Best Asia real estate editor's comments: I totally agree with the opinions voiced in the article below regarding making Singapore home.
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| Lawrence speaking at investment seminar in Singapore several years ago |
My first visit to Singapore was 22 years ago after arriving in Bali I had to do a visa run to Singapore.
After travelling through the Pacific for three years and I saw all those concrete buildings I felt vowed I would never live in a place like this again and I haven't.
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| Capt. Lawrence sailing from Hawaii to Bali |
What was attractive in Singapore 22 years ago was great shopping.
But in few short years it turned into a boutique city where unless you were willing to spend $300 on a pair shoes and $200 on a shirt you would be left with little to buy.
More recently the Chinese purchased real estate there and drove prices through the roof.
Even after the last three year downturn in real estate prices, which I predicted before it happened. prices are still exorbitant.
As far as tourism goes I don't know how they feel about paying $200-$300 a night for an equivalent hotel room in Bali that sells for $90 - $100 night.
Forget about driving a car in Singapore unless you're really wealthy. Currently you have to bid on a permit. I believe the latest was around $50,000. Then you have to buy a car with highly inflated price because of taxes. So you are talking about $100,000 to drive a car that would cost $20-$30,000 in the West.
Then accommodations for a small place can cost $2,000 a month.
Although there are a few beaches most of the entertainment takes place in malls. After many visits to Singapore I quickly got tired of going to the cookie-cutter malls where every mall has the same stores with mostly expensive brand-names.
I feel sorry for the pensioners, the original inhabitants of Singapore who can barely afford to live there anymore.
The 25% of Singapore's population that are baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964 will surely be looking to move out of Singapore to more affordable locations in the near future.
Singapore's future is limited and all you have to do is spend a couple weeks there at the time of the year when smog is flying in from Indonesia's burning jungles and you will conclude that Singapore is a place to visit for a couple days but never to live there.
This is why many Singaporeans have discovered Bali, a short 2 1/2 hour flight away.
Fresh clean air and a cost living that's about 60 to 70% cheaper than Singapore is attracting more Singaporeans all the time. Along with real estate that is also 80 to 90% cheaper.
Not to mention the $10 massage and that's if you go to an expensive spa.
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| $10 Massages |
If you'd like to consider moving from Singapore we can help you with everything from's long-term visas to work permits.
My wife, who is a Notaris can even help you start a business.
Contact me direct at lawrenceb@ptbali.com or whatsapp me at +628123814014
Take a look at the low cost properties on our website www.bestasiarealestate.com
Those seeking retirement can take a look at our brand-new Bali Luxury Retirement Villas
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Tony Christian Ratcliffe, studied Electronics at St Albans, Hertfordshire (1986)
Updated Aug 28
When I met my partner she was living and working in Singapore and had for the past seven years. She was on a good expat wage with profit related bonuses. The employment package included private schooling for her children and a housing allowance.
My partner liked Singapore for its ease of access to the rest of the world, a transport system that worked, the safe and clean environment and the rich variety of food.
She didn’t like the sterile and competitive environment though. She used to joke that the guy next door with the Porsche is depressed because his neighbor has just bought a Ferrari. Status and wealth are perceived as the keys to happiness.
I think that because of this there is a rather joyless and soulless nature to Singapore that suppresses the spirit. I cannot easily explain it but if you looked out at a crowd at a fantastic concert anywhere else in the world then compared it to a crowd at the same concert in Singapore you would immediately see what I mean. Elsewhere you would see animated faces, crazy dancing and hear shouts and laughter. In Singapore you would see a wall of mainly expressionless faces with phones in front of them. It’s as if the people have forgotten how to enjoy themselves and have fun.
I enjoyed my time when I was there but never felt as if it was somewhere that we could call home.
Anyway, after a while the work slowed, the wages dropped and the bonuses dwindled. Other friends moved out because they had their packages slashed and the living costs for them and their children were unsustainable.
I now think of Singapore as an interesting stepping stone or place to visit. If you are young and single I would recommend it for a year or two but don’t get indoctrinated into its values, there is far more to life.
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