The Truth About Why Foreigners Leave Singapore

The Truth About Why It's So Hard For Foreigners To Leave Singapore: • The Truth About Why It...
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F A Q 》
Where are you from? UK
Where do you live? Currently living in Singapore
How long have you lived in Singapore? 4 Years
How old are you? 27
What Camera do you use? Canon G7X Mark II
What do you use to edit your videos? Final Cut Pro X

[@casstsj]

It’s hard to talk to strangers in Singapore, I feel like I’d get judged if I talk to a stranger, especially older aunties. But when I go to countries that are more open with talking to strangers, I feel like I’m being heard with an open heart.

[@MrJonslife]

Then Asia is not for you.

[@casstsj]

@@MrJonslife I stay in Singapore. All I have to do is just not talk to strangers ✌️

[@dianalee6065]

Wonder if you'd tried to talk to some esoecially seniors in Germany or England or Sweden etc ..... or even Japan, HK or Korea ?? I would really love to hear of warm receptions that you'd received. I'm starved of good news from these group of people - or is it just me to trigger their negative and sometimes Very Unfriendly reactions - most commonly... Go home! So dutifully, I am home!

[@casstsj]

@@dianalee6065 have never been to those countries before. But don’t expect warm reactions from asian countries. We have been taught to not talk to strangers

[@dianalee6065]

@@casstsj To be ignored is totally different from being told in your face to go home. You'll not experience any bad services since you're a tourist - service staffs don't see you, they only see tourist $$$

[@palmtree_]

Singaporeanss differentiate seasons by visiting Japan, Korea, Aussie, NZ, or Europe at least once a year 😀

[@tanalson]

That is if you have that kind of money. Not everyone get the chance to travel every year

[@singlah]

So I guess 2020 is the year we went to Sentosa 😉

[@shellyannegoh6054]

Seasons cannot be appreciated by visiting a country for 7 days. Most Singaporeans friends I know don`t know what spring is or what fall or snow is because when they visit, spring and snow hasn`t started. Most don`t stay outside for long in the cold because they don`t know about the intricacies of keeping warm.

[@havenprice]

Lol good point.

[@tanalson]

@@singlah yupyup. You can show off to your friends that you went overseas. I guess pulau ubin is also considered overseas, right?😉

[@Potomacstud]

If a stranger suddenly gets too friendly ..my defence is up lol

[@longangrysausage3495]

yea I agree. I get very confused too. plus I don't rly want to be disturbed, and I don't rly like to talk so it's like this whole thing. I think most singaporeans are like this too hehe. sorry friendly people

[@epiphadipity]

Am singaporean but agree with ALL these points omg. Honestly this video could be titled "reasons why Singaporeans migrate"

[@thecatfromsingapore]

YASSS

[@leechan812]

🤣🤣

[@dianalee6065]

Incidentally, it'll also be 'Reasons why Singaporeans want to return but ' no face' after the big send-off!!

[@davidnhc]

I have friends that left and regretted.....lols

[@unkniwdead3516]

Some of my friends in oversea are making a comeback to SG after experiencing a decade of their life, they realised that there r no place like home. No point letting yourself be treated as second class resident in oversea.

[@anchored555]

I’m third generation Singaporean born and bred, but studied and lived in the US, China and Australia, and have travelled extensively the last 40 years. When I was younger, I wanted to emigrate to the West for more space, beautiful outdoors, cooler climate and a supposedly better quality of life. Some of my siblings moved to the US and Australia, but others like myself stayed on because of family and elderly parents. Today, I am no longer inclined to move West for a variety of reasons: safety, law and order, worldclass healthcare and good governance are increasingly important to me. The inability of most western countries to contain the Covid19 pandemic and take good care of their people is an eye opener and a big negative factor. Getting older, I have come to appreciate our tropical climate more. Tropical heat and humidity are generally better for the skin and joints than a cold climate. When it gets too hot or humid, I can always escape into an air conditioned space. Also, I appreciate not having to bother with the layers of bulky clothing that are necessary in a cold climate. We can wear the same light clothes all year long. If I miss the seasons, I can choose to catch sakura/autumn foliage in Japan or South Korea, or snow in Harbin or Hokkaido. If I want to escape the heat temporarily, I can fly to Perth or HK (just a few hours’ flight away) during their cool seasons. If I’m craving exotic, Bali or Phuket are just a 1-2 hour flight away. There are so many interesting destinations within a few hours’ flight from Singapore (I have grown to dread long flights and jet lag!) that I have no opportunity to get bored. As I get older and need housekeeping help, I appreciate being able to hire domestic help to help me age in place at home, rather than have to resort to institutional living in nursing homes. Last but not least, the sheer variety and quality of the food we have here is unbeatable. You can splurge a few hundred dollars on the finest European/Asian cuisine, or dine like a local at an economy rice stall/hawker centre for just a few dollars. Nowhere else in the world offers this kind of range, variety and convenience. Singaporeans like to complain, and the grass is always greener (till you cross the fence), but there are many reasons to be grateful for what we have in the Little Red Dot.

[@lilyrosesoul0077]

Best comment ever! Look how Trump handled covid19 for America. Not too mention he incited a riot against Capitol Hill. Foreigners may accuse of our politics being dead or "lack of freedom" -- but we can see the extreme version in the west. No country is perfect but many in the west over there will grateful to swap places with us where covid19 is under control and riots are rare, God willing.

