What's it really like to live in Singapore?

[sunset70]

Originally Posted by ecureilx

Sorry to be a bit rude, but I only I hear complaints of "lack of political freedom" and wierd stuff like "there is CCTV everywhere", mostly from guys who havent travelled the world, or lived in expensive places of the world..

You guys have to step out of your Cocoon and see the rest of the world.

ecureilx: very true =)

[ecureilx]

I prefer to live in a safe and monotonous world, than a world filled with adreneline junkies, like mugging, staring, fighting, shooting and chases ..

I would prefer to leave the 'action' for when I feel like it, not something i would be facing day -in day - out.

[rohit99]

Hi ini_niki, I completely agree with you, I lived in Singapore for 5 months and i really enjoyed it.

Its a perfect blend of east and west.

your article is really nice, it has expressed my feelings about Singapore too in words.

Keep up the good work

TC

Originally Posted by ini_niki

Hi ...

I know you posted this in November ... so not sure if you're still wondering ... and unfortunately you've probably missed the boat re: hiring freezes ... due to the economic crisis ...

Still ...

Living in Singapore is awesome ... I love it. Mind you I have a background of living in Asia so I'm used to the Asian way of life ... but Sing has the best of all worlds.

Rent can be expensive -- if you want to spend stupid amounts of money you can ie. US$15,000 per month on a penthouse / mansion ... but you can also spend under S$2,000 for a 2 bed / 2 bath HDB (govt. housing) apartment located centrally, with air-con in bedrooms ... like me. Transport is minimal ... if you want to be 'atas' (posh) you can waste your money on a car ... otherwise the MRT / bus system is cheap, clean and goes everywhere. Otherwise you can get a cab ... also cheap / clean and goes to the rare places that the mrt / bus doesn't.

Food is super cheap ... esp. veges etc if you buy at wet markets ...

What you will be paying heaps for is alcohol - v expensive compared to US, UK, Aust; but might be cheaper than Dubai ... no idea.

And of course, like anywhere, if you want to buy branded goods you'll be spending big.

Re: schools -- these are expensive if you've got kids and want to send them to expat schools.

Re: jobs -- this is a problem at the moment. Singapore is not untouched by the current crisis. Lots of tech / IT jobs here are already with 'cheaper' employees ie. from India / China (which helps as the four official languages here are Eng / Mandarin / Malay / Tamil) ... so unless your partner has a super specialised skill that only he can perform, it's highly unlikely that you'll find work easily at the moment.

But that doesn't mean dont try ...

Singapore is the perfect blend of East and West for me ... it's got all the benefits of Asia - culture, food, colour, languages, communal attitude - and all the best of Europe/Aust - safe, clean, ease of lifestyle, health, fashion, freedom for women etc ...

The weather is hot and humid -- but everything is airconditioned -- the shopping is awesome and the people are lovely ...

And on top of this the govt actively wants expats to come here ... but yeah, there are problems re: getting visas ... if you don't have a job (or certain huge ammount of cash) you can't get a visa ... and also visa versa kind of ...

I know, I know ... I sound like I should work for the tourism association

but really ... Singapore is great

[ini_niki]

Hey Rohit99: Thanks so much for your kind words! I've been here since December now and am still loving living in Singapore. It seems to just get better.

In fact, I'm even happier since the whole 'swine flu' thing ... my home country has almost 1,000 cases! and there are only 14 in Singapore! ... yet another reason to love living here!

Cheers
ini_niki

[dash567]

This thread has turned quite political and so here's a small attempt to turn things around just a wee bit! I'm relocating to Singapore shortly and wish to know if there are regular gatherings or networking events (either on the back of this forum or otherwise) which one could attend upon arrival in order to make the transition a bit easier + to benefit from the collective intelligence so to say... Many thanks for any advice/suggestions! Cheers, Dash

[ecureilx]

Originally Posted by dash567

This thread has turned quite political and so here's a small attempt to turn things around just a wee bit! I'm relocating to Singapore shortly and wish to know if there are regular gatherings or networking events (either on the back of this forum or otherwise) which one could attend upon arrival in order to make the transition a bit easier + to benefit from the collective intelligence so to say... Many thanks for any advice/suggestions! Cheers, Dash

There are a lot of self help groups, and each community flaunt their own gatherings. ... there are even gatherings for Romanians, Spanish ..

All you need to do is to get in touch with the respective embassy ..

As for the general gathering, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city. I will not go much on that subject, except one sentence "you got to be here to believe it .. "

Every taste and interest have their own groups, other than the government sponsored community clubs, various clubs, Junior Chamber / Rotary / Rotaract .. and all church groups (singles for Jesus, couples for Jesus .. ) you name it - you got it.

Welcome to Singapore, and experience it ..

[dash567]

Originally Posted by ecureilx

There are a lot of self help groups, and each community flaunt their own gatherings. ... there are even gatherings for Romanians, Spanish ..

All you need to do is to get in touch with the respective embassy ..

As for the general gathering, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city. I will not go much on that subject, except one sentence "you got to be here to believe it .. "

Every taste and interest have their own groups, other than the government sponsored community clubs, various clubs, Junior Chamber / Rotary / Rotaract .. and all church groups (singles for Jesus, couples for Jesus .. ) you name it - you got it.

Welcome to Singapore, and experience it ..

Thanks Ecureilx - that sounds really fabulous - can't wait to experience it ... however, is there one in particular that you would recommend for someone wishing to network professionally (as I will be looking for work and keen to benefit from other people's experience) and have some fun??

[ecureilx]

Now you are giving me jitters .. he he

What profession are you in ? And professionals, they have their own cliques ..

Depends upon what you want .. anyway, for example, doctors have their own watering holes, and so and so .. and you got to get here, to find out what you want ..

Anyway, unless you are into multi-level marketing or network marketing or any property sales, most networks in singapore are so - so .. cos it's a small place.

Cheers, and have fun

[dash567]

Originally Posted by ecureilx

Now you are giving me jitters .. he he

What profession are you in ? And professionals, they have their own cliques ..

Depends upon what you want .. anyway, for example, doctors have their own watering holes, and so and so .. and you got to get here, to find out what you want ..

Anyway, unless you are into multi-level marketing or network marketing or any property sales, most networks in singapore are so - so .. cos it's a small place.

Cheers, and have fun

Hi Ecureilx and thanks again... my profession is one which Shakespeare proposed to eliminate in Henry VI (act iv; scene II... i.e. lawyer! Have you got some intell at hand vi-a-vis this motley bunch?? Cheers,

[ecureilx]

ah ha .. the striped ones .. or the un-striped ones ?

Well, Lawyers are the mostly seen people around Raffles place.

Just hang around Boat Quay on weekdays, and you will have to be blind not to see them, mostly around Penny Black and Harry's bar ..

When you put your feet in Singapore, you will figure it out anyway.

Drop me PM, if you need any further info, rather than cluttering the board ..