I used to be an expat in Singapore for almost 4 years before I decided to leave. The biggest deciding factors for me in leaving Singapore were the astronomical rent price increases after the pandemic and the stagnant anti-work-life balance culture in my former company. My salary then didn't reflect the inflation and barely increased while living expenses were shooting up. I decided to start over in a different industry and took on a remote job then moved back home. I still love to visit Singapore though, the culture, food, and infrastructure are top-notch.
It is a tiny city state. A new official report has just been published. The head counts that rushed in after Pandemic almost equal to half a million or much much more. Oh man, all living costs shot high up.
The people of Singapore are amazing. On a previous holiday I foolishly left my phone in the taxi and didn't realise until they had already left for about 10-15 minutes. I frantically tried to contact the taxi company who managed to track down which of their vehicles had dropped me off. Turns out the driver also was desperately was trying to figure out a way to contact me since I wasn't local and didn't have a phone number provided. Embarrassing that it happened in the first place but was also amazing to experience the integrity and honesty of Singapore.
@@hannesRSA I've had another phone stolen after dropping it out of a shallow pocket in Australia. I hadn't even made it 10 meters from where it fell out. So yeah... it IS pretty sad that returning a phone is considered outstanding. 😕
@@vincecarlo Amazing ministerial salaries gives you amazing country with opportunities attractive to amazingly talented people to the demise and horror to people like you who amazing only knows how to harp on high ministerial salaries for your incompetence and failure.
I work as a Parkour coach with Lion City Parkour and we have a fair share of expat students, both adults and kids (I guess due to the nature of our sport being more commonplace and accepted overseas). Really sad when parents tell me that they are leaving due to the high rent and cost of living, especially due to the kids' international school fees rising. Had to say teary goodbyes to many families just this year alone. Most expats I've come across at my workplace are amazingly kind and friendly, and we're sad we have to say goodbye especially after having known them for years and even watching their kids grow up. However, all - if not most - of them rent condos in expensive areas rather than HDBs, send their kids to international schools, drive their kids to school when they live just nearby, and always eat out at restaurants, shop at fancier grocery stores in their expensive neighbourhoods (as compared to Giant/NTUC) etc. They are shocked when I let them know how cheap our meals in kopitiams are, that are really delicious still. Some have been asking me what the local education system is like, how much it may cost for them etc (I assume this is a sign they're highly considering sending their kids to local schools), and I've also been encouraging some to try out my favourite food stalls around their areas. This could be something expats in Singapore could consider. A restaurant meal costs $20++ and up even, as compared to my usual lunch places of $5-$8 a meal... with a drink! Singapore may be expensive and there's no denying that inflation is hitting all of us hard, but if you live like locals do, you'll realise it's a lot cheaper than most think.
@@nekoda9379 thanks for asking! If you're okay with a slightly longer travel time, renting HDBs - not condos - in quieter neighbourhoods (and renting from blocks further away from the train station) would always be cheaper. For areas in the East, I would think Bedok North or Bedok Reservoir/Simei would be alright from what I've heard from my Malaysian friends. Hougang, Ang Mo Kio (further in! AMK is huge), Yio Chu Kang, Yishun/Khatib, Sengkang are all areas to consider as well and are pleasant too! If you have more questions feel free to ask, would be more than happy to help :) Frankly speaking our public transportation system is amazing and most places are well connected, so it shouldn't take you more than 1.5hrs to get from location to location unless you live somewhere that's freshly developing.
@@Anonymoose66G I said "always" eat out at restaurants but that could mean 1-2 meals a day out. The expat families I work with do that, and for quite a number of them eating at restaurants and cafes daily is a norm, esp if they work and live around the CBD/Tanjong Pagar, Orchard etc area. You'd be surprised. They don't really cook esp if they don't have children because they can easily eat at a nice restaurant a 5min walk from their house
@@gwendee That's sad, I get like maybe getting street food since it's quick, easy and relatively affordable but a meal at a restaurant everyday is overkill, I mean that completely ruins the point of a meal, your not going to be acting like you would in your home in a restaurant. I despise those neo culture of getting overpriced stuff for no reason other than reputation & perceived convenience... Like the people that go to Starbucks everyday just to order a €10 coffee.
As a smoker myself , I’d like to say that the rules regarding where to smoke is basically consideration to others. I welcome any rules that involves consideration for others.
as an american smoker myself... i didnt think the woman from vietnam was a smoker! and i agree with her... obviously u have to abide by laws n rules in singapore... sometimes i think u dont give a crap n do what u wanna do... i think even the locals partake in this aswell
I am an expat from Taiwan, working & living in Sing for many years. So far find very comfortable here, only complain is on housing. Many Sing’s friends also don’t expect outsiders to be able wholely merge with the local, this will take many years to happen. Just be open minded and don’t anyhow make noise when you see something done differently from your hometown. Sing is the most western country seen by the East and is also the most easy eastern country to live in by the western people, imho.
My dad is half singaporean chinese- half german white and my mom is german white. They used to live in Zurich, Switzerland ( I was born and grew up there ). My parents moved to Singapore in 2005, bought a house and got a PR a few years later ( me too ). They would never go back to Zurich again except for a holiday because Singapore is still much cheaper than Swiss.
Not really. In some countries, you get treated like a doormat if you are humble. I would say be humble when and where it is appropriate to be like that.
Asia in general gets more and more trendy each year. Business opportunities, tourism, expats, weekend getaways, food, safety etc. TH-cam covers all of this stuff and foreigners want to experience the lifestyle.
It is okay. People move in and move out, its been happening for thousands of years. We need more Singapore type of countries in this world if you ask me.
There are few Middle East countries you can choose. Tax free to accommodate some disadvantageous but they will improve over time. Singapore is having influx of USD due to company moving out of HK, prices will shoot up even more hopefully it will not end up like HK.
@@MetalBansheeXnot at all. i say, built a few countries like united states and singapore where its multicultural and doesnt represent any ethnic group, but the majority of the world should still be like japan, poland, bangladesh, where theyre culturally and ethnically homogenous they can preserve the culture that their ancestor give them. its beautiful
It's very telling about the country that the major issue people complain about are regarding cost of living issues, which is not unique to Singapore but happening everywhere else in the world.
Most of the expats being interviewed feel comfortable residing in SG except maybe on the cost of living, especially on apartment rental. Their living styles differ from the average local, take for instance food wise, they prefer to patronize a/c food courts and restaurants in the downtown area whereas the locals usually go to neighbourhood food courts and hawker centres.
@@M.K-52200there is few food courts in other contries except the south east asia and people are used to eat in restaurant to enjoy their meals and have fun. Food court eating is more like to complete the task and makes me feel like im still in the high school.
People who don't have to pay rent: Yeah this place is great, you can live frugally and easily make ends meet. People who have to pay $3000-6000/month rent: Yeah we'd love to stay but it's too expensive.
Yea perks of being citizen of course. Excepts M'sians other foreigners cannot rent hdb only private properties hence it'll be a lot more costly. It wouldn't make sense if foreigners enjoy the same perks.
@@ShadowRap-y5l Spoken like a person who never had to relocate countries for work. Locals don't have any idea how much effort, time, commitment, and courage is needed to relocate to another place for work. You have to wrap up your entire life (finances, family, friends, taxes, properties) in one country, spend upwards of 10-30k to move, get used to local culture and establish a routine, and restart life in an entirely different place. Imagine doing all of that, finally getting used to life and your job, making new friends, reschool your kids, counsel them with their loneliness while surviving your own. Then your landlord walks in and says "yeah I'm gonna need you to pay $2000-$3000 more staying next month." Now you're left with zero or negative savings. You can try to rent HDB but quota is low if you're not the right race or nationality. Then someone says, "no one is forcing you to stay, go home lor." Plenty of circumstances are forcing you to maintain the status quo as much as possible, even when it's detrimental to your financial plans. Especially when kids are involved.
Big respect to the brave foreign workers who have come to Singapore to make a better life for their families back home. Many have given up jobs in other sectors to be helpers in Singapore. Hope they get good jobs with fair pay and good employers.
Singapore is a highly desirable place for them with its first world infrastructure and strong dollar. If their own countries had given them good jobs and fair pay, they wouldn't have had to upstick in the first place. It is NOT an easy thing for many stressed and overworked Singaporeans to adjust to having a stranger come live and work in their homes as is. Not to mention how small and tight most SG homes are unless you are the few privileged expats living in a huge bungalow with servant quarters. There are many helpers who are treated like family members by their employers in SG (even after their employment ends) yet those are the type of news that never gets featured!
There is this thing called empathy that most humans have. Also you don't get to choose where you are born. Kicking someone down when they want a better life for themselves.
0:24: 🌍 Expats from various countries share their experiences living and working in Singapore. 0:58: Overall, the expats have had positive experiences living in Singapore. 3:26: 🌍 Singapore is an attractive place for foreigners due to its good base, safety, stability, and career opportunities. 3:55: There is a general sense of openness to foreign labor and immigrants in Singapore. 4:05: There is a high demand for skilled workers in Singapore. 7:05: 💰 Living costs in Singapore are high, but subsidies from the government help make it more affordable. 7:27: Despite the high living costs, government subsidies make it more manageable. 7:39: The cost of living in Singapore may become more challenging when starting a family or having pets. 10:11: 🌍 Living in Singapore with a family is perfect, but the weather and lack of mountains can be challenging. 10:39: The rules in Singapore can feel strict and restrictive. 13:49: 🏢 The speaker has no plans to leave Singapore despite rising rental prices. 14:18: Rental prices have increased by 60-80% for some people. Recap by Tammy AI
I deeply resonate with the experiences of the Danish Grandpa and the Filipina Ate in the video! Singapore, like many other places, has a distinct hierarchy when it comes to how different groups of expats are treated by both locals and other foreigners. Take, for instance, the case of construction workers and maids - they are seldom referred to as expats, both in public perception and media portrayal. They are often labeled as "immigrants" or "migrant workers," and in the case of maids, they are simply referred to as "maids" or "domestic workers". The term "expats" seems to be reserved for Caucasian immigrants or non-Caucasian high earners in glamorous industries like Finance, Tech, Law, or Medicine. Immigrants with diverse backgrounds working outside of these fields are often just termed as "immigrants," "foreigners," or simply "FT" (foreign talent). If they hold Permanent Resident status, they may be categorized by their country of origin - "Indonesian PR", "Indian PR", and so on. Interestingly, even immigrants from mainland China are commonly addressed as "mainlanders" or "PRCs," setting them apart from the broader expat category. In my experience, just like in many parts of the world, expats are not treated equally in Singapore due to a combination of economic status and racial or national origins. This might not be a significant issue for some foreigners, including myself, But it can be a substantial problem for others, particularly those working in construction or as maids. As an immigrant, I love Singapore, and it is indeed a great country to live in. But It's also crucial to acknowledge and address these disparities in treatment to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for everyone!
I think the label isn't necessarily given by Singaporeans. The Caucasian and many Indian PMETs see themselves as expats. Helpers and construction workers don't call themselves expats. There is no exact equivalent term of expat in Chinese, which explains for the PRCs. This is semantics and context of how the term expat has been used historically.
@@SANIA-ko8hh not sure now, I heard its getting tough to find job there for outsiders, specially outside finance and IT field, but I will suggest to reach out to requiters there.
I used to live in Singapore for 5 years when I was young because of my father's job. We (Japanese) were given preferences compared to other expats when renting flats because we have good reputation of being good tenants - don't make too much noise and take care of the flat well. Which of course is not always the case but was based on some of the estate agents and the landlords' experiences. Also someone complained about the climate in Singapore but I thought the summer in Tokyo was much worse imo. (Tokyo is hotter than Okinawa, the tropical islands of Japan, so it's not impossible.)
Summer in Tokyo is horrible but it's a beautiful city just like many places in Japan! And yes Japanese generally have a good reputation in many aspects
There is a parson who doesn’t know how to speak up in appropriate place. That person's name is probably words that s/he has been told many times. Joined two weeks ago…I wonder how many accounts this parson has.
@imsickofyou-pb2xtinteresting how proplelike you keep harping about Japanese invasion that happened half a century ago that has ended, but conveniently forget and never talk about Chinese occupation, overpopulation and dominance of the Malay island since a century ago that has not ended up till now.
Updated statistics have shown that there is an influx of 230K of foreigners residing in SG this year, an approx. 11% increase as compared to last year, this well explains the accommodation rental hikes. The cost of living especially on foodwise can be pretty much affordable if you are willing to explore around as compared with other 1st-tier cities in the world. SG always welcome foreigners from all walks of life with open arms, working hard together, building a career and progress together with SG.
When I was younger, expatriates were always chauffeur-driven, with rent-free housing and education paid for their children in international schools. These people are different.
I know quite a few foreigners in SG that paid for their own rent etc and they never consider themselves expats, they just told me they are working on a local / SG contract. so these interviewees, i will consider them as local contracts too.
International schools are very expensive, if you can get kids into local SG school it's much better but beware, standards are high. If kids are transferring from American schools they are in for a shock!
It is known as being one of the most expensive places in the world for rents, food, etc. The humidity would be tough to get used to, especially if you're from a country with a different climate.
only works for small countries located in key regions of the world. and you don't need multiculturalism to be economically rich. Scandinavian countries used to be rich and still are today before the whole nonsense that was immigration. same story with South Korea and Japan.
@@LevisH21 The key is how authorities look at immigration - it should be a well regulated tool used to their people's benefits. The West has a leftist approach - they put first the needs of the "opressed" foreigners, who are even allowed enter illegally, completely uncontrolled etc. etc. So of course it's failing more and more. Singapore is not ideological in this regard, and uses immigration as a well regulated tool for the development of their own country. They allow in who they need, when they actually need them. Naturally the immigrants win too - higher salaries in a safe, first world environment. But the basis of Singapore policies is self interest, as it should be - a government has a duty to the well being of their people, not the sufferers of the world. Western governments have no concept of duty to their people, just to their ideologies. Part of the leftist ideology actually despises the idea of nation, so of course you won't act in the interests of something you despise.
The behavior of that lady household helper is rather normal and standard. Have seen on YT videos interviewing HHs in both Asean and East Asia countries, not a single one of them is willingly to open up fully in their encounters with bad employers for obvious reasons. It’s a sad phenomenon for all HHs but feel happy for her having a good employer now. As of latest news, SG’s overall population has increased from 5.64m to 5.92m this year, with non-citizens from 2.08m to 2.31m, the housing rental market reflects the current situation.
As an ex-Singapore expat, I would say expats are people on non-permanent visas (e.g. work permit) whereas "local" are ones with more permanent visa status (e.g. PR). I would also say Singapore is very strict on who they would allow more permanent visa status with racial quota/ratio being one of the main criteria.
This is such a contrast to the interview you did to the locals of Singapore saying it's expensive to live there. You can really tell the difference when it comes to expats who got a good opoortunity to live there. 12:58 This is such a good question to a Filipina. Kudos! I think Ate just being very careful on how she would talk since it's scary to have words against where you're not in your own country. 15:30 The transition to the advices from "make more money" to "work hard but not too hard" is just genius! HAHA
@@ssvegeto1610 Oh really...? Didnt notice this phenomenon. Could you perhaps explain why the rate of increase of salary is lower than the rate of increase of cost of living? Perhaps could you explain the rise in utilities when it was shown that companies are indeed profiting massively (e.g. SP power) While you're at it, could you perhaps justify the pay of our MPs and their scope of work(instead of just corruption)? Lastly, please justify the growing income inequality which most Singaporeans are affected by. Perhaps its not about being entitlted, its about being more knowledgable of the overall situation since we are now much more aware of pay etc? I agree in some aspect that we are more entitled....but price/pay nt really....
@@chanjl49 the Water prices were last increased by 30 per cent in two phases from 2017, and before that in 2000. That is not even double yet from year 2000, You tell me your salary never double in 23 years? Either you were earning alot already or you're just a bad worker and that sounds like a you problem. SP doesn't 'profit' unless you expect all the staff there to work for free, they don't use the 'profits' to buy property or invest elsewhere btw, but I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand that =)
0:04 what a genuine & an innocent laugh this guy had ...I wish to meet more people like him in my life !! Nice job Elena for having him on your Thumbnail, well deserved Mister. And btw, I like your nose-ring. It looks cool. SUBSCRIBED 👍
You’ll find rude people everywhere in the world. Singapore is no utopia, so I’ll say live and let live, be happy and show kindness to all if you can. ..people are already so lucky to be living in Singapore 🇸🇬 😂
Wow, it looks like you have quite a number of supporters, be it whether they are trolls or haters, let's assume it does happen, SG will take notice and there is always room for improvement in order to serve you better 😉
@@cktan9253 Dude, per capital we have more maids then our neighboring countries, the lest we can do is treat them with respect. Don't always act so high and mighty just because we're lucky to live here!
Based on my expats friends I have surrounding me my knowledge is. Expats are earning so much more compared to the locals. Alot of them are earning more than 15k a month and some till 60k per month. Don't forget alot of them has at least 2 months of bonus and some sector are go up to 4 or 6 months. Alot of expats are being provided on accomdation and school fees paid for their children. Compared to their home country they are earning double or even triple in Singapore. My friend shared that his colleague used to earn $3000 sgd back home, his nationality is Indian. But when he came to singapore to work, his salary is $12,000, this is excluding his accomdation. Alot of expats from certain countries also looked down on Singaporean. Those that comment that rents are expensive because they are renting condo which easily cost $4000 a month. You can always choose to live in Hdb.
But a lot of expats are coming in for a project at work. When ur whole life is being upturned ur company is going to have to provide accommodation higher salaries and an international school fir the kids otherwise people would refuse cos theirs no incentive
Being currently still in egg in Singapore (4 months old), The only highest expense is rent. I do wish something could be done about it. Food and groceries are expensive in fancy places same logic in home country. I buy from local stores and bakeries and its managable. Rent becoz it is truly too high and major part of salary goes in it and no option left but to cut down other costs. In home country i would spend max 10-15% in rent, here its more than 30%. Otherwise its safest, quiet and very nice country in whole Asia...Singaporeans are hard working mind their own business unlike home country where everyone has to poke their nose is everyone else's business😂
Property prices in sg rarely depreciates because land is so scarce and the demand to live here is high. Factoring in global inflation, you get insanely high rental prices and property prices. Locals are always making a profit selling their houses in most cases. I bought a 300k house and sold it for 1.2million 7 years down the road.
Watching the video, the one consensus all the interviewees had was Singapore is an extremely extremely safe country to be in. I’ve worked here for 10 years and I’ve never been pickpocketed or robbed which ironically is something that blows my mind coming from where I was. People might complain about the strict laws but that’s the exact reason why it makes Singapore such a great place for people like me who craves stability and peace. For those considering a move to Singapore, if surveillance cameras and strict rules are not for you, then you probably shouldn’t come here. You can go to my country Malaysia where laws are lax and a lot more things are permissible. Malaysia boleh 😅
May'23 Another FOREIGNER, former actor and scriptwriter at comedy channel Wah!Banana went on trial for molesting, sexually assaulting and raping a woman
Lived and worked in both Singapore and Malaysia, got robbed in KL, Wangsa Maju area by some Malays on motorbikes. Police didn't even give a crap about my police report. In Singapore I can go out at all times at night 3am or 4am. That feeling of safety is unmatched anywhere else in the world
Just here in singapore this week for a holiday, what i’d love the most is the public transport. I’ve tried another country but none like singapore. The mobility is unmatch. The downside is yes everything is expensive especially me coming from Indonesia, the food price is like 1/10 😂
The transport is fantastic and very affordable! The food can be expensive, but there are many cheap options. The hawker centres are great for decent food that is very cheap.
Japan is the country with the best public transport infrastructure. However, services are getting reduced due to reduced demand of the aging population.
one thing i really admire the foreigners that come to singapore to look for work is their gumption. truly it is not easy to move abroad for work and leave everything you love behind . i remember working in Shanghai a decade ago , i missed my family in SG so much.
For those people who wish to enjoy a high standard of living like staying in condominiums, landed properties, buying designer bags/clothings, eating at restaurants/bristols most days, buying expensive cars, taking cabs, etc. they would find that Singapore cost of living is expensive. Therefore, it's good to spend wisely and within your means.
Disclaimer: Singaporean here What they all don't mention is how the dense living environment, competitive society and high costs lead to diminished mental wellness. Just look at the way Singaporeans drive and how we all have a me-first mentality in everything we do.
exactly. the pace of life and density is a recipe for disaster and i notice a growing impatience and violence in people here as the years go by. unlike other countries, there are also few places to decompress within singapore when it comes to nature (one can say malaysia, indonesia and thailand are choices but bear in mind this is only short term, not like you can escape to the countryside long term). this is a very real factor to consider if you are keen to live in singapore long term (especially if you intend to have your kids grow up here).
@@ae101rulez having worked regional roles in both American and Chinese companies and having been posted there mid term.. I'm very glad to be home in SG where I feel there's a good balance of hard work and time for personal life. Some countries are wayyy too tough where people spend up to 12hrs in the office everyday, some are so slack that things barely get done. I feel that SG for the most part strikes a good balance, it's definitely more sluggy than our surrounding neighbours, but on a global scale it's pretty average.
32 years? That's incredible! I'm also from Denmark and have lived in Singapore during my teenage years, I have dreams of returning to Singapore one day and live, Denmark is one of the safest and nicest places to live in the world, however, Singapore in my opinion is the best country in the world.
Love how foreigners have so many beautiful and wonderful things to say about our country but spoilt local kids who dont realise how privileged they are to be living in such a safe, clean, stable country with reputable education, etc.
It's mostly the whiners in every country that talk the loudest. There are a ton of happy contented people in Sg who don't comment in every youtube/ reddit/ facebook post.
In all honesty and no offence intended, it's really easy for you to say all this whilst we have to waste 2 years of our life in service to the country not even being paid properly or treated like a human being...moreover being disadvantaged with your peers around you having 2 years more experience/study and no reservist obligations...whilst all the women and PRs/expats don't need to contribute a single cent to the nation and still reap the same rewards and benefits of this country...
We are a family of 5 and stayed in Singapore just for 3 days but we weren't able to do much or eat out because everything was expensive. However when we went to Malaysia, we were able to get more value for our money, from the place we stayed in, to grocery shopping ( Tesco ),..commuting, food, it was amazing!! Singapore is a nice clean country, we felt safe however you do really need a lot of money to be able to get by there
in debt? sounds like a you problem. Dont blame the system. you will face the same problem when u are a malaysian citizen. They cant afford to retire too with raising inflation. Blame the feds.@@AverageAufa
My wife and I have been working in Singapore for ten years as expatriates. We love Singapore so much coz the food, taxes and utilities bills are very cheap compared to our country Melbourne Australia. We love and missed Singapore so much and still come back for holidays every year. Singapore is our second home forever.
#1 American said America is the bad place to live #2 UK said UK is the bad place to live #3 AU said AU is the bad place to live #4 Japan said Japan is the bad place to live #5 South Korea said South Korea is the bad place to live ###### Everyone now said their country is the bad place to live, So the question is "Where do you live on right now ?" Earth or Jupiter Quote: Everywhere is the same
I have worked & lived in many countries. The best thing to do is to find out from the locals - where to live, where rent is not too high with good public transport to work. Then find out about food & grocery shopping & restaurants/cafes which are not too expensive. I usually find the information from colleagues who are locals
singapore is great if you’re in a competitive corporate job and want to make money with little tax. it’s basically the dubai of asia. but in the same way, it’s incredibly boring if you’re not money-oriented. almost any other rich asian country has more to offer culturally and socially, and without all of the restrictions (which make it resemble korea under PCH). just my opinion, of course. i would even go so far as to say that the expat community are quite boring. they’re all concentrated in about 2-3 industries. linkedin island, club MBA.
@@aaroninky That isn't obvious considering that 'Asia' originally only meant Anatolia. In the UK 'Asian' primarily refers to people from the subcontinent too.
I think this interview gives a very one sided perspective that Singapore is expensive for expats. If they live like a local (Stay in HDB, eat at hawker, coffeeshop or mid range restaurants once a while), it is definitely not expensive. Their pay is higher than majority of locals. If they say it’s expensive, how about the locals? Also the Japanese guy saying he’s skipping lunch because it’s too expensive. That is putting Singapore in a very bad light. It’s obviously not that expensive till he have to skip lunch bruh. He can have lunch for just SGD 5 as long as he integrates into the society and eat local food. Singapore is one of the very few 1st world country where you can find SGD 5 (USD 3) meal. Interviewer is also asking very one sided questions to people of lower income group.
It is definitely expensive if they are expecting to live it up and want the same exact lifestyle and cuisine that they have back home. Things like cheese, other dairy, sashimi, wine and all manners of exotic imported fine foods that aren't produced in the SEA region are 2.5x to 3x that of developed nations. Some expats are probably looking to save up their mega salaries so they are grumpy about having to spend more to obtain the same stuff they have back home.
As a Singaporean, I'm glad to see most of them are enjoying their stay despite us not being the friendly host that we should always strive to be. 6:38 I actually felt bad for the household helper when she was stepping back while answering the question about the work that she is doing.
The behavior of that lady household helper is rather normal and standard. I have seen on YT videos interviewing HHs in both Asean and East Asia countries, not a single one of them is willingly to open up fully in their encounters with bad employers for obvious reasons. It’s a sad phenomenon for all HHs but feel happy for her having a good employer now.
I totally agree with the interviewers, stability in Singapore and safety. The expensive pricing has to be compare to where they originally came from. As a Singaporean, I believe we have the choice to live within a comfortable budget and also have a happy life.
If you live in Scandinavia, Switzerland, New York or London, you can consider Living in Singapore "affordable." Other than that, it is very expensive to most.
Interesting video. Maybe have one from the viewpoint of Singaporeans who decided not to come back to Singapore? I’m sure you’d get interesting perspectives and potentially certain counterarguments to some of the comments in the interview. Happy to be your first interviewee. 😊
This Japanese guy says that food is expensive because he only eats Japanese related food, which is much more expensive than local food. He should learn to adapt and eat local food which is very reasonable where price is concerned.
"Exploring the expat experience in Singapore through street interviews is such an insightful approach, Asian Boss! With almost 30% of the population being foreigners, it's fascinating to hear their perspectives on living in the Lion City. Thank you for shedding light on this topic and providing diverse insights. #ExpatLife #SingaporeLiving #AsianBoss"
food here in this stretch of restaurants (Robertson Quay, that is where this interview is conducted) is definitely more expensive and the apartments there are all private condominiums worth millions in the property market. the British gentleman is absolutely right, the living costs depends on what lifestyle you lead. an expat lifestyle is expensive no matter which part of the world you are at. but in singapore, we are lucky to have options of hawker centers and coffeeshops to manage our costs. however, that said rents are definitely rising in Singapore but there are other aspects in daily living costs (transport, food) that can be managed to make overall costs more affordable.
Hawker and coffee shop food is no longer cheap/affordable for a nutritious meal - this is coming from me, a true blue Singaporean . I can only afford 1 meal a day.
@@Maris_S28 i'm a local too, i think nowadays we definitely have to be careful how we order as well. economic rice is not "economic" sometimes 😅but i still see hawkers selling chicken rice and rice dishes at $3 in my area.
"Don't be angry with something that you might not understand." This is good advice for anyone living anywhere in the world. Don't let your emotions take control. Someone might piss you off but we cannot fully understand the reasoning behind his decisions sometimes, just brush it off and move on.
I don't know if you can really consider yourself a local if you weren't born and raised in the country. Even if you've been living there for 20-30 years, at the end of the day, you moved there as an adult, so it's hard to detach the expat label.
Agreed. I don't think birth may be necessary, but I think "raised" would be the qualifier (i.e. a child who has been there since age 4). I think the only other circumstance would be if you were a foreigner somewhere and actively contributed to the growth and development of said place, such as a small town, to something more because you helped mold it into what it's become. In other words, you were there from its "birth" or it "being raised" so you are an integral part of it--making you a "local".
Its your opinion, There are many considerations that someone must make decisions going to Colombia, is it safe, stable and have lots of job opportunities?
Best to draw the line clear early right from the start. The expats need to find a job and secure their permit and pr then they can go fret on finding where to live and what to eat. The locals if they are rich can continue to guard and expand their family business and rent out their properties to live off from the expats earnings. If the locals are not rich they best study and get a civil job that can shield them from the global competition and apply for a hdb flat where they can earn and live in comfort at a fraction of what the foreign labour class are paying in Singapore. As long as the job markets, hangout spots and habits are different everyone can tolerate each other and live together in separate pockets of communities. It all boil down to ratio. Too little and too much will destroy the delicate balance.
@@vincecarloThis you have to take it to your pap government and not take it out on the expats and foreign workers. They are the ones doing the approving and letting in of the foreign investors and job seekers.
@@anglo-saxonconnor817 10M Coming MORE IMPORTED PROBLEMS May'23 FOREIGNER, former actor and scriptwriter at comedy channel Wah!Banana went on trial for molesting, sexually assaulting and raping a woman Back in '22, two Bangladeshis men RAPED A Woman. MORE CRIME, by FOREIGNERS
@@vincecarloIt doesn't matter how many go into Singapore. Because in the end only those holding pink ic can decide the fate of Singapore herself. Should and when the day comes the Singapore population explodes to this dreadful figure it will never be the guests fault and they can leave or try to sympathize with the Singaporeans but at the end of the day it is still Singaporeans who will have to house a meeting among themselves be it peers,elders or new migrants to reach a common understanding of how Singapore should be and what her living quality and ideal population figure should be. You all should be the ones with the power to decide these things and not what pap say means it is the end all and be all of things in Singapore.
The best advice i can give here is to work hard and earn as much as possible regardless if you are a expat or citizen. Once you have aged the workfield will not want you anynore no matter who you are and you only have two to three decades of prime earning power in your life before your health give way. You can return home or retreat into the larger hinterland in malaysia and thailand to live out your old age in peace and security. A few millions sg dollars can solve all your problems and frustrations you will encounter in Singapore once you take your life and money out of Singapore. Simple as that.
This is same concept for expats to retire in thailand or malaysia in their old age. I choose jeju island. Its underrated and its one of the best places to live in my opinion.
Expats don't make up 30% of the Singapore population. They make up less than half of the 30%. The two biggest foreigners' groups are domestic and construction workers.
I've been living in Singapore for 13yrs. Definitely the best place to raise children, but quite boring sometimes. So i like to go JB every weekend to enjoy low price living and more variety. So it's really a good place
There're a lot of things to do and enjoy packed within a small island nation. Everything is so within reach. It's not like that in bigger countries. But when you want more or different, it has to be out of the country. Whereas in bigger countries, you could travel to another state/province.
White people like calling themselves expats to distinguish themselves as of a more class but they're quick to tag talented workforce from developing countries as immigrants.
It really doesn't matter Singapore is small cos it is connected easily. we can easily travel by car to Malaysia then to Thailand etc. As for daily living life, how big the country is donest make a difference 😂
I used to be an expat in Singapore for almost 4 years before I decided to leave. The biggest deciding factors for me in leaving Singapore were the astronomical rent price increases after the pandemic and the stagnant anti-work-life balance culture in my former company. My salary then didn't reflect the inflation and barely increased while living expenses were shooting up. I decided to start over in a different industry and took on a remote job then moved back home. I still love to visit Singapore though, the culture, food, and infrastructure are top-notch.
It is a tiny city state. A new official report has just been published. The head counts that rushed in after Pandemic almost equal to half a million or much much more. Oh man, all living costs shot high up.
You’re an expat feeling the pinch with a way out. Us locals are being squeeze to bits with the current inflation suffering the same fate.
@@arifrahman9024 what's the solution then. Should government step in?
Best advice to give them, HDB is just as safe as condos and way cheaper.
So You are an american
Immigrant then?
'be aware that this is multi ethnic and multi cultural , so be a bit humble ' some wise words from the denmark guy :)
Good point. Did not see many poor and struggling non Asians in Singapore.
Multi ethic and controlled by the Chinese. Definately not multicultural.
It's not real multiculturalism if your government is micromanaging ethnicities.
I don't see not 1 black person here 🤔
what he said, is probably good advice to anyone moving to a foreign country: be aware, be humble - and then the society will open up to you
"So, be a bit humble."
I like that one.
The people of Singapore are amazing. On a previous holiday I foolishly left my phone in the taxi and didn't realise until they had already left for about 10-15 minutes. I frantically tried to contact the taxi company who managed to track down which of their vehicles had dropped me off. Turns out the driver also was desperately was trying to figure out a way to contact me since I wasn't local and didn't have a phone number provided. Embarrassing that it happened in the first place but was also amazing to experience the integrity and honesty of Singapore.
Idiot..always check before u leave a place. U make the taxi driver waste time
The PM n his Mayors even MORE AMAZING
SINGAPORE has the MOST EXPENSIVE PM On The Planet n $660k/annum Paid to Mayors for Dunno Doing what ?
@@hannesRSA I've had another phone stolen after dropping it out of a shallow pocket in Australia. I hadn't even made it 10 meters from where it fell out. So yeah... it IS pretty sad that returning a phone is considered outstanding. 😕
@@vincecarlo Amazing ministerial salaries gives you amazing country with opportunities attractive to amazingly talented people to the demise and horror to people like you who amazing only knows how to harp on high ministerial salaries for your incompetence and failure.
@@vincecarloActually Singapore's politicians are the lowest paid in the region, if you know what I mean 😂
Danish grandpa is so full of wisdom
Also loaded of money .. he seems he unfolded the matrix in Singapore line none else in the vid
he's a G
Singapore doing well because of "Legal" immigration! None of this stealing the border like animals stuff in USA
I thought I'm the only one who notice😂😅@@روح-د9ر
I work as a Parkour coach with Lion City Parkour and we have a fair share of expat students, both adults and kids (I guess due to the nature of our sport being more commonplace and accepted overseas). Really sad when parents tell me that they are leaving due to the high rent and cost of living, especially due to the kids' international school fees rising. Had to say teary goodbyes to many families just this year alone. Most expats I've come across at my workplace are amazingly kind and friendly, and we're sad we have to say goodbye especially after having known them for years and even watching their kids grow up.
However, all - if not most - of them rent condos in expensive areas rather than HDBs, send their kids to international schools, drive their kids to school when they live just nearby, and always eat out at restaurants, shop at fancier grocery stores in their expensive neighbourhoods (as compared to Giant/NTUC) etc. They are shocked when I let them know how cheap our meals in kopitiams are, that are really delicious still. Some have been asking me what the local education system is like, how much it may cost for them etc (I assume this is a sign they're highly considering sending their kids to local schools), and I've also been encouraging some to try out my favourite food stalls around their areas. This could be something expats in Singapore could consider. A restaurant meal costs $20++ and up even, as compared to my usual lunch places of $5-$8 a meal... with a drink! Singapore may be expensive and there's no denying that inflation is hitting all of us hard, but if you live like locals do, you'll realise it's a lot cheaper than most think.
@gwendee thank you for your advice, this really helps. any advice on which area on singapore would be cheaper to rent? thank you again in advance ^^
@@nekoda9379 thanks for asking! If you're okay with a slightly longer travel time, renting HDBs - not condos - in quieter neighbourhoods (and renting from blocks further away from the train station) would always be cheaper. For areas in the East, I would think Bedok North or Bedok Reservoir/Simei would be alright from what I've heard from my Malaysian friends.
Hougang, Ang Mo Kio (further in! AMK is huge), Yio Chu Kang, Yishun/Khatib, Sengkang are all areas to consider as well and are pleasant too! If you have more questions feel free to ask, would be more than happy to help :)
Frankly speaking our public transportation system is amazing and most places are well connected, so it shouldn't take you more than 1.5hrs to get from location to location unless you live somewhere that's freshly developing.
Who eats our at restaurants everyday 😂.
@@Anonymoose66G I said "always" eat out at restaurants but that could mean 1-2 meals a day out. The expat families I work with do that, and for quite a number of them eating at restaurants and cafes daily is a norm, esp if they work and live around the CBD/Tanjong Pagar, Orchard etc area. You'd be surprised. They don't really cook esp if they don't have children because they can easily eat at a nice restaurant a 5min walk from their house
@@gwendee That's sad, I get like maybe getting street food since it's quick, easy and relatively affordable but a meal at a restaurant everyday is overkill, I mean that completely ruins the point of a meal, your not going to be acting like you would in your home in a restaurant. I despise those neo culture of getting overpriced stuff for no reason other than reputation & perceived convenience... Like the people that go to Starbucks everyday just to order a €10 coffee.
As a smoker myself , I’d like to say that the rules regarding where to smoke is basically consideration to others.
I welcome any rules that involves consideration for others.
Still a lot don’t follow…
@@ShadowRap-y5l That’s besides the point.
And “ a lot “ is really subjective.
as an american smoker myself... i didnt think the woman from vietnam was a smoker! and i agree with her... obviously u have to abide by laws n rules in singapore... sometimes i think u dont give a crap n do what u wanna do... i think even the locals partake in this aswell
Forgive my logic but it makes sense only if you apply it to yourself: Love thy neighbor, love thy body.
The first thing that popped in my head when she said she wants to “let loose “ is to smoke some weed lol. 😂
I really like the variety of nationalities in these interviews!
I am an expat from Taiwan, working & living in Sing for many years. So far find very comfortable here, only complain is on housing. Many Sing’s friends also don’t expect outsiders to be able wholely merge with the local, this will take many years to happen. Just be open minded and don’t anyhow make noise when you see something done differently from your hometown. Sing is the most western country seen by the East and is also the most easy eastern country to live in by the western people, imho.
Get a sg partner marry and buy a bto . Problem solved
Get a sg partner marry and buy a bto . Problem solved
That's because they don't really know what the West like and what is the east like. SG is very very different from the west, but HK- like.
The man has been here for 34 years and his accent is so perfect and gentle ❤❤❤❤❤
My dad is half singaporean chinese- half german white and my mom is german white. They used to live in Zurich, Switzerland ( I was born and grew up there ).
My parents moved to Singapore in 2005, bought a house and got a PR a few years later ( me too ). They would never go back to Zurich again except for a holiday because Singapore is still much cheaper than Swiss.
tHERE IS ALWAYS A WAY OUT IN ANY SITUATION U FIND YOURSELF. pEOPLE JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYTHING
not many places on earth more expensive thatn zurich! hahaha
You also earn more there than in Singapore. But the prices are about half compared to Zurich.
Climate also another fact.
i d rather live in switzerland (geneve) because of the climate
"Be a bit humble"
Yep. Applies everywhere.
Not really. In some countries, you get treated like a doormat if you are humble.
I would say be humble when and where it is appropriate to be like that.
@@justmeagain7😂😂😂😅
Asia in general gets more and more trendy each year. Business opportunities, tourism, expats, weekend getaways, food, safety etc. TH-cam covers all of this stuff and foreigners want to experience the lifestyle.
I don't prefer Asia, but Singapore looks like it is safe clean and has the relaxed green urban look that I like
@@SummerSun-sg3wf "looks like" tells me you haven't travelled a lot.
not really but certain hotspots are getting more trendy, dubai, singapore, hong kong,taiwan etc
It is okay. People move in and move out, its been happening for thousands of years. We need more Singapore type of countries in this world if you ask me.
Wouldn't it be cool if every country were like this?
no we don't lmao.
I do agree. The world need more countries like Singapore.
There are few Middle East countries you can choose. Tax free to accommodate some disadvantageous but they will improve over time. Singapore is having influx of USD due to company moving out of HK, prices will shoot up even more hopefully it will not end up like HK.
@@MetalBansheeXnot at all. i say, built a few countries like united states and singapore where its multicultural and doesnt represent any ethnic group, but the majority of the world should still be like japan, poland, bangladesh, where theyre culturally and ethnically homogenous they can preserve the culture that their ancestor give them. its beautiful
It's very telling about the country that the major issue people complain about are regarding cost of living issues, which is not unique to Singapore but happening everywhere else in the world.
Most of the expats being interviewed feel comfortable residing in SG except maybe on the cost of living, especially on apartment rental. Their living styles differ from the average local, take for instance food wise, they prefer to patronize a/c food courts and restaurants in the downtown area whereas the locals usually go to neighbourhood food courts and hawker centres.
@@M.K-52200there is few food courts in other contries except the south east asia and people are used to eat in restaurant to enjoy their meals and have fun. Food court eating is more like to complete the task and makes me feel like im still in the high school.
the wise words from the man that stay 34 years in Singapore is something else
People who don't have to pay rent: Yeah this place is great, you can live frugally and easily make ends meet.
People who have to pay $3000-6000/month rent: Yeah we'd love to stay but it's too expensive.
Singapore Rated the MOST EXPENSIVE City 8 Times in past decade
Nobody force also
Yea perks of being citizen of course. Excepts M'sians other foreigners cannot rent hdb only private properties hence it'll be a lot more costly. It wouldn't make sense if foreigners enjoy the same perks.
@@vincecarlo it's bull places like NY, HK are worse even though Sg is also somewhere high on the list
@@ShadowRap-y5l Spoken like a person who never had to relocate countries for work. Locals don't have any idea how much effort, time, commitment, and courage is needed to relocate to another place for work. You have to wrap up your entire life (finances, family, friends, taxes, properties) in one country, spend upwards of 10-30k to move, get used to local culture and establish a routine, and restart life in an entirely different place. Imagine doing all of that, finally getting used to life and your job, making new friends, reschool your kids, counsel them with their loneliness while surviving your own. Then your landlord walks in and says "yeah I'm gonna need you to pay $2000-$3000 more staying next month." Now you're left with zero or negative savings. You can try to rent HDB but quota is low if you're not the right race or nationality. Then someone says, "no one is forcing you to stay, go home lor." Plenty of circumstances are forcing you to maintain the status quo as much as possible, even when it's detrimental to your financial plans. Especially when kids are involved.
Big respect to the brave foreign workers who have come to Singapore to make a better life for their families back home. Many have given up jobs in other sectors to be helpers in Singapore. Hope they get good jobs with fair pay and good employers.
Singapore is a highly desirable place for them with its first world infrastructure and strong dollar. If their own countries had given them good jobs and fair pay, they wouldn't have had to upstick in the first place. It is NOT an easy thing for many stressed and overworked Singaporeans to adjust to having a stranger come live and work in their homes as is. Not to mention how small and tight most SG homes are unless you are the few privileged expats living in a huge bungalow with servant quarters. There are many helpers who are treated like family members by their employers in SG (even after their employment ends) yet those are the type of news that never gets featured!
There is this thing called empathy that most humans have. Also you don't get to choose where you are born. Kicking someone down when they want a better life for themselves.
0:24: 🌍 Expats from various countries share their experiences living and working in Singapore.
0:58: Overall, the expats have had positive experiences living in Singapore.
3:26: 🌍 Singapore is an attractive place for foreigners due to its good base, safety, stability, and career opportunities.
3:55: There is a general sense of openness to foreign labor and immigrants in Singapore.
4:05: There is a high demand for skilled workers in Singapore.
7:05: 💰 Living costs in Singapore are high, but subsidies from the government help make it more affordable.
7:27: Despite the high living costs, government subsidies make it more manageable.
7:39: The cost of living in Singapore may become more challenging when starting a family or having pets.
10:11: 🌍 Living in Singapore with a family is perfect, but the weather and lack of mountains can be challenging.
10:39: The rules in Singapore can feel strict and restrictive.
13:49: 🏢 The speaker has no plans to leave Singapore despite rising rental prices.
14:18: Rental prices have increased by 60-80% for some people.
Recap by Tammy AI
I deeply resonate with the experiences of the Danish Grandpa and the Filipina Ate in the video!
Singapore, like many other places, has a distinct hierarchy when it comes to how different groups of expats are treated by both locals and other foreigners.
Take, for instance, the case of construction workers and maids - they are seldom referred to as expats, both in public perception and media portrayal. They are often labeled as "immigrants" or "migrant workers," and in the case of maids, they are simply referred to as "maids" or "domestic workers".
The term "expats" seems to be reserved for Caucasian immigrants or non-Caucasian high earners in glamorous industries like Finance, Tech, Law, or Medicine. Immigrants with diverse backgrounds working outside of these fields are often just termed as "immigrants," "foreigners," or simply "FT" (foreign talent). If they hold Permanent Resident status, they may be categorized by their country of origin - "Indonesian PR", "Indian PR", and so on.
Interestingly, even immigrants from mainland China are commonly addressed as "mainlanders" or "PRCs," setting them apart from the broader expat category.
In my experience, just like in many parts of the world, expats are not treated equally in Singapore due to a combination of economic status and racial or national origins. This might not be a significant issue for some foreigners, including myself, But it can be a substantial problem for others, particularly those working in construction or as maids.
As an immigrant, I love Singapore, and it is indeed a great country to live in.
But It's also crucial to acknowledge and address these disparities in treatment to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for everyone!
I think the label isn't necessarily given by Singaporeans. The Caucasian and many Indian PMETs see themselves as expats. Helpers and construction workers don't call themselves expats. There is no exact equivalent term of expat in Chinese, which explains for the PRCs. This is semantics and context of how the term expat has been used historically.
@alantompel well said
The gentleman was very thoughtful:-) loved him.
