Text: Yulia Orlova
Singapore is a small island nation inhabited by Chinese, Indians and Malays. Compared to other Asian countries, it is striking in its cleanliness, economic efficiency (an oil refining power) and high organization. Singapore is a free trade zone, which attracts many tourists for shopping. The Village found out how much those who can look at local skyscrapers spend on living every day.
1,000 Singapore dollars
(42 thousand rubles)
Low income
3,000 Singapore dollars
(126 thousand rubles, salary of beginning specialists)
Average income
40,000 Singapore dollars
(1.6 million rubles - salary of top managers)
High income
Housing
from 150 thousand rubles per month
Victoria lives in Singapore with her husband and children. They rent a four-room apartment on the East Coast: five minutes by taxi from Marina Bay Sands and 10-15 minutes to the main shopping street Orchard Road. It costs 5,400 Singapore dollars per month (or more than 266 thousand rubles), and for this they had to bargain - the usual price was 7,500 dollars, that is, more than 314 thousand rubles. This is a house with its own parking, swimming pool, gym, court, barbecue area and recreation area. Around the house there are two parks and an underground passage to the East Coast Park embankment. The deposit for an apartment is usually left in the amount of two months' rent for the apartment - that is, 10,800 dollars (453 thousand rubles). Typically the rental contract is for two years.
On the Airbnb website, a one-room apartment in the center costs from 3,600 Singapore dollars (150 thousand rubles). A family of four pays approximately $400 a month (about 17 thousand rubles) for utilities. Singapore buys water from Malaysia but uses its own treatment systems. Water can be drunk from any tap. There are free water stands everywhere throughout the city.
Transport
0–600 rubles per trip
Singapore has clean and uncrowded public transport. Local residents actively use the bus, metro and taxi. They are paid for trips using a special EZ-Link card. It can be used in any transport, and you can also pay for purchases at the 7/11 store. The fare depends on the distance. Up to 1 kilometer - free. The metro is more expensive than the bus. You can get from one end of the city to the other by metro for 3 dollars (125 rubles). If you change two or three types of transport within 30 minutes, then you only pay for the first one (the card is attached, but no money is debited from it). City taxis are equivalent to public transport, as they are cheap compared to other countries (5–15 dollars, or 210–630 rubles). Uber is cheaper.
The cost of parking varies greatly depending on the location - from 3 to 20 dollars for three hours (125–840 rubles). Almost all roads are toll roads - from
1–4 dollars per kilometer (42–168 rubles) depending on the time of day. Buying a car will be expensive: every six months you need to undergo expensive maintenance, pay for road tolls and parking. It's cheaper to take a taxi. There are no traffic jams. A rental car costs from $1,500 per month (almost 63 thousand rubles).
Medicine
from 1,700 rubles per appointment
There is no free one for anyone. A doctor's appointment costs from 40–350 dollars (1,700–14,700 rubles) depending on the clinic. You can use life and health insurance.
Products
from 30 thousand rubles per month
Victoria’s family spends $1,500–1,700 (63–71 thousand rubles) a month on food for four people. It is convenient to shop at the large Mustafa shopping center (an Indian supermarket where you can find everything from organic products to socks). Milk, for example, costs from 4–8 dollars (168–336 rubles) depending on the brand. You can buy groceries online at RedMart.
Entertainment
from 10 thousand rubles per month
Tickets for concerts start at $100 and above (4,200 rubles). You can get into Formula 1 by paying from 400 to 10,000 dollars (17-420 thousand rubles). A Coldplay concert costs from 350 to 1,800 dollars (14.6–75.5 thousand rubles). Entrance to the nightclub is $30 (1,260 rubles), one cocktail is included in the price. On Wednesdays, almost everywhere until midnight, girls are given free cocktails or offered a 50% discount. A movie ticket will cost from 11 to 39 dollars (460–1,640 rubles). A massage costs 90–250 dollars (3.8–10.4 thousand rubles.
A trip to a cafe will cost from 30 to 100 dollars (1,260–4,200 rubles), to a restaurant - from 100 dollars and more. Every large store has a food court where you can try food from all Asian countries, the price is from 2 to 10 dollars (84–420 rubles) per dish.
How do they do it 05/25/18 271 835 41
Four years ago, my husband and I decided to move to Singapore.
Slavina Bueva
moved to Singapore
We wanted to change the country and the climate, and we thought that there was nothing stopping us from doing this. Before that, we came to Singapore just as tourists for three days, and we really liked the city.
My husband found a job in Singapore in IT finance. When he received an official job offer, I transferred to the Singapore office within my company - then I worked at Iota Devices.
Moving
First, my husband came to Singapore alone for three months to see how the new project would go, and to make sure that he could live comfortably in a completely new country, where there were no acquaintances at all.
Finally, we sent the necessary things to Singapore: clothes and shoes, small household appliances, books, medicines and several packs of buckwheat - there is no buckwheat in Singapore, but we love it. The husband's employer paid for the transportation. Several people of heroic physique came to our Moscow apartment, packed everything in a dozen branded boxes and left - and two weeks later they brought it to an address in Singapore. We did not take any part in this at all.
About Singapore
Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia. About 5.3 million people live here. In recent years, the Internet has often written about the Singaporean economic miracle.
I recommend the memoirs of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, From the Third World to the First, where he describes how prison, the death penalty and socio-economic tools helped the country attract business and investors
Back in the mid-20th century, Singapore was known as a corrupt port city with a thriving opium trade. Over the course of 50 years, the city has become a separate state, the largest financial and logistics center in the region and the second largest seaport in Asia after Shanghai.
I'll tell you why we chose Singapore to move.
It's comfortable here. In big ways and in small ways. There are elevators everywhere, clean free toilets at every metro station. Covered walkways have been built throughout so as not to get wet when it rains - and it rains here often.
Singapore has a very high standard of living and safety. You can't see the police at all, but there are cameras everywhere. The police respond to incidents within a maximum of 15 minutes.
Compared to Europe and Australia, taxes are low here.
The banking and IT sectors are very developed. There are many main offices of various service companies and manufacturing companies with factories throughout Asia - all this is an excellent opportunity to find work. If the company is international, it most likely has at least a small office in Singapore.
We like the local climate. On average there is +27 °C all year round - and there is a lot of greenery.
Most bureaucratic procedures in Singapore can be completed online. My friends were able to register a legal entity and obtain a business permit within 24 hours.
There is a downside to all this: living in Singapore is expensive.
Money
The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar, SGD. Now 1 SGD is equal to approximately 47 RUR.
There are 117 foreign and 6 local banks in Singapore. Most international banks have their representative offices or head offices here. The undisputed leaders are DBS, UOB and OCBC. DBS - The Development Bank of Singapore is the local equivalent of Sberbank. In my experience, DBS is an extremely customer-centric bank, with a user-friendly app and online banking. There is a DBS office or ATM near every metro station.
