Should I move to Singapore?

[singaporesomeday]

I'm only 14, but I want to leave America right after I graduate college. It's not that I don't like it here, it's just that I see no future in the country- it's destined to fall just like every empire before it. All we know here is "panem et circenses." After spending quite a while researching different countries on four continents (Canada, China, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, UK), I have chosen Singapore. The only problems I have found (that matter to me, at least) are my children having forced military service and being forced to give up my American citizenship (although I guess that one isn't TOO important to me).

When I grow up, I want to be a businessman, and--without trying to be overconfident--do plan on being fairly wealthy. I'm learning Chinese and although I'm still far from fluent, I plan on spending at least one summer in China, studying abroad in either Shanghai or Singapore, and taking classes all the way until I graduate. My question: Should I move to Singapore?

[offshoreoildude]

I'm only 14, but I want to leave America right after I graduate college. It's not that I don't like it here, it's just that I see no future in the country- it's destined to fall just like every empire before it. All we know here is "panem et circenses." After spending quite a while researching different countries on four continents (Canada, China, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, UK), I have chosen Singapore. The only problems I have found (that matter to me, at least) are my children having forced military service and being forced to give up my American citizenship (although I guess that one isn't TOO important to me).

When I grow up, I want to be a businessman, and--without trying to be overconfident--do plan on being fairly wealthy. I'm learning Chinese and although I'm still far from fluent, I plan on spending at least one summer in China, studying abroad in either Shanghai or Singapore, and taking classes all the way until I graduate. My question: Should I move to Singapore?

Best wishes but to add to your historic knowledge read up on the rise and fall of Venice and the Medici family. A lot of more knowledgeable people than myself feel that will be Singapore's fate.

I'd suggest you need not worry about it for the next 5 years go.

[taxico]

I'm only 14, but I want to leave America right after I graduate college... I have chosen Singapore. The only problems I have found (that matter to me, at least) are my children having forced military service and being forced to give up my American citizenship (although I guess that one isn't TOO important to me).

When I grow up, I want to be a businessman... My question: Should I move to Singapore?

the forced military issue and giving up american citizenship thing are small problems that can be overcome with proper planning or a change in mentality when you're older and can understand the reasons behind such policies.

but i stress that a lot can happen in 10 years, although it's never too early to be wheeling and dealing. i started my first business when i was about 14.

wait till you've had a few companies and entered college before deciding where you should go. i urge you to keep your options opened right now and not restrict them to only the countries you've mentioned.

[beppi]

It is good to have and pursue dreams at your age, but be prepared for the likelyhood that they fail or that they won't be your dreams any longer in a few years.
Apart from that, you should spend a summer in Singapore, not China, to prepare yourself for a possible move to Singapore!

P.S.: In most empires that fell so far, life has been most comfortable just before the fall. Why would you want to change to a less comfortable place?

[Casca01]

It's probably best to check more places in the region. You should certainly try out Hong Kong and Singapore, and Shanghai too if you're already learning Chinese. You never know where life will make you end up and in 5 years time the perfect place might be somewhere completely different.

I will admit that it is nice to dream though

[jsompinm]

I've moved to Singapore about a year ago now. So far i'm liking it, but of course each country have their issues. Singapore is the kind of country that moves very fast. It is very different compared to lets say most European countries where changes take decades. So it might be good for now, but you never know about the future.

[disenchanted]

Ok this is my first post, I've been lurking this forum for years but now its time to step forward. I don't want to sound like a killjoy or a troll but seeing this kind of threads around horrifies me so I have to speak up.

You are still young. I can imagine you're very enterprising and energetic. I admire your dedication and share your interest in Asia. But please, reconsider your choice. This city is not what it appears to be from the outside.

Singapore is fantastic if you're on a well-paid expat contract with an MNC. If you actually live here in a 'local' way (like myself) you will hate this place with all your heart. National Service is just one hell of a bummer. I'm going through it currently and don't ever take that 2 years of a complete mindf**k lightly. I still have 9 months left and I wish I never came here on the first place. Even if you don't do it, locals who are subjected to it will secretly hate you mostly. But that's just the beginning.

A lot has been spoken about how business friendly this country is. But I have a little correction. Its INVESTOR friendly. If you already have a huge capital and want to expand overseas, Singapore is a like a sponge that will gladly accept anything that generates revenue. But the environment for local entrepreneurs is lethal. 'Our' education system destroys individualism and creativity since pre-school. The government keeps domination over a lot of industries (like media and transportation) and barriers to entry are worse than you think. Then there is the entire NS that, at a very critical age, destroys the entire momentum you and/or your business partners have. Happened to me. Besides, Singaporeans are bloody insecure about themselves and their country and won't support homegrown products, especially in the arts area. The prevalent thinking if troubles mount is 'What to do? It's Singapore for you.'

Infrastructure is mediocre. Yes, the rapid transit is far better than what you get anywhere in States (with sole exception of NYC perhaps) but its oversaturated and under maintained. For the past couple of years its been failing every week. And until you're really filthy rich, you can forget about driving.

Society is falling apart. But considering what a communist nightmare it was designed to be that might not be such a bad thing. In fact its being exposed to the real world and although Singapore is still in the dark ages compared to every other 'developed' country, this shock therapy on local heartlanders is something I don't really mind.

As a whole, if I could choose again I'd avoid this place. Go to Hong Kong or Taipei and live a free life in a free (arguable in case of HK but still way better than here) country/territory. Just my two cents.

[taxico]

welcome to singapore!

(and if you were expecting some sort of paradise where everything is just the way you want it, keep looking!)

[disenchanted]

welcome to singapore!

(and if you were expecting some sort of paradise where everything is just the way you want it, keep looking!)

If you're talking to me then thanks but I'm hardly new here, 6 years in town already. And I don't expect a paradise but hope to get somewhere not as repressive in future.

[Wd40]

welcome to singapore!

(and if you were expecting some sort of paradise where everything is just the way you want it, keep looking!)

If you're talking to me then thanks but I'm hardly new here, 6 years in town already. And I don't expect a paradise but hope to get somewhere not as repressive in future.

You came here 6 years back and you are doing NS? Are you a second gen PR or 1st gen PR who got it through a spouse or a citizen who was away all this while?

[disenchanted]

^^2nd Gen PR. Been through schools first (public school included) and I used to downplay the difficulty of NS but well I was wrong.

[Wd40]

We don't have too many 2nd gen PRs posting on this forum, other than asking questions about avoiding NS and giving up PR. Nice to have you here

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sounds like a wuss to me. My son is doing his NS at the moment and he thinks it's a piece of cake. In fact, he'll be RODing in about 3 months time.

[zzm9980]

Sounds like a wuss to me. My son is doing his NS at the moment and he thinks it's a piece of cake. In fact, he'll be RODing in about 3 months time.

In all fairness, everyone is different. Maybe this poster IS a wuss for something like NS and can't cut it. He might have spent those two years in front of a laptop in his dorm coding the next Facebook, or even better, something actually useful. Most people can't say that, but that's the point. Not everyone is one size fit all, and NS forcing the occasional square peg into a round hole isn't ideal.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Neither was the draft in the US, but we did it anyway. And 55K of us were killed in the 10K day war. Such is life. You can get hit by a bus even if you are careful as well. Computer geeks, if any good, do computer geek stuff in the military. They don't make everybody a grunt. That's a cop out to me. Sorry, but I feel differently, but I agree to disagree. We're from different generations.