The pros and cons of Singapore Moving abroad is a difficult process, and there
are pros and cons to living in any country that we must consider before making this life-changing
decision. After living in Singapore for almost five years, I’d like to share some pros and cons
of living in the Lion City for you to consider before your move. It is not a surprise about
the beauty of this country, right? But in every advantage, there must always be a disadvantage.
But for you to enjoy our content package, first of all, hit our like button, share, subscribe and
also turn on your notifications so you dont miss any of our videos. OK guys, start with the pros
of living in Singapore. Trust me, you will pack your bags immediately after listing to this video.
Firstly, is the safety of the country.
One of the most comforting aspects of living in Singapore is the feeling of
safety and security. Singapore was recently ranked second in the Economist Intelligence
Unit’s Safe Cities Index for 2017, coming in just behind Tokyo. On several occasions, we’ve
accidentally left our phones/wallets/passports (forgetful much?) in taxis or restaurants,
and they’ve always been kindly handed back to us. Faith in humanity restored! I can’t tell you how
nice it is to pay for a coffee whilst leaving your laptop and phone on the table, for them to
still be there when you return. With the safety of this country, I am sure anyone visiting has
no worries about pickpockets. For you are not guided 24/7, but your security is guaranteed.
Clean Food and drink are prohibited on public transport
in Singapore, which means the MRT is pristine compared to the London Underground or NYC subway.
Generally, Singaporeans value discipline and are extremely law-abiding citizens, so the streets
are kept clean and are well maintained. Just make sure you’re equally respectful and dispose
of your trash correctly. There is a saying that cleanliness is next to godliness. This country is
not different when it comes to that.
Travel Another great
thing about being in Singapore is easy access to an endless number of amazing travel destinations,
all in close proximity. There are so many must-see spots, so start planning your trips ASAP!
I recommend taking advantage of the numerous public holidays to plan your long weekend trips.
Just be sure to plan in advance as travel fares increase like crazy during the holidays.
Weather With Singapore located
immediately north of the equator, the temperature rarely drops below thirty degrees celsius
and it is essentially summer all year round with the odd tropical rainfall. I remember one time
it fell to around 26 degrees and everyone freaked out, exclaiming how cold it was!
Admittedly, the intense humidity takes a good few months to get used to and, at first, it is a real
shock to the system. When we first moved here, I was taking up to three showers a day, but trust me
when I say that you adapt to it over time.
Changi Airport Fortunately for us,
Singapore boasts one of the best airports in the world, Changi Airport. Honestly,
I could talk about Changi for hours on end because it is just the most incredibly clean, efficient,
and smooth-sailing airport you will ever experience.
Plus, the shopping options are amazing! If you get the chance, be sure to stop by Jewel Changi,
a nature-themed retail and entertainment complex that boasts the world's tallest indoor waterfall.
Hawker Centres Do as the locals do and head for the hawkers! You
haven’t truly experienced Singaporean food until you’ve eaten at a Hawker Centre, and boy is it
life-changing! Enjoy local dishes from just S $3-S $6 that will certainly fill you up and leave your
tummy feeling very satisfied. The best part? No washing up! You can buy a selection of different
dishes to share with your friends, so you can experience eating a variety of cuisines. Eating at
a Hawker Center is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, as well as people-watching.
Public transport The train service in Singapore is
locally known as the MRT or LRT (depending on the line.) It’s incredibly efficient,
highly reliable, runs like clockwork and is,
all-round, a pretty pleasant experience! Pick yourself up an Ezlink card from any train
station and tap in and out of MRT stations and buses to get around the city with ease.
Food Singaporeans’ obsession with food is pretty legit.
I’m not kidding-once I overheard a couple on the MRT talking about crabs for at least 20 minutes!
Why do you ask? Food is a national pastime in Singapore, so be sure to bring your appetite
with you. Singaporean cuisine consists of incredible dishes and flavours from Malay,
Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian influences. Famous dishes that
you MUST try include Laksa, Chili Crab, Nasi Lemak, Kaya Toast and Chicken Rice!
Architecture
There are architectural gems scattered all over the Lion City,
from colonial heritage buildings and Chinese shophouses, to unique and futuristic landmarks.
Public Holidays
Another advantage of living and working in Singapore is that there are loads of public
holidays each year, as well as budget airlines to take advantage of. This helps you make the most of
your trips throughout the year, whether they’re long or short-haul. If you’re planning a trip
around public holidays, just be sure to book your flights up to six months in advance if possible,
as the cost of flights increases over these busy periods (and can sometimes double in price).