You can open a bank account at any branch. It's quick and simple: you need a passport, a valid work or study visa and proof of address. A letter from an employer or educational institution will do. You can simply bring your utility bill.
per annum will bring the majority of deposits in Singapore banks. Rarely 2.5%
You can apply for a deposit or loan directly in Internet banking. The annual interest on a consumer loan will be only 4.5-8% depending on the bank, but you can’t count on high returns on your deposit either. Most deposits in Singapore will bring a maximum of 1% per annum, some options - up to 2.5%.
In some small stores you can only pay with a card with the national payment system NETS - Visa and MasterCard will not be accepted. There are local banks that, by default, issue clients only cards that support the NETS system.
There are places that only accept cash, such as some taxis and fast food establishments.
Taxes
Taxes in Singapore are low. For us, this was one of the reasons for moving.
It has a progressive tax system: the higher the annual income, the higher the tax. For example, an employee’s salary before taxes is 5,000 SGD (236,386 R) per month, which is 60,000 SGD (2,836,636 R) per year:
- The first SGD 20,000 of this amount is tax free.
- On another 10,000 SGD the tax is 2%.
- On another 10,000 SGD the tax is 3.5%.
- On another SGD 20,000 the tax is 7%.
Salaries in Singapore are always quoted before taxes. Taxes are paid once a year. The total amount is calculated based on all annual income, including bonuses.
Language
Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Everyone uses English for everyday communication at work and in the city. Knowing Chinese is useful in some cases, but until now, ordinary spoken English has always been enough for me.
It should be noted that there is a local version of English - “Singlish” (Singapore + English). It is a mixture of English, Malay and Chinese. The most common expression of Singlish is adding “lah” after a word to make it more convincing. Mostly service industry workers say this.
I got used to Singlish within a couple of months, as well as to the Chinese, Indian and many other accents of the multinational population of the country.
Visa
In Singapore, 30% of the population are expats who came to work or study. As an expat, I feel very comfortable here. Thanks for this to the official policy of mutual respect in the country. In Singapore, displaying intolerance towards another religion or nationality is punishable up to criminal liability. They still use caning as punishment here. For example, this is how they are punished for robbery or for overstaying their visa.
Long-term Singapore visas come in three categories: work, dependent and study. I will tell you in detail about the different types of visas.
S-Pass (SP)- the first type of work visa. To get such a visa, you need to have an official salary in Singapore of 2500 SGD(118,193 R) per month. By law, every company only 15-20% of employees can operate under S-Pass, others must be Singaporeans or Permanent Residents.
30%
Singapore residents - expats
Employment Pass (EP)- the second type of work visas. From 2018, the official salary for this visa must be at least 6000 SGD(283,663 R), but the quota for employees here is almost nominal.
Dependant's Pass (DP)- the first type of “dependent” visas. Such a visa is obtained, for example, by the spouse of a person who came to Singapore under SP or EP. The sponsor's minimum salary must be 6000 SGD per month. With a DP visa you can work in Singapore. The quota for the employer will not be applied, because he will not have to act as a sponsor - this is convenient for the employer.
Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP)- the second type of “dependent” visas. The sponsor must be a Singaporean citizen or permanent resident who is legally married to the person applying for the visa. The minimum salary of a “sponsor” to apply for LTVP is also 6000 SGD.
Student Pass- a student visa for which the sponsor is an educational institution. With this visa you can stay in the country exactly as long as your studies last. With this visa you can work no more than 16 hours a week, but only if the school or university is on a special list. Even if you yourself want to work more, the employer will not allow it: for this he may be fined, and your visa will be revoked.
My husband has an Employment Pass visa and I have a Dependant’s Pass. This made my job search in Singapore very easy. Instead of applying for an Employment Pass, my new employer simply notified the state that they were hiring an employee with DP.
After living in the country for several years on a work visa, you can apply for permanent resident status (Permanent Resident, PR). You must sign up to submit documents a year in advance; documents will be reviewed for another six months. PR status is assigned for 6 years, then you need to submit a request for extension. Previously, renewal was almost automatic, but recently refusals have become more frequent. The authorities do not like the fact that expats receive residency with its privileges and minimum responsibilities, but do not want to then receive Singapore citizenship and stay in the country forever.
Expats rarely apply for citizenship. It is forbidden to have dual citizenship here - you can become a Singaporean only when you document your renunciation of any other citizenship.
Both permanent residents and citizens of Singapore are required to complete two years of military service and participate in annual training. Only men are subject to conscription.
Citizenship also has advantages. You can buy social housing, receive benefits for education and medical services.
My husband and I do not plan to obtain Singaporean citizenship.
Rental of property
The employer usually pays the expatriate employee's housing for one month. During this time, you need to find and remove the permanent one. The rental contract here is concluded by default for a year or two. If you sign for two years at once, the price per month will be less.
All expats mostly live in condominiums. This is a building or several buildings with a fenced area, security and entrance by magnetic card. The condominium has its own parking, gym, swimming pool, barbecue area and children's playground.
An alternative to a condominium is an apartment. This is what they call an ordinary residential building with a magnetic card entry, sometimes with a swimming pool on the roof.
Another type of housing is HDB, from the Housing & Development Board. This is social housing, which the state sells to citizens of the country at a discount. Typically, HDB apartments are large and inexpensive, but with a minimum of privacy. Such apartments can also be rented out only three years after purchase. Locals joke that Singaporeans propose with the words not “Will you marry me?”, but “Let’s take HDB together?”, because a decent size subsidy is given only to families.
By and large, HDBs are typical panel high-rise buildings.
A house or townhouse can be found at the price of a condominium, but then it will be far from the center and with very limited transport accessibility. Otherwise, the range of prices for individual houses is quite wide and depends on many factors.
Rental prices in Singapore have been falling for the third year. I recommend haggling when renting. Often in advertisements on websites there is a note: “Price is negotiable.”
A one-bedroom apartment in a condominium 30 minutes from the center by metro can be rented for 2100-2300 SGD(99 300-108 753 R ). With two bedrooms - 2700-3000 SGD(127 666-141 852 R ). Apartments on average cost 200-300 SGD less than condominiums. HDB is still slightly cheaper, depending on size and location.
Paying for housing and communal services in Singapore is simple: all utility payments are carried out by one company - SP Service. On average, for a one-bedroom apartment it works out to 100-150 SGD per month (4700-7100 R ).
RUB 141,852
per month we pay rent for a two-bedroom apartment near the center
We live in a condominium 30 minutes from the center. On the scale of Moscow, it’s as if we lived on Kolomenskaya. With the birth of a child, we moved to an apartment with two bedrooms, we pay 3000 for it SGD (RUR 141,852) per month plus utilities.
Lease contract
The contract is required. It is not customary to conclude an agreement without a realtor. The agreement is usually signed as a template; it equally protects the tenant and the owner of the property.
If you found housing on the site yourself, then the owner pays for the realtor’s services. If you find a realtor, and he finds a suitable apartment for you, then you will already pay for his work. Typically, a realtor's fee is equal to one month's rent.
After concluding the contract, you need to transfer a deposit to the owner within a few days - payment for 1 month if you have a contract for a year, or for 2 months if the contract is for 2 years.
