Calling Singapore PH'ers
Discussion
Dear Singapore PH'ers.
I have just returned after a week in Singpore attending ITS WC. It was my first time in Singapore and I have fallen in love with the place. What is not to like?
I loved the predictable warm, humid weather. Ok the rain is heavy, but the city was set up for this with covered walkways etc.
There is little crime, it is so clean and so cultured.
I do wonder, however, is this how i felt after a week, living in a hotel? Is this just the same feeling as i have had on my return from India, egypt, dubai? Except, i could live in Singapore. It feels safe and they drive on hte same side as we do!
What is it really like to live in Singapore? Does it get as boring as living anywhere in the world? The evenings start to get dark at 15:30 here in the UK now and its is cold and raining. This is not helping.
Is there a dark side to the place? Are there homeless and criminals? Are these hidden from visitors?
I would love to get a years posting out there one day and sort of know how to persue this. Any advice is much appreciated.
I have just returned after a week in Singpore attending ITS WC. It was my first time in Singapore and I have fallen in love with the place. What is not to like?
I loved the predictable warm, humid weather. Ok the rain is heavy, but the city was set up for this with covered walkways etc.
There is little crime, it is so clean and so cultured.
I do wonder, however, is this how i felt after a week, living in a hotel? Is this just the same feeling as i have had on my return from India, egypt, dubai? Except, i could live in Singapore. It feels safe and they drive on hte same side as we do!
What is it really like to live in Singapore? Does it get as boring as living anywhere in the world? The evenings start to get dark at 15:30 here in the UK now and its is cold and raining. This is not helping.
Is there a dark side to the place? Are there homeless and criminals? Are these hidden from visitors?
I would love to get a years posting out there one day and sort of know how to persue this. Any advice is much appreciated.
I did reply to your other post, I've lived in S E Asia for 25 years, in the week I live 20 minutes from Singapore by ferry, I have two investment properties in Batam, Indonesia, these are 30 minutes the other side of Singapore, but I haven't been to Sing for 15 years, it's a dump.Singapore is fur coat and no knickers, looks nice on the surface nice hotels clean etc, but it's all imposed by an iron rod, Singaporeans are not nice people, aggressive, self centered very materialistic,
Ask yourself how many times can you drink in the bar of a 5 star hotel?
There is very little Asian culture, people live in social housing like, housing associations in the UK with aright to buy option.
There is very little car culture, unless you can afford a new 458, car culture is based around Sepang, there is a car group in Sing called Traction Circle, I was member I let it lapse as it was all money and look at the chip in my Civic.
If you want to live is SEA almost any where is better, for culture, I've lived in Bangkok and KL as cities, and in S Thailand and Borneo if you want culture. I have an apartment in Jakarta which I enjoy, but I don't need to commute, I enjoy walking out to the local market. My main residence is in KL, that is by fa the bet place to live, western standers of entertainment, medicine, education and safety, but loads of culture, I can walk to China Town and Little India from my place and just eat banana leaf
Sing is safe, health std are good, but you are talking western city prices. Lots of locals cross to JB for the weekend places like the Texas Bar in the Zone in JB exist just to cater for the Singaporeans who flood out at the weekend to avoid the prices.
As i said on your other post the salary you were talking is complety unrealistic, you wouldn't get awork permit for ajob on the level.
The real Sing expert is XJS john he'll probably comment.
Ask yourself how many times can you drink in the bar of a 5 star hotel?
There is very little Asian culture, people live in social housing like, housing associations in the UK with aright to buy option.
There is very little car culture, unless you can afford a new 458, car culture is based around Sepang, there is a car group in Sing called Traction Circle, I was member I let it lapse as it was all money and look at the chip in my Civic.
If you want to live is SEA almost any where is better, for culture, I've lived in Bangkok and KL as cities, and in S Thailand and Borneo if you want culture. I have an apartment in Jakarta which I enjoy, but I don't need to commute, I enjoy walking out to the local market. My main residence is in KL, that is by fa the bet place to live, western standers of entertainment, medicine, education and safety, but loads of culture, I can walk to China Town and Little India from my place and just eat banana leaf
Sing is safe, health std are good, but you are talking western city prices. Lots of locals cross to JB for the weekend places like the Texas Bar in the Zone in JB exist just to cater for the Singaporeans who flood out at the weekend to avoid the prices.
As i said on your other post the salary you were talking is complety unrealistic, you wouldn't get awork permit for ajob on the level.
The real Sing expert is XJS john he'll probably comment.
Hi Ray
I’ve seen your name many a time on here. You a member of Boxa.net?
I would kind of agree with most of what is stated above. I have colleagues living in Singapore and they love it but yes, it’s what you make it in reality.
I’ve been out in Asia for 11 years now, first few I lived in Penang, So so cheap to live there, food is good, weather is great but infrastructure not really up for the continual condos being built there
I used to go to SIN 2/3 times a week and because I’m a petrol head I’d never live there as I couldn’t afford their crazy road tax, luxury car tax etc... Great place for a layover en route to anywhere else.
There are far better places to live far cheaper in Asia
I’ve seen your name many a time on here. You a member of Boxa.net?