I like the wise old man, his wisdom words has made me thinking a lot
I have lived in Singapore for 13 long years, one of the best country and hope will come back one day, love from Australia
Im singaporean and love australia too! Hope you come back soon:)
@@SANIA-ko8hh not sure now, I heard its getting tough to find job there for outsiders, specially outside finance and IT field, but I will suggest to reach out to requiters there.
@Hithere23940 I did once moved back to Australia
I used to live in Singapore for 5 years when I was young because of my father's job. We (Japanese) were given preferences compared to other expats when renting flats because we have good reputation of being good tenants - don't make too much noise and take care of the flat well. Which of course is not always the case but was based on some of the estate agents and the landlords' experiences.
Also someone complained about the climate in Singapore but I thought the summer in Tokyo was much worse imo. (Tokyo is hotter than Okinawa, the tropical islands of Japan, so it's not impossible.)
Singapore is consistently hot and humid all year round, and we don't ever get to see snow for sure!
@@teeteetuu94Brought up on the U.S.' Kansas Plains. If I never see snow again, suits me fine!
Summer in Tokyo is horrible but it's a beautiful city just like many places in Japan!
And yes Japanese generally have a good reputation in many aspects
There is a parson who doesn’t know how to speak up in appropriate place. That person's name is probably words that s/he has been told many times.
Joined two weeks ago…I wonder how many accounts this parson has.
@imsickofyou-pb2xtinteresting how proplelike you keep harping about Japanese invasion that happened half a century ago that has ended, but conveniently forget and never talk about Chinese occupation, overpopulation and dominance of the Malay island since a century ago that has not ended up till now.
Updated statistics have shown that there is an influx of 230K of foreigners residing in SG this year, an approx. 11% increase as compared to last year, this well explains the accommodation rental hikes. The cost of living especially on foodwise can be pretty much affordable if you are willing to explore around as compared with other 1st-tier cities in the world. SG always welcome foreigners from all walks of life with open arms, working hard together, building a career and progress together with SG.
When I was younger, expatriates were always chauffeur-driven, with rent-free housing and education paid for their children in international schools. These people are different.
That was when Singapore was less developed. Nowadays, expats don't get paid much more than locals for the same job.
I know quite a few foreigners in SG that paid for their own rent etc and they never consider themselves expats, they just told me they are working on a local / SG contract. so these interviewees, i will consider them as local contracts too.
International schools are very expensive, if you can get kids into local SG school it's much better but beware, standards are high. If kids are transferring from American schools they are in for a shock!
It is known as being one of the most expensive places in the world for rents, food, etc. The humidity would be tough to get used to, especially if you're from a country with a different climate.
Props to the Danish gentleman. That's the attitude we should all strive for, whether local or foreign wherever we live.
only works for small countries located in key regions of the world.
and you don't need multiculturalism to be economically rich.
Scandinavian countries used to be rich and still are today before the whole nonsense that was immigration.
same story with South Korea and Japan.
@@LevisH21 The key is how authorities look at immigration - it should be a well regulated tool used to their people's benefits. The West has a leftist approach - they put first the needs of the "opressed" foreigners, who are even allowed enter illegally, completely uncontrolled etc. etc. So of course it's failing more and more. Singapore is not ideological in this regard, and uses immigration as a well regulated tool for the development of their own country. They allow in who they need, when they actually need them. Naturally the immigrants win too - higher salaries in a safe, first world environment. But the basis of Singapore policies is self interest, as it should be - a government has a duty to the well being of their people, not the sufferers of the world. Western governments have no concept of duty to their people, just to their ideologies. Part of the leftist ideology actually despises the idea of nation, so of course you won't act in the interests of something you despise.
The behavior of that lady household helper is rather normal and standard. Have seen on YT videos interviewing HHs in both Asean and East Asia countries, not a single one of them is willingly to open up fully in their encounters with bad employers for obvious reasons. It’s a sad phenomenon for all HHs but feel happy for her having a good employer now. As of latest news, SG’s overall population has increased from 5.64m to 5.92m this year, with non-citizens from 2.08m to 2.31m, the housing rental market reflects the current situation.
As an ex-Singapore expat, I would say expats are people on non-permanent visas (e.g. work permit) whereas "local" are ones with more permanent visa status (e.g. PR). I would also say Singapore is very strict on who they would allow more permanent visa status with racial quota/ratio being one of the main criteria.
Yep.. that's the right way to handle immigration. You want to let in people who are able to integrate.
PR is not really permanent, you can lose it once you are cut out from your job, right?
This is such a contrast to the interview you did to the locals of Singapore saying it's expensive to live there. You can really tell the difference when it comes to expats who got a good opoortunity to live there.
12:58 This is such a good question to a Filipina. Kudos! I think Ate just being very careful on how she would talk since it's scary to have words against where you're not in your own country.
15:30 The transition to the advices from "make more money" to "work hard but not too hard" is just genius! HAHA
singaporeans are way more entitled hence the difference. expect mee pok to stay at 2.50 a bowl but want fresh grad starting pay go up to 4k and above
Lets see this, these expats can always leave whenever sht hit the fan meanwhile the locals stck there.
@@ssvegeto1610 Oh really...? Didnt notice this phenomenon. Could you perhaps explain why the rate of increase of salary is lower than the rate of increase of cost of living? Perhaps could you explain the rise in utilities when it was shown that companies are indeed profiting massively (e.g. SP power) While you're at it, could you perhaps justify the pay of our MPs and their scope of work(instead of just corruption)? Lastly, please justify the growing income inequality which most Singaporeans are affected by. Perhaps its not about being entitlted, its about being more knowledgable of the overall situation since we are now much more aware of pay etc? I agree in some aspect that we are more entitled....but price/pay nt really....
@@ssvegeto1610 please, tf you talking about? if the cost of living isn't increasing i won't mind not getting a 4k starting pay
@@chanjl49 the Water prices were last increased by 30 per cent in two phases from 2017, and before that in 2000. That is not even double yet from year 2000, You tell me your salary never double in 23 years? Either you were earning alot already or you're just a bad worker and that sounds like a you problem.
SP doesn't 'profit' unless you expect all the staff there to work for free, they don't use the 'profits' to buy property or invest elsewhere btw, but I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand that =)
0:04 what a genuine & an innocent laugh this guy had ...I wish to meet more people like him in my life !! Nice job Elena for having him on your Thumbnail, well deserved Mister. And btw, I like your nose-ring. It looks cool. SUBSCRIBED 👍
Even though.The rent is high but you get the best services and safety.
If youre bored you can always travel to neighbour countries, they are still relatively cheap, safe, and have many great tourist destinations.
Lucky for those people who doesnt experience rudeness in Singapore. I believe in the maid when she said she have seen a lot.
You’ll find rude people everywhere in the world. Singapore is no utopia, so I’ll say live and let live, be happy and show kindness to all if you can. ..people are already so lucky to be living in Singapore 🇸🇬 😂
Rudeness is a universal thing and not unique to just Singapore.
At least we don’t have shootings in schools.
Wow, it looks like you have quite a number of supporters, be it whether they are trolls or haters, let's assume it does happen, SG will take notice and there is always room for improvement in order to serve you better 😉
It depends on who you interview. The answers between a maid and a Caucasian expat are going to be very different.
@@cktan9253 Dude, per capital we have more maids then our neighboring countries, the lest we can do is treat them with respect. Don't always act so high and mighty just because we're lucky to live here!
Based on my expats friends I have surrounding me my knowledge is. Expats are earning so much more compared to the locals. Alot of them are earning more than 15k a month and some till 60k per month. Don't forget alot of them has at least 2 months of bonus and some sector are go up to 4 or 6 months. Alot of expats are being provided on accomdation and school fees paid for their children. Compared to their home country they are earning double or even triple in Singapore. My friend shared that his colleague used to earn $3000 sgd back home, his nationality is Indian. But when he came to singapore to work, his salary is $12,000, this is excluding his accomdation. Alot of expats from certain countries also looked down on Singaporean. Those that comment that rents are expensive because they are renting condo which easily cost $4000 a month. You can always choose to live in Hdb.
Why do expats get paid more than singaporeans????
But a lot of expats are coming in for a project at work. When ur whole life is being upturned ur company is going to have to provide accommodation higher salaries and an international school fir the kids otherwise people would refuse cos theirs no incentive
'expats' are mostly spoiled, never integrate in singapore and they only want the good life and pay minimal taxes. An amoral bunch if you ask me.
and that's why they don't have any rights to complain about the high rents, because their salary should commensurate to it
A recruiter from singapore offered me SGD 5500 per month for a software engineer role. I think it's too low compared to average salary there? 😢
0:10 "i feel like the rules here are so strict", yep, that's why it's safe, secure and expats love this country.
but why not china instead?
Being currently still in egg in Singapore (4 months old), The only highest expense is rent. I do wish something could be done about it. Food and groceries are expensive in fancy places same logic in home country. I buy from local stores and bakeries and its managable. Rent becoz it is truly too high and major part of salary goes in it and no option left but to cut down other costs. In home country i would spend max 10-15% in rent, here its more than 30%. Otherwise its safest, quiet and very nice country in whole Asia...Singaporeans are hard working mind their own business unlike home country where everyone has to poke their nose is everyone else's business😂
Property prices in sg rarely depreciates because land is so scarce and the demand to live here is high. Factoring in global inflation, you get insanely high rental prices and property prices. Locals are always making a profit selling their houses in most cases. I bought a 300k house and sold it for 1.2million 7 years down the road.
