Is Singapore Losing Its Appeal?

[Wd40]

Sometimes it sounds like people need confirmation from others to keep supporting what they think. I always laugh when I hear something is so bad, yet people are still there (not just here, anywhere).

If people don't like something, that is fine. However, if so, then I'd suggest people learn to grow a pair of balls and book a flight out of Changi. And this is not a slap in the face, it's actually constructive advice.

It is never black or white, there are various dimensions. Singapore is great in many aspects which is why we are still here, but other aspects it isnt great for example, there are no seasons, it is always the same boring weather. There is no history or culture(although people think what they see in Little India or Chinatown is culture, it is not). Europe has all this.

I dont know why people get so defensive, you cannot be the best in everything. You are the best in a few things, which is already great. But I find the people are so blinded by the safety and convenience that they dont even know what they are missing. I love the quote "A ship is safe at the harbor, but that is not where the ship was meant to be"

[NYY1]

Sometimes it sounds like people need confirmation from others to keep supporting what they think. I always laugh when I hear something is so bad, yet people are still there (not just here, anywhere).

If people don't like something, that is fine. However, if so, then I'd suggest people learn to grow a pair of balls and book a flight out of Changi. And this is not a slap in the face, it's actually constructive advice.

It is never black or white, there are various dimensions. Singapore is great in many aspects which is why we are still here, but other aspects it isnt great for example, there are no seasons, it is always the same boring weather. There is no history or culture. Europe has all this.

I dont know why people get so defensive, you cannot be the best in everything. You are the best in a few things, which is already great. But I find the people are so blinded by the safety and convenience that they dont even know what they are missing. I love the quote "A ship is safe at the harbor, but that is not where the ship was meant for"

Suggest you re-read what I wrote. Of course, every city/country has its pros and cons. Personally, I wouldn't live in Europe no matter what. But I don't move to Europe and then complain about it.

FYI, there are probably people here that have been a few more places (not talking vacations but living for an extended period of time) than most others, so I wouldn't presume that they don't even know what they are missing.

[Wd40]

Sometimes it sounds like people need confirmation from others to keep supporting what they think. I always laugh when I hear something is so bad, yet people are still there (not just here, anywhere).

If people don't like something, that is fine. However, if so, then I'd suggest people learn to grow a pair of balls and book a flight out of Changi. And this is not a slap in the face, it's actually constructive advice.

It is never black or white, there are various dimensions. Singapore is great in many aspects which is why we are still here, but other aspects it isnt great for example, there are no seasons, it is always the same boring weather. There is no history or culture. Europe has all this.

I dont know why people get so defensive, you cannot be the best in everything. You are the best in a few things, which is already great. But I find the people are so blinded by the safety and convenience that they dont even know what they are missing. I love the quote "A ship is safe at the harbor, but that is not where the ship was meant for"

Suggest you re-read what I wrote. Of course, every city/country has its pros and cons. Personally, I wouldn't live in Europe no matter what. But I don't move to Europe and then complain about it.

FYI, there are probably people here that have been a few more places (not talking vacations but living for an extended period of time) than most others, so I wouldn't presume that they don't even know what they are missing.

Don't you see so many people complaining about their job, but still they go and do the same job, you can tell them if you don't like quit. It is the same thing when it comes to complaining about a country.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-most ... ih-adeline

[NYY1]

Don't you see so many people complaining about their job, but still they go and do the same job, you can tell them if you don't like quit. It is the same thing when it comes to complaining about a country.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-most ... ih-adeline

I would suggest they do (quit). But most people don't have the guts or have essentially become a slave to the paycheck (happens to many people across the pay spectrum, not just those who unfortunately don't have many other choices to meet basic needs).

Anyways, I know everyone's situation is different, and it probably shapes both feelings and perspectives. I could say more but I'll leave it at that. As mentioned many times before, I hope you can stay as long as you want, and then do as you please (back to India or take a visa programme elsewhere). Regards.

[malcontent]

Personally, I appreciate Singapore MUCH more now than I did during Covid — I had never been stuck here for so many years without leaving. It was just a really bad case of island fever.

When I was finally able to travel again, I felt like a kid in a candy store and didn’t want to come back here… but now that I have been so many times, it has also become more humdrum.

[midlet2013]

For me , generally I feel grateful to Singapore. Given that I did not buy a house and just kept investing, it is helping me towards financial independence. So for me, the low tax and zero capital gain tax simply trumps high tax regimes like Europe. Even if down the line, my priorities may change, I always think Singapore helped a lot.

And, Singapore is fun if you got the money. Driving, Eating out, Traveling is so much fun if one can afford. The weather, crowd, real estate is not optimal but one has to chose between the positives and negatives.

Overall, I think Singapore is pretty good. And honestly I am glad I am here if not in Silicon Valley.

[malcontent]

There are just so many factors to consider, but many revolve around money and expectations.