Cultural Diversity Furthermore, Singapore
is home to a wide range of cultures, religions, and ethnicities, which means that festivities and
practices are celebrated all over the country. Singapore food also comprises of many cuisines,
influenced by the different communities. The four official languages of Singapore are Mandarin,
Malay, Tamil, and English. English is the most common language used and is the language which
unites the different ethnic groups. Low Tax
Singapore's low taxes and other incentives for foreign investors qualify it as a tax haven.
It levies 20% on personal income in the highest tax bracket,
and it does not tax capital gains. That kind of tax policy, and a location that makes it a gateway
for companies hoping to expand into the emerging Asian economies, have made this island city-state
a global hub for international investment and commerce. Corporate Tax: 17% flat rate,
Corporate income tax rebate: 40% of tax payable, capped at $15,000. Indirect Tax-Goods and Services
Tax (GST) of 7%. Personal Income Tax-a progressive system of taxes, the highest rate of 22%
So Green Lush greenery is
another great thing about living in the Lion City. Singapore prides itself on being a green city,
to the surprise of many visitors, and does its best to promote green spaces. These green spaces
include buildings with plants crawling up skyscrapers, as well as an abundance of
trees and forest hiking areas in virtually every corner of the city. As a country bumpkin myself,
it's one of my favourite things about this city! Well, without withstanding,
we will move straight to the cons of living in Singapore. Despite the fact that the pros are
incredible there are still cons, so check it out to see if this country is worth visiting.
The cons of living in Singapore
Too Hot For Outdoor Activities Another downside to Singapore's climate
is that it makes it very difficult to enjoy outdoor activities without dripping in sweat!
Don't get me wrong, afternoon walks and picnics in the park are still possible,
but you have to time them well to avoid the midday roaring temperatures. I advise running outside
once the sun goes down, and suggest picking indoor activities that provide air conditioning.
Work-life Balance
Singapore was ranked among the bottom 10 for work-life balance and was ranked as
the second most overworked city in a study of 40 cities. If you work for a local company,
standard leave is 14 days and overtime is usually expected with no extra pay. From our experience,
taking work home with you, and being contactable 24/7 is a common practice in the working world.
Groceries Are Expensive As for supermarkets, the prices at Cold Storage
are higher compared to those at FairPrice or Giant, which have more reasonably priced products
and is where we go to do our weekly grocery shopping. However, you’ll be more likely to
find your western comfort foods in Cold Storage. Just expect to pay around double the usual price.
For bargain hunters, wet markets are also a great choice for fresh produce,
meat and poultry, as well as herbs and spices. Going to a wet market is more fun than going
to the supermarket, and certainly a must-see tourist attraction for a real cultural experience!
Singapore is A Small City/No Road Trip In addition, another downside of living
in Singapore is that-because it's such a small country (half the size of London)-you
can't just jump in a car to explore another part of the country or go for a weekend break.
On the plus side, because travel from Singapore is so easy,
there are endless weekend breaks in and around Asia that you can enjoy.
Owning a Car is Expensive It is so freaking expensive to own a car in
Singapore, so much so that I’m still in disbelief at how many cars are actually on the road.
Singapore consistently ranks in the top few most expensive countries to own a car, with the average
cost in the region of 3 times more expensive than in Europe/US. After tax, insurance, Certificate of
Entitlement and yearly fees, etc, it’s no wonder that most expats stick to using public transport.
Rent
Singapore swung back into the Top 20 list of the most expensive cities in the world for expats,
due in part to a strengthening currency. The truth is, living in Singapore can be expensive,
with rent being your biggest expense. You should budget at least $700 to $2000 a month if you’re
renting a room and up to $4,500 to rent a studio apartment or one-bedroom condo unit.
Medical Costs Healthcare in
Singapore is mighty expensive, and with a private healthcare system,
having a good healthcare plan is essential to avoid any exorbitant and unexpected costs.
Locals often joke that it’s cheaper to die than to fall ill in Singapore.
The Price of Alcohol Booze comes at a price in Singapore, so
expect to pay between S $12-S $20 for a drink at a bar or restaurant. Buying alcohol at supermarkets
or liquor stores is generally a cheaper option, or you can buy beer from Hawker Centers for around
$3.50-$5. Do note that you can’t buy alcohol in stores or drink in public after 10:30 pm.
The Local Art/Music/Festival Scene is Weak. Singapore is more often associated with efficiency
rather than creativity in the literal sense. Creativity isn't necessarily
encouraged in Singapore, although I do think that mindsets are slowly changing.
However, the local art/music/festival scene is quite weak in comparison to surrounding countries,
such as Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, where the creative scenes are much more vibrant.
Coming to the hills of the citizens of Singapore, we had to discover that,
despite the cons of the country, the pros are many. So this country has more to offer. While
hopping, you must have learned a lot about the beautiful things that you can get in this country.
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