What's it really like to live in Singapore?

[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.

[Sunshine Gal]

Hi,

Really glad that u actually thot of coming to Singapore. Me being a Singaporean welcome you in adv to our multi-culture society. On a whole, Singapore is a safe place to stay in. You dun hv to worry when u're walking along d streets, can safely let your children play at playgrounds and wander abt.

On a personal note, i'll say living in Singapore is not easy too. Irregardless of which industry u're in, u tend to work long hours. Most companies here do not pay overtime if you are paid by monthly salary. You're expected to be efficient and has to multi-task at times. But i would say it is still better than HK. By normal practice, u'll get 14 days of annual leave n 30 days medical leave.

Good thing is that our govt is emphasising more on work-life bal, so there's more flexi working hours esp for working mums.

Hope this gives u some background.

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.

[synthia]

One of the cons is that government control is very tight. Although the west calls it a democracy, the country is really run by one party (actually one family).

I don't know about finding IT work, as there are lots of very good IT people there already. You can go there on a tourist visa, or try a recruitment agency, but there is no way to move there and then look for a job. You need a valid residence permit to rent an apartment, which you can only get if you already have a work visa or a student visa.

Housing is very expensive, but food is cheap. Singaporeans are all 'foodies', to the extent that the New Straits Times reviews small hole-in-the-wall noodle shops and hawker stalls. The food is really, really good.

[DesertStranded]

Yeah, here in Dubai the rent is outrageously expensive. The revenue generated by Real Estate surpasses even the revenue they make off of oil, even in these days of high gas prices. Likewise, there is the illusion of democracy here as well. The price of goods and groceries is the same as the states. Work hours are long and employers are known for taking advantage of non-Western employees.

I was just wondering if the salaries in Singapore would be enough to cover rent. Here, about 75% of my husband's salary goes towards rent, then a large chunk goes towards transportation. Since there is no effective public transport here yet we have to use taxis or rental cars. I'd like to find a place where we could live for 2 yrs. and afford rent & transport and actually be able to save some money while we wait for his greencard.

[synthia]

Public transportation in Singapore is excellent. You should be paid enough to cover rent.

I do have a question, though. In one post you refer to your fiance, then to your husband. Was there a wedding in between posts? If so, best wishes to you both!

Which brings up another issue. Be sure to check if you can get a residence visa if you are not yet married. And if you expect to work, find out if you will be allowed to work on a 'trailing spouse' visa. You are not likely to get any under-the-table work.

[ricardo blue]

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

[DesertStranded]

Originally Posted by synthia

I do have a question, though. In one post you refer to your fiance, then to your husband. Was there a wedding in between posts? If so, best wishes to you both!

Which brings up another issue. Be sure to check if you can get a residence visa if you are not yet married. And if you expect to work, find out if you will be allowed to work on a 'trailing spouse' visa. You are not likely to get any under-the-table work.

Oh, sorry for the confusion. We haven't married yet. Dating is illegal in Dubai so we are just used to already introducing ourselves as married.

Are marriages in Singapore civil or religious?

I guess we would have to marry and have jobs lined up before thinking of a move.

[Havoline]

May i ask why the preference Singapore over other places in Asia? In a global recession, how do we weigh the pros and cons now.
Where do we search for Singapore govt's immigration statistics?

[DesertStranded]

Actually I don't have a concrete preference yet. I'm just looking for a place that will be cheaper to live in than Dubai. The cost of renting even a studio apartment here has left us at the poverty level. Don't ever believe the hype about Dubai, it's BS!

[spikedoll]

properties in Singapore ain't cheap either..even HDB flats are also exp