!
ETA - List of serviced apartments here - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapore-expats-se...
Edited by Jock Strap on Thursday 18th September 10:52
Jock Strap said:
ETA - List of serviced apartments here - http://www.singaporeexpats.com/singapore-expats-se...
Cheers Edited by Jock Strap on Thursday 18th September 10:52
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff