So my husband and I (of course our 2 children will be coming along too ) are maybe (BIG maybe!) considering moving to Singapore.

I am aware that a few of you have ties with Singapore and was wondering if you could perhaps share some opinions on how you feel when comparing Swiss Switzerland with Singapore.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Singapore is much hotter than Switzerland and the air is very humid, in addition it's more clean and the fines are at least as high as Switzerland. But the prices are really cheap in general when you compare them with Switzerland.

If you like hot weather, I believe you will enjoy Singapore.

Of great importance: the food and hospitality are excellent in Singapore and generally better than what you get here.

I also find the people in Singapore to be warmer. I've made many friends there on my visits.

Exactly.
Can you do an exploratory trip to Singapore to see it yourself? I believe it will give you more flavour about the country.

Yes, I actually thought about that this morning (my husband and I only thought about this move last night so it's still early days as far as what we have actually thought about..).

Just a question. Do you have job offer to go or is it more of an adventure type thing? I ask because we visited Singapore last year and thought it was amazing. Very lively, great food, friendly people, etc..... We also thought about moving but a job offer would be a pre-requisite

Hey naza, it would be an internal transfer with the company my husband currently works at.

Switzerland will win 6-0

My brother travels to Singapore on business trips all the time and he loves it!

in ice hockey maybe

Personally I wouldn't want to live in Singapore, but I love visiting.
One important thing to consider are appartment prices, as Singaporeans live in subsidized government housing expats pay insane prices, at least that's what I hear from locals. So despite the excellent public transporation you got quite long commuting times.

Another factor is the weather, as much as I enjoy really hot, humid weather in my holidays, I couldn't bear it on a daily basis at work etc. Sure, everything is airconditioned but that is something to consider.

A great plus is the language abilities and general friendliness of the locals, food is cheap and good and it's a great hub to travel elsewhere in Asia. (Air Asia.com!)

All the rest (repressive political environment, extreme fines, very regulated, very high alcohol prices) are more subjectively felt, some people don't mind, for others it's a serious drawback.

If you find Switzerland overregulated, sterile and lacking in "life" you will probably not be very happy in Singapore, if you love an organised, safe environment however you won't be dissapointed.

Singapore is like any Asian city densely populated , hot and humid throughout the year.

If you are someone who prefers living close to nature you may want to visit once and decide since it is crowded everywhere all the time.

The + you can get almost anything you want (great food, clothes, electronics, nanny,great travel destinations) at very affordable prices.
Singapore is very safe and the metro is excellent.

I lived in Malaysia from '67 to '70, before Internet! My eldest daughter was born in Penang 1968. About 7 years ago I went to Singapore to teach my Ascom customer, Singapore Bus Company, for 13 weeks in January & February. The weather was about 30 degrees and about 90% humidity.

The country is similar to Switzerland in some ways. Hard working people, low taxes, government controlled, extremely punctual! Taxes are low but so are wages, they work Saturdays free of charge to impress the bosses ...! They spend Sundays shopping in the malls with the family.

While I was there I used public transport all the time, I managed to get a seat on the train only once around 4 pm in the afternoon. Usually if I caught a bus at 5 pm I could barely get on the double decker. The ticket cancelling machine was behind the driver, and several times I could not stamp my ticket until one or two stops later: only after people had got off the bus and the crowd had moved back a bit.

The food was strange, much of the time it tasted as though someone had put orange marmalade in the sauce. One of my students was drinking something that looked like an English coffee with milk. What's that? Chicken soup. What's that yellowy wormy thing? Dunno, we don't have sausages & we use ALL the animal. I realised later it was the skin from the chicken's claw. Another student ordered deep fried shrimps, he didn't peel them, ate the heads, tails, everything, nice and crunchy he said.

Chinese workers pay around CHF 1'500 for a 3 bedroom government flat. As CHF 2'500 is a good wage the wife must work. When there are children the in-laws move into the 3rd bedroom to run the home and look after the kids. The apartments are so small that they cannot invite you home, there is no room for more than 6 people in the dining area. So they go out with visitors and entertain themselves in the covered markets and fast food stalls. This presents a lively multi-cultural face.

If you are at all squeamish, don't like crowds, and are extremely clean, you will not be happy there. Otherwise I would say give it a try for two or three years. It is certainly different!

Cars cost about five times Swiss prices! Definitely read a book before you go! http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...g+in+singapore

My brother lives in Singapore and we've been to visit him there a few times. I love it for holidays but don't know that I could deal with the humidity on a day to day basis. Asian food is fantastic and very cheap and the range of wonderful, fresh fruit and veg. is overwhelming. Things like cab fares are also inexpensive compared to Switzerland and most middle class families with children can afford a domestic helper. Housing is expensive though as is schooling if you don't go through the local school system (enrollment as a 'local' requires you to become a permanent resident with an obligation for any male children to do 2 years' worth of compulsory military service once they reach the age of 20 ....).

I think this one is following you Ouchboy.

That is just plain wrong! I hope the guy did not get hurt or pull his thigh muscle. Evil lady

The best thing about living in Singapore (aside from the security and variety of food and in shopping) is that it's right next door to Malaysia and Indonesia. When you feel the sterility of city living weighing heavy on you, you can run off to one of the east coast islands - from April till October, non-monsoon time - of Malaysia. The resorts range from five-star to budget. It's also a short flight to wondrous Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island. Generally, Singaporeans are very helpful if ever you need to ask a stranger for directions or how to handle red tape.

Consider that renting a nice apartment for your family will cost more than S§4,000, depending on location. Factor in international school fees (which you'll of course research), etc, vis-a-vis income and you'll get an idea what kind of expat package to negotiate for. If everything's rosy on the financial front, I'd say go for it!

P.S. There are very many big, old trees all over Singapore - that is one thing I admire about the nation-city, how green it is.

Cool Thank you al so much for your replies, I really appreciate it a lot.
Put it this way, if we do move, it will only be within the next year or 2 so I still have a ton of time to research, however, getting info from you all really helps so thanks again!

@ Ouchboy, you're my