Will i really be able to survive the lifestyle?

[nakatago]

I agree with everything that the posters have said about moving to Singapore - its a great lifestyle, there are new things to learn and experience and all those good things, but JR8 said it perfectly...

If there is a core to the issue I think it is that many of your pursuits are individualistic, and Asia tends to revolve more around the community, a controlled populace, and homogeneousness.

I continuously find myself butting my head against some arcane herd mentality stupidity with no hope of change. Singapore is too small to have a decently competitive market and where they have tried it is usually the consumer that loses out. It was great for a while, and usually I just needed some time in one of the neighbouring countries to appreciate the quiet and order that comes with Singapore, but after a good number of years I'm ready to go home (to the chaos that is Africa).

One of the hardest things for me about living in Singapore is the difficulty in creating and maintaining a social circle as I have "different" interests. People come and go on a regular basis, which means that finding people who you have things in common with (its taken me years to find locals who don't put Shopping and Eating as their hobbies) will be difficult, but once you've found them you need to continually be on the look out for new friends as these could up and move at a moments notice.

This is not meant to dissuade you from moving, but rather to give an idea as to some issues I think that you may face. I've enjoyed the time that I've spent in Singapore and all the opportunities that living here has afforded me, but it is not for everyone.

There is no shame in coming over and admitting that it is not for you, but I would suggest that you leave your dog behind for a couple of months because it is quite a thing to move your dog here and 6 months later to go through the whole process again if that does happen (and it may not).

+1

[sundaymorningstaple]

I also concur. I did better than most, in as much as I lasted 2 decades before I really started butting my head! Now, I reckon I've got around 2 more years as in less than 2 weeks my son will be entering NS and that will tie him down for 24 month give or take a couple.

[Brah]

++1

To add, if you've never lived abroad as an adult, it's not the most exciting of all possible choices. Especially given your age.

Singapore is more of a comfortable, low-key kind of place, and while some aspects of the quality of life are pretty good compared to some other places, the absence of lots of things you are used to in the States might surprise you, things we all take for granted.

And your SGD$ will be weaker than your USD$ when you travel.

You could do what I did - a self-funded trip here before you decide. My long weekend didn't really prepare me for what it would be like to actually live here, but it did give me a lot of flavor that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

I agree with everything that the posters have said about moving to Singapore - its a great lifestyle, there are new things to learn and experience and all those good things, but JR8 said it perfectly...

If there is a core to the issue I think it is that many of your pursuits are individualistic, and Asia tends to revolve more around the community, a controlled populace, and homogeneousness.

I continuously find myself butting my head against some arcane herd mentality stupidity with no hope of change. Singapore is too small to have a decently competitive market and where they have tried it is usually the consumer that loses out. It was great for a while, and usually I just needed some time in one of the neighbouring countries to appreciate the quiet and order that comes with Singapore, but after a good number of years I'm ready to go home (to the chaos that is Africa).

One of the hardest things for me about living in Singapore is the difficulty in creating and maintaining a social circle as I have "different" interests. People come and go on a regular basis, which means that finding people who you have things in common with (its taken me years to find locals who don't put Shopping and Eating as their hobbies) will be difficult, but once you've found them you need to continually be on the look out for new friends as these could up and move at a moments notice.

This is not meant to dissuade you from moving, but rather to give an idea as to some issues I think that you may face. I've enjoyed the time that I've spent in Singapore and all the opportunities that living here has afforded me, but it is not for everyone.

There is no shame in coming over and admitting that it is not for you, but I would suggest that you leave your dog behind for a couple of months because it is quite a thing to move your dog here and 6 months later to go through the whole process again if that does happen (and it may not).

+1

[rohan19]

My 2 cents to the OP: Singapore's great if you can get off it every couple of months, it's a great place to be in, especially if you have a family with kids.

Single guy who loves some chaos/suspense in his life ? maybe not the place (unless like i said you can get off the island once in a while).

Strongly suggest a short visit,atleast 3/4 days.My first time there, I felt i'd been in hospitals which were less sterile than Singapore

[nakatago]

My 2 cents to the OP: Singapore's great if you can get off it every couple of months, it's a great place to be in, especially if you have a family with kids.

Single guy who loves some chaos/suspense in his life ? maybe not the place (unless like i said you can get off the island once in a while).

Strongly suggest a short visit,atleast 3/4 days.My first time there, I felt i'd been in hospitals which were less sterile than Singapore

yet another +1.

lol on the last line.

[Swilling]

Thanks for the help guys, this is exactly the info i need.
I agree with the potential to go travel and check out other places, that could be cool. The super sterile type environment isnt exactly what i like in a city.

I recieved this email from AVA, i asked why they list Akitas in their breeds that must be muzzled yet other websites list that they are banned.


Dear Mr Willing ,

Thank you for your email on 21 April 2011.

We would like to clarify that we have banned the import of Akita for many years and if there are some Akita left before the ban,they would need to be muzzled in a public place.

Akita and their crosses are banned in Singapore.

Kind regards
Leslie Ng

So thats that.
Still alot of thinking to do, i probably have about a week left to decide. I still don't know where i sit. Been doing lots of reading on here and other places.

I guess i'll let ya's know what my final decision is. Thanks for the support.
Cheers.

[JR8]

Typical of the SG government really. The info you find online relates (but does not state) to 'legacy dogs', rather than saying what is currently banned. Look for what is currently banned and you won't find it.

E-mail them and it's like 'Oh well, A,B and C have been banned for years', like you should know this.

Report to them that their website isn't clear and they'll respond as if you have a screw loose.

At least they replied to your e-mail with an answer that makes some sense out of the bull on the www.

[x9200]

Actually, SMS, the main difference b/w Indians(or Asians rather except Singaporeans though ) and Westerners is that Westerners live for today and Asians live for tomorrow(although the tomorrow never comes in most cases ). Westerners spends their money even before they earn it and Asians leave their money for the children, grand children and their great grand children. Career advancement is only a part of the pursuit towards money making.

This is not the Asians-non-Asians thing. This is the rich-poor thing. That's why the Singaporeans do not fit here.

[aster]

Swilling, two years isn't eternity and I think you will be pleasantly surprised upon making the move. At the end of the day I think it all boils down to what kind of package you're being offered: is the salary great, do you get an allowance for housing, free car (not that you'd need one here), etc.?