I know of a highly skilled Italian expat who worked in a top position for a very big international company in Singapore, and for many many many years, he lived in an HDB flat in Chinatown. Nobody knew, but we did, as we let the property out to this man. He's humble, wants to learn about the local culture, and live meaningfully. He was not one of those foreigners who came to Singapore wanting to lecture everybody in his path. He came to this new country to learn and to listen and to make new friends. It was only a matter of time that Singaporeans grew to respect this hardworking and humble Italian man. He ate like a Singaporean, lived like a Singaporean, and taught local Singaporeans, courtesy of his company, his unique craft. This Italian taught me that taking pride in our humanity is more important than taking pride in our national identity, which at the end of the day, only seeks to divide.
I lived there for two years. Compared to living in the US now, living in Singapore was not only cheap, but almost free for me. Their income tax is ultra low (maybe ~5%). One year they even refunded part of that as a part of the golden jubilee. So practically the differences in income tax between US and Singapore was more than enough to pay for my living there. I worked a medium wage job, lived in a room in an HDB apartment, ate like a local, travelled extensively in SE Asia, didn't have a car (just no need)...
Totally agree! Initally, I was so confused when I saw news that Singapore being ranked as the most expensive country 🤨Stayed in Denmark for a few months and most restaurants there are triple the prices here, housing is not cheap too.
True, good points you have made, i dont need luxury life nor goods, neither car because road tax and COE is crazy in Singapore. I just need BMW (Bus Mrt Walk) 😋😋😋 Flat can buy on a few options like BTO, resale flat, sales of balance, etc which depend on individual needs and capabilities. Thanks to CPF, up to 25 years of installment, we got our new house covered. 💸💸💸
Singaporeans can buy a new decent-sized HDB apartment for 200,000 CHF with low-cost HDB financing. The government would also help first-time home buyers with 30,000 SGD. Consultation and medicine at a local polyclinic hardly cost more than 15 Singapore Dollars. Monthly fees for primary and secondary government schools amount to no more than 10 SGD per month. So, once you have your education, health, and daily expenses covered, what more do you have to pay? Full- time childcare cost with subsidy cost no more than 400 SGD. Tax is low. Singaporeans live dignified lives, contrary to what many Western media outlets would like the world to believe. Indeed, there are some Singaporeans who suffer from the high cost of living in the city, and I hope sincere and genuine help is rendered to the poor among us. These people can approach their parliamentary representatives at the Meet-the-People Session every week for help without any appointment needed.
Most people who rated Spore as most expensive is usually on housing and cars. Amongst Asia, apart from Japan n Korea, we are considered expensive mainly due our strong dollars. So if we compare apple with apple, Spore is liveable and comfortable. Expensive in certain things but definitely not the most expensive city in the world.
I don't about you, but this is the most recent news: "But, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) twice-yearly cost of living survey, things are really getting pricey in Singapore, which it named the most expensive city in the world. And the Asian city-state has won that accolade nine times in the last 11 years". "The survey, the team explained, covered 173 of the world's major cities, excluding Kyiv, Ukraine, and Caracas, Venezuela. It came to this conclusion after researching a list of more than 200 products and services, looking at more than 50,000 individual prices of these goods over six months. This included the price of food, clothing, household supplies, personal care, rent, and transportation". Taken from Travel and Leisure magazine, Dec, 2023.
Expenditure on food (hawker/food court) can easily be kept under 300 USD per month. Good Restaurants of any cuisine can be experienced for USD20-30 per visit (sans drinks). Total monthly expenditure on food of under USD500 is very achievable. Public Transportation - Usually below USD100 per month, exclusive of taxi/PHV. Taking taxi/PHV will add considerably to monthly expenditure but the cost is cheap compared to Western Europe. Daily necessities and grocery are very cheap too, except for alcohol and tobacco. Feels like Aldi/Lidl prices.
Yup, you can eat chicken rice in the chatterbox cafe at the Hilton hotel for SGD25.00 ++, but similar chicken rice set in a hawker centre for less than SGD8.00
Good video and insights but the majority of the points (except the hawker food and MRT) won’t probably apply to foreigners who are here or want to relocate here. They apply to locals and PRs. As for the HBD, I see you filmed the Pinnacle @ Duxton (the mostly expensive public housing, the cheapest unit is SGD1.2Mil), followed by some Peranakan shophouses. I can take you on a tour around the real HDBs where Singaporeans live 🤓
Best to compare like for like across countries. It’s still not perfect but at least more unbiased and fair, given each country’s idiosyncrasies. For example, the fact that Singaporeans have access to cheap hawker/local food could be compared to how the French/Swiss have access to cheap locally made cheese/wine!!/meats. Chicken rice in Paris will be as expensive as canard a l’orange at a restaurant in SG. Yes, Zurich is definitely more expensive than SG; but the other European cities including London, Paris, Barcelona(not expensive at all) are comparable or even less expensive Singapore if we “compare comparables”.