[@ptwlk]

same sentiment here - I been working and living in diverse places abroad, and there's no place like home in wonderful SG.

[@zerocurry]

This is just a video to show the other side of the coin. Dont have to get defensive. I can sense your patriotism. The youtuber also has a video of why people find it hard to leave sg.

[@donaldirene]

I absolutely agree with the point about Singaporeans not talking to strangers or striking up a conversation. The cashiers do not seem to be friendly too. I have lived in Australia for many years and I simply love their friendly culture. I miss 4 seasons. I miss the dry winter.

[@jon8697]

Australian are racist!

[@thepriceofsalt9003]

@@jon8697 there are racist people everywhere.

[@nayaknaresh]

Ozzies are selectively friendly. Especially in Melbourne where they have a uppity Victorian attitude. Ozzies will NOT talk to someone who doesn't sound like them or look like them. I've lived in Melbourne for 6 years. Maybe Sydney is different.

[@donaldirene]

@@nayaknaresh I lived in Perth, and haven't had bad experiences.

[@lilyrosesoul0077]

@@jon8697 i agree with you -- i heard this complaint from people who are brown or darker skins and who do not appear to look "rich". Only people experience this type of discrimination will understand..

[@PointlessExistence.]

I enjoyed my 8.5 years work in Singapore but after having a child I went to Australia. I missed so much Lau Pa Sat and East Coast Lagoon Food Village. Lol Thank you Singapore and Singaporeans for sharing your beautiful country. May God bless you all, always!

[@NazriB]

Come Singapore if you miss people here

[@jiti5034]

Did you have a Singapore PR? when you left for AUS

[@RajRaj-zm9jr]

I am Singaporean of indian ethnicity (born & bred & served NS living in ,London and North East England for 15 years, and you are absolutley correct because I can relate to your experience , Bravo Georgia !!

[@aralovelace]

As a foreigner who have worked in both Singapore and London - I think they both the same, the work is also fast-paced and requires you to work overtime ( w/o pay) i guess it depends, if you work outside London it might be more relaxed

[@jitmingtoh9906]

I'm a Singaporean leaving in NZ. Some of the main reasons for wanting to move out are: 1) costs of living in SG is inexpensive for a basic lifestyle (eg. HDB, public transport, hawker Ctr etc), but the better things in life can be very expensive (eg. cars, landed property, private tuition for kids). I was previously on a 200K plus income in SG and yet I was struggling to save. Private housing and fancy car ownership took out a huge chuck of it (1st world problem in know, but it is what it is). Another main reason is child education and up bringing. I know SG is highly rated for academic achievement and the educational system is highly regarded. But with it comes the pressure that a child goes through.... not forgetting the pressure on parents to keep up. Private tuitions for school kids are no longer an option/extra to do well. Kids should have a balance childhood. Character building should be more important than academics. It is also not easy to retire comfortably in SG. There is little pension/govt support....you are very much on your own there. Whatever retirement savings you might have is set aside for rainy days...eg. old age medical care, living expenses etc. This is unfortunate when you should be enjoying your retirement travelling and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Just some of my thoughts.

[@mdee8784]

Are you still “leaving” in NZ?

[@jitmingtoh9906]

@@mdee8784 yes I am....Auckland to be specific.

[@jamesttk488]

If you have a son and especially in the age of attending college then you will understand why you really must leave. Even if you stay behind I do not think you are doing him or yourself any favors at all. He will always lag behind a female graduate or a new immigrants. That was why I left for Canada 20 years ago with my 2 kids. All of us are extremely happy because kids are happy to be in UBC, graduated and like everyone else got a good job that they like. I spend almost 0 out of my pocket for their education. Canada college grants and a small loan took care of that and easily paid off within 2 years after graduation. Leave and come back only for holidays. Taking my real life example you will not go wrong unless that 720sq km can match or offer you better than that. Two words “ totally happy “

[@eileenstacie]

Yes. I miss that in the states too. I like how I can have a small talk without no commitment in the stores. Here in the SG, they looked at me like I am way too friendly. Lol. Yes the work-life imbalance here is serious, and I hated it when people says: " well this is Singapore. We are like that." No. This is Singapore, but we can still aim for work-life balance. I choose to be a worker that emphasized on my self-care. :)

[@celiachen1380]

Me too, at a M&S store in 1 particular place in North West of England, the staffs at the till were very friendly, they made conversation to customers they served. Lol. One time when I came back to Singapore, in 1 food court, q-ing for drink. Almost like a reflex I made a conversation with another customer next to me when he was humming a song, and I said "you sound happy" and we had a lovely conversation after that. For a few min I forgot I was in Singapore. LOL

[@MrJonslife]

Haha imagine going to Australia and we tell the Australians, stop being lazy and learn to be more hardworking like Singaporeans.

[@softlyflavouredthorn3041]

I am Singaporean. it kinda triggers me when I receive "that's how it is. accept it or leave it" What's wrong with addressing the issue and bringing possitive changes??

[@whitecamellias3248]

@The Republic Troll.

