How is Living in Singapore?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP! Another benefit of living there is the proximity to epic vacation destinations, including Bali, Japan, and Australia/ New Zealand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP! Another benefit of living there is the proximity to epic vacation destinations, including Bali, Japan, and Australia/ New Zealand.

Thanks! That definitely seemed a positive perk when we were first notified of our move.

[Anonymous]

It’s kinda hot.
It’s smack on the equator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP! Another benefit of living there is the proximity to epic vacation destinations, including Bali, Japan, and Australia/ New Zealand.

Um.

Singapore to Auckland is 10 1/2 hours flight time. Sydney is like 8 hours.

What are you smoking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP! Another benefit of living there is the proximity to epic vacation destinations, including Bali, Japan, and Australia/ New Zealand.

Um.

Singapore to Auckland is 10 1/2 hours flight time. Sydney is like 8 hours.

What are you smoking.

I know right? Besides it’s only 25 hours from DC to Sydney, NBD.

[Anonymous]

OP, my SIL (we’re Indian) is settled there, and I have visited. Others have covered that it is tropical, so hot and humid most of the year. Pretty clean, decent amount of green space with lovely gardens, and amazing food. Mass transit is clean and efficient, and not terribly expensive. The government strongly discourages driving, so cars are super expensive, but you don’t need one. Penalties for minor infractions can be harsh.

I found the locals to be nice. The younger people especially are conversant in English, so you won’t encounter language barriers. Everyone has a maid or two, and it’s not uncommon to have a maid, a cook, a car service, etc. I enjoyed my time there, and SIL is happy to have settled there (kids got great if expensive educations there). They travel a lot, and vacation destinations are close at hand, and plentiful. It’s a pretty good life if you have money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, my SIL (we’re Indian) is settled there, and I have visited. Others have covered that it is tropical, so hot and humid most of the year. Pretty clean, decent amount of green space with lovely gardens, and amazing food. Mass transit is clean and efficient, and not terribly expensive. The government strongly discourages driving, so cars are super expensive, but you don’t need one. Penalties for minor infractions can be harsh.

I found the locals to be nice. The younger people especially are conversant in English, so you won’t encounter language barriers. Everyone has a maid or two, and it’s not uncommon to have a maid, a cook, a car service, etc. I enjoyed my time there, and SIL is happy to have settled there (kids got great if expensive educations there). They travel a lot, and vacation destinations are close at hand, and plentiful. It’s a pretty good life if you have money.

All of this is true. OP is in for a wonferful time there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most people/expats own cars there or do they just use uber/public transportation? Always wondered

Good friend of mine moved there 7 years ago. He ditched his car almost immediately. Ubers in Singapore are like high-end car services here. Run by companies with fleets of gorgeous cars. No one walks anywhere because it's so hot. When we visited, we took an Uber 5 blocks to dinner.

Do families with young kids just not use car seats?

Also how is the air pollution?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most people/expats own cars there or do they just use uber/public transportation? Always wondered

Good friend of mine moved there 7 years ago. He ditched his car almost immediately. Ubers in Singapore are like high-end car services here. Run by companies with fleets of gorgeous cars. No one walks anywhere because it's so hot. When we visited, we took an Uber 5 blocks to dinner.

Do families with young kids just not use car seats?

Also how is the air pollution?

No, they do not use car seats.

However, you can seat the children in the back seat of the taxi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most people/expats own cars there or do they just use uber/public transportation? Always wondered

Good friend of mine moved there 7 years ago. He ditched his car almost immediately. Ubers in Singapore are like high-end car services here. Run by companies with fleets of gorgeous cars. No one walks anywhere because it's so hot. When we visited, we took an Uber 5 blocks to dinner.

Do families with young kids just not use car seats?

Also how is the air pollution?

The air is extremely hot due location on the equator. Plan on spending most of your time indoors where there is AC.

As for pollution, the real issue is the sea water off the coasts; it is very polluted from all the shipping, petroleum refining, etc.

For this reason, you cannot enjoy the ocean in Singapore itself.

However, a short plane ride away are numerous underdeveloped countries which are not yet polluted, so just go there to vacation instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most people/expats own cars there or do they just use uber/public transportation? Always wondered

Good friend of mine moved there 7 years ago. He ditched his car almost immediately. Ubers in Singapore are like high-end car services here. Run by companies with fleets of gorgeous cars. No one walks anywhere because it's so hot. When we visited, we took an Uber 5 blocks to dinner.

Do families with young kids just not use car seats?

Also how is the air pollution?

Car accidents in Singapore are prohibited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do most people/expats own cars there or do they just use uber/public transportation? Always wondered

Good friend of mine moved there 7 years ago. He ditched his car almost immediately. Ubers in Singapore are like high-end car services here. Run by companies with fleets of gorgeous cars. No one walks anywhere because it's so hot. When we visited, we took an Uber 5 blocks to dinner.

Do families with young kids just not use car seats?

Also how is the air pollution?

The air is extremely hot due location on the equator. Plan on spending most of your time indoors where there is AC.

As for pollution, the real issue is the sea water off the coasts; it is very polluted from all the shipping, petroleum refining, etc.

For this reason, you cannot enjoy the ocean in Singapore itself.

However, a short plane ride away are numerous underdeveloped countries which are not yet polluted, so just go there to vacation instead.

Unfortunately the air gets pretty bad now during the palm burning season in Indonesia. But not so bad the rest of the time.