You cannot put a price for safety. I always tell my overseas female friends you don’t have to worry about getting raped or robbed at 2-3am going to 7-11 stores to get food. I hope you feel the same when it comes to safety in Sg. 🇸🇬
Great video! Needs to be considered price for international schools, which are totally crazy AND mandatory if you have kids that are not Singaporeans... In Europe, you have public schools that will save you SGD 40.000,00 per year or more versus SG.
Struggle with food prices to cook at home? Hopefully, it will not be a reality in this country. But, will have to agree where house ownership and vehicle ownership are concerned.
Agreed, june 23 went toUK & IRELAND very expensive food, hotel n transport, So do some cities in the world, Eg Bendemeer hawker ctre fried beehoon with egg n chicken $2.70, 1 veg n 1 meat $2.80, chicken rice $3.50...more👍🙏😍
I know of a highly skilled Italian expat who worked in a top position for a very big international company in Singapore, and for many many many years, he lived in an HDB flat in Chinatown. Nobody knew, but we did, as we let the property out to this man. He's humble, wants to learn about the local culture, and live meaningfully. He was not one of those foreigners who came to Singapore wanting to lecture everybody in his path. He came to this new country to learn and to listen and to make new friends. It was only a matter of time that Singaporeans grew to respect this hardworking and humble Italian man. He ate like a Singaporean, lived like a Singaporean, and taught local Singaporeans, courtesy of his company, his unique craft. This Italian taught me that taking pride in our humanity is more important than taking pride in our national identity, which at the end of the day, only seeks to divide.
thank you so much for sharing!
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I lived there for two years. Compared to living in the US now, living in Singapore was not only cheap, but almost free for me. Their income tax is ultra low (maybe ~5%). One year they even refunded part of that as a part of the golden jubilee. So practically the differences in income tax between US and Singapore was more than enough to pay for my living there. I worked a medium wage job, lived in a room in an HDB apartment, ate like a local, travelled extensively in SE Asia, didn't have a car (just no need)...
yes income tax is a great benefit! thank you for sharing! i find SG also cheaper than switzerland
I'm sure USA expats have to pay taxes to the IRS, even when working/earning overseas?
Did you do something dodgy?
Totally agree! Initally, I was so confused when I saw news that Singapore being ranked as the most expensive country 🤨Stayed in Denmark for a few months and most restaurants there are triple the prices here, housing is not cheap too.
tysm for sharing! denmark is so beautiful!!
True, good points you have made, i dont need luxury life nor goods, neither car because road tax and COE is crazy in Singapore. I just need BMW (Bus Mrt Walk) 😋😋😋
Flat can buy on a few options like BTO, resale flat, sales of balance, etc which depend on individual needs and capabilities. Thanks to CPF, up to 25 years of installment, we got our new house covered. 💸💸💸
thats so nice to hear congrats :D
Singaporeans can buy a new decent-sized HDB apartment for 200,000 CHF with low-cost HDB financing. The government would also help first-time home buyers with 30,000 SGD. Consultation and medicine at a local polyclinic hardly cost more than 15 Singapore Dollars. Monthly fees for primary and secondary government schools amount to no more than 10 SGD per month. So, once you have your education, health, and daily expenses covered, what more do you have to pay? Full- time childcare cost with subsidy cost no more than 400 SGD. Tax is low. Singaporeans live dignified lives, contrary to what many Western media outlets would like the world to believe. Indeed, there are some Singaporeans who suffer from the high cost of living in the city, and I hope sincere and genuine help is rendered to the poor among us. These people can approach their parliamentary representatives at the Meet-the-People Session every week for help without any appointment needed.
Very rare to find!!
Most people who rated Spore as most expensive is usually on housing and cars. Amongst Asia, apart from Japan n Korea, we are considered expensive mainly due our strong dollars. So if we compare apple with apple, Spore is liveable and comfortable. Expensive in certain things but definitely not the most expensive city in the world.
yes cars are super exp!!
Great video! Sg is probably one of the nicest place to live in as compared to many countries
Agree with you🥰✨
I don't about you, but this is the most recent news:
"But, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) twice-yearly cost of living survey, things are really getting pricey in Singapore, which it named the most expensive city in the world. And the Asian city-state has won that accolade nine times in the last 11 years".