[@mikewong87]

As a singaporean who lived in a western country, i totally agree with the "unfriendliness to strangers here" . It is not only towards foreigners; if a singaporean strikes up a convo with another singaporean, the natural reaction would be "oh no why are u talking to me ? what do u want ? -awkward look" . This default behaviour is a bit too cold for my liking too, makes it difficult to make new friends outside of school/workplace. On the flip side, people are extra close to their inner circle of family and friends

[@beulahreginaestabillodever6874]

Ko

[@frenchfryfrier]

the grass is always greener on the other side :(

[@GeorgiaCaney]

Isn’t it just! Swings and roundabouts everywhere

[@honeypotfilms6066]

very truee

[@iawarenow658]

@@GeorgiaCaney love Singapore but ''Singapore'' civil servants don't love ''Caucasians' 'once they get all they can out of them..

[@khusnulblekty3874]

@@GeorgiaCaney i will work in singapore maybe start from january 2021 i have planned to stay in singapore for awhile looking at one of your point you will feel completed or already see all within singapore after staying year and years may i know how long you think i need to stay in singapore to feel completed and see everything?

[@RiaSharma1]

i lived in singapore FOR 8 years and recently moved, i miss sg so freaking muchhh

[@glidingswan4674]

What did u miss

[@RiaSharma1]

@@glidingswan4674 a bunch of things, the amazing weather (i h8 the cold lol), the fact that covid is so good there, my friends, my old school, EVERYTHING

[@glidingswan4674]

Ya but u can always come back.. Home is home...it is getting very competitive here..Foreigners are flooding. Most of them r an asset...after graduating from.abroad. Most like to stay abroad

[@RiaSharma1]

i mean it's home in my heart rly but i can't come back bcuz i'm not pr or citizen :/

[@trishtan]

Honestly speaking as a Singaporean everything is good here EXCEPT the hot weather 🌞

[@Sgscouser]

What do u expect from a tropical island?

[@davidnhc]

I love the Singapore weather I hate cold weather....

[@leehyunsong7001]

Singaporean really can complain about anything lol

[@dianalee6065]

Ask a Norwegian or Swede what the like about their weather!!

[@nathalieandkaren]

I agree with you {"whatever Tan"} ... The weather here in Singapore is extremely humid. So when I just walk on the street on a normal day in the afternoon, I almost feel dizzy. Droplets of sweat drip down my face - so hot! That's always the case whenever I walked in the street 😵

[@BonkersAboutAlice]

I'd love to work in Singapore. We visited in Feb and fell in love with it. No matter how good your location is Dorothy got it right when she said...'there's no place like home'.

[@urtoast6]

What direction will you take your channel in once you move back? Are you not worried you’ll lose everything you worked so hard to build?

[@GeorgiaCaney]

Worried yes, but would love to just create similar content but from a UK perspective. Hopefully you guys will enjoy coming along for the journey!

[@fez877]

@@GeorgiaCaney pls make some content on how Singaporean can get employment in UK 😃

[@suziek888]

@@GeorgiaCaney Cant wait for your content😊

[@tempname882]

Live in London, moved when I was 22 from South Africa. I can 100% promise you, that no one talks to anyone in London lol. South African's are super friendly, and that was a massive shock when moving to London. No greeting when you walk past someone in the street. Definitely don't try to speak to anyone on the tube (impossible with how noisey it is), bus is a no go too. People keep to themselves in London. Mostly because we are all so different, for varied backgrounds and cultures, there is no identity.

[@henrylawson430]

Malaysia needs to lift its game in providing diverse travel options in southern peninsula Malaysia. There should be loads of options in Johor for short driving trips from Singapore. Music festivals, arty cool towns etc. Safe camping options and so on.

[@screwcovid6533]

Girl, I honestly love your videos. It shows side of Singapore that even I was born in don’t even know

[@shellyannegoh6054]

Try joining MOE and being a teacher...LOL!

[@richardsonjunior6541]

Can you help me get a job in Singapore 🇸🇬 am in singapore now.Any cleaning job?

[@gavinyuen040680]

from relatives who left singapore long ago , they are all coming back...apparently old bones dont do well in the cold!

[@cwong5643]

As a Singaporean, you are on point in your comments about the pros and cons of life here. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Vincekum]

Well done! I’m a Singaporean and have lived in NYC and London for many years before returning home to be with my ageing parents. I totally agree with your comments and the truth to be told, it is what it is, you are just stating facts about SG and not criticising for the sake of it and I appreciate your honesty. We need more foreigners like you, wiling to make an effort to explore and understand the culture and enjoy what’s on offers. Thank you!

[@JL-qj4pi]

Family definitely, especially when you get older and your parents are getting older. Feeling that right now.

[@zihank]

I moved back to Singapore from the US, and raising a kid here is SO SO SO much cheaper as long as you send your kid to the local schools. It was costing me $25,000++ USD (no kidding) a year to send my 4/5 year old to a neighborhood, non-exclusive pre-school (for about 8-9 months, not including winter/summer break). That is more than 4 year's of undergraduate tuition at the National University of Singapore...

[@KM-eb5yo]

Is it that cuz of citizenship?

[@alanang4460]

If u do leave, pls come back again.

