Dear @FebbyLyan, prices of housing in Canada like Toronto and Montreal are shooting through the roof too. No doubt cars in sg are expensive, at least we have a pretty good public transport systems and taxis are relatively inexpensive :)
hi! yes you are right - and it is along the same lines with w in my video(s) as well. I'd always appreciate how efficient and reliable SG's public transport is :) I think when it comes to housing, maybe it's a matter of what you can get with the same amount of $ in SG vs Canada due to land size
Public transport hardly gets you exactly where you need though. You often need to walk a distance from the bus stop or train station, furthermore the seats are really uncomfortable if you prefer not to be so close to strangers. and the intermittent stop starts make me really nauseous.
You dont need a car in singapore. Its a smallish island with great public transport. The COE deliberately aims to reduce private car ownership to reduce congestion and improve quality of life for everyone.
Interesting, being a Singaporean, I lived in Canada for a year. Couldn’t get use to it. Food sucks, need to know how to cook. Everything is so inconvenient, u really need to drive to get anything u need. And I hate that I have to wear like Xiao long Bao most of the year, life in Canada makes me so lazy. Everything just doesn’t happen instantaneous. As Singaporeans we are used to getting things done instantaneous.
thanks for sharing! very fair points - the long winter and the fact that Canada is definitely not as efficient (and convenient) as Singapore are the two things I can relate to as well
Humans are discontent creatures perpetually seeking what they lack, often overlooking the value of what they already possess. No single place can fulfill all desires. In Chinese, 舍去 (shě qù) holds profound significance in this context.
I agree with your point that no single place could check all the boxes. I think it all comes down to what we value most in life and find a place that aligns with it the most - or at least try. if we don't try we won't know :)
You missed a big part about living in Singapore. Please talk about the so called “National Service” for males in Singapore and at what age that compulsory obligation is considered over. Also what will you get after going thru this compulsory service for most part of your useful life as a male in Singapore. Thank you.
Starts at around age 18, lasts for about 2 years, depending on your fitness level. Theen 1-2 weeks a year every year on average 10 years, depending on your NS unit and your rank within the Ns unit. These activities reimbursed by your company if you are employed. People use this time to unwind and have a free paid time off on top of your allocated annual leaves
NS is a waste of time. 2 year of mandatory service, after which you return to being a civilian but you still have annual NS duties to fulfil; there are annual fitness tests and In-Camp Trainings, if you fail your fitness test, you have to go for remedial training. Failure to complete your annual NS obligations will result in disciplinary action. There are 2 ways to clear those annual NS obligations, either complete 7 High Key In-Camp Trainings or reach the age of 40 ( 50 for commissioned officer). In short, NS sucks... If you think Singapore is an efficient city state, the Singapore Armed Forces will change your mind...
Thanks for the frank sharing. In your comments, I can see some western and big country syndrome. Good to limit your experience living in big cities in Canada alone that will be a better match. Don't expect mountains and rivers in a small place like SG. Safety and strict law goes hand-to-hand, personal freedom can mean carrying a firearm that potentially can hurt people. Generally, agree with your observations except one. May be because of your bad work experience handling local passengers, SG people I feel is more friendly than people in big cities like Tokyo HK Shanghai. Good to find a place where u feel comfortable, in this world, no right or wrong. It is about give and take, freedom vs safety, you decide.
thanks for respectfully sharing your perspective :) I understand where you are coming from and I agree that there is no right or wrong; everything is so subjective and deciding where to settle down could also be a big and complex decision
The main reason I think Singaporeans are less warm because they don't have time to make small talks with you. Imagine the fast pace of life that they need to get things done, can they really spare 5mins to make small talk and be less efficient? There's a reason why Singapore is such an efficient city. I have lived in Australia for years, and sometimes, I seriously just need to get a coffee, but ended up with saying kinds of niceties because the servers just kept talking to me. I really just want to be left alone 😅. About Singapore being a "fine" city, actually I find all very much over blown and people taking it too literally. All those fines are very common sense do not do it things. If you can't even think/do common sensible and be considerate of others, you do need to be fined!
It is a very fair point! It's a cause-and-effect for sure. I totally get where you are coming from though, I am the same sometimes LOL there are times I am not in the mood for small talk and just want to get things done, but I also think those small talks and random interactions do brighten up my day, and I like doing the same for others :) hope you are liking Australia!
..... being a newcomer to your channel, I just watched a few of your VDOs. Every content you post is very interesting (to my opinion), objectives are nicely exposed & discussed in a highly comprehensive english. You are obviously used to speak in public, using a thourough vocabulary & words getting to the point. I also enjoy your fluent american accent. It is going to take me some time getting through all of your valuable posts, I am surely going to appreciate them. One more time, thank you again for your integrity & the wide spectrum of your exposed topics..... merci beaucoup.
thank you very much for your kind words and compliment! I am so happy to hear that you found my content interesting and valuable. your comment made my day :)
I thank you very much for your reply. I am not used to have influencers answering my messages, regarding the huge amount of communications they might have. This is why I very much praise the time you took to answer me..... 😊
wish you compare the healthcare system in Canada and Singapore. It seems that the news about the healthcare crisis in Canada has spread. I visited a few doctors in Singapore and their advise is to get whatever necessary done in SG because you'll wait forever to get attended to in Canada. It's like just waiting for the illness to get worst and wait till the last minute to save you. I wish to find out whether the government has done anything to fix the problem there.
