Is Singapore really as expensive as we think it to be?
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I'm from the USA, and I can get a hostel room for cheaper there than in Singapore! Last year I paid only $18 US for a dorm bed in Miami Florida, in Singapore it's minimum $22. Would visit more often if it was a little cheaper!
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Hmmm... agree
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All relative. SG may be cheaper than a place like London
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So true
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Hi I'm studying in uk. Despite the higher taxes here, cost of living is surprisingly far lower than in singapore.
-Groceries are fresher and cheaper (!!) really wide variety as well.
-no 'erp' if you avoid driving into london.
-HDB-sized housing is known as council houses (for the dirt poor or unemployed living on social funds), generally looked down upon.
-Cheap cars; even students own a car.
-higher salary. No reduction of 20% for cpf
-free healthcare system
-great scenary and history
ONLY con is eating out can be expensive but I mean, that's it. People usually use 'hawker food' to defend Singapore but honestly who is going to live off hawker fare everyday? (you'll get a heart attack and pay more on hospital bills) I would trade paying hundreds of thousands on a car, for expensive meals and a cheap car (same model).
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Originally posted by acher:
Hi I'm studying in uk. Despite the higher taxes here, cost of living is surprisingly far lower than in singapore.
-Groceries are fresher and cheaper (!!) really wide variety as well.
-no 'erp' if you avoid driving into london.
-HDB-sized housing is known as council houses (for the dirt poor or unemployed living on social funds), generally looked down upon.
-Cheap cars; even students own a car.
-higher salary. No reduction of 20% for cpf
-free healthcare system
-great scenary and history
ONLY con is eating out can be expensive but I mean, that's it. People usually use 'hawker food' to defend Singapore but honestly who is going to live off hawker fare everyday? (you'll get a heart attack and pay more on hospital bills) I would trade paying hundreds of thousands on a car, for expensive meals and a cheap car (same model).
Thanks for the info.
Are you a Singaporean in uk?
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Originally posted by SJS6638:
Thanks for the info.
Are you a Singaporean in uk?
Hi yes I am. I may not be a uk resident but I've got relatives there so the above is something I can strongly attest to.
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Originally posted by acher:
Hi yes I am. I may not be a uk resident but I've got relatives there so the above is something I can strongly attest to.
Taxes are high but they no need worry not enough $ to cope with living when they grow old.
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Higher GDP
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Yes, Singapore as compare to UK, our living standards here is high. Initially i do not believe but after hearing some of my friends that stay in UK, i am shock to acknowedge this fact. The only difference is the taxes where UK is much higher, but u don't pay tax every month.
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We pay tax every days every min every secs that is GST. Cannot compare to England. Our land is smaller than England. That why we live in HDB Flats. But one things to say is England has a lot of under age single mothers. And this might be a reason why those growing up and lack of social cohesion
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go higher...
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http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/03/24/singapore-a-wealthy-country-but-for-whom/
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Think logically, on such a small island with so limited land, the demand cannot meet the supply. So of course the price is over the roof. Whereas countries like Malaysia, Australia, all have relatively cheap houses. Somemore can buy landed property around the price of a HDB flat.
But sadly most people only see this as the main picture. In places like KL, basic salary is RM 1,600 for fresh degree holder. And if you have a house, every month at least half to three quarter of your salary goes to paying loans for mortgage. Then how much of hundreds left for food? For savings? Close to zero I say.
What about Australia? Cars are very cheap there compared to Singapore. Pay also very high. Part time at Starbucks can get AUD 20 per hour. Average pay of a degree holder is about AUD 4,000. But then again, their cost of eating out daily is so pricy. A very humble meal by eating out (excluding fast food) could cost at least AUD 20. In a month, that would make AUD500 just by eating ONE MEAL outside per day. What about those who eat out 3 meals a day? AUD1500. I repeat. HUMBLE meals. Rental? AUD 300 on average per week for a decent studio room. In a month, that would make AUD 1200. Plus staying in Auss, you will definitely need a car to get around the place if you plan to stay long term.
My friends from Australia, whenever stopping by Singapore would always say that they're so jealous because Singapore is so safe, food is cheap and good, and there's no traffic jam that goes on for hours, nor is there any long drives to get from one place to another.
I think that everywhere is the same. There's good and there's a bad side to everything. Just appreciate what you have, if you're still unhappy, then migrate.
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Originally posted by Squishsquash:
Think logically, on such a small island with so limited land, the demand cannot meet the supply. So of course the price is over the roof. Whereas countries like Malaysia, Australia, all have relatively cheap houses. Somemore can buy landed property around the price of a HDB flat.
But sadly most people only see this as the main picture. In places like KL, basic salary is RM 1,600 for fresh degree holder. And if you have a house, every month at least half to three quarter of your salary goes to paying loans for mortgage. Then how much of hundreds left for food? For savings? Close to zero I say.
What about Australia? Cars are very cheap there compared to Singapore. Pay also very high. Part time at Starbucks can get AUD 20 per hour. Average pay of a degree holder is about AUD 4,000. But then again, their cost of eating out daily is so pricy. A very humble meal by eating out (excluding fast food) could cost at least AUD 20. In a month, that would make AUD500 just by eating ONE MEAL outside per day. What about those who eat out 3 meals a day? AUD1500. I repeat. HUMBLE meals. Rental? AUD 300 on average per week for a decent studio room. In a month, that would make AUD 1200. Plus staying in Auss, you will definitely need a car to get around the place if you plan to stay long term.
My friends from Australia, whenever stopping by Singapore would always say that they're so jealous because Singapore is so safe, food is cheap and good, and there's no traffic jam that goes on for hours, nor is there any long drives to get from one place to another.
I think that everywhere is the same. There's good and there's a bad side to everything. Just appreciate what you have, if you're still unhappy, then migrate.
Not everyone in sg earn like your millions and millions dollars ministers or that kind of high salary ...... to make ends meet .
Oh, there is no traffic jam in sg ......... hahahaha ..... dream on .
You are in no position to ask people to migrate. You are too insensitive and superficia
superficial, not down to earth and arrogant living in your ivory tower.
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i dont think sg is expensive
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it's true !
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its definitely true
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Nobody can deny that Sg is the most expensive city to live in, but it also gives us choice to live a more humble and modest life here without spending heaps on leisure. Ofcourse, who doesn't want to live a luxurious life with a big bunglow and a big car but since we live in "the most expensive city", we need to control our expenses. There are few ways in which life can be wallet friendly here:
1. Take public transport.
2. Use free shuttle buses.
3. Eat at local hawker centers.
4. Visit free or low cost clinics for medical treatments.
5. Use free play zones for kids.
6. Go to parks like ECP/Bishan etc for exercising.
7. Use public exercise facilities.
8. Go for free movie nights.
9. Walk around Singapore.
10. Avail library facilities.
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have money oso must live like a pauper.
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Half of my salary goes to parents and insurance. Hard hard life...