Watching the video, the one consensus all the interviewees had was Singapore is an extremely extremely safe country to be in.
I’ve worked here for 10 years and I’ve never been pickpocketed or robbed which ironically is something that blows my mind coming from where I was.
People might complain about the strict laws but that’s the exact reason why it makes Singapore such a great place for people like me who craves stability and peace.
For those considering a move to Singapore, if surveillance cameras and strict rules are not for you, then you probably shouldn’t come here.
You can go to my country Malaysia where laws are lax and a lot more things are permissible.
Malaysia boleh 😅
WAS SAFE
Back in '22, two Bangladeshis men RAPED A Woman.
Crime by FOREIGNERS
May'23
Another FOREIGNER, former actor and scriptwriter at comedy channel Wah!Banana went on trial for molesting, sexually assaulting and raping a woman
@@hannesRSASmart move!
Lol experience is relative. 40 years in Malaysia and none of that happened to me. And no, i live in KL, not some secluded island.
Lived and worked in both Singapore and Malaysia, got robbed in KL, Wangsa Maju area by some Malays on motorbikes. Police didn't even give a crap about my police report. In Singapore I can go out at all times at night 3am or 4am. That feeling of safety is unmatched anywhere else in the world
Good job ! Thank you for showing true spirit of international community success!
Just here in singapore this week for a holiday, what i’d love the most is the public transport.
I’ve tried another country but none like singapore. The mobility is unmatch.
The downside is yes everything is expensive especially me coming from Indonesia, the food price is like 1/10 😂
The transport is fantastic and very affordable! The food can be expensive, but there are many cheap options. The hawker centres are great for decent food that is very cheap.
Japan is the country with the best public transport infrastructure. However, services are getting reduced due to reduced demand of the aging population.
@@cancanjaker1620 japan is nice, however i prefer SG one, the language is easier to understand as a tourist and almost connect to everywhere
The interviewer is one of the good ones
one thing i really admire the foreigners that come to singapore to look for work is their gumption.
truly it is not easy to move abroad for work and leave everything you love behind .
i remember working in Shanghai a decade ago , i missed my family in SG so much.
@imsickofyou-pb2xt I'm not taking about coming into Singapore, it's about leaving your home country, wth you taking about
For those people who wish to enjoy a high standard of living like staying in condominiums, landed properties, buying designer bags/clothings, eating at restaurants/bristols most days, buying expensive cars, taking cabs, etc. they would find that Singapore cost of living is expensive. Therefore, it's good to spend wisely and within your means.
ouch. hits home hard.
Disclaimer: Singaporean here
What they all don't mention is how the dense living environment, competitive society and high costs lead to diminished mental wellness. Just look at the way Singaporeans drive and how we all have a me-first mentality in everything we do.
exactly. the pace of life and density is a recipe for disaster and i notice a growing impatience and violence in people here as the years go by. unlike other countries, there are also few places to decompress within singapore when it comes to nature (one can say malaysia, indonesia and thailand are choices but bear in mind this is only short term, not like you can escape to the countryside long term). this is a very real factor to consider if you are keen to live in singapore long term (especially if you intend to have your kids grow up here).
Wonder why they don't mention it?
@@slayergutbecause this is filtered ....what grouses by locals are played down.
@@ae101rulez having worked regional roles in both American and Chinese companies and having been posted there mid term.. I'm very glad to be home in SG where I feel there's a good balance of hard work and time for personal life.
Some countries are wayyy too tough where people spend up to 12hrs in the office everyday, some are so slack that things barely get done.
I feel that SG for the most part strikes a good balance, it's definitely more sluggy than our surrounding neighbours, but on a global scale it's pretty average.
Because in any big & packed cities like that😅
I'm poor so I'll live in Malaysia and visit Singapore one day
Singapore has everything
Its beautiful to have so many nations in Singapore ❤
32 years? That's incredible! I'm also from Denmark and have lived in Singapore during my teenage years, I have dreams of returning to Singapore one day and live, Denmark is one of the safest and nicest places to live in the world, however, Singapore in my opinion is the best country in the world.
Love how foreigners have so many beautiful and wonderful things to say about our country but spoilt local kids who dont realise how privileged they are to be living in such a safe, clean, stable country with reputable education, etc.
oNCE U LOSE WHAT U HAVE.. U WILL REGRET EVER NAGGING
It's mostly the whiners in every country that talk the loudest. There are a ton of happy contented people in Sg who don't comment in every youtube/ reddit/ facebook post.
That’s because locals take it for granted because it’s all they ever know
In all honesty and no offence intended, it's really easy for you to say all this whilst we have to waste 2 years of our life in service to the country not even being paid properly or treated like a human being...moreover being disadvantaged with your peers around you having 2 years more experience/study and no reservist obligations...whilst all the women and PRs/expats don't need to contribute a single cent to the nation and still reap the same rewards and benefits of this country...
Says a female with tons of priviledge ofcourse
Trivia note: The U.S. game show The Amazing Race has been on for 34 Seasons, & they have traveled to Singapore for 3 of them; Seasons 3, 16, & 25.
We are a family of 5 and
stayed in Singapore just for 3 days but we weren't able to do much or eat out because everything was expensive. However when we went to Malaysia, we were able to get more value for our money, from the place we stayed in, to grocery shopping ( Tesco ),..commuting, food, it was amazing!! Singapore is a nice clean country, we felt safe however you do really need a lot of money to be able to get by there
as a Singaporean, i am BARELY getting by. i think majority of us are in debt.
in debt? sounds like a you problem. Dont blame the system. you will face the same problem when u are a malaysian citizen. They cant afford to retire too with raising inflation. Blame the feds.@@AverageAufa
Would be intrigued to see the expat sentiment in Hong Kong nowadays
The older gentleman was so wellspoken and wise
The best advice from the Danish man: be humble!
My respect to the Danish of 32yrs.
after 32 years, he is still NOT a singaporean. disgusting.
My wife and I have been working in Singapore for ten years as expatriates. We love Singapore so much coz the food, taxes and utilities bills are very cheap compared to our country Melbourne Australia. We love and missed Singapore so much and still come back for holidays every year. Singapore is our second home forever.
#1 American said America is the bad place to live
#2 UK said UK is the bad place to live
#3 AU said AU is the bad place to live
#4 Japan said Japan is the bad place to live
#5 South Korea said South Korea is the bad place to live
###### Everyone now said their country is the bad place to live, So the question is "Where do you live on right now ?" Earth or Jupiter
Quote: Everywhere is the same
South Korea is really the bad place to live !!!!
I have worked & lived in many countries. The best thing to do is to find out from the locals - where to live, where rent is not too high with good public transport to work. Then find out about food & grocery shopping & restaurants/cafes which are not too expensive. I usually find the information from colleagues who are locals
singapore is great if you’re in a competitive corporate job and want to make money with little tax. it’s basically the dubai of asia. but in the same way, it’s incredibly boring if you’re not money-oriented. almost any other rich asian country has more to offer culturally and socially, and without all of the restrictions (which make it resemble korea under PCH). just my opinion, of course. i would even go so far as to say that the expat community are quite boring. they’re all concentrated in about 2-3 industries. linkedin island, club MBA.
Pretty sure that Dubai is the Dubai of Asia.
@@charlieread2097 yes, yes, well done. and argentina is the steak capital of america. you can infer which region of 'asia' i'm talking about.
@@aaroninky That isn't obvious considering that 'Asia' originally only meant Anatolia. In the UK 'Asian' primarily refers to people from the subcontinent too.
For a few years is fine, not for long. No way to get residency here, as it's not sustainable. Life can be better spend elsewhere. Life is short.
When you said “other rich Asian country Has more to offer culturally and socially”, the first country that also popped into mind is Korea lol
As an expat living in Singapore, I've found the cost of living much more manageable than in my home country.
As Singaporeans we tend to take this place for granted.
Do not take safety, stability and a functional government for granted. Very few nations have it.
You should be proud of your country. For me... top 5 country in the world. Only downside, it is a very small country.
I think this interview gives a very one sided perspective that Singapore is expensive for expats. If they live like a local (Stay in HDB, eat at hawker, coffeeshop or mid range restaurants once a while), it is definitely not expensive. Their pay is higher than majority of locals. If they say it’s expensive, how about the locals? Also the Japanese guy saying he’s skipping lunch because it’s too expensive. That is putting Singapore in a very bad light. It’s obviously not that expensive till he have to skip lunch bruh. He can have lunch for just SGD 5 as long as he integrates into the society and eat local food. Singapore is one of the very few 1st world country where you can find SGD 5 (USD 3) meal. Interviewer is also asking very one sided questions to people of lower income group.
One of the expat does live in a HDB with his wife and he eat locally too. He did say it's manageable if they shop local and eat locally.
When I visit my family in Malaysia and Singapore, the food I enjoy most is the cheap hawker food. No reason for that guy to skip lunch!