? Singapore healthcare system is overwhelmed. Long wait times for beds. Unrealistically long waiting time for appointments. There is a saying in Singapore: you can die but don't fall sick... That's a common problem with countries whose economic model is population ponzi, the population grows at a pace faster than the infrastructure/services could keep up with.
@@melvinthedeathless.melvint6727 that’s interesting to hear, because I hv appointments at the government hospitals and it’s pretty reasonable wait time for dates to see the specialist. In June I called and got an appointment in a few weeks within that month and by July I got my health scans done. Follow-up review by first week of August.
I’m not sure why UA-cam suggested this video for me this morning…but 👋. Anyway it made me laugh as I live in London and am currently on a late train (like every day). I think we just internalise our rage. Haha. My friend and I always text each other about our late trains to work. 😂🙃 Singapore efficiency is sounding really great to me right now. 😂
Hi Febby, nice to meet you here. Hmm 🤔 i never thought that you are Indonesian. Born and raise in Jakarta. Same as me. Currently i am living in sg. Well said, like the one you are saying. Most of it i agree. When you visit Singapore, shall we meet up? 😊☺️
As an American of course I don’t know any other languages besides English lol. What is the communication like in Singapore, is English fairly known, or is it that ex-pats stick to other ex pats? Thanks!
totally fair! I’d say most people speak English in Singapore on top of their own dialects, but it’s a different kind of English. it’s called Singlish lol it is influenced by other dialects such as Chinese (both Mandarin and Hokkien) as well as Malay :)
The locals in Singapore can’t speak in proper English (Singlish). You have to know malay, chinese or hokkien to survive. Some are racist & call the white guys “Ang Mohs” meaning red hair in hokkien so keep that in mind too.
@@febbylyan Not totally true, most will be able to switch from Singlish to English depending on who he or she is talking to. However, with regard to accent, there will be many who retain a Singapore Accent even when speaking English not Singlish. Many will be able to speak English without an accent.
I think your cons are valid if you show this to foreigners who have very little idea about the cost of living in Singapore. But if you show this to SG locals, you will be surprised that the COL in Singapore is very manageable. Singapore is hella expensive to foreigners if you compare the same life standards to their home country, in this case both car and housing. 1. You mentioned that a brand new car with COE is 145k, thats true, for now, thats because the COE pricing is cyclical and it is now in the high period. Every 9th year of the decade you will see the supply of COE increase and that is when prices of cars can drop below 100k, albeit still more expensive in Canada. For reference, my family owned one in 2019, sold in 2022 due to rising COE and made very little loss. You also mentioned the efficiency of Singapore's public transportation, which makes owning a car not a very compulsory option. 2. HDB average 633k, but we have the ability to tap into our built-up pension (CPF) to pay for downpayment and mortgage instalment, leaving cash instalments in the range of 1-2k per household for a brand new 4 room flat. But if a family settles into a 4 room unit in Canada of a similar cost of living in Singapore (toronto/vancouver), rent will be crazy expensive. 3. You didnt show the disparity of personal income tax between Singaporeans and Canadians. We have so many tax relief benefits it's not uncommon to pay an annual tax of below 10k (i pay less than 2k). I'm not aware of the tax benefits of Canada but i heard it's grim, plus you have to file it manually. 4. You mentioned poor work life balance. Perhaps it may be statistically true, given that you worked as a stewardess. Not true for me though. Really depends on the industry and job you're working on. You could be a staff nurse in Canada and then suddenly you also have poor work life balance Canada is amazing, but it can be financially brutal for both expats and locals whereas local Singaporeans are really well taken care of. That being said i'm still on my way of getting a Canadian PR and trying my luck, who knows, maybe there's more to life than worrying too much about money
thanks for sharing your perspective! you help me see things from a different angle, which I appreciate :) just curious (and only if you don't mind me asking), sounds you find the life in SG decent, what made you want to get a canadian PR still?
@febbylyan it's similar to you. It's a personal preference. Right now i dont have a very clear perspective of how my personal finance will get impacted if i make the move. But it's that sense of freedom of moving from state to state, having weekly road trips, the people, it feels more liberating than Singapore. Singapore is predictable, most people are so well taken care of, especially Singaporeans. It makes perfect financial sense to stay. But i know i will regret if i dont try.
Knowing all these pros and cons of both countries, put me in a dilemma. I'm Canadian but have lived nearly my entire life in SG. I'm so used to the protection that the government gives here, and the low taxes in SG in comparison to Canada. It is one of the factors that is making me dread moving back to Canada. If the high taxes provides good healthcare, safety and stability , it's fine... but right now with the increase of homeless , drug users in Canada, plus healthcare crisis...Things are looking very dim. If it weren't for my children entering uni in a few years from now, I don't think I'd want to move back to Canada and worry about healthcare accessibility and safety. My relative's house got robbed in broad daylight in Toronto.