"The survey, the team explained, covered 173 of the world's major cities, excluding Kyiv, Ukraine, and Caracas, Venezuela. It came to this conclusion after researching a list of more than 200 products and services, looking at more than 50,000 individual prices of these goods over six months. This included the price of food, clothing, household supplies, personal care, rent, and transportation".
Taken from Travel and Leisure magazine, Dec, 2023.
i think Switzerland is even more expensive ;)
Expenditure on food (hawker/food court) can easily be kept under 300 USD per month. Good Restaurants of any cuisine can be experienced for USD20-30 per visit (sans drinks). Total monthly expenditure on food of under USD500 is very achievable.
Public Transportation - Usually below USD100 per month, exclusive of taxi/PHV. Taking taxi/PHV will add considerably to monthly expenditure but the cost is cheap compared to Western Europe.
Daily necessities and grocery are very cheap too, except for alcohol and tobacco. Feels like Aldi/Lidl prices.
Yes agree!! Ty for sharing!!
Yup, you can eat chicken rice in the chatterbox cafe at the Hilton hotel for SGD25.00 ++, but similar chicken rice set in a hawker centre for less than SGD8.00
S3.50😂
YES!!!!
Good video and insights but the majority of the points (except the hawker food and MRT) won’t probably apply to foreigners who are here or want to relocate here. They apply to locals and PRs.
As for the HBD, I see you filmed the Pinnacle @ Duxton (the mostly expensive public housing, the cheapest unit is SGD1.2Mil), followed by some Peranakan shophouses.
I can take you on a tour around the real HDBs where Singaporeans live 🤓
Don't.
The older ones were tiny.
They call it 3 rooms, but only 2 are bedrooms.
And the windows of one bedroom opened onto the common corridor.
Best to compare like for like across countries. It’s still not perfect but at least more unbiased and fair, given each country’s idiosyncrasies. For example, the fact that Singaporeans have access to cheap hawker/local food could be compared to how the French/Swiss have access to cheap locally made cheese/wine!!/meats. Chicken rice in Paris will be as expensive as canard a l’orange at a restaurant in SG. Yes, Zurich is definitely more expensive than SG; but the other European cities including London, Paris, Barcelona(not expensive at all) are comparable or even less expensive Singapore if we “compare comparables”.
ty for sharing!!
U are nice person. Greetings from India 🇮🇳🤗
Thank you very much☺️☺️
Balanced and clear judgements. Remarkable to find in 27 year old expat
Thank you🥹☺️
@@Swizzyinsg I'm impressed with your balanced view. Yes, SG need not be expensive if we moderate our expectations.
i could eat at hawkers every day!! and go by mrt is the fastest..@@pathfinder1672
You cannot put a price for safety. I always tell my overseas female friends you don’t have to worry about getting raped or robbed at 2-3am going to 7-11 stores to get food.
I hope you feel the same when it comes to safety in Sg. 🇸🇬
Totally agree! Its priceless🫶💰
Safety in terms of freedom of expression is also priceless. I don't feel safe in this respect in Singapore. Feel much safer in South Korea and Taiwan
@@Ccb88888 but sg is soooo secure?:O
Wines, fine restaurants, housing, cars, milk, and even healthcare are very expensive in SG.
Naja die Preise die du eingeblendet hast, sind eigentlich ganz normal. Die Schweiz ist da eine ganz andere Nummer 😅
die Schweiz ist wirklich echt teuer geworden.. uff
❤❤❤❤❤
Ty for supporting!
@@Swizzyinsg TAKE CARE BUDDY❤️❤️
you too!@@bobbyguttula2129
The ranking is based on our private housings n car prices i guess 🇸🇬🇨🇭😊
Cars are very expensive indeed…
And pasta, cheese, alcohol, tobacco, etc. Things not common in Asian cuisine and vices that government wants to discourage.
@@uwet.8826 yes😊😊
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing
happy you liked it :)
Great video! Needs to be considered price for international schools, which are totally crazy AND mandatory if you have kids that are not Singaporeans... In Europe, you have public schools that will save you SGD 40.000,00 per year or more versus SG.
Struggle with food prices to cook at home? Hopefully, it will not be a reality in this country. But, will have to agree where house ownership and vehicle ownership are concerned.
Same….🫣
Car is not expensive?
Agreed, june 23 went toUK & IRELAND very expensive food, hotel n transport,
So do some cities in the world, Eg Bendemeer hawker ctre fried beehoon with egg n chicken $2.70, 1 veg n 1 meat $2.80, chicken rice $3.50...more👍🙏😍
Yeeess chicken rice is so good and affordable🫶💛