[@crosbyong]

All perspectives are fair and understandable. However, these are my comments as a Singaporean who has lived and worked in the UK, - actually, we do have some interesting “seasonal” changes in Singapore albeit subtle, eg the different monsoons, and at particular time of the year when our flora (Ketapang Trees or 'Sea Almond Trees' & a few more that I can’t remember their names) do display autumn colours and/or falling leaves; - regarding outdoors and natural attractions, Singapore is too small to compare or compete but (even without visiting our many neighbouring countries, there are actually plenty of interesting fun stuff to do. Eg, I used to go camping with my wife & 3 children very often in Sentosa , the East or West Coast, and some of our many tiny islands - St John’s, Pulau Ubin, etc). We trek or walk along our many Park Connectors, nature reserves, heritage walking routes, wetlands, etc. As a family, we used to cycle, play contact sports, and discover our many little nooks and crannies especially hidden or lesser known historical ones, eg Fort Canning, Bukit Timah, Labrador, Kranji, etc - if one lives in central London, I think you’ll find people as “unsociable” as in Singapore. These are pretty common social behaviours of crowded urban cities. However, in more heartland Singapore, I believe neighbours/shopkeepers, etc are a little more “friendly”. But generally, especially since the advent of portable digital devices, Singaporeans (and others too), have become more preoccupied with their devises especially our smartphones in public places and sadly, at home too. - compare to the UK, that we have poorer work-life balance, this is true. Therefore, to survive here, one has to learn to establish/manage our own work-life balance. Easier said than done though. - if not for air conditioning, and when I’m not attired for exercises, I hate how sweaty and sticky I can get as soon as I step out of my home. I’m hoping global warming might bring 4 seasons to Singapore LOL - but like you mentioned, nowhere is perfect, including Singapore. Wherever I live, I try to learn to adopt, adapt and accommodate. 💕

[@Pebbleloh]

Singapore may have fun things to do including camping, but the weather is absolutely challenging no one can deny that, even if you are born there and lived all your life there .It’s challenging 😰 sorry. BTW I can’t imagine going camping in Singapore.

[@crosbyong]

@@Pebbleloh totally understandable, and agree. I just learn to tolerate it as I did with weather in England. We played rugby I almost any weather.

[@shellyannegoh6054]

All those you mentioned can be done 2-3 days; primarily the weather here is as hot as Ethiopia. Most locals I see do not do these things you mention because of the heat and you tend to feel more tired working in a place 1 degrees north of the Equator for some reason.

[@bisaboleh]

Lovely comments Mr Ong

[@jijel_be]

when you started talking about singapore’s convenient location it reminded me of history lessons 🥲😭

[@marki7275]

I don't mind the heat. I choose to embrace it. Just like the cold.

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

Weather you live in Singapore or just visit one thing is for SURE; YOU NEVER FORGET, and WILL ALWAYS THINK of it as kind and clean and highly updated

[@daisylove2047]

I'm from Uk/Richmond. I agree with you 100%. The only things I like about Spore is its safety, well connected infrastructure, affordability and choice of food. The things I hate would be the climate its forever warm (Most of the time btw 28 to 38 degrees, in Dec,Jan and Feb temp only drops till about 24 degrees. As for the humidity it literally feels that u are in a perpetual sauna. The people lack customer service, often when I purchase anything they wld just tell me the cost and wld snatch my notes away from me. Not very often do I get acknowledged or thanked for the purchase it always seems its just a business transaction. Yes it's a small island I have been to all their nature reserves n some islands about twice and pretty much that is it, it is overly crowded place with very little adventure...e.g no mountains..highlands..etc Although English is supposedly their first language not everyone is able to hold a conversation in English. Singapore is not for me.

[@nadine.1993]

After studying and living in London for a good few years, I feel extremely sad to be back in Singapore :( I’d give up everything to move back to London if I could in a heartbeat. Wishing you all the best, Georgia 💕

[@donaldirene]

I feel the same way

[@alexandertraveler510]

I guess you are a girl ? Asian girls tend to like western countries a lot more. Asia is too strict for them

[@alexandertraveler510]

Really? Maybe we can swap places, I’m in london now, miserable outside. Would go to singapore tomorrow if I can find a way to live there and work and get the hew out of here

[@ckzf1842]

Oh, you wouldn’t now - with the U.K. government’s appalling , shambolic ( mis) handling of Covid-19 !

[@azlim27]

I would usually take the initiative to start a convo with the cashier or service staff. Sometimes they will start smiling when you start a convo or whenever a random stranger starts a conversation with me I will just carry on with it. If they actually want to sell something just kindly reject them. Its easy.

[@Brett.McMillin]

God, I would much rather the blistering heat 365 days a year rather than the bloody cold 8 months a year here in Canada. Wish I was born in the tropics..

[@ronaldhee6608]

Thanks for being so kind to us. :)

[@axlcrush]

I’m a Singaporean and here to hear a foreigners perspective on rent. Singapore’s lifestyle is “one-track”, little in the area of arts, culture, adventure etc. Work and money dominates. Yes and your life just passes before you like that. We’re stuck in a work, earn or suffer sort of bondage as the cost of living is so high. I escape through family and picking up hobbies. Given the choice, I would like to move to a slower paced more balanced life. But I can appreciate the attraction to foreigners , as life here is very safe and sheltered.

[@richardsonjunior6541]

Please can you get me a job in singapore like cleaning? Am in singapore

[@grovergrover4821]

I do enjoy the seasons. Watching the leaves change colour in fall is great. However, I have become a fair weather fisherperson as I age, the fishing season in Ontario is too short! lol!

[@becidus]

I get why some people can love striking conversations with strangers but I am bad in social situations so I am one of those who would likely walk past people in silence, or stand in the elevators being very silent in the corner LOL.

