UK EXPAT RETIRING IN SINGAPORE

[morenangpinay]

What about Philippine? A good place to retire? It seems the cost of living there is cheaper than Thailand with no language barrier.

Malaysia is not bad with 10 years visa. Lower cost of living than Singapore.

here you go for the philippine retirement visa info. http://www.pra.gov.ph/im not going to promote it, either you like it or not

[freshmeat]

What about Philippine? A good place to retire? It seems the cost of living there is cheaper than Thailand with no language barrier.

Malaysia is not bad with 10 years visa. Lower cost of living than Singapore.

here you go for the philippine retirement visa info. http://www.pra.gov.ph/im not going to promote it, either you like it or not

Thanks!

[the lynx]

Honest opinion, retiring in Singapore will be the last thing on my mind. Heck, I'd rather retire in Malaysia if I were to be a foreigner

[AngMoG]

Honest opinion, retiring in Singapore will be the last thing on my mind. Heck, I'd rather retire in Malaysia if I were to be a foreigner

I have to say, I fully agree. Financially, retiring in Singapore also does not make any sense. Almost all countries in the region have a much lower cost-of-living, and some of them (mentioned above) are actually welcoming retirees. Simply said, whatever money OP has, will afford a much better life in Thailand, Philippines or similar.

[bgd]

If money isn't an issue and you want to retire in Asia then Singapore is a good option. It certainly ticks most of the boxes if you come from the west, safety, infrastructure, health system, ease of living, etc.

It is expensive but for many that isn't a factor.

[the lynx]

Malaysia is much cheaper for retirement both from COL and the amount required for to get a visa to stay:

http://www.mm2h.com/

Actually this website is more accurate. It is an official website for MM2H programme. The one you posted is by an agency (again!)

http://mm2h.gov.my/

[zzm9980]

If money isn't an issue and you want to retire in Asia then Singapore is a good option. It certainly ticks most of the boxes if you come from the west, safety, infrastructure, health system, ease of living, etc.

It is expensive but for many that isn't a factor.

And just in case anyone wonders, here is Singapore's retiree visa:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=238

Visitors are eligible to apply for a renewable Long-Term Visit Pass of up to 5 years if they meet the following criteria:
45 years old and above;
own a property / properties in Singapore worth at least S$500,000 (in total) for residential purposes and meet any one of the following financial requirements:
have savings of at least S$400,000 parked in Singapore in any form of financial instruments based in Singapore, or
show evidence of a monthly local income of at least S$7,000, or
have a combined, savings and 5-year equivalent income of at least $400,000.
must be in good health
have valid Medical Insurance in Singapore
For renewal of the Visit Pass for purpose of long term stay, the applicant is required to meet the same set of investment, financial and medical requirements as indicated in paragraph (1) to (4) above.

[Wd40]

The thing about Singapore is; although the cost of living is high, if you have bought a property or 2 here at the right prices, then the high COL actually works in your favour.

There are several people here who do nothing but just enjoy income from rental.

Developing countries will always remain developing and come with all sorts of issues for foreigners.

If you are a westerner look at AU or NZ if SG is too exp.

[JR8]

And just in case anyone wonders, here is Singapore's retiree visa: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=238

Someone should be hired to help them write in English. It is not my forte, but I mean really! And this, pitched to higher-end people, from the government no less!


'have savings of at least S$400,000 parked in Singapore in any form of financial instruments based in Singapore'


p.s. Then ten lines further down the page you encounter this...

'All applications for social visit passes are assessed on their own merits and are subject to approval. For more information, you may refer to the FAQ [URL NEEDED].'

And that's their red font and bolding!

[offshoreoildude]

The thing about Singapore is; although the cost of living is high, if you have bought a property or 2 here at the right prices, then the high COL actually works in your favour.

There are several people here who do nothing but just enjoy income from rental.

Developing countries will always remain developing and come with all sorts of issues for foreigners.

If you are a westerner look at AU or NZ if SG is too exp.

There's no 'retirement' visa in Australia and the medical exam needed for PR is becoming tighter to pass. Australia treats older immigrants a bit like cats are treated.... they don't make it past quarantine.

[imogenben]

If money isn't an issue and you want to retire in Asia then Singapore is a good option. It certainly ticks most of the boxes if you come from the west, safety, infrastructure, health system, ease of living, etc.

It is expensive but for many that isn't a factor.

I agree. Especially if one is female.

[taxico]

when you're nearing retirement, you do your sums. if you can afford it, singapore's a great (not perfect) place to live out the rest of your life.

my dad's proof: he's obtained a number of SE Asian retirement visas but never used any. he feels safest in singapore although the local police force is generally useless.

everything in singapore just works. private (self paid) medical care is excellent with minimal wait times. amenities are well placed and near everyone. fruit and food's every where. and no mandatory low-flow toilets - paradise for my old man.

the weather is not cold (yeah, sure when a storm's coming he'd feel it but it sure beats having to deal with snow and sleet and hail coz it'll be sunny again soon).

his goal was to have a good rest of his life, after working his butt off for 50 hard years (he started working when he was 15), and enjoy the results of his labor.

the closest thing i can think of that he has to defend himself from - besides himself, are wild monkeys and heartland sales promoters (eg, he came home with three mp3 players one day, calling it the "deal of the century").

just sayin, is all.

[JR8]

If money isn't an issue and you want to retire in Asia then Singapore is a good option. It certainly ticks most of the boxes if you come from the west, safety, infrastructure, health system, ease of living, etc.

It is expensive but for many that isn't a factor.

The facilities may be good, in comparison to the region, but almost no one else outside of SG/HK comes from such a congested, noisy and expensive city. The cons come in parallel with the pros.

For example: If you offered my parents a free house anywhere in SG, on the condition they retire here, they'd thank you, politely decline, and then mentally laugh you out of the room.

There is a certain demographic who might wish to settle permanently in SG... dunno...
- the dispossessed
- rich people from the region, for which SG offers stability to their wealth.
- people who might be able to afford a home in SG, and one, two... elsewhere...
... others?

... Perhaps it is akin to a Monaco.



Frankly, if I were to retire in Asia, I'd far rather retire in Malaysia. The parallel is retiring to an old stone farmhouse in Provence, France ... vs a concrete box in the sky in Monaco, or Majorca...

[morenangpinay]

my parents spent 1 month in singapore for a vacation...they were so bored plus they hate the long distance walking

[bgd]

my parents spent 1 month in singapore for a vacation...they were so bored plus they hate the long distance walking

That's interesting. My parents spent 2 months here weren't bored and enjoyed the walking, once they adjusted to the heat. Suits some and not others I guess.