Hi all!
I am a forum admin from Singapore at sincity.forumer.com If you are stuck in Singapore, not knowing where to go, which agencies to seek help, you may try my forum.
Basically Singapore is small, and yes, it’s super boring. Unless you are very rich, life there is real boring because any fun will cost a lot of money. Want a simple flat? It is now selling for S$1m. Yes, the price has reached that high, and it is only a ‘lease’ instead of a freehold. A nicer meal can cost a few hundreds of dollars for two. An average office people restaurant cost about S$20~S$50. Our taxi service is one of the highest in the world… surprisingly to cover the routes in one of the tiniest state in the world. A trip from the west tip to Changi Airport in the east can easily cost you over $40, at night there is double rate.
Also driving in Singapore’s relatively short roads will encounter many toll machines, and buy a vehicle in Singapore is unusually expensive. Note that the ‘life’ of your vehicle is usually a few years depending on the COE requirement.
Wages have remained rather stagnant over the years as inflation shoots up with propaganda saying the government is doing a great job while flooding civil sectors with foreign talents.
Media-wise, the mainstream media is controlled, and with the erosion of the mainstream influence, the incumbent is heard to be resorting to internet propaganda teams. Singaporeans are well-known to speak English which is at passing standard and understand Chinese superficially despite being 70% Chinese.
The plus point is, if you are living in Singapore with a decent income ($4000 and above), the place is boring but personal security is good, gangs are suppressed, environment is clean and not as polluted as China, health care is very costly but reliable. Also Singapore legalizes gambling and prostitution. However, if you are looking for a wife from Singapore, your best bet would still be looking in Taiwan.
Singapore used to have a president with about no executive rights taking S$4m a year, S$16m in 4 years…
In the last election, 1 GRC is lost to the opposition and the president won by a very small margin.
Anyone thinking of migrating to Singapore must also note that male children above 18yo will be liable for NS. And recently 2 boys are killed alongside with a record of other deaths over the recent years as a result of crap management for the conscription. And while Singapore is importing foreign PHDs and Masters degree holders to compete with Singaporeans for jobs, MOE (recent years) suggested that the ministry purposely does not want so many Singaporeans to be degree holders.
Singapore’s system is operating based on meritocracy. Which is… even if you are not competent, as long as you have the certs, you will be considered talents and doors to the now lucrative civil service sectors will be opened to you, if you are a scholar. Which explains the current decline in Singapore’s situation.
There have been ‘talks’ about change by the leaders. Of course, when will changes come and how will be another story altogether.
So, if you are keen in living in Singapore… please make sure your wallet is well prepared.
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