[@kaatyblue]

SAME

[@havenprice]

Same same lol

[@SmileTimeEveryone]

Love your content Georgia. You have a beautiful, sweet personality, it's refreshing to listen to your thoughts.

[@eastwest3639]

As a Singaporean, I also felt that my country is too small and too warm to live in. Well, there is nothing much we can do about it

[@sufiyansamsuri]

I love striking casual conversations with strangers when I’m in UK or other countries too! Guess it’s just a cultural difference~ 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@felix121984]

Well Singapore is 72% East Asian. Many living there are not citizens as well. Chinese decent will be more business and less personable similar to other East Asians. Malays in Singapore are similar to like that of Philipines or Malaysia more welcoming.

[@xijingping7684]

Ppl are asking when you are leaving is because they want to give you their best wishes to you and Singaporeans will always welcome ppl who spread positive thinking ppl like you. Thanks for showing how wonderful Singapore is and Singaporeans will always welcome you back! Cheers!

[@eleventhnov]

The most important factor is personal safety. You'll get that here in bundles ☺️.

[@kopalinuhg]

I have a love-hate relationship with the weather too! But I really appreciate the weather here because it’s more practical 😂 The laundry dries super fast on a hot day!

[@CyberSammael]

Regarding work-life balance, I have the reverse issue. Work does try to take over my life, but I work at university and this is the same at universities internationally. No matter where you live, university work is intense, so that hasn't been such a big shock for me. I do agree with you on your other points. The issue about the cost of living and housing is the biggest issue for me. My brother lives in Australia and has just built his own place, massive, with a huge garden. For the same price here, I could maybe get a decent apartment. I have got to the point now where I have to decide if that sacrifice is worth it. Its a really big drop in quality of life, especially with the housing situation with 99 year lease max and the devaluation of houses as a result. Do I really want to commit to the rest of my life knowing that the most I can reasonably hope for is a slightly bigger apartment, while if I moved country I could get a home like you see in the movies. That's a big sacrifice. I think that only other thing that I would mention are the restrictions here, which are difficult to deal with. If you want a pet, for example, you can keep cats, dogs, rabbits and birds, but outside that, one type of frog and one type of turtle. And some HDB's restrict cats and/or dogs too. And this is a common thing in a lot of areas. I love living here, and there is a lot here. I don't so much mind about a lack of variety or exciting passtimes, as that's not really my thing, but things like every mall basically being the same, with the same stores, means that areas don't have a distinct character too.

[@CheahKennycheah]

I have live in the UK in the early 1990s, I have no recollection of any cashier speaking or connecting with me at the check out?

[@Michikohira]

Singapore is a great place in you are in your early 20's. Singapore has tons of opportunities to grow your career but this has dramatically changed with visa restrictions within the past few years. But if you were able to find a job in Singapore it truly is one of the best places to stay as an expat. It's quite easier to find friends as the island is pretty small so socializing is not a challenge. Taxes are significantly lower compared to other countries hence you will be able to save more money. However on the other side of the coin - if you were want to settle down there it is extremely difficult to get a permanent residency. If you lose your job and you are on an employment visa then you have to leave the country within 30 days. So for people in their 30's or if you are planning to have a family you have no choice but to leave the country as it is expensive to buy a house, purchase a car and on top of that school for the children and just a sense of security with the visa and health benefits. Overall it really depends on where you are in your life but undoubtedly Singapore is such a great place I lived there for 10 years and it's the only country I lived in that I feel much at home but at the same time at some point it is great to have some form of security.

[@jiti5034]

if you were want to settle down there it is extremely difficult to get a permanent residency. and that is the million dollar question specially if you are not very young or not in the CEO level earner.. which they had a Canada/ AUS NZ style PR system

[@Love-N-Faith]

As a pure Singaporean. To me, I will feel comfortable if a stranger strike conversation with me. I will think if he or she has any agenda.

[@GeorgiaCaney]

Haha fair enough!

[@isakeng007]

As another pure Singaporean, I too concur with you. Usually, you will be conscious and wondering if you are being subjected to someone attempting to sell something to you. However, it would be good to also talk. Sometimes, it is a good way to de-stress to just talk to someone you may not know to show acknowledgement to make someone's day. Personally, I think that the problem is that in the education scene in Singapore, we tend to emphasise more of academic pursuits over managing our emotional learning. With regards to Georgia's point on work-life balance, working is all about surviving for most locals including me and you might not have a choice but to work OT almost always.

[@wav3rid3r]

That's just Asian culture I feel. I've lived overseas for most of my life and trust me, a conversation with a stranger can lead to some great connections just as much as it can lead to unfavourable situations. It really is a 50/50

[@jonblaha1898]

If someone speaks to me in London, I feel like I'm about to get robbed. Always feel much safer in South East Asia. 👍

[@singlah]

You mean you feel "uncomfortable"?

[@cheryll8008]

Honestly speaking Australia is better place to raise your kids..work life balance everything..weather is a dream

[@anish7183]

On the conversation thing, the same is in the UK unfortunately. From my experience, in London, you wont get that. But in towns maybe.

[@GeorgiaCaney]

Oh London for sure no. But elsewhere yes, especially up north 😛

[@Yu7Zi]

@@GeorgiaCaney Heard the same thing from my family. London doesn’t have much of a community feel so they moved up north to Lancashire.