It is definitely expensive if they are expecting to live it up and want the same exact lifestyle and cuisine that they have back home. Things like cheese, other dairy, sashimi, wine and all manners of exotic imported fine foods that aren't produced in the SEA region are 2.5x to 3x that of developed nations. Some expats are probably looking to save up their mega salaries so they are grumpy about having to spend more to obtain the same stuff they have back home.
In Singapore, cook from home cheaper or eating out?
What is the difference between expats and foreign labour?
7:34 Bro had gag reflex when he heard about starting a family 😂
As a Singaporean, I'm glad to see most of them are enjoying their stay despite us not being the friendly host that we should always strive to be.
6:38 I actually felt bad for the household helper when she was stepping back while answering the question about the work that she is doing.
U speak for Singaporean? Or u assume his opinion 😅
you are saying you ain't a good host??
same, i flinched as well when she did that. i feel sad that she felt less than.
The behavior of that lady household helper is rather normal and standard. I have seen on YT videos interviewing HHs in both Asean and East Asia countries, not a single one of them is willingly to open up fully in their encounters with bad employers for obvious reasons. It’s a sad phenomenon for all HHs but feel happy for her having a good employer now.
I totally agree with the interviewers, stability in Singapore and safety. The expensive pricing has to be compare to where they originally came from. As a Singaporean, I believe we have the choice to live within a comfortable budget and also have a happy life.
If you live in Scandinavia, Switzerland, New York or London, you can consider Living in Singapore "affordable." Other than that, it is very expensive to most.
Love Singapur and its people. One of the best places to live.
Interesting video. Maybe have one from the viewpoint of Singaporeans who decided not to come back to Singapore? I’m sure you’d get interesting perspectives and potentially certain counterarguments to some of the comments in the interview. Happy to be your first interviewee. 😊
I feel bad for the japanese man he said he skip lunch while smiling but he looks pale
Someone needs to bring him to some hawker centers, a whole meal can be less than 5 SGD/ 3 USD.
This Japanese guy says that food is expensive because he only eats Japanese related food, which is much more expensive than local food. He should learn to adapt and eat local food which is very reasonable where price is concerned.
I, local, skip meals too!!
Sg too expensive
Don't come here
@@GuyWithAnAmazingHat
Hawkers aint cheap now
This info is outdated!!
SG Voted MOST EXPENSIVE City 8 Times in past Decade
Go Figure
"Exploring the expat experience in Singapore through street interviews is such an insightful approach, Asian Boss! With almost 30% of the population being foreigners, it's fascinating to hear their perspectives on living in the Lion City. Thank you for shedding light on this topic and providing diverse insights. #ExpatLife #SingaporeLiving #AsianBoss"
I feel the pain behind that voice when he said "To survive"
That is some high quality take away from Denmark Uncle. "Be a bit Humble".❤️
The last advice pretty much sums it up, "be a bit humble"
Miss Singapore sooo much🙈 Used to be an expat over 20 years ago, my daughter was born there! The city will always have a special place in my heart❤❤
food here in this stretch of restaurants (Robertson Quay, that is where this interview is conducted) is definitely more expensive and the apartments there are all private condominiums worth millions in the property market.
the British gentleman is absolutely right, the living costs depends on what lifestyle you lead. an expat lifestyle is expensive no matter which part of the world you are at. but in singapore, we are lucky to have options of hawker centers and coffeeshops to manage our costs. however, that said rents are definitely rising in Singapore but there are other aspects in daily living costs (transport, food) that can be managed to make overall costs more affordable.
Hawker and coffee shop food is no longer cheap/affordable for a nutritious meal - this is coming from me, a true blue Singaporean . I can only afford 1 meal a day.
@@Maris_S28 i'm a local too, i think nowadays we definitely have to be careful how we order as well. economic rice is not "economic" sometimes 😅but i still see hawkers selling chicken rice and rice dishes at $3 in my area.
"Don't be angry with something that you might not understand."
This is good advice for anyone living anywhere in the world. Don't let your emotions take control. Someone might piss you off but we cannot fully understand the reasoning behind his decisions sometimes, just brush it off and move on.
I don't know if you can really consider yourself a local if you weren't born and raised in the country. Even if you've been living there for 20-30 years, at the end of the day, you moved there as an adult, so it's hard to detach the expat label.
Agreed. I don't think birth may be necessary, but I think "raised" would be the qualifier (i.e. a child who has been there since age 4).
I think the only other circumstance would be if you were a foreigner somewhere and actively contributed to the growth and development of said place, such as a small town, to something more because you helped mold it into what it's become. In other words, you were there from its "birth" or it "being raised" so you are an integral part of it--making you a "local".
Well if a person do not have citizenship, I will not consider him/her a local.
@@dantizzle00 If you retain your birth country citizenship, you will never be seen as a local no matter where.
In today's world, one doesn't need to be born a woman to feel woman.
@@uwet.8826 How is that related to the topic of this video?
not the indepth interviews questions you expect from this channel
The expats package now is totally different from 30 years ago
Singapore might be a great expat-city, but here in Medellín, Colombia is hard to beat!
I even made some street-interviews like this from here too🙂
We don’t want to die
Its your opinion, There are many considerations that someone must make decisions going to Colombia, is it safe, stable and have lots of job opportunities?
I enjoyed your videos! Thanks for making them
@@kykale Thanks for watching!
@@MEGIDIOTEscobar died decades ago!
Keep a open mind
Be a bit humble. Wisdom.
And that applies to both local and foreigners.
Thank you for this interesting insight!
I love the Denmark guy, would love to know more about his story!
Found him very interesting as well.
Born in in 1970 my late dad married my mum in Singapore. I have a cousin living there. It's a clean tidy country.
Best to draw the line clear early right from the start.
The expats need to find a job and secure their permit and pr then they can go fret on finding where to live and what to eat.
The locals if they are rich can continue to guard and expand their family business and rent out their properties to live off from the expats earnings.
If the locals are not rich they best study and get a civil job that can shield them from the global competition and apply for a hdb flat where they can earn and live in comfort at a fraction of what the foreign labour class are paying in Singapore.
As long as the job markets, hangout spots and habits are different everyone can tolerate each other and live together in separate pockets of communities.
It all boil down to ratio.
Too little and too much will destroy the delicate balance.
How Many Foreigners here ?
1.6M ?
Population of 5.5M
There U have it
@@vincecarloThis you have to take it to your pap government and not take it out on the expats and foreign workers.
They are the ones doing the approving and letting in of the foreign investors and job seekers.
@@anglo-saxonconnor817
10M Coming
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May'23
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Back in '22, two Bangladeshis men RAPED A Woman.
MORE CRIME, by FOREIGNERS
@@vincecarloIt doesn't matter how many go into Singapore. Because in the end only those holding pink ic can decide the fate of Singapore herself.
Should and when the day comes the Singapore population explodes to this dreadful figure it will never be the guests fault and they can leave or try to sympathize with the Singaporeans but at the end of the day it is still Singaporeans who will have to house a meeting among themselves be it peers,elders or new migrants to reach a common understanding of how Singapore should be and what her living quality and ideal population figure should be.
You all should be the ones with the power to decide these things and not what pap say means it is the end all and be all of things in Singapore.
The best advice i can give here is to work hard and earn as much as possible regardless if you are a expat or citizen.
Once you have aged the workfield will not want you anynore no matter who you are and you only have two to three decades of prime earning power in your life before your health give way.
You can return home or retreat into the larger hinterland in malaysia and thailand to live out your old age in peace and security.
A few millions sg dollars can solve all your problems and frustrations you will encounter in Singapore once you take your life and money out of Singapore.
Simple as that.
This is same concept for expats to retire in thailand or malaysia in their old age. I choose jeju island. Its underrated and its one of the best places to live in my opinion.
Really interesting interview & perspectives throughout. The woman from Thailand has immense clarity of thought.
Expats don't make up 30% of the Singapore population. They make up less than half of the 30%. The two biggest foreigners' groups are domestic and construction workers.
I lived and worked in Singapore for 10 years. I loved living there, but I never really felt like one of them. I am now happily back in Sydney.
I've been living in Singapore for 13yrs. Definitely the best place to raise children, but quite boring sometimes. So i like to go JB every weekend to enjoy low price living and more variety. So it's really a good place
Hong Kong also expensive place
It's a great country.
There're a lot of things to do and enjoy packed within a small island nation. Everything is so within reach. It's not like that in bigger countries. But when you want more or different, it has to be out of the country. Whereas in bigger countries, you could travel to another state/province.
Where's the line between "expats" and immigrants? Those two terms are always confusing to me as a non-native English speaker.
White people like calling themselves expats to distinguish themselves as of a more class but they're quick to tag talented workforce from developing countries as immigrants.
It really doesn't matter Singapore is small cos it is connected easily. we can easily travel by car to Malaysia then to Thailand etc. As for daily living life, how big the country is donest make a difference 😂
Most of us visit Japan , Taiwan , HK , china , Macau though...
But Thailand is also on the list too
As a third generation Singaporean, I will never exchange my place here with anywhere else in the world!❤
Would love to hear the views of some construction expats
@imsickofyou-pb2xt yes
One cannot compare the salary it is savings Income- Expenditure, income is high, expenses is also high
Spent like a HDB locals.
The cost of living should be OK.