Living in Singapore

[zyzzx]

So, has anyone on here lived/worked in Singapore?
I've just found out that I've made it to the interview stage for a job at a university down there (not English teaching, if that makes any difference)...
I've never been, and all I know is that it's all one big city, it's really hot, people like to shop, it has good food, and I shouldn't chew gum.
I'll obviously have a look at the place and ask a lot of questions when I go down there, but in the meantime I would greatly appreciate any insights into what life in Singapore is like, and how it might compare to life in Taipei.

[Chris]

I know someone who lived there. He found it a boring place, and it's pretty expensive too. But Malaysia and Indonesia are really close by, and Thailand isn't too far away, so there's plenty of opportunity for travel. Plus it's a great hub to fly out of.

EDIT: By the way, it's not all city. There are jungles in the middle of the island (necessary as a catchment for the reservoirs), and you can go hiking. You can even hike to the highest peak in Singapore, Bukit Timah - a whole 537 feet above sea level!

[tommy525]

Think of a tropical HongKong.

[tango42]

Lived there for few years. Fascinating, beautiful, cosmopolitan place. You have much more variety of stimulation than Taiwan. If you have the money.

But can't live as cheap as in Taiwan. If the school helps with living expenses, then great opportunity.

[freethinker83]

Lived there for few years. Fascinating, beautiful, cosmopolitan place. You have much more variety of stimulation than Taiwan. If you have the money.

But can't live as cheap as in Taiwan. If the school helps with living expenses, then great opportunity.

You are the very first person I have ever heard saying this. Everyone I have talked to dislikes Singapore very much due to the dullness of everyday life with nothing to do.

[Chris]

Singapore is boring because it's small, overdeveloped, and much of its exciting historical stuff has been bleached away. But if you take the time and effort to explore its nooks and crannies, you can find quite a few interesting things to see and do. And you can easily get away from Singapore.

[freethinker83]

Singapore is boring because it's small, overdeveloped, and much of its exciting historical stuff has been bleached away. But if you take the time and effort to explore its nooks and crannies, you can find quite a few interesting things to see and do. And you can easily get away from Singapore.

Oh ok I see. Thanks for the clarification Chris

[housecat]

I've never been, but have an ex-out-law who said he hated it there because it was terribly boring--but he thought I'd LOVE it there.

I think it's more of a family kind of place, than a place for a single person. But like I said, I've never been.

[Belgian Pie]

They even have artificial tropical getaway islands with resorts ... all in one small place ...

[Deuce Dropper]

So, has anyone on here lived/worked in Singapore?
I've just found out that I've made it to the interview stage for a job at a university down there (not English teaching, if that makes any difference)...
I've never been, and all I know is that it's all one big city, it's really hot, people like to shop, it has good food, and I shouldn't chew gum.
I'll obviously have a look at the place and ask a lot of questions when I go down there, but in the meantime I would greatly appreciate any insights into what life in Singapore is like, and how it might compare to life in Taipei.

for reference ($1 Sing = ~$0.78)

the price of fun is really $$$$$ 6 pack in 7/11 cost $16 and a beer in a bar costs around the same, cigarettes are around $12/pack. the nightlife is good, but it caters to white collar expats for the most part. sadly there are relatively few attractive females there, easily the lowest percentage in East Asia, and I have no idea why, it makes no sense.

food is amazing and very cheap in the hawker centers (~$5 for a meal).

it is a real, functioning, first world city that gets all the events a global city should.

you NEVER feel like a foreigner there.

it is easier to fly to many remotes parts of Indonesia from Singapore than it is Jakarta (this means great weekend getaways).


my advice is if you like the way things are in the west, bland, orderly etc... Singapore is for you, but if you like going out every weekend and drinking a lot, make sure you have a good paying job, much of the city's 'fun' caters to people making 6 figures.