It is very important to photograph all the shortcomings of the apartment when you rent it. This could save you time and money in the future if you decide to change properties and get your deposit back. Typically, landlords try to keep the maximum deposit for themselves, finding fault with every scratch or stain in the apartment.
It is important that the tenant is given 1 month to “test” the housing. All problems that you identify during this period will be repaired by the owner at his own expense. All other breakdowns are paid as follows: the first 150 SGD The cost of repairs is at your expense, the rest is paid by the owner.
Buying a home
Most banks provide mortgages in Singapore at 1.5-2% per annum. You can take out a mortgage for a maximum of 80% of the cost of the apartment. Without citizenship or residency, you can only buy condominium housing or apartments. Even without citizenship, you will have to pay an additional fee - about 18% of the total cost of housing.
The cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment will cost at least 500,000 SGD (23.6 million rubles).
23.6 million R
is the cheapest one-bedroom condominium apartment
Since we don't plan to stay in Singapore forever, we don't intend to buy our own apartment. For those who do not have permanent resident status, an apartment in Singapore is a dubious investment.
Pets
It is prohibited to import Staffordshire bull terriers, Akitas and a number of other dog breeds into Singapore. In addition to the standard requirements for importing animals such as vaccinations and a microchip, you will need to quarantine the animal for the first 30 days. Singapore quarantine is a kind of pet hotel. A room of 2 m² will cost 30 SGD(1420 R) per day, the dog will be fed and walked.
You can get a pet in Singapore, but there are also many restrictions. Only licensed breeders can keep an uncastrated animal at home. There are few breeders, prices are high, demand exceeds supply.
We wanted to adopt a cat and contacted a cattery. The cattery needs to prove that your home is ready to receive an animal, for example, that you have already installed bars on the windows. An expat by default is not the best candidate: what if he leaves the country and leaves the cat to die on the street? In the end we were refused.
Then we adopted a cat from a Chinese family, where the child suddenly developed an allergy to wool. We paid 900 SGD for the cat (37,800 R )- and they also sold him to us at a 50% discount from the breeder's price.
RUB 37,800
we paid for the cat
Landlords are usually extremely discouraged from having pets. Many stipulate directly in the contract that this is unacceptable, or increase the deposit several times as soon as they find out about their availability. They also took a double deposit for the cat.
We bought this cat for 37,800 RUR. The Chinese owners called the cat Onyx, but we gave him the simple Russian name Kolbasa Medicine
There is no free healthcare in Singapore.
Employers typically provide insurance to employees. Often insurance is taken out for the entire employee’s family. The insurance includes a visit to a GP - general practitioner, this is a general practitioner like our therapist. You can come to him with any symptoms and receive the minimum necessary treatment. A visit costs on average 40-70 SGD (1890-3300 R).
9500 R
the minimum cost is a visit to a specialist doctor
Sometimes employer insurance covers emergency care and medical specialists. A visit to the emergency room with a swollen ankle will cost 300 SGD (14,200 RUR) for an appointment and an x-ray. If you need to straighten something else and apply a lock - 400 SGD (18,913 RUR). An appointment with a specialist doctor with an ultrasound, tests or vision test has never cost us less than 200 SGD (9450 RUR). Dentistry is usually not included in insurance, and a regular visit to the dentist will also cost at least 200 SGD.
If you don’t have insurance from your employer, it’s definitely worth purchasing - at least the cheapest one for 100 SGD per year (4728 R), which will cover accidents and hospitalization. An operation for appendicitis in a public hospital will cost 2000 SGD (94,500 RUR). In private - about 12,000 SGD (567,400 RUR).
The only remedies available over the counter in Singapore are for symptoms such as fever and diarrhea. Everything else is by doctor's prescription only. All Russian expats bring with them from Russia a first aid kit and a supply of various dietary supplements.
Public transport
Singapore has a large metro and many bus routes. Transport runs predictably on schedule. To get from one end of the city to the other - a maximum of 4 SGD (190 R). The shorter the distance, the lower the price. The ticket must be presented to the turnstile at the entrance and exit. Payment will be debited upon travel.
I really love local buses. Firstly, half of the buses in Singapore are double-deckers - any trip turns into an excursion. Secondly, even during rush hour you can take a seat because buses run frequently. And this is also an opportunity to spend the entire trip in a comfortable temperature, under air conditioning.
There are many dedicated lanes for buses. There are almost no traffic jams in the city, especially compared to Moscow.
In Singapore, there are regular taxis with a mileage meter and Grab Taxi (the local equivalent of Uber. If you take a regular, non-premium car, you can get to any part of the city for 25-30 SGD (up to 1,418 RUR). If you go to Friday evening in the rain from the center, the price can increase to 40-50 SGD (1900-2364 R), but for this you will have to travel really far and for a long time. On the scale of a country measuring 50 by 27 km, this is not easy.
Many people use taxis. Shopping malls have special exits where there is a queue for a taxi.
Personal car
If you are used to driving your own car, Singapore will be very difficult for you. The Singapore authorities have done everything to ensure that people travel by public transport. Owning a car is very expensive here.
Singapore has a fixed number of cars by law. There are also a limited number of licenses to own a car (COE), and new ones stopped being issued in 2018.
COE is purchased for 10 years. Depending on the type of car, a license costs 35,000-55,000 SGD (1.6-2.6 million rubles). When purchasing, you must pay a registration fee - this is 140% of the cost of the car. Import duty is another 31% of the cost. Plus road tax, insurance and number plates.
As a result, a new 2017 Audi A4 in Singapore costs SGD 182,000 already with a license. BMW 328 - SGD 238,000. Mercedes E-200 - 202,000 SGD. On credit at 2-4% per annum you can only take 60% of the cost of the car.
A liter of AI-95 gasoline costs 2.2 SGD (105 R), diesel - 1.56 SGD (74 RUR).
Parking is almost always paid, even next to the house. If you work in the center and want to leave your car in the parking lot during working hours, be prepared to pay 5-6 SGD (236-283 R) per hour before 17:00 and an average of 3 SGD (142 R) per hour after 17:00.
105 R
costs a liter of AI-95 gasoline
Another significant cost item for a car is toll roads. In recent years there have been more and more of them. Not only express highways are tolled here, but also entrance to the city center. On Sunday travel is free, and on weekdays during rush hour travel on one of the main highways will cost 3 SGD (142 R) for a passenger car. More expensive for trucks, cheaper for motorcycles.
The payment device in every car is located under the windshield. Money is withdrawn automatically the moment you pass through a gate with a reader.
Cafes and restaurants
Singaporeans joke that food is their national sport. Traveling to the other end of the city for a certain dish is a normal practice. Establishments with delicious food are scattered throughout the city. Mostly the cuisine is Asian.
Hawker centers were a revelation for me. These are food courts that are found everywhere in Singapore. Hawker centers have a lot of Chinese, Peranakan and Korean dishes. Huge portions cost 2-4 SGD (95-190 R). The establishments here are unbranded; the signs indicate only the cuisine or type of dish. Large hawker centers also offer Western and Japanese cuisine.