Earlier this week I was talking to a Singaporean in my office who was telling me about a friend of his who owns an HDB, cleared the MOP, then bought a condo, and now rents both of them out and lives in Malaysia with a fully funded CPF and rental income approaching 5 figures monthly, obviously living extremely well. This person seems to have something figured out.

[NYY1]

For me , generally I feel grateful to Singapore. Given that I did not buy a house and just kept investing, it is helping me towards financial independence. So for me, the low tax and zero capital gain tax simply trumps high tax regimes like Europe. Even if down the line, my priorities may change, I always think Singapore helped a lot.

And, Singapore is fun if you got the money. Driving, Eating out, Traveling is so much fun if one can afford. The weather, crowd, real estate is not optimal but one has to chose between the positives and negatives.

Overall, I think Singapore is pretty good. And honestly I am glad I am here if not in Silicon Valley.

I think the opportunity set here has increased over the years. It's not to the extent of where you mention and a few other places. However, there are things now that were not even possible before, and there are more ways to do very well. Unfortunately, at the same time the costs keep going up, so a lot of people that are nominally doing well are still on the treadmill. More or less, this is what the prime cities anywhere look like through.

[jalanjalan]

After growing up in Canada with -30 deg temps and -70 deg windchill in Jan-Feb, I love SG's boring weather.

[Wd40]

For me , generally I feel grateful to Singapore. Given that I did not buy a house and just kept investing, it is helping me towards financial independence. So for me, the low tax and zero capital gain tax simply trumps high tax regimes like Europe. Even if down the line, my priorities may change, I always think Singapore helped a lot.

And, Singapore is fun if you got the money. Driving, Eating out, Traveling is so much fun if one can afford. The weather, crowd, real estate is not optimal but one has to chose between the positives and negatives.

Overall, I think Singapore is pretty good. And honestly I am glad I am here if not in Silicon Valley.

Given that you are a high achiever couple, I feel, you will do well anywhere, even more so in the US. US has the best opportunities in data science and the taxes may be high but salaries are also much higher.

Singapore works well for people like me who are not high achievers, who hate their jobs, not interested in upskilling and learn new technologies or put in the effort. Generally want to slack in a boring operations IT role in a bank, doing the same thing for last 15 years. But in the process also making some money which is good enough to go back and retire early in India.

I would keep complaining how boring Singapore is; because I take the MRT, the frugal person in me will never be able to justify driving a car in Singapore. But at the same time, I know this the best I can get at my age of 44, I dont have the motivation to find another job. I am just milking this stint as long as I can, secretly hoping there is massive recession and job losses, so that losers like me get to justify "See everyone is losing their job, the market is bad, so I am quitting and retiring early"

[malcontent]

After growing up in Canada with -30 deg temps and -70 deg windchill in Jan-Feb, I love SG's boring weather.

My home state is right across the border from Canada, so I feel ya! You’ll never hear me complain about the weather. Endless summer is truly idyllic compared to the freezing abyss. I can handle some cold once in a while, for a week or so, but preferably not for months on end. And don’t forget the foreboding gray sky that never lets any sun thru. I can appreciate the melancholy it stirs up in me for only so long.

But at the same time, I can understand how people who grew up in hot tropical weather their whole life would find it oppressive too. It’s all about perspective.

[Wd40]

After growing up in Canada with -30 deg temps and -70 deg windchill in Jan-Feb, I love SG's boring weather.

My home state is right across the border from Canada, so I feel ya! You’ll never hear me complain about the weather. Endless summer is truly idyllic compared to the freezing abyss. I can handle some cold once in a while, for a week or so, but preferably not for months on end. And don’t forget the foreboding gray sky that never lets any sun thru. I can appreciate the melancholy it stirs up in me for only so long.

But at the same time, I can understand how people who grew up in hot tropical weather their whole life would find it oppressive too. It’s all about perspective.

Today we went to Esplanade area and while returning we decided to take the SBS bus from esplanade instead of MRT. Since it like 10PM and the bus was empty, and it is cold outside, I think the Airconditioning was felt cold inside, for me it was okay, even though I was wearing only T-shirt. But both my daughter and wife were feeling cold. I was like if you cannot tolerate 22 degrees, how do you tolerate sub zero temperatures

[the observer]

“Even many mainland companies seeking to hedge geopolitical risks choose Singapore over the Chinese city, according to a report”

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeas ... -asia-hubs

[NYY1]

“Even many mainland companies seeking to hedge geopolitical risks choose Singapore over the Chinese city, according to a report”

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeas ... -asia-hubs

To add, the number of higher end opportunities (say 250k - 500k salary) keep going up as well. I guess it all depends on who you are and what you are doing.

[the observer]

Reminds me of the 90s when Singapore was a manufacturing hub. It got expensive and low tech assemblies such as printers and disk drives had to move out. And along with it, the transient workers.

Today it’s a different era but along the way, some companies will pull the plug. And something else will take the vacant space.