The upside of the efficiency in our system might then explains why there's this seemingly exaggerated impression that locals aren't that friendly. I'm a local and I do assure you that people like to chat. It's just a matter of when and how you have those conversation? Small talks are welcomed in local companies culture. But do you converse with colleagues at length during work hours or do you do it pre/ post work hours? You gonna ask yourself when is the appropriate time to interact? If you are expecting people to talk and work at the same time, that's kinda unrealistic already. To be fair, if you value interaction during work hours, just don't work here in Singapore. You are not going to have it. And that explains why countries like thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, US, Canada, and many more aren't efficient in their delivery.
I see where you are coming from. in terms of friendliness, I was referring to interactions with strangers or random people you meet like the barista at your local coffee shop etc, not necesarily the people whom you already know. on the latter, I agree that the locals are warm and fun once you get to know them. I would also agree that the habit of wanting to be efficient plays a part in this
No I have to stay at someone who lived in both New York and Los Angeles, and watch a very high-pressure situation’s, we always try to be friendly and what we were doing, but work always always always came first. Workaholics were just honored as it might be somewhere else
Doing some research on SG, it seems its trying to be the Dubai of the east luring people in with its high Cost of Living, limited space with overcrowding, lack of a work-life balance for those earning a basic wage, lack of freedom of expression and censorship by the gov, the weather if you hate humidity, and Income Inequality. Asian Boss has some good vids with locals there on how they live.
True. Singapore is not about living a good life or retirement, no matter what they say about CPF or whatever. It is about making money and slaving off to a job. Nobody can afford to be unemployed in SG.
What area of Canada do you live? I would assume that a city similar to Toronto would be more comparable in convenience and price to Singapore. You are comparing a cosmopolitan city / island country to a rural area. Interestingly, the island states/territories in the USA are pretty laid back too.
Singapore is so small.... thus public transport is a viable options. Unless you are willing to trade $$$ for a timing saving..... so typical.... everyone just focus on the car.
I echo the sentiment and also talk about it in this video. even though I do think that for some people like family with young children etc, having a car would help make their life easier
I’m currently about to attend culinary school in Canada, and thinking after I graduate, would like to work in a Michelin star restaurant in Singapore. I know a lot of Michelin star restaurants are over there, but is the general food over there good? Like affordable food 😅 the general food here in Canada is good, but not great. Food for me is super important to me haha
@@kyle20109 monthly groceries for one person I think could range between $200 - $350 depending on your diet I think? As for fast-food, it'd cost you ~$15 for a meal in general. hope this helps! :)
I guess coming from a POV of an expat with higher spending power sort of muted the sentiments of general population of Singapore, on how we live on a day to day basis. On the ground, food prices are going up, bills and utilities kept increasing, many households have to work harder to stay afloat. So beyond that mirage of Marina Bay Sands, the CBD, the Crazy Rich Asians lies a deeper societal financial sadness. If tourists and expats see enough, they’ll start seeing something is wrong with singapore for having so many elderlies past retirement age working cleaning tables in hawkwer centres, cleaners in toilets, security guards etc.
Haha typical salty Singaporeans feeling offended whenever anyone makes the slightest criticism about Singapore. Keep an open mind and go out to see the world
because I enjoy looking back and reflecting on my life experience and sharing them with others :) plus I think not much seems to have changed at a macro level with SG, at least not the things I share here - but let me know if you have a different perspective
@@febbylyan SG is continuously changing, and 5 years is definitely long enough to feel the difference, particularly for someone who does not reside in SG. So your previous impressions and experiences might change, for better or worse. Anyway, all the best to you.
Quite disappointing when we went to the CBD I thought it was super duper clean but it wasn't, sorry! I hate to see cigar butts and litter on the ground.🇸🇬 Location nearby at Fullerton Hotel.
hey sorry to hear! honestly, I personally think it is cleaner than most countries for sure, even when compared to other developed countries, but this could be a subjective opinion
@@febbylyan I lived in Singapore for 17 years. I honestly didn't feel Singapore was particularly safe. Surely I never experienced any crimes in Singapore. But neither I did experience any crimes in Canada or the US. The idea you should live in Singapore because it is safe is kind of bunk.
@@michaelshih8163 Find a family in Canada that would gladly let their 8-year old daughter take public transport alone in Canada at 7pm. Go ahead, try and find one
I don’t get why everyone says Singapore’s infrastructure is great. Airports, roads, buses, MRT - yes all great- but the infrastructure is not set up for the 300,000 people who commute in and out of Singapore everyday for work and school. The traffic jams and commuting times are a nightmare! Technology and harmonisation of immigration procedures should be easy enough to resolve. I don’t understand why Singapore and Malaysia haven’t gotten together to build commuter lines from say JB central to Singapore CBD. London, for example.g. has 1 million commuting in/out every day! Yes there are issues but nothing like the traffic chaos between JB and Singapore.
it could be yes! at the same time, I think having a car is not absolutely necessary either in SG even though it will be a lot more convenient for sure :)
True, the locals didn’t seem genuinely friendly . I could feel that as a visitor ( Indian Canadian) . The moment they realise I am Canadian , their attitude changes. Wierd !