A huge percentage of residents, regardless of age, nationality and social status, constantly eat in hawker centers. Here, a top manager can have lunch at the same table with the cleaner of the neighboring office, a schoolchild or an elderly handkerchief seller on the street.
76% of Singapore's population is of Chinese origin. It is not customary for them to cook at home, unless it is necessary to feed a child. But children also begin to be fed in hawker centers from the age of 3-4 years. Initially, HDB social housing didn't even have stoves, probably to discourage people from cooking at home.
Another 15% of the population are Malays, 7.5% are Indians. On the contrary, they usually cook at home. But you can easily find them at lunchtime in hawker centers, because they are tasty and inexpensive.
In addition to hawker centers, there are food courts and cafes that are much more similar to Russian ones. You can eat something more familiar in them. Business lunch will cost 10-15 SGD (470-710 R ) per serving.
A traditional Singaporean breakfast is kaya toast with butter and coconut jam, two boiled eggs and tea or coffee. In the business district, this will cost from 3 SGD (142 R). A European breakfast with pastries and omelettes costs about 10 SGD (472 RUR).
Dinner in an ordinary restaurant in the center for two will cost about 100 SGD (4730 RUR) without alcohol. Liquor is expensive in Singapore due to import duties. A 0.5 liter bottle of Heineken beer in a bar will cost 11 SGD (520 R), in a supermarket - 7.5 SGD (354 R ). Chilean table wine “Sauvignon Blanc” costs 10-15 SGD (from 470 R) per glass in a restaurant and 20-30 SGD per bottle in a supermarket.
4730 R
is it worth dinner in a restaurant for two without alcohol?
Products
The three largest supermarket chains are Fairprice, Giant and, the most expensive, Cold Storage. There is hardly an area in the city that does not have one of these stores. There are also tiny Seven-Eleven supermarkets everywhere.
Many Singaporeans save time and order groceries through Honestbee's delivery service. Delivery costs 3.5 SGD (165 RUR) per order. The products are the same as in the store, on the website you can
Approximate prices for products are as follows:
- 300 g chilled chicken breast, Malaysia - 3 SGD (142 R).
- 300 g chilled pork fillet, Malaysia - 4 SGD (190 R).
- 300 g chilled beef sirloin steak, Australia - 11-30 SGD (520-1418 R).
- 300 g of fresh tiger shrimp, Malaysia - 10 SGD (472 R).
- 1 kg of potatoes, Malaysia - 2 SGD (95 R).
- 1 kg of carrots, Malaysia - 2 SGD (95 R).
- 1 kg of tomatoes, Malaysia - 3 SGD (142 R).
- 1 dozen eggs, Malaysia - 2 SGD (95 R).
- 1 liter of milk, Australia - 3.5 SGD (165 R).
- 400 g of white bread for toast, Singapore - 2 SGD (95 R).
- Bread from a bakery, Singapore - 6.5 SGD (307 R).
- 1 kg of rice, Malaysia - 1 SGD (47 R).
I indicate the country of origin because there are still Chinese products everywhere. They are much cheaper, but there is an opinion that it is unsafe to eat and cook with them due to chemicals, hormones and antibiotics. We try not to buy Chinese. We spend about 1000 SGD (47,284 RUR) on groceries per month; we mostly dine out.
RUB 47,284
we spend a month on groceries
We also buy drinking water. A 1.5 liter bottle costs from 0.75 SGD (35 R). You can drink the tap water here, but it has an unusual taste.
Internet and mobile communications
The leaders in the Singapore telecommunications market are Singtel and Starhub. There is also Circles Life, but it has appeared recently and is still trying to attract customers with low prices. And I simply do not recommend the M1 company to you.
Mobile communications can be paid with prepaid cards. This method is suitable if you do not yet have a long-term work, study or other visa. With a visa, you can apply for a postpaid tariff - an invoice will be sent to the post office once a month.
If you sign up for a postpaid plan for 2 years, you can take a phone along with it. You will have to pay a little more per month, but the total amount will in any case be less than if you buy a phone and pay for mobile communications separately. In January 2018, you could make an initial payment of 400 SGD (18,900 RUR), rent an iPhone 8 for two years, then pay 50 SGD (2364 RUR) per month for 3 GB of Internet and 200 minutes of calls.
1500 R
costs a month of home internet
The newer the phone model, the less profitable such a contract is. Prices are reduced six months after the phone is released.
You can save on home Internet with the “SIM card + Internet only” package. The router and Internet at home will be free for the first six months. By default, the Internet here costs from 30 SGD (1418 R) per month for 200 Mbit/s and from 50 SGD per month for 500 Mbit/s.
Life
In Singapore, it is common to hire a helper to do housework. There are two options. You can invite an assistant for 3-4 hours once a week to clean and iron clothes. It costs 50 SGD (2364 RUR) per visit.
If you have children, they often hire a live-in assistant - they are called “helpers” or “maids” (from the English maid - maid). Usually helpers and maids are women from the Philippines, Indonesia or Burma. Their working day starts at 7-8 am and ends at 8-9 pm. Sunday is a day off. Common helper duties include cleaning, ironing, cooking, grocery shopping, caring for children, pets, the elderly or people with disabilities.
It is necessary to conclude a contract with the helper. The standard contract period is 2 years. This is usually done through an agency, which also helps you find a helper and arrange all visa formalities - for helpers in Singapore there is a special Foreign Domestic Worker visa.
66,000 R
the cost of a house helper per month, if you take all the expenses per year and divide them by 12 months
As the employer, you are entirely responsible for the assistant. Her residence and stay at your address is regulated by law. If your assistant gets sick, you are required to pay for her treatment.
How much does a helper cost:
- Salary 600-800 SGD per month (28-39 thousand rubles).
- Additional products, if for some reason the helper cannot eat the same as you - about 250 SGD per month (11,821 R).
- Fixed tax - 265 SGD per month (12,530 RUR).
- Accident insurance includes hospitalization - an average of 300 SGD for 2 years (14,185 RUR).
- Flights to your hometown and back - 200-400 SGD once a year (9500-18,913 RUR).
Total - approximately 1100-1400 SGD per month (52-66 thousand rubles), if you take the total amount for the year and divide by 12.
Despite all the above costs and hiring features, it is rare for a Chinese family with children or elderly parents in Singapore to manage without such an assistant. In addition, maternity leave in Singapore is 4 months for citizens and permanent residents and only 2 months for expats.
Grandparents in Singapore usually work as long as possible. The pension here is exactly what you yourself have managed to accumulate over the years of work. It is very easy to spend your savings at the first difficult medical case. So people in Singapore don’t count on help from their grandparents.
For working expat moms, having a home helper is almost mandatory: you can’t cope without her. All my working friends in Singapore, as well as a fair number of non-working ones, have an assistant, and this is a real lifesaver.
Services sector
Massages, body wraps, spas, beauty treatments - all this is, of course, available in Singapore, but you should not expect low prices, as, for example, in Thailand.
Approximate prices in a regular salon are as follows:
- Men's haircut - 20 SGD (950 RUR).