I would kind of agree with most of what is stated above. I have colleagues living in Singapore and they love it but yes, it’s what you make it in reality.
I’ve been out in Asia for 11 years now, first few I lived in Penang, So so cheap to live there, food is good, weather is great but infrastructure not really up for the continual condos being built there
I used to go to SIN 2/3 times a week and because I’m a petrol head I’d never live there as I couldn’t afford their crazy road tax, luxury car tax etc... Great place for a layover en route to anywhere else.
There are far better places to live far cheaper in Asia
Thanks both. I appreciate the feedback.
I am going to put this on hold and take my wife to visit Singapore in the next 2-3 years. We can decide if it is for us, but as you have already suggested, its a holiday romance and once you have been there for a month or so, it will be the same as anywhere else in the world, except, more expensive.
Perhaps a plan for touring and visiting this area of the world in my later years could be an idea.
I am going to put this on hold and take my wife to visit Singapore in the next 2-3 years. We can decide if it is for us, but as you have already suggested, its a holiday romance and once you have been there for a month or so, it will be the same as anywhere else in the world, except, more expensive.
Perhaps a plan for touring and visiting this area of the world in my later years could be an idea.
I’ve lived in Singapore now since early 2011.
I quite like it here - however may retire soon and look at other places to live in Asia (possibly KL or Penang ):
standard of living here is good / low taxes / good accommodation (not cheap though).
Also a good base from which to visit other parts of asia.
It is now cheaper to live here than London in my opinion - however quite a bit more expensive than Malaysia Thailand or Indonesia.
To live comfortably here you will need a decent professional salary similar to what someone in the South East / London would earn in a senior professional role.
rent and public transport are cheaper than London, alcohol a bit more. Other things similar. (Except driving your own car)
plenty to do here and quite an active social scene. I’m involved in hiking, running, sailing, diving as well as the usual eating drinking and socialising.
I quite like it here - however may retire soon and look at other places to live in Asia (possibly KL or Penang ):
standard of living here is good / low taxes / good accommodation (not cheap though).
Also a good base from which to visit other parts of asia.
It is now cheaper to live here than London in my opinion - however quite a bit more expensive than Malaysia Thailand or Indonesia.
To live comfortably here you will need a decent professional salary similar to what someone in the South East / London would earn in a senior professional role.
rent and public transport are cheaper than London, alcohol a bit more. Other things similar. (Except driving your own car)
plenty to do here and quite an active social scene. I’m involved in hiking, running, sailing, diving as well as the usual eating drinking and socialising.
Dammit said:
Nudging this one up again as I'm planning on moving to Singapore - anyone else out there?
Hi DammitI've been here for 6 years. Happy to (try to) answer any questions.
It's well known that SG. is a crazy expensive place to live, so I hope you're coming over with a really good employment package.
Rents have just hit an all time high (we were lucky; only an extra 45%, I have friends that had to move out due to rent doubling) expect to pay S$85k (£50k)pa. For 1600sq-ft 2-3 bed apartment.
Schooling for your children will be around S$35-40k (£20-25k) each per year.
Lots of positives though. Ask away.
Hello!
The rent thing is something I’m aware of- I’ll probably start off in a serviced apartment as they’re cheaper than a regular apartment (for now at least) and it gives some time to find the right place.
At the moment I like the look of Katong/Joo Chiat type area as there’s a lot going on and I can run to
Suntec down the ECP.
Do you think the rent escalation is sustainable or will have to stop at some point?
The rent thing is something I’m aware of- I’ll probably start off in a serviced apartment as they’re cheaper than a regular apartment (for now at least) and it gives some time to find the right place.
At the moment I like the look of Katong/Joo Chiat type area as there’s a lot going on and I can run to
Suntec down the ECP.
Do you think the rent escalation is sustainable or will have to stop at some point?
Most industry insiders and economists, are saying we are at peak. The mortgage rates went from less than 1% to over 3% very quick, as properties are mostly over £1m, landlords had to cover costs. (BTLs expect only 2-3%) so pretty much everyone followed regardless of whether they had loans or not.
Many westerners are leaving due to the cost of living, but Chinese and Hong Kongers are coming in with plenty of cash to spare. So, unlikely to drop back down soon. A 6500sq ft apartment recently got let at S$100,000 per month to a Chinese renter, that's close to £750,000 per year.
Many westerners are leaving due to the cost of living, but Chinese and Hong Kongers are coming in with plenty of cash to spare. So, unlikely to drop back down soon. A 6500sq ft apartment recently got let at S$100,000 per month to a Chinese renter, that's close to £750,000 per year.
Dammit said:
I think I have (sort of) made peace with the idea of paying $7-8,000 per month for a 2 bed apartment.
Stings a little though.
Stings less than the 60% stamp duty they'd charge on buying a property as a foreigner though.Stings a little though.
Cost of living out here are still spiking it seems (albeit I am just a relatively frequent visitor on work, not resident) but it's not slowing down the social / night life - bars / restaurants last night were still very busy, full of relatively young clientele (to me, say mid-30s) paying s$18 - 25 for a pint of beer. NFI where they all get the money from given the underlying cost of living.
Chinese are now starting to flood back in too.
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