I've actually always been interested in learning how life is there! been there a few times for work, but am not familiar with the job market and life quality - can you share a bit more about Taiwan? :)
@@febbylyan Well, Taiwan is a great country to live in, as it has great career opportunities for people from various fields and backgrounds, ranging from artists, dancers, singers, to engineers, doctors, and lawyers. It also have many delicious foods and a comfortable climate almost year round. Taiwan is not sweltering hot like Singapore and Malaysia, nor freezing cold like Canada and Northern Europe. Moreover, medical and health insurance in Taiwan is completely free of charge for all residents (including foreign students and foreign workers). Public transport are convenient and reliable in Taiwan too. Cost of living such as rental and utilities are rather affordable as well. Last but not least, Taiwan is an ultra free society where nearly everyone is very open-minded to accept different views and perspective. Unlike communist and muslim countries, which tend to be overly conservative most of the time. Taiwan is just so free and open that even same-sex marriages are allowed and recognized here. Though it is still not the country with the highest average income in the world (wages in Taiwan are very adequate too actually), but living in Taiwan will really enrich your soul and mental health by a great deal, which is something no amount of money can buy. I hope my explanation regarding Taiwan has been sufficient. Continue asking if you have any further questions. I am currently living in Taiwan, and am enjoying every moment of it.
Grew up and lived in Hong Kong for 15 years, lived in London for 8 years and Sydney the last 20. Have family in Sing : it is a Claustrophobic, artificial, superficial, materialistic, pretentious air conditioned shopping mall hellish society dominated by the few and run by slaves. It offers nothing more than a convenient air conditioned lifestyle and access to other far more interesting, varied and real countries like Malaysia.
Hii Febby i am a girl from South Africa and me and my dad want to immigrate to canada and we need someones help with this so i really want to alk to you more privately ....please respond to my comment,,BTW love the vid
Great job, Febby! I wish I could move to the West like you... i recently moved to KL and feels like i have a more comfortable and mentally healthier lifestyle. I enjoy it! In Singapore, people don't have me time and struggle for money only. Btw, thanks for accepting my follow request on IG!
@@febbylyan Hi, yea....u can literally receive your income from singapore while u are physically overseas...cos singapore provide a secure system for making money
If you dislike Singapore, please don't mentioned the country and keep it to yourself. There is nothing wrong to build man-made infrastructures. Their main purpose is to decorate the city. If you find it boring, find something to do. Regarding human's personality, every humans is different. I think Singapore isn't a very touristy country.
just like me and my friends would say its a soulless city hahaha. I find having conversations with the locals very boring. Everyday my ability to speak English confidently decreases haaha. The only thing I appreciate is DBS bank which I am still gonna use in Vancouver to do banking with Myanmar.
I appreciate the tip! I've actually been testing a few different microphone angles to make sure I sound clearer. hopefully I'll soon find an angle that works best without compromising the audio volume 👼🏻
I think you missed the Downtown "Stanley Cup 2011 ? ? ? riot" 😂 Just like you luckily missed the tough time of President Suharto Downfall years. Covid-19 was confinement, the other two were truly dare devils. 🤣
umm what is the "Stanley Cup 2011" riot about? I don't know what that is, but I didn't "miss" the Suharto downfall era per se 😬 even though I didnt fully understand what was happening at that time because I was still too young
Agree - SG is crab $hit as cost and narrow-mindedness make SG think they are so great. Quality of life is so bad there - do not be fooled by the Marina Bay hotel and public transport. Its where u cram together as the poor rats. For a Bukit Timah lifestyle, u need a California Australia Calgary area where income and expenditure finally can meet with a quality of life
You forgot that when you take public transit in sg you wont get stabbed by a homeless guy
I get what you mean - that is highly unlikely for sure!
You say it as if that happens on a daily basis lol
@@ShadowRap-y5l well depends where you live but in some countries it does happen in daily basis.
@@Ubermensch_Salazar2 like in UK
@@ShadowRap-y5l in the usa where i live that happens like every day lol
Dear @FebbyLyan, prices of housing in Canada like Toronto and Montreal are shooting through the roof too. No doubt cars in sg are expensive, at least we have a pretty good public transport systems and taxis are relatively inexpensive :)
hi! yes you are right - and it is along the same lines with w in my video(s) as well. I'd always appreciate how efficient and reliable SG's public transport is :) I think when it comes to housing, maybe it's a matter of what you can get with the same amount of $ in SG vs Canada due to land size
We need a car as we are real estate agents!!
Public transport hardly gets you exactly where you need though. You often need to walk a distance from the bus stop or train station, furthermore the seats are really uncomfortable if you prefer not to be so close to strangers. and the intermittent stop starts make me really nauseous.
You dont need a car in singapore. Its a smallish island with great public transport. The COE deliberately aims to reduce private car ownership to reduce congestion and improve quality of life for everyone.
Interesting, being a Singaporean, I lived in Canada for a year. Couldn’t get use to it. Food sucks, need to know how to cook. Everything is so inconvenient, u really need to drive to get anything u need. And I hate that I have to wear like Xiao long Bao most of the year, life in Canada makes me so lazy. Everything just doesn’t happen instantaneous. As Singaporeans we are used to getting things done instantaneous.
thanks for sharing! very fair points - the long winter and the fact that Canada is definitely not as efficient (and convenient) as Singapore are the two things I can relate to as well
Food definitely sucks in Canada, especially at Food Courts in malls that serve Asian dishes.
Xiao long bao 😂that's funny. Agree with you. I miss Singapore.
Interesting. I know some who hate the hawker food options in SG, and prefer to drive than rely on public transport.
@ must be guys.