- Women's haircut - 20-60 SGD (950-2900 RUR) depending on hair length.
- Coloring 60-120 SGD (2900-5700 R).
- Classic edged manicure with OPI varnish - 28 SGD (1323 R), with gel polish - 48 SGD (2270 R).
- Classic pedicure with polish - 38 SGD (1800 R), with gel polish - 68 SGD (3215 R).
A massage costs on average 35 SGD for 30 minutes or 65 SGD (3100 R) per hour. For comparison: in Thailand, on the beaches of Phuket, an hour-long full body massage with oil in SGD will cost 16 SGD in the low season and 24 SGD in the high season.
950 R
worth a men's haircut
Sports and fitness
Singapore is a paradise for summer sports lovers. It is always warm here, there are many parks, convenient infrastructure for running, cycling and rollerblading. There are a lot of swimming pools in the city: you can go swimming endlessly. There are beaches here too, some of which you can swim in, but still, Singapore is a port city, and the water here is not very clean.
Large residential complexes often have tennis courts. They are free for residents, so tennis is very accessible here, as is badminton. Lessons with a tennis coach cost 100 SGD (4728 RUR) per hour.
Several large shopping centers have sports facilities such as a climbing wall or ice skating rink. It costs about 35 SGD (1660 R) per session. Climbing walls are popular in Singapore. Some are equipped with an “automatic partner” - this is a special mechanism that will catch you if you suddenly fall off the wall. You can safely go to such climbing walls alone, if suddenly there is no partner for training - I gladly take advantage of this opportunity.
9500 R
Unlimited yoga subscription per month
Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are available all year round in Singapore and my husband and I are very happy about it. In January and February there is a season of strong winds - at this time you can even go windsurfing and kitesurfing.
There are also many fitness and yoga centers in Singapore. An unlimited monthly subscription will cost about 200 SGD (9500 RUR).
Intellectual leisure
Let's say you're not a fan of physical activity and prefer to have fun in a different way. Unfortunately, the number of large-scale events in Singapore is much smaller than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Concerts of performers of the Scorpions or Sting level take place 4-6 times a year. Tickets for the stands cost from 170 SGD (8,000 R), dance floor - about 300 SGD (14,200 R).
Every September, the Formula 1 night race is held in Singapore. For her sake, half of the center is closed off, and famous musicians, such as Bon Jovi or Robbie Williams, are invited to the opening.
RUB 14,200
costs a ticket to the dance floor for a concert of a famous performer like Sting
Singapore has theater and opera, but, in my opinion, the productions cannot compare with the level of theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
I went dancing in Singapore and paid 40 SGD per class (1890 RUR). I also attended cooking classes at Kulinarion - it costs from 88 SGD (4160 RUR), during class you prepare three different dishes. I also took first aid courses just in case, they cost 160 SGD (7565 RUR). Sometimes my friends and I go to play quests - from 28 SGD(1323 R) per room, session lasts 45 minutes.
The Meetup website is popular in Singapore. Here you can look for like-minded people with even the most unusual interests. The website organizes meetings, master classes, games and discussion clubs for every taste. There are free events. Larger events can be found on the Eventbright portal, but they are all paid.
You can always just go to the movies. Evening session costs about 12 SGD (570 RUR). By default, movies are shown in English with Chinese subtitles, and if the movie was shot in China, then vice versa.
Trips
Traveling around Asia is very easy from Singapore. You can fly to the beach in Thailand in 2-2.5 hours, and to ski resorts in Japan in 7 hours. If you fly with local low-cost airlines - Eirasia, Tiger, Scoot, Jet Star - tickets will be very inexpensive.
If you buy a low-cost airline ticket about a month in advance, for 100-150 SGD you can fly round trip to the following countries:
- Thailand - Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok.
- Indonesia - Bali island, Java.
- Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi resort.
- Cambodia - Phnom Penh.
- Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City.
If you have a budget of 300 SGD (14,200 RUR) per person, then you can fly anywhere in Asia. My friends and I most often fly to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Near Singapore there are the Indonesian islands of Bintan and Batam. You can get there in 45 minutes by ferry for 40 SGD (1890 RUR). The islands have clean beaches, clear water and few sports activities. There’s not much else to do there, but if you want a change of scenery or swim with the kids, then this is a great option.
1890 R
there is a ferry from Singapore to a tropical island with a beach and clear sea
Children
Having children in Singapore is very expensive if you are an expat. Here's some simple math.
Pregnancy management: 100-300 SGD per visit (4,728-14,185 RUR). On average, 12 visits are needed if the pregnancy is problem-free.
Natural childbirth without the use of forceps and epidural anesthesia in a conditionally state maternity hospital and 2 nights in a ward for 4-6 people will cost approximately 4,000 SGD (189,136 R). In a private maternity hospital - 8,000-10,000 SGD (378-472 thousand rubles). Epidural anesthesia will add about 3000 SGD (141,852 R) to the amount. Caesarean section - another 2000-4000 SGD depending on the maternity hospital.
I had a natural birth with an epidural. I spent two nights in a solitary ward. All this cost 8,500 SGD (401,914 RUR) - fortunately, the entire amount was covered by insurance.
RUB 401,914
my birth cost, fortunately, it was covered by insurance
Annual health insurance, which covers pregnancy and childbirth, costs from 4,000 to 8,000 SGD ( 189-378 thousand rubles). Often it contains a condition that at least 10 months must pass from the start of the policy to the birth, so that women do not buy insurance while already pregnant.
In kindergarten You can leave your child from 7 am to 7 pm. Groups have up to 15 children. The cheapest kindergarten I've heard of costs 700 SGD per month (33,000 RUR), otherwise everywhere else the kindergarten costs 1000-1200 SGD(47-57 thousand rubles).
School - international or just private - costs from 2500 to 4500 SGD per month (118-213 thousand rubles). This does not include uniforms, bus fees, meals and other additional expenses. To get a place in a regular public school, you need either citizenship or permanent resident status.
The Russian-speaking community in Singapore is quite large, so there is a school and a kindergarten in Russian. There are simply language, dance and other clubs in Russian.
Many countries wanted to repeat the Singapore miracle, but only a few succeeded. In the past, a backward state in just 50-60 years has turned into an Asian tiger, the most advanced, technologically advanced and modern country in the world. If you want to see the future, then you should definitely visit this country: futuristic architecture, clean streets, low crime rate (virtually none), strict laws, maximum safety on the streets, lots of entertainment and amusement parks. The above advantages make this state one of the most promising and comfortable places to live. In this publication, we will take a detailed look at the cost of living and prices in Singapore in 2018 for food, food in cafes, transport, rental property and utility bills. Experts recently compiled the TOP 5 most expensive countries for tourism and living. Guess which country took first place?
Living prices in Singapore in 2018
Car taxes are the highest in the world. Even the average Singaporean who earns an average salary cannot afford to buy his own car due to the very high tax. The authorities thus artificially reduce the growth in the number of cars on the roads in order to effectively combat traffic jams. The streets are mostly driven by cars of the most expensive and prestigious brands in the world. The cream of society, including directors of large companies, millionaires, entrepreneurs, etc., have their own cars.
