[Closed] Tell me about Singapore

If you aren't a city person it might not be ideal (putting it mildly). As cities go I like it. Culturally diverse, lively and a bit crazy. Mix of modern and old.

Not much there outdoorsy and what there is is somewhat sanitised but its easy to get a flight somewhere and its surrounded by amazing places to visit.

I was there for three days in September for work.

Very welcoming, friendly, spotlessly clean and modern city, with some lovely old bits.

They have croc's in the local park pond!

It was hot, humid and torrential rain twice in three days.

It is a city on an island - not much biking/hiking it seems, not sure how much sailing/paddling there may be.

A lot of the teachers I was working with commuted in from elsewhere (some in from across bridge to Malaysia - apparently its much cheaper and a 'livelier' culture.

I believe the weather might be somewhat more consistently warm than furry boot city? 😉

As nick says, its a great location, city itself is amazing, public transport works very well, the sea/beaches are a wee bit more user-friendly than Balmedie and the har will be a distant memory. (I lived for years in Aberdeen/Inverurie), though occasional smog from surrounding countries sometimes an issue.

I have had similar options recently, same size and age family as you, my thoughts are that one would have to accept it was a completely differnet lifestyle for a few years, and fully embrace it for what it is. Cycling possible but pretty limited, not sure about windsurfing etc but i have sailed from there before which was jolly nice, except for dodging the huge and numerous ships. busy port!

Housing is expensive, so negotiate that, schooling needs to be considered (likely private international school?) and negotiated, but I don't know anyone who hasn't really enjoyed it once there.

Can you get out there with the family as part of pre-contract signing activity? Might be nice to hook up with another family there to get some 'real life' feedback - might be able to connect you if needed.

Can you get out there with the family as part of pre-contract signing activity? Might be nice to hook up with another family there to get some 'real life' feedback - might be able to connect you if needed.

The proposal is to work from Aberdeen for the first couple of months and transition over there in the new year. I’m hoping a trip to Singapore will be possible during that period, and if so I’ll take my wife. But it’s a short term contract (1yr+), so there won’t be a red carpet visit arranged for me. The project itself is 2yr+ so I’m reasonably confident that once I’m out there and settled we’ll have some time to enjoy the experience.

Never been there but I've read reports that say Singapore is false and plastic.

It's fine, just don't call the masses [url= http://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-banker-idUSBREA0M0OJ20140123 ]poor people[/url] on FB....

Worked on and off there a lot over the last 7 years, its very dull.
Property market has tanked a bit over the last few years so rental is a buyers market though getting something for 12 months or less may mean a slight premium. Its still an expensive place to live though but public transport is efficient you co can get around OK.
If you get in with the right ex.pat crowd you will get every chance to fishing, kitesurfing etc.

If you're serious about finding out then let me know and I'll pass on your email to several good friends who live there.

makecoldplayhistory @ gmail . com

My 2 cents having lived and worked there for 2 years and travlled thee a lot for business

Its a comfortable and safe place to live, Asia-lite with many of the rough edges taken off

Taxes are low but you need to spend on schools, apartment and health care insurance
Very kid friendly in terms of apartment (condo) with pool, live in maid for £200 a month (works 6 days a week) so helps mum a lot if you wish. Mum’s often very bored. Singapore is great for working, nit so good for just living imho.

Schools, English school is very “public school” orientated, hard to get a place, expensive. Many Brit kids go to the Aussie school instead. Local schools your kids won’t cope with high pressure plus Mandarin element

Cars are very expensive, treble uk. Very useful for families though as getting taxis for 5 are a pita and a nightnare on a rainy Sunday.

Lots of travel opportunities, budget airlines etc. Very efficient airport. People tend to travel quite regularly to escape pressure cooker atmosphere of Singapore.

Shipping is a key national industry so lots of interesting opportunities. Many Aussies working in that sector.

Eating out very cheap for local food places, expensive for Western style and booze is very pricey

Weather too hot & humid for me, people go road biking at 5 or 6am to avoid heat and humidity. No “countryside” to speak of although walks at Buka Tima Nature Reserve. I love the outdoors and this was one of the major negative factors. Also no seasons, weather pretty much the same all year round.

Even coming straight from Darwin it felt bloody hot and sticky.

Very disneyfied compared to lots of Asia. Humid humid humid.

Thanks for the feedback jambalaya.

I think it is possibly worth a shot - just for the adventure. The basic outline of the job offer has been emailed to me now, and looks pretty good. Accommodation, private school, car, maid and flights are included. Salary is paid net of tax on top of that.

To throw a spanner in the works - I got offered a job in Aberdeen yesterday. Full time position with long term career prospect, only 15 minute commute from home. Something like this may not ever come up again, so close to home.

Decisions, decisions....