Humans are discontent creatures perpetually seeking what they lack, often overlooking the value of what they already possess. No single place can fulfill all desires. In Chinese, 舍去 (shě qù) holds profound significance in this context.
I agree with your point that no single place could check all the boxes. I think it all comes down to what we value most in life and find a place that aligns with it the most - or at least try. if we don't try we won't know :)
You missed a big part about living in Singapore. Please talk about the so called “National Service” for males in Singapore and at what age that compulsory obligation is considered over. Also what will you get after going thru this compulsory service for most part of your useful life as a male in Singapore. Thank you.
Starts at around age 18, lasts for about 2 years, depending on your fitness level. Theen 1-2 weeks a year every year on average 10 years, depending on your NS unit and your rank within the Ns unit. These activities reimbursed by your company if you are employed. People use this time to unwind and have a free paid time off on top of your allocated annual leaves
NS is a waste of time. 2 year of mandatory service, after which you return to being a civilian but you still have annual NS duties to fulfil; there are annual fitness tests and In-Camp Trainings, if you fail your fitness test, you have to go for remedial training. Failure to complete your annual NS obligations will result in disciplinary action.
There are 2 ways to clear those annual NS obligations, either complete 7 High Key In-Camp Trainings or reach the age of 40 ( 50 for commissioned officer).
In short, NS sucks... If you think Singapore is an efficient city state, the Singapore Armed Forces will change your mind...
Thanks for the frank sharing. In your comments, I can see some western and big country syndrome. Good to limit your experience living in big cities in Canada alone that will be a better match. Don't expect mountains and rivers in a small place like SG. Safety and strict law goes hand-to-hand, personal freedom can mean carrying a firearm that potentially can hurt people. Generally, agree with your observations except one. May be because of your bad work experience handling local passengers, SG people I feel is more friendly than people in big cities like Tokyo HK Shanghai. Good to find a place where u feel comfortable, in this world, no right or wrong. It is about give and take, freedom vs safety, you decide.
thanks for respectfully sharing your perspective :) I understand where you are coming from and I agree that there is no right or wrong; everything is so subjective and deciding where to settle down could also be a big and complex decision
The main reason I think Singaporeans are less warm because they don't have time to make small talks with you. Imagine the fast pace of life that they need to get things done, can they really spare 5mins to make small talk and be less efficient? There's a reason why Singapore is such an efficient city. I have lived in Australia for years, and sometimes, I seriously just need to get a coffee, but ended up with saying kinds of niceties because the servers just kept talking to me. I really just want to be left alone 😅.
About Singapore being a "fine" city, actually I find all very much over blown and people taking it too literally. All those fines are very common sense do not do it things. If you can't even think/do common sensible and be considerate of others, you do need to be fined!
It is a very fair point! It's a cause-and-effect for sure. I totally get where you are coming from though, I am the same sometimes LOL there are times I am not in the mood for small talk and just want to get things done, but I also think those small talks and random interactions do brighten up my day, and I like doing the same for others :) hope you are liking Australia!
..... being a newcomer to your channel, I just watched a few of your VDOs. Every content you post is very interesting (to my opinion), objectives are nicely exposed & discussed in a highly comprehensive english. You are obviously used to speak in public, using a thourough vocabulary & words getting to the point. I also enjoy your fluent american accent.
It is going to take me some time getting through all of your valuable posts, I am surely going to appreciate them.
One more time, thank you again for your integrity & the wide spectrum of your exposed topics..... merci beaucoup.
thank you very much for your kind words and compliment! I am so happy to hear that you found my content interesting and valuable. your comment made my day :)
I thank you very much for your reply. I am not used to have influencers answering my messages, regarding the huge amount of communications they might have. This is why I very much praise the time you took to answer me..... 😊
wish you compare the healthcare system in Canada and Singapore. It seems that the news about the healthcare crisis in Canada has spread. I visited a few doctors in Singapore and their advise is to get whatever necessary done in SG because you'll wait forever to get attended to in Canada. It's like just waiting for the illness to get worst and wait till the last minute to save you. I wish to find out whether the government has done anything to fix the problem there.
? Singapore healthcare system is overwhelmed. Long wait times for beds. Unrealistically long waiting time for appointments. There is a saying in Singapore: you can die but don't fall sick...
That's a common problem with countries whose economic model is population ponzi, the population grows at a pace faster than the infrastructure/services could keep up with.
@@melvinthedeathless.melvint6727 that’s interesting to hear, because I hv appointments at the government hospitals and it’s pretty reasonable wait time for dates to see the specialist. In June I called and got an appointment in a few weeks within that month and by July I got my health scans done. Follow-up review by first week of August.
I’m not sure why UA-cam suggested this video for me this morning…but 👋. Anyway it made me laugh as I live in London and am currently on a late train (like every day). I think we just internalise our rage. Haha. My friend and I always text each other about our late trains to work. 😂🙃 Singapore efficiency is sounding really great to me right now. 😂
Thank you very much for video, I love Singapore in small trips.
Well. It is well designed to be an excellent tourist destination. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
I agree with her for all the 4 cons. Indonesians are more friendly because their life is laid back.
Welcome to Thailand . Much cheaper and having more fun 🙏
I LOVE Thailand! visited there many times as a tourist and always had a great experience 🙌🏻 what is life like there for foreigners?