Apartment rental and utility payments in Singapore
The main expenses of local residents go to renting apartments and utility bills. The city is recognized as one of the most expensive places to live due to high rental rates. We analyzed the average cost of renting apartments (from 1 to 3 bedrooms) in the city center and residential areas. Multi-storey residential buildings can be called a separate mini-city. As a rule, such houses have underground parking, a gym, catering establishments, swimming pools, gyms, etc.
Rent
Communal payments
Basic utility bills are not that expensive compared to Western European countries. The amount of utility bills depends on the area, the number of people and the needs of residents.
On average, you should focus on the following figures:
| Square | Basic utilities (gas, water, electricity, garbage). In US dollars (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments with 1 room. 40 sq.m. | 79 | 108 |
| Apartments with two rooms. 60 sq.m. | 95 | 129 |
| Apartments with 3 rooms. 85 sq.m. | 115 | 156 |
Prices per square meter
In the central part of the city, where the local cream of society mainly live, the average price per 1 square meter reached 18,945 US dollars (about 1,123,438 rubles). This is explained by the fact that the city is experiencing problems with a lack of territory for construction. As a result, this problem was reflected in a sharp increase in real estate prices.
Mortgage interest
The amount of mortgage interest corresponds to the level of the most developed countries in the world.
| Types of loans | Average rate |
|---|---|
| Mortgage for the purchase of real estate | 2.30-2.50% per annum |
Average salaries in Singapore in 2018
The state's economy is structured in such a way as to create the most comfortable conditions for doing business. You can register your own business in this country in a few minutes via the Internet. A young specialist in an average job immediately receives more than $2,000 net. Many entrepreneurs and highly specialized specialists from the most developed countries, for example, the USA, Germany, Canada and Japan, move here.
| Professions | Average salary per month in US dollars (USD) | In Singapore dollars (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Average net monthly salary in Singapore in 2018 | 3100 | 4223 |
| Bankers and finance professionals | 5 000 | 6811 |
| Managers and directors of companies | 6 000 | 8173 |
| Small Business Entrepreneurs | 4 000 | 5449 |
| Builders, engineers, architects | 4 500 | 6130 |
| Qualified mid-level specialists | 2500 | 3405 |
| Highly qualified specialists | 3300 | 4495 |
| Low qualifications (service personnel) | 1800 | 2452 |
Prices in cafes and food in shops in Singapore
There are many large supermarkets in the city where you can find any food products (dairy products, meat, fish, bread, eggs, cigarettes, beer, wine, juices, vegetables, fruits, etc.). The lowest prices are available in Indian supermarkets.
Below is a list with average prices for various products in Singapore.
| Grocery list | Weight | In US dollars (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 1 liter | 2,23 | 3,04 |
| Bread | 500 gr | 1,79 | 2,44 |
| Rice | 1 kg | 1,97 | 2,68 |
| Eggs | 10 pieces | 2 | 2,72 |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 1 kg | 6,50 | 8,85 |
| Beef | 1 kg | 19,16 | 26,10 |
| Pork | 1 kg | 12,48 | 17.00 |
| Cheese | 1 kg | 15,64 | 21,31 |
| Drinking water | 1.5 l | 1,48 | 2,02 |
| Juice | 1 l | 3,30 | 4,50 |
| Tomatoes | 1 kg | 1,95 | 2,66 |
| Potato | 1 kg | 1,92 | 2,62 |
| Apples | 1 kg | 3,12 | 4,25 |
| Oranges | 1 kg | 2,90 | 3,95 |
| Onion | 1 kg | 1,54 | 2,10 |
| Grape | 1 kg | 5,58 | 7,60 |
| Bananas | 1 kg | 2,05 | 2,79 |
| A bottle of wine | 1 liter | 25 | 34,06 |
| Imported beer | 0.5 l | 5 | 6,81 |
| Local beer | 0.5 l | 4 | 5,45 |
| Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) | 1 pack | 9,50 | 12,94 |
Average bill per person in catering establishments: cafes, restaurants, fast food
| Catering establishments. Average bill per person | In US dollars (USD) | In Singapore dollars (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cafes | 12.00-15.00 | 16.35-20.43 |
| Fast food cafe (McDonalds and others like that) | 6.00-8.00 | 8.17-10.90 |
| Restaurants | 23.00-30.00 | 31.33-40.87 |
Other living expenses
Additional expenses include transportation, payment for the Internet, kindergarten (if there are children), etc.
| List of monthly expenses | In US dollars (USD) | In Singapore dollars (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Internet payment | 34 | 46,32 |
| Monthly public transport pass | 73,41 | 100 |
| Single use of public transport | 2,38 | 1,75 |
| Monthly membership to a gym or fitness club | 95,43 | 130 |
| Monthly payment for kindergarten. For 1 child | 802 | 1093 |
As a rule, young countries cannot boast of a high standard of living and well-established infrastructure, but there are exceptions to every rule, and such an exception is.
The state of Singapore became independent in 1965 (before that Singapore was a colony of Great Britain), and in a short time a qualitative leap was made. Currently, Singapore ranks eleventh in the ranking of the richest countries in the world, and first in the countries of the Asian region.
The country owes much of its prosperity to a stable and moderate political climate. In fact, the political structure of Singapore has not changed since the founding of the country. Despite the fact that government is centralized and has all the features of authoritarianism, this has contributed to the development and prosperity of Singapore.
Actually, the country’s leadership adheres to only one single goal - ensure the survival and prosperity of your country. Over the years of its existence, it has been possible to attract over nine thousand foreign companies to cooperation, build several dozen high-tech factories, and establish the production of the latest electronic components.
As mentioned above, the Singapore government is free from corruption, and officials do not lobby for certain interests of big business. Similar rules apply to the economic environment.
In order for a Singaporean citizen to start an independent business, all he needs is desire and a few hours of free time. Therefore, the vast majority of residents of the country have their own business or are co-owners of a foreign business.
Also, one should not forget that Port of Singapore is the busiest port in the world. Actually, this port is the starting point from where electronics assembled in Asian countries are sent to Europe and North America.
However, in recent years there has been a significant shift. Production capacity has become much smaller, and the main emphasis is on research activities, as well as on the development of banking and the financial sector. The average annual income of a citizen of the country is over 34 thousand dollars, and this is a record among the Asian region.
Thereby . The welfare regime is complemented by an effective income tax rate. The tax rate is progressive and varies depending on earnings. Singapore citizens are taxed from 0 to 20%, while non-residents pay a flat tax of 15%. There are no fees such as taxes on dividends, taxes on the purchase and sale of real estate.
Singapore's economy is one of the most competitive in the world
Singapore has adopted a special program to attract foreign specialists and valuable employees. Such invited specialists are paid serious bonuses and given huge discounts on the purchase of housing.
The average salary in the country exceeds 2 600$ , and GDP per capita 52 000$ , which makes the country one of the world leaders in quality of life.
