emjay wrote:Having read a lot of posts on here by most of you, it's no wonder I took the attitude I did. Apparently you have all appointed yourselves the fountain of all knowledge and heaven forbid some poor buggar who is new here might ask a question you deign to feel is below your standards. Who's the troll? The new person who came to this forum looking for some help and advice naively expecting that people on here might cut them a bit of slack if they asked a question that's been asked before or seems a bit trivial? Or the so-called moderators and old hands who have taken it upon themselves to slap down the new guy. Good on you, if that's what it takes to boost your ego. As for me, I think I will go find another way of finding my answers that doesn't involve going on a forum that has about as much maturity roaming its halls as the high school down the road. Good luck gentleman - thanks for the 'help and support'.
Hey... there are some jaded souls on the board... perhaps the number of trolls, scammers, and fundamentally "carrot" (that's Singaporese for "clueless") people that post may have had something to do with it.
Mostly, you'll get answers that are all across the board for each of your categories. For example:
Personal - I loved my time here... I sponsored a man to come to work here... he lasted six months... too "foreign" for his tastes.
Family - My wife initially had a tough time, but grew to love Singapore and grieved over leaving. A lady friend of mine hated the place... hubby and she arrived and he promptly divorced his wife to take up with a young Asian sweetie. She came out alright, though... he gave up so much for a divorce, and she's happy again.
Financially - Again, some folks come over on amazing expat packages (not so many any more). They have great housing, great salary, and lots of spare money. Others get in at a galley slave's wage. From a third world country this might still look good, for those from more developed places, saving money is a bitch.
Socially - Entirely up to you. From the expat side of things, relationships are easy to cultivate because thee and she/he have the commonality of lost home and new stomping grounds. And, you can make friendships in the community, if you become involved. But if you're planning to do your two year tour in Holland Village, engaging only with other expats, you'll be insulated.
Mentally - On the one hand, Singapore is really great. Great infrastructure. Almost like Disneyworld when it comes to its entertainment, tourist, and eating amenities. Great jump off point to see lots of other parts of Asia. I really enjoyed my time. OTOH, "island fever" is real... it sets in (depending on your own mental state) two to five years after you've been here. You basically get sooooo f*cking tired of the ignoramus behaviors you see over and over and over again on the part of the locals. Idiots who insist on jamming their way into lifts and MRT doors before allowing anyone off. Arseholes that walk five across on Orchard who are completely surprised to be shoulder blocked to the curb. You will initially love Singapore, you will later become disillusioned... and, this applies to work as well... clueless "managers" that can't make a decision, and a workforce that lives in their own private box... nothing can be done that is not within the box... only the very few are aware enough of what it takes to excel.
Whatever? - I got to travel extensively... partly with my job, and partly having the time to do things I would never have done if not in Asia. I got to golf almost every week at Batam... wonderful courses, great caddies, and massage girls that really knew how to get the job done. I miss that.
Be aware also that, if you stay any length of time, it will be harder to leave Singapore than it was to leave your home country. You might have the expectation of returning one day, and that eases your view of leaving. But, when you leave Singapore to return (or go elsewhere), you realize that you are giving up a great lifestyle, losing good friends that you may never see again, and returning to a place that just doesn't look so good by comparison.
So... I don't know if you are a grad student looking to find filler for a thesis, or a person genuinely interested in understanding what it means to be an expat. This is one person's view... and as I said... others will be 180 degrees different.
