Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertStranded
My fiance and I are a bit sick of the situation we're in here in Dubai and would like to relocate somewhere else. He's a Senior Web Developer/Web Master so we'd need to go someplace good for IT where he could find a decent paying position.
So how is the working/living situation in Singapore? Don't just give the positive PC answer I really want to know the pros and cons. What are the work culture, working hours, salary, vacation time, crime, corruption, bureaucracy, commute time, daily hassles, etc.
I'd really appreciate any advice anyone could give so we could decide if a move is advisable.  |
Hi DS,
Although Singapore is not a place I would imagine myself feeling particually comfortable in (probably due to my liking for self expression, freedom of movement, political views and fondness of drugs). I found a list of good and bad things about the place that you might find interesting.....if not amusing.
5 good things about the city
§ You are never too far away from anywhere. You can reach any place within 1 hour, even at peak hours.
§ There is a shopping mall around every nook and corner-->your girlfriend/ wife will be happy-->you will be happy.
§ You can get food 24/7 and you can get all kinds of food.
§ The sex ratio is skewed in favour of females, most of whom believe in the maxim - less is more.
§ Everything is so bloody well planned and efficient!
5 bad things about the city
§ You are never too far away from office or for that matter, home. No refreshing change, whatsoever.
§ The underground remains crowded even on weekends - full of shoppers and their unfortunate boyfriends/husbands/noisy kids.
§ Much of the small talk is dominated by food - new places to eat & new cuisines to try - that's all people talk about!
§ All the females look alike and you can never tell whether they are aged 13 or 30.
§ There is no excitement - its never unpredictable!
5 odd things about the city
§ People like to make out on escalators in train stations.
§ The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) services are not that efficient - they can stop in the middle of the tunnel, the doors of the train and those of the platform may not necessarily match and to top it all, they don't even announce which side of the train the next platform is on! (whoa Kolkata Metro rocks!)
§ Booze is so damn overpriced!
§ You'll see more elderly people than children on the streets - the birth rate is like the 10th lowest in the world and the Government provides financial incentives to people having babies!
§ Discussing politics is taboo.
5 ugly things about the city
§ There is a surveillance camera everywhere.
§ Freedom of speech? - even the Singaporeans accept the absence of that la!
§ There is no concept of a family dinner; husbands, wives and children are known to eat out at their favourite joints before coming home.
§ Taxi drivers are amazingly some of the most racist people on the road.
§ And yes - who can forget - Death to Drugs!!
regards,
Ricardo