Hi Febby, nice to meet you here. Hmm 🤔 i never thought that you are Indonesian. Born and raise in Jakarta. Same as me. Currently i am living in sg. Well said, like the one you are saying. Most of it i agree. When you visit Singapore, shall we meet up? 😊☺️
oh hi! I actually don't visit Asia that often but when I do, that could be fun :) hope you are making the best out of what SG got to offer by the way!
As an American of course I don’t know any other languages besides English lol. What is the communication like in Singapore, is English fairly known, or is it that ex-pats stick to other ex pats? Thanks!
totally fair! I’d say most people speak English in Singapore on top of their own dialects, but it’s a different kind of English. it’s called Singlish lol it is influenced by other dialects such as Chinese (both Mandarin and Hokkien) as well as Malay :)
The locals in Singapore can’t speak in proper English (Singlish). You have to know malay, chinese or hokkien to survive. Some are racist & call the white guys “Ang Mohs” meaning red hair in hokkien so keep that in mind too.
@@febbylyan Not totally true, most will be able to switch from Singlish to English depending on who he or she is talking to. However, with regard to accent, there will be many who retain a Singapore Accent even when speaking English not Singlish. Many will be able to speak English without an accent.
I think your cons are valid if you show this to foreigners who have very little idea about the cost of living in Singapore. But if you show this to SG locals, you will be surprised that the COL in Singapore is very manageable. Singapore is hella expensive to foreigners if you compare the same life standards to their home country, in this case both car and housing.
1. You mentioned that a brand new car with COE is 145k, thats true, for now, thats because the COE pricing is cyclical and it is now in the high period. Every 9th year of the decade you will see the supply of COE increase and that is when prices of cars can drop below 100k, albeit still more expensive in Canada. For reference, my family owned one in 2019, sold in 2022 due to rising COE and made very little loss. You also mentioned the efficiency of Singapore's public transportation, which makes owning a car not a very compulsory option.
2. HDB average 633k, but we have the ability to tap into our built-up pension (CPF) to pay for downpayment and mortgage instalment, leaving cash instalments in the range of 1-2k per household for a brand new 4 room flat. But if a family settles into a 4 room unit in Canada of a similar cost of living in Singapore (toronto/vancouver), rent will be crazy expensive.
3. You didnt show the disparity of personal income tax between Singaporeans and Canadians. We have so many tax relief benefits it's not uncommon to pay an annual tax of below 10k (i pay less than 2k). I'm not aware of the tax benefits of Canada but i heard it's grim, plus you have to file it manually.
4. You mentioned poor work life balance. Perhaps it may be statistically true, given that you worked as a stewardess. Not true for me though. Really depends on the industry and job you're working on. You could be a staff nurse in Canada and then suddenly you also have poor work life balance
Canada is amazing, but it can be financially brutal for both expats and locals whereas local Singaporeans are really well taken care of.
That being said i'm still on my way of getting a Canadian PR and trying my luck, who knows, maybe there's more to life than worrying too much about money
thanks for sharing your perspective! you help me see things from a different angle, which I appreciate :) just curious (and only if you don't mind me asking), sounds you find the life in SG decent, what made you want to get a canadian PR still?
@febbylyan it's similar to you. It's a personal preference. Right now i dont have a very clear perspective of how my personal finance will get impacted if i make the move.
But it's that sense of freedom of moving from state to state, having weekly road trips, the people, it feels more liberating than Singapore.
Singapore is predictable, most people are so well taken care of, especially Singaporeans.
It makes perfect financial sense to stay. But i know i will regret if i dont try.
Knowing all these pros and cons of both countries, put me in a dilemma. I'm Canadian but have lived nearly my entire life in SG. I'm so used to the protection that the government gives here, and the low taxes in SG in comparison to Canada. It is one of the factors that is making me dread moving back to Canada. If the high taxes provides good healthcare, safety and stability , it's fine... but right now with the increase of homeless , drug users in Canada, plus healthcare crisis...Things are looking very dim. If it weren't for my children entering uni in a few years from now, I don't think I'd want to move back to Canada and worry about healthcare accessibility and safety. My relative's house got robbed in broad daylight in Toronto.
@@K_mich88 Why don't you just send your kids to Singapore universities/colleges?
Totally agree, living like locals in sg is affordable, living in big cities in Canada is hella expensive. I like Singapore Airlines, Air Canada sucks.
The upside of the efficiency in our system might then explains why there's this seemingly exaggerated impression that locals aren't that friendly.
I'm a local and I do assure you that people like to chat. It's just a matter of when and how you have those conversation? Small talks are welcomed in local companies culture. But do you converse with colleagues at length during work hours or do you do it pre/ post work hours? You gonna ask yourself when is the appropriate time to interact? If you are expecting people to talk and work at the same time, that's kinda unrealistic already.
To be fair, if you value interaction during work hours, just don't work here in Singapore. You are not going to have it. And that explains why countries like thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, US, Canada, and many more aren't efficient in their delivery.
