6 myths about Singapore, or what you need to know when going to the richest country in Asia

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This country with a population of only 5 million people is included in the wishlist of tens of thousands of travelers. Incredible architecture, a paradoxically high standard of living in Asia, luxury and exoticism - I think many of us would like to see all this with our own eyes.

Katya and Kostya, who recently told us about wintering in Goa, shared their experiences of living in this Asian country, dispelling some of the most famous myths.

A little over a year ago, we returned from Singapore. Having lived there for some time, we realized that this city-state had become really home to us. And now, finally, we are ripe to write about what is really going on there and what Singapore really is.

Let's say right away that 80% of the information that we had before leaving there was false. Neither the "Heads and Tails" program, not a single forum or article gave us the information that we needed to know when going there to live, work or just travel.

Myths about Singapore

The first myth. Solid prohibitions

You can't chew gum, you can't throw cigarette butts, you can't litter, you can't spit, you can't, you can't …

Of course, there are all these signs in Singapore. But reality looks a little different. There will be a circle of smokers next to the No Smoking sign; rubbish will be lying around in a place where it should be clean, and where it is forbidden to ride a skateboard, you will meet a crowd of teenagers on skateboards. And, of course, they chew gum there. So don't be alarmed. Everything is there, like normal people.

The second myth. There are no homeless people in Singapore

And right on the first day, walking around the city, we met several "friends" who collected bottles and slept on a park bench.

From here it collapses third myth … Who are these vagabonds and why do they live on the streets in this richest country?

These are pensioners. The fact is that there are no pensions in Singapore. Older people should be supported by children. And if the children turned out to be not very positive or wealthy people, then the fate of each parent is only one - to remain in old age on the street, since it is quite expensive to maintain housing in Singapore.

Fourth myth. Singapore is a great place to go to work

If you decide that you are a hero and can conquer any part of the globe, it is better to get down to the ground. Although we sincerely believed in it. English, higher education, dedication and activity do not solve anything. Nobody advertises that for a year and a half in Singapore, rallies against the Europeans have been actively held (Russians, Ukrainians - in general, all the Slavs did not please them either). The Chinese want to see only Chinese and sometimes Indians at work. It is easy to find a job, but in order to work, you need a work visa, with which the problem most often arises, since we are simply not given it due to the lack of quotas.

But of course there are exceptions. If you are registering a company in Singapore, if you are a first-class specialist (for example, a pilot, aircraft mechanic, engineer, etc.), in demand in Singapore, if you come on an exchange, then you will be welcomed. In other words, if you already have enough money, then you can go. But if you want to go to Singapore to make money, you won't be able to. Moving to Singapore requires a good financial base.

Fifth myth. Singapore has no traffic jams and almost no traffic lights

There are traffic jams and a lot of traffic lights. You can stand at a red traffic light for 20 minutes. They have some kind of long. It's almost impossible to buy a car in Singapore. First you need to pass the license, then get the license, then pay a huge tax and pay a considerable amount for the car, because cars, of course, are very expensive in Singapore (most often on the roads you can see Ferrari, Bentley, etc.. NS.).

The sixth myth. Singapore has a beach

The only three beaches you will find on the entertainment island of Sentosa. But you will not see the ocean, you will only see something that looks like a quarry. Singapore is a port city, because of this, the water in the bay is very dirty, it is almost impossible to swim, but you can. =) We really like the amusement park Sentosa. Yes, it does not coincide with the exotic that we had in our fantasies, but the beaches are really very good. Attractions, shows, fountains, wind tunnel and much more. We came there all the time, had a picnic and still remember these moments with joy.

Organizational moments

Accommodation in Singapore … Here it is interesting. By law, you can't rent an apartment until you get a work permit, so it's a vicious circle. But thanks to our compatriots, of whom there are about 1,500 in Singapore, it is still possible to rent an apartment unofficially. We rented a room in a Condo, with separate shower and toilet, in one of the nicest residential areas. On the territory we were pleased with the pool, gym, barbecue area, cafe, tennis court, basketball court and a beautiful park. 300 meters from the promenade and about 20 minutes drive from the center. The room cost € 700, utilities were included in the price. The place is simply gorgeous, called Bayshore park.

A more modest room, in an outlying area, but in a new house, we rented again from a compatriot for € 450 a month. Hotels in Singapore are expensive, renting an apartment and living with Hindus or Chinese is probably not very good either, so the forum on which we found accommodation may be useful to you:.

Kitchen. Very tasty food. They have places called food courts, there are many different restaurants, shops, eateries, etc. Prices from € 1. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, Filipino food for every taste.

Groceries in stores: meat - expensive; chicken is cheaper; pasta, noodles, vegetables - for nothing. We ate noodles and vegetables.

Transport … Metro, of course. Clean, fast, interesting. It's interesting to watch people. =) Costs the same as in Moscow.

Visa … Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries need a visa to travel to Singapore, with the exception of a transit stay for 96 hours with a ticket to a third country.

Few facts about Singapore

Singapore awaits self-sufficient … Neither compatriots nor Chinese will help you. Most likely, you will wait for help from the Indians.

Singapore is special … He expects successful and self-confident. If you have the opportunity to live or work there, be sure to agree. The beauty of the city center is beyond words. For us, this is the city of the future. Avatar Gardens, parks, Marina Bay Sands, observation decks, the DNA bridge, the largest Ferris wheel - every time we came for a walk in the center, we could not believe that this was happening to us. Night city lights, skyscrapers, casinos and the smell of sweets at every step. Zoo where you can have breakfast with monkeys; a botanical garden where you can walk for two days; embankments, Sentosa, grill areas, coconuts - some unreal combination of civilization and exoticism. In Singapore, you can experience the life of different nations, walk around the Indian, Chinese, Arab quarters, ride a water bus, drink real tea.

Singapore is fashionable but simple at the same time … Don't be afraid of prohibitions; the only thing that needs to be taken care of in advance (while still at home) is about a work visa, because as soon as you get the stamp "approved", the door to a completely new planet "Singapore" will immediately open in front of you.

We spent some wonderful months in Singapore. And we will definitely return to live in this "space" again.

Have you been to Singapore? Share your impressions and discoveries in the comments.