Singapore is a diamond in otherwise rough Southeast Asia… and a place that will always hold a special place in my heart.
I first came here in 2016, freshly graduated and hoping to find more opportunities than Europe offered at the time. Considering my options around the world, Singapore seemed like the ideal place for me. It is located in the fastest-growing region in the world, is developed, and English is its official language.
Life here has a feeling of tranquility and city buzz wrapped into one. Locals are friendly, and everyone has an overly positive demeanor, which is a far cry from Europe and especially my native Slovenia. The people are proud of their country, its success over the decades, its leadership in innovation, technology, and the coexistence of different ethnicities. The locals often remind me of adult children because of this super-optimistic outlook… and I wonder how they would fare in more hostile situations elsewhere in the world.
Indeed, it felt at first like I landed in utopia, and, to this day, life in Singapore is the closest I have ever been to experiencing
one. Everything works, the city is safe, and you’re surrounded by a mix of technology and nature at all times.
Some expats compare Singapore to Disneyland because it does feel so artificial at times… Not as much as Dubai, for example, but still… The city has no rhythm… no heartbeat like other cities I have been to. It just is.
Even the news here focuses only on positive stories. While in the West we’re all about the shock value, turn on Channel News Asia once in a while—it’s like a therapy session, you just start feeling good about life.
Nevertheless, Singapore serves its purpose: It is great for doing business and a regional hub for many industries… But keep in mind that this is primarily a “working city,” most of its residents are here for a job unless they’ve grown up here. To live-here full time, for me, lacks excitement.
Luckily, it makes a great base for travel, so when you need a dose of reality, you can jet to Malaysia, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, China, India, Australia… you name it. From Singapore, all of Southeast Asia and the Pacific is wide open to you.
Or the tranquility might be just what you’re looking for… you’ll have to come visit for yourself to know if this unique atmosphere and lifestyle would suit you long term.
