Spending majority of year in Sing as a Retired Tourist?

[Lisafuller]

As a foreigner, you’d only consider Singapore if you are extraordinarily wealthy or exceptionally well paid to be here.

For someone that just loves Singapore, the Sarawak MM2H visa would allow you to live in JB for 11 out of 12 months of the year, and visit Singapore anytime you like.

Echo the first part, unless you have access to the subsidies locals enjoy, or have family ties here, it's quite impractical.

[Lisafuller]

Bumping this convo up. As an update, I'm still living in Singapore, but my EP is about to end next month. Wondering if I should keep my apartment here as my Asia homebase in retirement. My rent is still pretty cheap so I don't think its too much of a financial burden. I'd only want to spend 6-8 months here. Does everything still think this is a bad idea to do only on tourist visas?

Rent is not static. I would give it up and rent in a much cheaper locale such as Chiang Mai or Melaka or KL or HuaHin.

If I didn't own a home here, I'd rent in CM. Was there a couple months ago - really lovely locals and slow pace of life. Plenty of nature as well and everything is dirt cheap.

[hangmann]

Rent is not static. I would give it up and rent in a much cheaper locale such as Chiang Mai or Melaka or KL or HuaHin.

If I didn't own a home here, I'd rent in CM. Was there a couple months ago - really lovely locals and slow pace of life. Plenty of nature as well and everything is dirt cheap.

It's a good point, even though my rent price may be good now, I may be priced out eventually.

PNGMK, what's keeping you here in Singapore?

Lisafuller, thanks for the rec for Chiang Mai.

I'm still having a hard time letting go of Singapore but I feel like its the right long term thing to do.

[PNGMK]

I'm here because of my children. That will ceases soon enough.

[malcontent]

TBH, I can’t imagine spending the majority of the year in Sing as a retired tourist. What in the world would you do with your time? Unless you have family here or something?

[hangmann]

TBH, I can’t imagine spending the majority of the year in Sing as a retired tourist. What in the world would you do with your time? Unless you have family here or something?

How would it be any more boring here than any other of the commonly suggested retirement destinations (like KL, Chiang Mai, Manila)? In terms of day to day living, I see pretty much the same amount of stuff to do here versus those places (albeit more expensive) .

But I get your point, I guess the key word here is tourist, and without permanent residence, I do agree it would be hard to build enough roots here to have a fulfilling retirement.

[NYY1]

TBH, I can’t imagine spending the majority of the year in Sing as a retired tourist. What in the world would you do with your time? Unless you have family here or something?

How would it be any more boring here than any other of the commonly suggested retirement destinations (like KL, Chiang Mai, Manila)? In terms of day to day living, I see pretty much the same amount of stuff to do here versus those places.

Of course, this doesn't factor in cost at all, but I don't see Singapore lacking in terms of things to do versus other SEAsian cities.

I think it depends on what one does for outdoor recreation. Some other places may have an edge there (both in availability of space, change of landscape, etc). But for a multi-million population urban area, not much difference (maybe you can get some of the other stuff without crossing a border).

[hangmann]

I'm here because of my children. That will ceases soon enough.

I saw in a previous post that you are very close to this date. How are you feeling about leaving soon, after being here for so many years?

[malcontent]

Hangmann, I am in a similar situation… have lived in Singapore since 1996, my oldest kid will be starting college in the US in 2024, second one in 2026. We will move to the US together as a family in 2024. Many reasons to do this, but financial reasons is a major one.

Some in my situation could be facing serious reverse culture shock. However, I work for a US company here, interact daily with US based employees, and keep close contact with my family and friends in the US. Outside of the pandemic period, I also travel to the US at least once a year on personal and often multiple times on business. I’m just as comfortable tucking into a nasi lemak at a hawker for S$4 as I am hitting the Taco Bell drive thru and getting a beefy cheese burrito and free ice water for US$2.29 (yes, food in the US can be cheaper than a hawker if you know what you’re doing). My wife lived in the US for 5 years (that is where we met, and why I ended up in Singapore), and we have all been to my parents’ house dozens of times over the years, going there again this month. So we are all pretty comfortable over there.

