Let us see what are the pros and cons of living in Singapore.
Singapore is a very small city-state and therefore has limited space. The city centers are always crowded. There is no shortage of public parks, but there are no rivers, mountains, etc. So forget about going somewhere to relax on the weekends. A long stay in this efficient country can be boring.
Life in Singapore is very expensive. Singapore is one of the most expensive places in the world, especially when it comes to rents and if you want to live in the city center. In the suburbs it is a bit cheaper, but not too much. Singapore is a landmark for the rich and wealthy from all over Asia, many of whom live here. In addition, the demand for housing is always very high due to the large influx of emigrants, which leads to a continuous increase in prices .Finding housing is expensive and difficult. Some claim that it is easier to find a job in Singapore than an apartment.
Owning a car is not possible in Singapore. Car owners must pay high customs duties, taxes and insurance fees, so a mid-size car can easily cost $120,000. Fortunately, public transportation is cheap and will take you almost anywhere.
Services are at a very high level due to strong competition, you will rarely find anything wrong. Everything is well organized, efficient and functional. Singapore hosts a number of events throughout the year, cultural, musical and sporting events. Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Remember, however, that medications and hospitalization are very expensive. Even if your employer offers you health insurance, it’s worth taking out another one so you don’t have to pay when you need certain medical services. There are public and private schools. In publi school there is a high level of competition based only on results, which causes a lot of stress for students. Universities in Singapore are among the best in the world and have an effective and academically rigorous education system.
Singapore is very safe and perfectly organized, it is the Switzerland of Asia. The streets are safe 24 hours a day. There are cameras almost everywhere. You can move safely in crowded places without being robbed or robbed, corruption is practically non-existent and the justice system is efficient and fast. The society is very civilized and members of the population respect each other.
The climate is typically tropical, hot and humid, (almost) all year round, with frequent rains. The weather is almost the same throughout the year, with no significant seasonal variations, which makes it very monotonous.
Singaporeans are not very friendly. Most of them are so busy that you will hardly know your neighbors. Singaporeans are apathetic to their fellow man and what is going on around them. You will find that 90% of them are constantly engrossed in their cell phones.They are quite racist and show a strong sense of superiority over the thousands of migrant workers who come from other Asian countries to do manual or domestic labor.
In Singapore, people are always busy and constantly in a hurry. Its lifestyle is ruthlessly ‘money-oriented’, hectic and fast. It is not a place for those who seek a relaxed life, for those who want to go slowly. Everyone here knows the meaning of the word stress:
- Students are constantly stressed about the result
- Young workers are constantly stressed about the cost of living
- Workers are constantly stressed about whether they can provide a high level of education for their children
- Seniors are stressed about the ability to continue to live independently and pay their medical bills
Speaking of work, there are constant employment opportunities in Singapore if you are qualified and/or have good skills. The work environment is usually quite international and Singapore is a country of excellence in many fields. The focus is on working life, with long and stressful hours. The work culture is very strong, and union protection for workers is virtually non-existent.
The tax level is very low. There is practically no difference between gross and net wages. This is because the welfare system is very limited and there are no unemployment benefits. In Singapore, corporate taxes are low and there are significant favorable laws for starting and running businesses.
Living and working in Singapore – pros and cons
Living in Singapore, pros
- Good employment opportunities and high wages
- Low tax level
- Low crime rate
- Good services (public transportation, health, etc.)
- Cleanliness
Living in Singapore, cons
- High rental costs
- High cost of living (cars, education, health care, etc.)
- High stress level
- Demanding and competitive education system
Living and working in Singapore, conclusion
The first thing that obviously attracts attention is the size of the country. This fact determines most of the advantages and disadvantages. A small nation-state means that it is the easiest to control, hence great security, good public transportation and infrastructure.
The quality of services offered and the considerable employment opportunities make this country an extremely interesting destination for those looking to gain work experience abroad, but check carefully if your salary is commensurate with the cost of living. In short, Singapore is a great city if you earn enough money.
If you want to have all the information about how to work in Singapore, I recommend you to read this article: Working in Singapore
If you want to move to Singapore, you can read the article: How to move to Singapore
