[SatayStick]

Hi Everyone,

I know this is a very subjective question...... I would like to hear
from other expats what their opinion is regarding Singapore vs Hong
Kong. I understand that Hong Kong is a more expensive place than
Singapore, but is it true that the people are friendlier in Singapore?
How about the singles scene? I have many local friends in Singapore
and am more comfortable with the idea of living there, however I am
interested to hear about other expat's comparative experiences between
the two cities.

Thanks.

Scamelands

[silversurfer]

Singapore is nice, clean and pleasant, but it's a bit like living in disneyland. It's ok if your job takes you outside every now and then. For the single scene, it's not the best compared to other cities i've lived in before. Singapore is the ideal place for a young family and consequently there's a lot of them there. I never go to the condo pool on weekends as the water's always one shade more yellow and a bit warmer... As a guy you'll be thrilled at the attention you're getting if you go out to Attica or other places on Clark Quay, but frankly speaking half the girls there are asking money for their services... I've lived all in all 4 years in Singapore and i find it hard to connect with Singaporeans because many have a very limited experience of the world outside Singapore. (I started out working in a local company) To me they come across as overly theoretically educated and in lack of the street-wiseness and creativity that a less engineered society usually provoke.

I've found people in hong kong to be more intelligent, more outgoing and conversations with locals tend to be more fun than painful. Hong Kong seem to attract young single professionals who come there "to make it", much like why you'd consider moving to New York. Singapore on the other hand is a small pleasant little village with a relative large community in shipping and finance. Think of it like the ideal american suburb in the 50-ies... You can have a very nice life there with wakeboarding, weekend trips to indonesia/malaysia/thailand etc, but if you're looking for a big city, this is not your place.

Downside with Hong Kong is lower standard of living, more pollution and more expensive food. Rentals in Singapore has gone up quite a bit so i think you'll pay about the same for that, but probably get a place with a pool in Singapore.

I've moved to Hong Kong now (Lamma Island) where i got a rooftop apartment for less than i paid for my place in Singapore. I very much enjoy moving back into reality and having a higher pace of living in a big city. I guess i'm a sucker for that little taste of reality.


/SS