My sister lived there for about 4 years, her husband worked there, they had two kids probably similar ages to the op's.

They had a great time, he was the md of a company so their rent was part of his salary package so had a great house. Kids schooling was also paid for. Fantastic lifestyle.

We went there on holiday and while it's not really my kind of place I could see the attraction. Personally wouldn't suit me as I'm not into going to ex pats clubs etc but if that's your thing then you and your family will have a great time.

Edit: I guess it depends how you enjoy spending your free time, my sisters family enjoyed going to the country club at the weekend whereas I'd rather go for a walk in the countryside, ride my bike and go to a nice pub.

ex pats clubs

If a mate suggests going to the Four Floors for a pint just say no. Trust me.

Go try out the "ex pat" lifestyles there to see the world. 😀

Use Singapore as a hub to fly around the region for holiday break.

I am an "ex pat" to UK, now I am stuck in the winter chill ... 😆

I never joined any ex-pats clubs although many do especially for non-working wives. I was fortunate to have a hobby - sailing - that meant I met many people including locals (this is hard to do socially) who I am still in touch with

If you aren't a city person it might not be ideal (putting it mildly). As cities go I like it. Culturally diverse, lively and a bit crazy. Mix of modern and old.

Not much there outdoorsy and what there is is somewhat sanitised but its easy to get a flight somewhere and its surrounded by amazing places to visit.

This nails it for me. I'd add that I found it exceptionally hot and humid, despite being well acclimatized after two months travelling round SE Asia. Nice for few days but I don't think I'd like to spend any significant amount of time there.

There are still areas of virgin rainforest in the centre of the island. Unfortunately the tender I was involved in that would have meant some site visits was lost 🙁

jambalaya - Member
I never joined any ex-pats clubs although many do especially for non-working wives. I was fortunate to have a hobby - sailing - that meant I met many people including locals (this is hard to do socially) who I am still in touch with

Yes, making friend with the locals will ease the predictable "ex-pat" stereotype and perhaps also get to understand their culture a bit more. The best part is food so try all of them while there, then try some more in Malaysia ... 😀

ransos - Member
This nails it for me. I'd add that I found it exceptionally hot and humid, despite being well acclimatized after two months travelling round SE Asia. Nice for few days but I don't think I'd like to spend any significant amount of time there.

Yes, it's very hot and humid even for me from that region. The first thing you step off the plane is the heatwave the hit you right in your face ... then you body will try to acclimatise for the next few weeks. The good news is that you don't have to wear much even during their coldest days (23c - 24C if you are lucky). Oh ya, the first few days your air-conditioning system will be set to high, while your local friends suffer due to cold. 😆

Also you MUST try Durian the king of fruits. Get you kids to eat them. 😛

Your email's been forwarded fanatic.

I visit there quite alot. I don't mind visiting, but you couldn't pay me enough to live there. Awful climate, sweet FA to do. Silly expensive, cheap food will kill you (full of salt, fat and MSG), no culture (of it's own), sterile, soulless. Most people who live there like living there because it is a great place to get away from and see the rest of the region...and they fact they're on a big fat ex-pat package. So that say's alot. I much prefer Hong Kong 1000%....but still couldn't live there either. Basically SE asia not for me. Mainly due to the climate. You never get used to it. Even the locals don't. I just get sick of being in either a super chilled air conditioned environment or sweating my tits off. There is no in between.

Some people love it though, but not for me.

I lived there for 7 months - I did get acclimatised and I've missed that constant warmth ever since. However, after 7 months I was feeling rather claustrophobic and was quite glad to leave. I thought the food was great - particularly the cheap local places, but then I'm a veggie.

Your email's been forwarded fanatic.

Cheers. Your mate has already been in touch with some good advice.

I stayed once and would rate it as the most horrible place I've ever been. Corporate, plastic, stiff.

I loved it when I lived there, but I was 11, and it was the early 70's.

Also you MUST try Durian the king of fruits

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

CFH +1 Quadrillion.

Spent most if the last 2 years in Sgp. I changed jobs as I dont want to go there any longer. Many, many reasons why.

I lived on Mount Elizabeth just of Orchard road. Wears very thin, very quickly.

I go there twice a year with work and stay on Orchard Road. The people are friendly and quite go-getting. But the whole thing is sort of superficial to me...

Great food culture .and it's cheap. It is nearly cheaper to eat out than cook yourself... but very sterile, quite English public school boy ex pat fraternity. And very expensive to drink ....

Everyone is obsessed with their phones, money and shopping... There isn't a lot of depth there. But it is a good staging post and safe ....

I went to school there,but the beautiful places I 'remembered' have all gone, now you have to fly out to the middle of the ocean somewhere for pristine beaches,
A lot of singapore riders fly up to chiang mai with their(latest and greatest)MTBs to ride downhill