As it is not difficult to guess, such acceptable economic and political factors contribute to the strengthening of morality and ethics. The country also has huge fines, which has a very positive effect on the crime rate. The unusual thing is that the country still practices physical methods of influencing criminals (beating with sticks), and capital punishment is provided for especially serious crimes.
It must be said that during the entire existence of the country there has not been a single major shooting, act of terrorism, riots or serial killers. By the way, it is the low crime rate that is the decisive factor due to which the level of people coming to the country for permanent residence is very high.
The level of healthcare in Singapore is the best in the Asian region, and one of the best in the world, second only to Israel and Switzerland. The infrastructure of medical institutions is such that for every thousand residents there are about a dozen medical institutions of varying degrees of equipment.
The government of the country has adopted a program Medisave. Under the program, every working Singaporean is required to contribute part of their monthly salary to the health insurance fund. The amount is accumulated in funds and, if necessary, spent on a specific patient. If the accumulated amount is not enough, the state subsidizes the shortage of funds. Thus, Singapore citizens receive first-class treatment.
A special law has also been adopted regarding medicines. All medications sold in pharmacies have a strict certification system and are sold exclusively with a doctor's prescription. It is this humane healthcare system that has led to the fact that the average life of a citizen is 80.5 years, which is significantly higher than in most other countries.
It is worth noting that the Singapore education system is quite specific. The main emphasis is on economics and financial literacy. Moreover, economics begins to be taught in the middle grades of school, and the training is aimed not at theoretical, but at practical knowledge.
The largest higher education institution is the National University of Singapore. This educational institution is one of the hundred best universities in the world, and most of the teachers are invited Europeans.
Did you have a big bright goal in life? Just a goal, not a dream? And what did you do to achieve it?
Let me introduce my guest today - a girl in love with Singapore, who trusted her inner voice and went towards a completely new experience. Meet Anna, also known as sin-paciencia on livejournal.
- Anya, tell us your backstory. Where are you from and how has your life been?
I was born in Novosibirsk, but at school age I moved to Yaroslavl, where I spent most of my adult life. There I received my education as a psychologist. In my first year I started earning money, my first position was as a cleaner, cleaning research institutes. In general, in my life I have worked as a psychologist at school, in kindergarten, as a teacher at a university, and as a training leader. At the time of my departure to Singapore, I worked 7 days a week.
- So you combined several jobs?
Yes, I worked in a kindergarten as a psychologist and wherever there were good options.
- How did you manage to completely change your life, having practically no free time?
There's a whole story. At one time, back in 2006, I flew with a friend to Bali. And on the way back we had a bad experience - my friend got sick. I had to change plans, I stayed with her for support and spent two unplanned days in Singapore... That's how it all started. I immediately fell head over heels in love. In town. And I told myself that I would live here.
- And how old were you at that time?
- So a dream was born?
To tell the truth, I was already thinking about moving, I was looking at Germany and Switzerland, which are also excellent countries, but the meeting with Singapore, which, by the way, is called “Asian Switzerland,” put everything in its place.
- So two days were enough for you to make such an important life choice?
You know, I now understand that at that moment in my life I needed a very big and very bright goal. Not just “work in Singapore” to earn money and write a dissertation, as I planned, but to have an incentive, inspiration, a dream for this in the best sense of the word. I wanted to believe (and I was not mistaken) that Singapore is my city. I returned home and began to actively work 7 days a week, essentially pushing myself towards my intended goal.
- How long did it take you to leave for Singapore?
Almost exactly 3 years later.
Tell me, what was the plan? Over the past three years, have you been actively preparing for the move or did you just save up for tickets and your first stay?
The original plan sounded like this: I will defend my dissertation, become a great specialist and work in Singapore will be secured, I will be torn off with my arms and legs. Of course, it was very ambitious, if not fantastic, but that didn’t stop me at the first stage.
“Something tells me that everything turned out differently.”
Right. When the dissertation process was nearing completion, I posted my resume on various resources in Singapore and began to wait. But nothing happened. In addition, the 2008 crisis was making itself felt. At some point, the very idea of moving began to fade, since at home, in Yaroslavl, everything was moving uphill. Then I decided that, of course, I wanted to go to Singapore, but at home, in general, it was good. And at the same time, I submitted documents to a conference being held in Singapore. I decided to go to this country again, especially since quite a lot of time had already passed.
- What kind of conference was it?
It's hard to say that she was specialized. The topic was related to computers, but I managed to add my own topic. It was important for me to get into the country. At that time I already had friends there. When I was going to Singapore, I actively communicated on the Internet on relevant platforms and already had many acquaintances, who advised me to look for a job locally, since I was still flying to the city of my dreams. That's how I came to Singapore.
- What did you say at home? Forever or for a conference?
I told those closest to me that I would look for a job and stay if the outcome was good. And I told everyone else I knew, especially those who with good intentions tried to warn me and raise doubts, that I was going to a conference.
- What was your level of knowledge of English at the time of moving?
At the time of the move, it seemed to me that the level was very good. But in actual speech it was difficult to communicate. There wasn't enough practice.
Yes, this is our national problem - we know the language, but we cannot speak it. There is even a joke: “In Russian schools they teach in such a way that, God forbid, they won’t speak.” And how did you solve this issue? Did you take a course? Moreover, with a psychological profile you need to constantly talk and listen.
I began to meet people everywhere I went: in cafes, clubs, on the street, in the subway. I needed any language practice. During that period I made a lot of local friends.
- Now, as I understand it, the issue has been completely resolved?
Yes, everything is fine now.
- And how long did it take you to find a job after arriving in Singapore?
In exactly two months. I decided what types of work I could do, sent out my resume, regularly checked popular Singapore portals on this topic, as well as the websites of well-known companies, bought the Saturday Straight’s Times with vacancies and asked everyone I knew.
- Tell me, what do you do now? What does your job title sound like?
I am the head of the applied psychology department at a private college. This is the same college where I found a job immediately upon arrival as a lecturer.
- So you have already been promoted?
Yes, in three years I have grown, both in position and in financial indicators. There was a period when my work visa expired and I was going to leave because the salary and conditions did not suit me, but management retained me, significantly increasing my remuneration and, subsequently, my position. By the way, there I set a personal professional record - 77 working hours a week.
- Did you try?
Yes, indeed, I worked a lot. But I understand where the strength came from - I was really very happy, I wanted with all my heart to stay in this country. In the first six months, I figured out all the intricacies, understood how life works here, began to see more details and understand the city even more.
I can perfectly imagine how different Singapore's prices are from what we consider standard for Southeast Asia. Let's put it in numbers - how much does it cost to rent a house somewhere in residential areas?
It all depends on the area, but on average 1,500-2,000 Singapore dollars, on the very outskirts and for 1,300 you can find. Although, again, it depends on your luck. For example, I rent a wonderful three-room apartment (two bedrooms and a living room), from the threshold of which the beach is exactly 5 minutes walk, and work is 25 minutes by bus for 2,100, which by local standards is extremely profitable. I'm renting from a friend.
By the way, do educational institutions pay for housing and other bonuses for foreign employees, as for example they do in the tourism sector?