I see where you are coming from. in terms of friendliness, I was referring to interactions with strangers or random people you meet like the barista at your local coffee shop etc, not necesarily the people whom you already know. on the latter, I agree that the locals are warm and fun once you get to know them. I would also agree that the habit of wanting to be efficient plays a part in this
No I have to stay at someone who lived in both New York and Los Angeles, and watch a very high-pressure situation’s, we always try to be friendly and what we were doing, but work always always always came first. Workaholics were just honored as it might be somewhere else
I believe you missed out that Marina Bay Sands is an “Integrated Resort” with a Casino.
good flag! and I almost forgot that there is a casino at MBS
I don’t know any locals that go there. Nobody really talks about it except tourists.
Doing some research on SG, it seems its trying to be the Dubai of the east luring people in with its high Cost of Living, limited space with overcrowding, lack of a work-life balance for those earning a basic wage, lack of freedom of expression and censorship by the gov, the weather if you hate humidity, and Income Inequality. Asian Boss has some good vids with locals there on how they live.
True. Singapore is not about living a good life or retirement, no matter what they say about CPF or whatever. It is about making money and slaving off to a job. Nobody can afford to be unemployed in SG.
What area of Canada do you live?
I would assume that a city similar to Toronto would be more comparable in convenience and price to Singapore.
You are comparing a cosmopolitan city / island country to a rural area.
Interestingly, the island states/territories in the USA are pretty laid back too.
that’s a fair point. I live in Vancouver, so I’d say it is definitely comparable to Singapore :)
I think its about where you want to live vs ur lifestyle. Something has to give.
Agree with this - every choice has its pros and cons for sure, it's a matter of finding what works best for us!
Singapore is so small.... thus public transport is a viable options. Unless you are willing to trade $$$ for a timing saving..... so typical.... everyone just focus on the car.
I echo the sentiment and also talk about it in this video. even though I do think that for some people like family with young children etc, having a car would help make their life easier
Some people want to drive and not be driven.
I’m currently about to attend culinary school in Canada, and thinking after I graduate, would like to work in a Michelin star restaurant in Singapore. I know a lot of Michelin star restaurants are over there, but is the general food over there good? Like affordable food 😅 the general food here in Canada is good, but not great. Food for me is super important to me haha
that's exciting! as for your question, define "affordable food" hahah
@@febbylyan haha like how much can monthly groceries be? Or just wanting to eat fast food from time to time?
@@kyle20109 monthly groceries for one person I think could range between $200 - $350 depending on your diet I think? As for fast-food, it'd cost you ~$15 for a meal in general. hope this helps! :)
@@febbylyan it does! Thank you so much!
Please can you let me know if data scientist jobs are in demand in singapore, is it a good salary ?
I m a fresher from canada and i wanna go to asia.
I guess coming from a POV of an expat with higher spending power sort of muted the sentiments of general population of Singapore, on how we live on a day to day basis. On the ground, food prices are going up, bills and utilities kept increasing, many households have to work harder to stay afloat. So beyond that mirage of Marina Bay Sands, the CBD, the Crazy Rich Asians lies a deeper societal financial sadness. If tourists and expats see enough, they’ll start seeing something is wrong with singapore for having so many elderlies past retirement age working cleaning tables in hawkwer centres, cleaners in toilets, security guards etc.
If you can stand Trudea's policies, well and good. Having said that, you can leave Singapore but Singapore will never leave you.
Haha typical salty Singaporeans feeling offended whenever anyone makes the slightest criticism about Singapore. Keep an open mind and go out to see the world
It is 1.6 litre and not 1.6k litre as 1.6k litre = 1600 litre. Hope that helps viewers. Cheers
whoops good flag - thank you for pointing that out!
Why produce a pros and cons video about Singapore after having left 5 years ago...just curious. Having it tough in Canada?
because I enjoy looking back and reflecting on my life experience and sharing them with others :) plus I think not much seems to have changed at a macro level with SG, at least not the things I share here - but let me know if you have a different perspective
@@febbylyan SG is continuously changing, and 5 years is definitely long enough to feel the difference, particularly for someone who does not reside in SG. So your previous impressions and experiences might change, for better or worse.
Anyway, all the best to you.
That's Febby's storytelling. If you see her other videos, you will notice that she is neither selling nor knocking these countries.
@@simy6847 SG is always the same its so small what major changes can there be..
interesting video, thanks
how can i find a job in Singapore, i want to travel and work there.
Great Video
also it is too hot and sweaty in Singapore
that is true! can’t survive without aircon 🫠
Quite disappointing when we went to the CBD I thought it was super duper clean but it wasn't, sorry! I hate to see cigar butts and litter on the ground.🇸🇬 Location nearby at Fullerton Hotel.
hey sorry to hear! honestly, I personally think it is cleaner than most countries for sure, even when compared to other developed countries, but this could be a subjective opinion
At least Singapore is safe
this I 100% agree :) it's also one of the things I genuiney appreciate about SG
@@febbylyan I lived in Singapore for 17 years. I honestly didn't feel Singapore was particularly safe. Surely I never experienced any crimes in Singapore. But neither I did experience any crimes in Canada or the US. The idea you should live in Singapore because it is safe is kind of bunk.
@@michaelshih8163 Find a family in Canada that would gladly let their 8-year old daughter take public transport alone in Canada at 7pm. Go ahead, try and find one
Being a ROBOT in Singapore or being a human being in Thailand ? Which one you prefer?