[@iawarenow658]

London has lost it's community better in Liverpool and Manchester still has ''Culture'' and real people..

[@colorfulcodes]

In NYC definitely

[@alexchew1945]

work life balance. My trainee messages me on a Sunday about work.

[@dianalee6065]

Guess that’s why you addressed him as a trainee!!

[@gohjiahui7504]

I think people keep asking when u r leaving becuz they can't bear for u to go, n would like to have some mental preparation for it. :'D I'll miss watching ur videos of Singapore, so I'll enjoy them while u r still here, but I also look forward to watching ur content once u r back in the UK. It's a little sad to see u both leaving Singapore though. :')

[@XY6080]

You almost cried, you really like Singapore.

[@tomasyan4333]

Not really My neighbour is the couple from France and UK. They are not so sociable and seldom join the Condo events gathering. They joined only their own group gathering. I think if you open your heart, Singaporean is friendly and helpful.

[@mg-se5ws]

I've been living in UK for 5 years and they are closed to foraigners they are polite but they don't have interest in knowing foraigners really .

[@matthewong1953]

True. Singapore is too small for an outdoor adventure! And it is a very expensive place to live in! Work life balance in singapore - what's that!?!?

[@kindajal]

the money part. spot on. plus to add. inflation is increasing more than our average salary.. like 20 years ago one parent could work and feed the family, afford a house and a modest car. Now both parents need to work to afford that lifestyle.

[@joshuatan9002]

The weather.

[@babapetetsk5537]

Thanks. We are going to miss you....

[@niqniq5923]

Im a Singaporean and for me, I feel that the only problem in Singapore is the weather, it is always so hot. I always wanted Singapore to have four seasons.

[@abcd-fy1di]

I only strike conversation with others when I am in the mood. And yes SG is hot but after experienced summer in Tokyo. It isn't that hot anymore.

[@konrai1972]

I get the family thing. I've been living in Malaysia for the past 28 years it is super hard not seeing any of my siblings kids I have 2 that I have never met.

[@chocolatecheeks5781]

Thats why i need to travel out of singapore once a year. 😭😭😭😭😭 Yes i agree about the stress level working in singapore. So much for their work life balance. “Dont bring your work home but the deadline is tomorrow.”

[@dominic2446]

9:08 - 10:29 i feel strongly about the lack of work-life balance in Singapore. someday, i might migrate to the UK, since UK has a better work-life balance.

[@jameslong3471]

We do have sunny and raining seasons, and occasionally haze season

[@lydiat5819]

I always enjoy talking with strangers but it does not happen often because I don't initiate conversation. It gives you a warm feeling and can even lift up your mood for the rest of the day when you feel down. It is nice to live in a friendly environment.

[@ClementLee2000]

If Singapore is 10degC lower, it would be AMAZING! Then we can pinic in the sun, cycle everywhere and not perspire much. There was a short period, about 2-3mths, like Jan-Mar a few years back where our temperature was about 23degC. Those few months was heavenly.

[@Jx0592]

I rmb them..those were the only tines I saw most ppl wearing jeans and some even wore sweaters🤣

[@stevegandalf4739]

It might have been that much cooler there 10-15 thousand years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, but I'm not sure that there was much cooling in the Tropics compared to northern lattitudes.

[@nicholastan8363]

It's always great to hear Singapore from a different perspective and the love you have shown for Singapore,

[@colorfulcodes]

So true! My friend from Singapore said the same thing when she visited me in NYC.

[@humanshieldz]

The grass is always greener on the other side haha. Yes the customer service! Most of the time i am the one to say thank you for patronizing the business and they are just patronizing me lol

[@shellyannegoh6054]

You should go where you are treated best as customer service is a recurring part of living.

[@humanshieldz]

@@shellyannegoh6054 I will but it's Singapore haha. As long as i'm not getting "bad" service, i'm fine with mediocre services since i grew up with that. To be fair, it's usually just the cashier since they are busy but these days i do self check out all the time.

[@kmarkgraha]

Neighboring countries are becoming more interesting than here and the cost is climbing moderately.

[@quenjuan3755]

Im Leaving as well, my last 3 weeks here. Stayed for 9 yrs. time flies indeed. All the best to you

[@sayeed_astonvilla]

Work-life balance in Singapore? You joking? Being a professional in the legal industry, I got nothing to say but pity myself! LOL

[@shellyannegoh6054]

How many times have I heard my colleagues say...`no life`?

[@cookiechocolatechips8363]

Once I was in convenient store in Singapore I just move on that day so I bought a lot of stuffs and a SIM card. My hands were full of bags so I asked a favor to the employee just to unwrap the plastic of SIM card package. He said, “No that’s not my service” I felt unwelcome and amazed lol My first day in Singapore was fucked up

[@ivanteo1973]

As locally born and bred, i must say Singapore is a good place to live, but for a short while. There are so much more the world has to offer, no necessarily better, but very different, very exotic, very interesting, very exciting.

[@jamesttk488]

I totally agreed with you. Live in this 720 sq km land for 45 years and then moved to Canada for 20 years now. In Canada almost 10 million sq km you can find everything you want. Just in Vancouver you can go golfing, skiing, surfing all in 1 day. I find that in Canada if you are lucky you can make money and also find life.