No, in addition to my salary, I only have to pay for my morning coffee to wake up and for insurance. There are no other bonuses.
- What about air tickets home?
Yes, once every two years at the end of the contract.
- What does Singapore mean to you now? Did he live up to your expectations or maybe everything turned out differently than you thought?
By and large, Singapore turned out to be even better than I thought. Of course, as in any relationship with the city, I also had a period of disappointment, when everything seemed routine, at the first stage of getting involved in the work process, but later everything fell into place. I often say: “God grant me to love a man as much as I love this city.” Just recently I returned from a business trip, I was in South Africa - in Cape Town. There was a major international psychological congress there. The Singapore psychological community sent me to represent the country, where I not only gave a presentation, but also made important decisions. It is an honor.
- Do you have any desire to move to Africa, to Cape Town? Another colorful region.
You know, I really liked it there, but not now. Maybe in my old age it will be just right. After Singapore, my number two love in Asia is Mumbai.
Mumbai? This, in my opinion, is the complete opposite. On the one hand, clean, decent Singapore, all outlined by rules, and on the other, chaotic India, without complexes, compromises, and even less rules, with its main Bollywood enclave - Mumbai.
I wouldn’t say that there were no rules in Mumbai, they are different there. There people look at the world much more simply, more openly. Just as in a swarm of bees there is no constitution, but at the same time all processes go together, so in Mumbai everything develops by itself. There are hundreds of moments that work wonderfully, sometimes in incomprehensible ways.
What is the key, how do you define it for yourself? To such rapid career growth, responsible tasks at the state level and successful integration into the mainstream of the city?
Some say this is the result of effort or luck, but I believe that the main role is played by my great love for the city, and it reciprocates my feelings.
Let's talk about the details of life in Singapore. Everyone is always concerned about the issue of communication, especially if you move to a new country alone. You already answered how you looked for friends and made connections, but what does your social circle look like? This is a Russian community or an international company.
Communication has never been a problem for me. I communicate with Russians, many expat friends, and also residents of Singapore themselves.
- How big is the Russian community in Singapore?
About 2-3 thousand people.
- And what do our compatriots mainly do? What types of activities?
Business, IT sphere, tourism, someone opens Russian schools, for example. There are Russian teachers and scientists. Singapore strives to become an educational center and actively attracts specialists.
- And teachers of what subjects?
Psychology teachers, I’m not the only one, teachers of music, chess - the directions can be anything.
How does the Russian community feel about newly arrived Russians? You know, it’s impossible to deny the fact that in neighboring countries, where visa entry is easy and the flow is large, some of our compatriots, to put it mildly, are afraid of a large influx, if not frankly don’t want new Russian arrivals. Do you have a hint of “come in large numbers” from the Russian community?
Actually it's different. There are people who came here almost the very first...
Hazing? This phenomenon has always fascinated me. It is clearly expressed somewhere in Thailand, and even appears in Bali. In the style of “but we’ve been here for 15-10-5 years” (underline as appropriate).
But there is also a completely different circle of people. For example, there is a “Russian Club”, where meetings are held every Wednesday, announced on the Internet. In fact, any newcomer can come and meet new people, this is how it happens. In my personal opinion, the vast majority of people living here don’t care. There are new people - good, no - also normal, then everything depends on you personally, since, of course, any person will be glad to find a like-minded friend.
You live in the main transport hub of Asia, all air traffic passes through you, and at affordable prices. Do you manage to see the world?
I only have two weeks of vacation a year, so it’s hard to get around here, but regular business trips really help out. So the answer is probably yes. I’ve already seen Japan, China, Australia, South Africa recently, and I’ve visited almost everywhere in Southeast Asia.
- Can you highlight three main advantages and three disadvantages of Singapore in your opinion?
The first plus for me is professional. There is an unplowed field and hundreds of opportunities. The second plus is precisely the atmosphere of the country, where I include everything: climate, safety, diversity, and type of development. Amazing atmosphere of the place. And the third plus, in my subjective opinion, is the concentration of everything, a kind of “navel of the Earth.” Here you can meet anyone, anywhere and however you want. All roads lead through this city one way or another. For me, Singapore works this way. This is the collection point.
- What about the disadvantages?
The disadvantages are more complicated... The first is bureaucratic obstacles, difficulties with obtaining a residence permit and the like. The second minus... let me think. What else don't I like? (Anya takes a long pause, author’s note). No, I can't think of any more.
- I guess the answer to the next question, but I’ll ask it anyway. Do you have any thoughts of returning to Russia?
What do you think?
“I think you’re definitely not afraid of this, but you’re unlikely to go back.”
Over the three years of living in Asia, I have acquired enough contacts here, including professional ones. If things don’t work out with Singapore, I can always find a job in Kuala Lumpur or in Mumbai. But, you know, I don’t rule out the possibility of working in Russia if I have an interesting offer. In a position where I can be useful and demonstrate my abilities. In Singapore, in my profession, everything works like clockwork, I know for sure that I am changing the world for the better and bringing my knowledge; in Russia, processes do not always work at the same level. But, at the same time, I would take such a step if there was a real opportunity to do something important and necessary.
In conclusion, I would like to ask an applied question. Imagine, we are now being read by a young girl from a small Russian city, or maybe from a large one, who also dreams of changing her life, exploring new horizons, moving to another country, but at the same time there are worries and fears. Where should she start right now, at this minute? First steps?
From my own experience I can say this - you need to love life as it is right now. While you are not in Asia, while you are where you are. All my life I wanted to go somewhere, first at least to St. Petersburg, then abroad.
Singapore was not my first attempt. I thought that if I left, I would start another wonderful life. In fact, I wanted to escape from problems and the “get out of cold Russia” mood was also present, but such an attitude does not work. Everything really began to change only when I switched my vector. It was at that moment when things weren’t going well with Singapore, responses to my resume weren’t coming, and I realized that I might not be leaving anywhere, I’d stay in Russia—I changed my attitude.
And now I remember the moment when I decided that I needed to get a thrill from what I already had. I began to literally notice every day and enjoy it. As soon as I began to enjoy life, I was immediately pushed out. I found a job in Singapore. I think if I hadn’t changed my view of Yaroslavl, of Russia, I would have come to Singapore and it would have disappointed me, it wouldn’t have worked out. I would complain more, be more irritated and not understand the city. When you love the state you are in, then new resources open up.
Right now I’m imagining the question of that same girl, from a small Russian city, or maybe a big one - how to love today and current life? How?
There is no universal advice. I think if I knew him, I could be given the Nobel Prize for the most important life discovery. I would advise everyone to re-watch the movie "Groundhog Day". There is a wonderful answer to the question of how to love your day. And the second film that motivates me is “The Shawshank Redemption” about the fact that if you have a dream, you just have to go for it every day.
- As usual, we have to accept the fact that there is no single recipe.
And thank God! Otherwise, the adventure called life would become a set of limited rules.
P.S. After talking with Anya, I watched first “Groundhog Day”, then “The Shawshank Redemption”. Films opened up for me from a new side. Thank you, Anya!