I don’t get why everyone says Singapore’s infrastructure is great. Airports, roads, buses, MRT - yes all great- but the infrastructure is not set up for the 300,000 people who commute in and out of Singapore everyday for work and school. The traffic jams and commuting times are a nightmare! Technology and harmonisation of immigration procedures should be easy enough to resolve. I don’t understand why Singapore and Malaysia haven’t gotten together to build commuter lines from say JB central to Singapore CBD.
London, for example.g. has 1 million commuting in/out every day! Yes there are issues but nothing like the traffic chaos between JB and Singapore.
You ask malaysia😂😂😂😂
OMG so expensive for having car in SG 😮😮
it could be yes! at the same time, I think having a car is not absolutely necessary either in SG even though it will be a lot more convenient for sure :)
If you like cars stay out, unless you are rich
True, the locals didn’t seem genuinely friendly . I could feel that as a visitor ( Indian Canadian) . The moment they realise I am Canadian , their attitude changes. Wierd !
Little India a lot leh. 😂😂😂😂.
isnt canada a downgrade?
Sort of. But Singapore is not perfect.
Please move to Taiwan. 👍🏻
I've actually always been interested in learning how life is there! been there a few times for work, but am not familiar with the job market and life quality - can you share a bit more about Taiwan? :)
@@febbylyan Well, Taiwan is a great country to live in, as it has great career opportunities for people from various fields and backgrounds, ranging from artists, dancers, singers, to engineers, doctors, and lawyers. It also have many delicious foods and a comfortable climate almost year round. Taiwan is not sweltering hot like Singapore and Malaysia, nor freezing cold like Canada and Northern Europe. Moreover, medical and health insurance in Taiwan is completely free of charge for all residents (including foreign students and foreign workers). Public transport are convenient and reliable in Taiwan too. Cost of living such as rental and utilities are rather affordable as well. Last but not least, Taiwan is an ultra free society where nearly everyone is very open-minded to accept different views and perspective. Unlike communist and muslim countries, which tend to be overly conservative most of the time. Taiwan is just so free and open that even same-sex marriages are allowed and recognized here. Though it is still not the country with the highest average income in the world (wages in Taiwan are very adequate too actually), but living in Taiwan will really enrich your soul and mental health by a great deal, which is something no amount of money can buy. I hope my explanation regarding Taiwan has been sufficient. Continue asking if you have any further questions. I am currently living in Taiwan, and am enjoying every moment of it.
Grew up and lived in Hong Kong for 15 years, lived in London for 8 years and Sydney the last 20. Have family in Sing : it is a Claustrophobic, artificial, superficial, materialistic, pretentious air conditioned shopping mall hellish society dominated by the few and run by slaves. It offers nothing more than a convenient air conditioned lifestyle and access to other far more interesting, varied and real countries like Malaysia.
Then move out😂😂😂😂😂😂. But SGD nice right
Hii Febby i am a girl from South Africa and me and my dad want to immigrate to canada and we need someones help with this so i really want to alk to you more privately ....please respond to my comment,,BTW love the vid
@Unique8802 ok thank you so much i will look into that
Great job, Febby! I wish I could move to the West like you... i recently moved to KL and feels like i have a more comfortable and mentally healthier lifestyle. I enjoy it! In Singapore, people don't have me time and struggle for money only. Btw, thanks for accepting my follow request on IG!
thank you for the kind words and for sharing your experience! good for you for moving to a place that works better for you :)
Singapore biggest pro is being a landlord…not as a long term employee rat
you mean like making money as a landlord?
@@febbylyan Hi, yea....u can literally receive your income from singapore while u are physically overseas...cos singapore provide a secure system for making money
If you dislike Singapore, please don't mentioned the country and keep it to yourself. There is nothing wrong to build man-made infrastructures. Their main purpose is to decorate the city. If you find it boring, find something to do. Regarding human's personality, every humans is different. I think Singapore isn't a very touristy country.
just like me and my friends would say its a soulless city hahaha. I find having conversations with the locals very boring. Everyday my ability to speak English confidently decreases haaha. The only thing I appreciate is DBS bank which I am still gonna use in Vancouver to do banking with Myanmar.
I get what you mean - but yes, doing banking in SG is great for sure and it is very efficient!
P.s. your microphone 🎤 should go under the chin not hiding your chin part of your face. Great content video 😅
I appreciate the tip! I've actually been testing a few different microphone angles to make sure I sound clearer. hopefully I'll soon find an angle that works best without compromising the audio volume 👼🏻
I think you missed the Downtown "Stanley Cup 2011 ? ? ? riot" 😂 Just like you luckily missed the tough time of President Suharto Downfall years. Covid-19 was confinement, the other two were truly dare devils. 🤣
umm what is the "Stanley Cup 2011" riot about? I don't know what that is, but I didn't "miss" the Suharto downfall era per se 😬 even though I didnt fully understand what was happening at that time because I was still too young
Agree - SG is crab $hit as cost and narrow-mindedness make SG think they are so great. Quality of life is so bad there - do not be fooled by the Marina Bay hotel and public transport. Its where u cram together as the poor rats. For a Bukit Timah lifestyle, u need a California Australia Calgary area where income and expenditure finally can meet with a quality of life
because we are trained to think like this. competitiveness, number 1 in every thing. But more and more and begining to think something is not right.
sugar baby alert