That said, I don’t think anyone can live over half of their life here and feel nothing. The best way to describe it would be mixed feelings. I think it would be different if I thought we would never be back here. I’ve got in-laws living here and nearby in the region, so there’s no avoiding it. We might even retire here eventually. So it’s not goodbye… it’s see you later.

[jalanjalan]

I suppose a retired tourist in Singapore would be thinking of it as a nice safe homebase from which to jet all over the region, rather than stay on the island the whole time. In my semi-retired state, I am happy to live a quiet life - relak at home, kaypoh my neighbours, stroll to the park, sit at coffeeshop and watch the kampung chicken. But then I've been living in the neighbourhood over 20 yrs and it's become my natural habitat.

[hangmann]

Just to update everyone, I decided to give up my apartment here and leave Singapore. I have the next 6 months already lined up with travels around the world, I'm excited to be travelling all over after being here for almost 3 years straight during COVID. I hope to check out all the places you guys have recommended as good places to retire, such as KL, Chiang Mai, Penang, and make a decision on where to purchase property after my trip.

I'm feeling a bit sad of course, Singapore has been a great place to live, however I believe it's not a great place to retire. I also don't want to end up being one of those people who get addicted to the safety and comfort of this place and cannot live anywhere else.

Perhaps most importantly, I strongly oppose the immigration policy here, it's not right that Singapore advertises itself as a progressive melting pot of many races when in reality the government only wants Chinese people. The American in me says this is wrong, and the longer I spend my time (and money) here, the more I am implicitly supporting this policy. No more.

[MOCHS]

the government only wants Chinese people.

My PhD wielding PRC friend would beg to differ as she got rejected twice for PR so far. While my Caucasian husband and a couple of Indian acquaintances (not married to locals/PRs) I know got PR this year. And one of the Indian forum members, smoulder, got SC this year and saw some other Indians in one of the community sessions he attended as part of his citizenship journey.

[jalanjalan]

Perhaps most importantly, I strongly oppose the immigration policy here, it's not right that Singapore advertises itself as a progressive melting pot of many races when in reality the government only wants Chinese people. The American in me says this is wrong, and the longer I spend my time (and money) here, the more I am implicitly supporting this policy. No more.

As a minority in Singapore, I've no issue with the immigration policy (ie. keeping existing ethnic balance) as I can see why it works for Singapore's unique context.

To each his own. Enjoy your retirement wherever it may be

[NYY1]

Just to update everyone, I decided to give up my apartment here and leave Singapore. I have the next 6 months already lined up with travels around the world, I'm excited to be travelling all over after being here for almost 3 years straight during COVID. I hope to check out all the places you guys have recommended as good places to retire, such as KL, Chiang Mai, Penang, and make a decision on where to purchase property after my trip.

I'm feeling a bit sad of course, Singapore has been a great place to live, however I believe it's not a great place to retire. I also don't want to end up being one of those people who get addicted to the safety and comfort of this place and cannot live anywhere else.

Perhaps most importantly, I strongly oppose the immigration policy here, it's not right that Singapore advertises itself as a progressive melting pot of many races when in reality the government only wants Chinese people. The American in me says this is wrong, and the longer I spend my time (and money) here, the more I am implicitly supporting this policy. No more.

Best of luck! All things considered, I think it is the right move. I.e. I wouldn't try to stay here without long-term staying power/immigration rights. Come 60-90 days at a time, enjoy it, and move on elsewhere.

[NYY1]

To be fair, the immigration situation is a challenge for some. Like many things in life, the issue is whether you are on the right side of any policy, directive, etc. We can all evaluate whether things are favourable (unfavourable) or whether they are favourable (unfavourable) for me...