[@ivanteo1973]

@@jamesttk488 yes, every year i have to spend a lot of money travelling out of Singapore to ski.

[@CheahKennycheah]

and i have patronised many restaurants in UK and never got any doting customer service. the service was slow and bill came very fast.

[@alanwilliams950]

I'm an expat living in London and NO WAY, do people randomly start conversations with you. living in London for 9 years

[@alanwilliams950]

Community only occurs in small towns. You can't compare the UK to Singapore - you have to compare Singapore to London.

[@jandl9417]

Sweet spirit, mature speech, honest and good reasoning 👍

[@firstdown80]

I was speaking to an expat, she just feels like the nights are so short.

[@margaretmclagan1908]

Try living in Brunei come 18:00hrs(6pm) for our American friends' it's dark, dark doesn't come to Singers until after 19:00hrs an extra hour and a half, depending on season of sunshine.

[@hplagt6880]

Im from Malaysia, i visited Singapore a few time but i find that everything there moves too fast and people seems distant. I can't even strike a conversation with anyone which i thought strange becoz i always thought being neighbours we would have the "same" culture. Have you visited KL?

[@rachh751]

same thought here. I worked in Singapore for a year but decided to go back to Malaysia. The culture is just too different

[@sliderdimension]

I am a Singaporean and I agree that work life balance is hard to achieve here.

[@TheSIGHTREADINGProject]

Hi Georgia! We had to leave after 10 years and it wasn’t our choice. We were happy staying, however here are the top things that were always a worry as an expat in SG which I’m glad not to have anymore - wondering if you’d be forced to move at the end of your home rental contract - wondering if your EP will be renewed - having 30 days tourist visa to find work if EP is not renewed or you are made redundant - making sure you could get ‘break out clauses’ in contracts / leases so you don’t owe in the entire contract if you are made redundant - medical / dental bills that might fall through the cracks and not be covered. - wondering how much it will cost to ship our things home (10 - 20K) when the company re-wrote the contract not to include it (and global shipping costs started to go through the roof due to COVID) - then as COVID occurred (and this is a global expat thing not just Singapore) wondering when we’d be able to see family again. - We had a fantastic 10 years in Singapore and lived with those uncertainties and risks because we loved Singapore but our foundations and securities feel so much stronger now we are home and I hadn’t realised how we’d been carrying the weight of the unknown on our backs for years

[@dianalee6065]

This is a universal 'stress factor' for any expats in any country. It is especially stressful when the expat is not sent from their home office. The 'overseas renumeration package' used to cover practically everything for the family. Now, those expats who are on different 'packages' are feeling the pinch of the cost of living especially those who can only survive on 'home food & home brand'. Once upon a time when a shopkeeper saw an 'angmo' customer, he/she saw $$$ . That unfortunately is History!

[@ariellandJP]

Yes, this the exact comment I was looking for. We lived in Singapore for about a year and after we had a child we moved away pretty much immediately. Singapore isn't very expat friendly compared to a lot of other places. Different countries treat expats differently. HK for example doesn't kick you out within 30 days, you may stay until your visa expires. Having children/dependents is just not viable and too risky if living in Singapore. That has been a major reason why a lot of our expat friend repatriated back to the UK or US from Singapore. Also in the recent years there's less and less EPs being given/renewed. When an expat employee leaves, the role is replace more often by a local Singaporean, even if there are more talented or suitable expat candidates. Lastly, Singapore PR isn't even real PR. You need to renew it, and it can be taken away from you any time. Our family has been expats in HK/China/Japan, and definitely find Singapore looking like it's expat friendly, but in reality the least.

[@dianalee6065]

@@ariellandJP I'm sure you're fully of how this world us affected by ' Make XXX Great Again !' Like a Japanese saying meaning something like ' looking or scrutinise your navel (belly button)' The open-arm welcome in many countries are now 'let's look after our citizens. Singapore picks up these sentiments pretty fast - just look at the most recent election results. Whichever country you're from, take a close look at your government's policy. If you're surprise, that's the movement in this present world. C'est la vie!!

[@ymhktravel]

As a Singaporean (ethnic chinese), I largely agree with what you have said about Singapore, particularly about the lack of seasons, being a tiny country (Otherwise I'd be renting a campervan now going about to different states and yet not come into contact with others during this covid-19, so I'm stuck), the cost of living even without kids (I feel like I 'd never have enough to retire reasonably well) and work-life balance. The first 2 are beyond our control given our geography and history, but the last 2 I feel is something the government can do more to rein in the cost of living, although things like cars and houses (being tiny or expensive) again has something to do with the limited land Singapore has. My work hours are ok that's because I tend to avoid working for local or east asian companies (China, Japan, Korean) because I'm of the opinion most of them have a warped thinking that people who stay overtime are hardworking and committed rather than unproductive and inefficient (OT should be the exceptions rather than the norm in any company).

[@jiti5034]

thinking that people who stay overtime are hardworking and committed ... 😀 agree have 30 mins lunch instead of 1 hr and go home early and spend time with family or doing some hobby !

[@Username-ze1ux]

Agree with the lack of people skills at the shops...one lady at the market was downright rude..I almost slapped her.Love the blizzard like air con at the shops to escape the humidity...everything else is great...food,public transport...if your not an outdoors type of person there’s not much on offer

[@mathieuashanghai]

I’m a French who’ve been in China for 12 years, I totally understand your point on family. Trust me, when you have a child, it gets only worse as you wish they would have the opportunity to spend quality time with their grandparents as you had when you were younger.

