Originally posted by TMJ45:
Was in Singapore for work a few months ago. That has to be the worst place to live in Asia.
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Why do you say that TMJ45? From your experience, where do you know would be better places to live in Asia? Tokyo with the radiation fallout from Fukushima and lack of English spoken? Beijing with the poor air quality, as well as Shanghai? Hong Kong with lack of seats for kids in international schools and also air quality issues?
It is actually the best place in Asia to live (at least if you work in financial services, oil & gas, shipping - import/export, venture capital, and technology). It is really a 'paradise' place. I can understand if one is single it might not be as appealing as, say, Hong Kong (where I also lived when I was single, as well as Tokyo). But if you are married and have a family it is absolutely the best place to be in Asia, and the world - far better than the US these days. But one has to be adaptable to other cultures and environments to accept that and sadly many are not. I know many Americans and Europeans who have been in Singapore and/or Asia for 15+ years and with no regrets.
English is the first languageClean, safe, friendly, fantastic school system (local and international), no major weather disasters, no smog, and constant 75-85 degrees year-roundAt the equator and consistent sunrise/sunset at 07:00 and 19:30 every dayHighest tax bracket is only 20% for those making $320k+ for any income over that amount. Average is about 10% - 15% for those making $200k - $500k and you pay it monthly starting the year after earned and assessed (e.g., starting April 2015 for 2014 income).Cheap taxis, MRT, great food at reasonable prices, vibrant ex-pat communities and social hangouts in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay, East Coast Park, Orchard RoadIt has the best airport in the world. Never took more than 20 minutes to dock, disembark, get through immigration, pick up luggage and exit customs and get a taxi. Remarkably efficient and clean. Many Americans here and the American International School campus in The Woodlands is unbelievable. 3,500 students and looks like a campus in Beverly Hills. Softball for nine months with tournaments in Bangkok, Manila, and Jakarta (all 2-3 hour cheap flights) with other American teams from those locations and Hong Kong, Tokyo, Vietnam, China, Korea, etc. Total guys' weekends.Many kids soccer academies with great training and tournaments in AsiaCondo living with amenities galore. My complex (Costa Del Sol) has a doctor, mini mart, cleaners, gym, spa, cafe, 6 BBQ pits, 5 swimming pools including a 13' diving pool and 50 meter lap pool, 3 tennis courts, taxi stand, putting green, and golf driving nets all on-site and private access to an underpass across the East Coast Parkway to the East Coast Park which looks out to the South China Sea and has hawker centers, restaurants, bars, a wakeboard park, miniature golf, cycling paths, etc. Within 4 hour flights are the Maldives, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Bali, Bangkok, Phuket, etc. I can go on and on. Really, the worst place in Asia to live based on your work visit for what, one week? I have no problem with the 'strictness' of the laws as it creates a very civil environment that I appreciate.