[@samanthahalpin8640]

I guess I shouldn’t consider moving there now that I have a 2 yr old then 😞 my daughter does love her grandmother to pieces and I love their relationship, but I regret never moving abroad when I was younger!! I only want to do it for a year or two, would you say not to??

[@Ccb88888]

Re. missing the banter in the U.K.- I live in Denmark now , and yes, that is one thing that I miss about the U.K.. Re. work-life balance in Singapore- I grew up there in the 80s, and back then, most people had a decent work-life balance. I don’t ever remember my parents or any of their friends- foreign or local- who had issues.

[@cybergod77]

It's a fair assessment and yes, our customer service could be way better. S'pore is a great place to grow your career and accumulate a tidy nest egg. To stretch our $$, we venture overseas + enjoy the cooler weather & nature that other countries offer. After having travelled to many countries, I value our high level of security, having portable water from the tap, the wide range of food offerings (prices as well) and good accessibility to amenities and good healthcare. Glad that you're enjoying your time in S'pore.

[@Love.RoslynnAria]

Emm.. Time passes by fast in Singapore because most of us are so sooo busy working ! 😅

[@GS-xt8fu]

Well.....it depends on where you live in the States, I agree. I lived in five countries over six years in Europe I was in my twenties. I love Holland. Where I live in the states is about an hour from a decent sized city. It has five malls, two excellent theater’s for broadway musicals, etc. There are dozens of excellent restaurants. I can drive to this city in a hour. Just ten minutes out of this city, you leave the suburbs. It than turns in to large and medium farms. There are cornfields that are two miles long and plenty of them. The town I live outside of has fifteen hundred residents. We have not had a murder in this town since 1989. The crime is...really low. You can quite comfortably walk at the small university or along the streets of the town. It’s only about six blocks long. There are two grocery stores, one drug store, two gas stations and two restaurants. Did I mention two pizza places? LOL. There are two police officers. The only trouble you will find here is if you are speeding. The police monitor this closely as folks want the streets comfortable for families. The people wave at you and when you walk by, a hello is more frequent than not. I love it here. If I want a great movie and some shopping? It’s an hour away. I can than go back home to my private thirty acres. I can see the deer and wild turkeys in my field while drinking coffee in the front room in the morning. I can hear coyotes yipping if I go outside and listen at night. My neighbor that lives close by is still more than six hundred yards away. I have been blessed to have been able to travel and come home in my late 20s and start a company and sell it by the time I was 50. I suppose I was lucky. However… That luck also was combined with many years of hard work and focus. I think everyone can find their piece of heaven if they look for it and have a plan. I think many people who are not from the United States-base most of their opinions on the news and television shows. We could not be any further from that than where I am. LOL. I have never witnessed a riot or anything like it. I do however love other countries and experiencing them. From everything that I’ve heard… I am sure that I will visit Singapore. It sounds absolutely wonderful. I would however not be able to live there because after many years of working in the cities, I have come to love the solace and peacefulness of living in the country. Many people from Europe visit America but only go to places like, LA and NY. That’s wonderful and it’s a great experience but it’s a totally different world from where I live. There are places in the United States that are vast and absolutely beautiful. My son and I recently went to Phoenix and spent several days driving to Yellowstone. We stayed in many different towns that were quiet and clean. It’s amazing to drive 80 miles an hour every day in between stays and in four days only cover three states. When I say cover them? I’m talking about just being on the interstate. There were places we drove for two hours and there was nothing but mountains and streams and woods. If you come to America go on KZbin and look for driving adventures across the west. Absolutely incredible.

[@aaronfoo9464]

I agree with you even i am singaporean, some singaporean pay are very low and singpore local market is so small. I remember wroking 14 days straight for 12 hours just to earn 3k .

[@littlemelodyland3546]

Yes I can't agree more on the work-life balance part 😨, it was so bad I have to quit my job for a break. I also feel the same about the part on money and 4 seasons, even though I'm local. 😅 I so wish we can have a mild 4 seasons, that will be splendid, hahaa but this is just wishful dreaming, anyhow I'm thankful n proud to be a Singaporean. 🥰

[@GeorgiaCaney]

I’m sorry that sounds so hard :(

[@littlemelodyland3546]

@@GeorgiaCaney Yes, long working hrs is an upsetting fact that I believe happens to many Asian countries... 😣 Another wishful thinking I have is the whole world evolved to only work 4 days a week so no company from any country will feel they loose out if their company has a 4 day work-week policy for better work life balance. 😅

[@jitmingtoh9906]

hey...btw we met your brother in Queenstown NZ. Such a nice fella. He spoke about you in Singapore a lot :)

[@shadertheboi]

No matter what choices both of you make, as long as you are happy with it. It's all that matters... I believe we, the viewers, will always wish you the best in whatever you have decided; just like how good friends would treat each other. One thing's for sure, I will miss your SG videos in the future.

[@A__TanJin]

well most singaporeans are friendly, most of singaporeans have small talks with their neighbours and food hawkers

[@efwfew]

Grew up in Singapore as a foreigner, I love it for many reasons ( I think mostly since it was middle/high school I didn't have 'adults' problem) but I do come back every year for a few month, still love it. I do think it's hard to make friends, people don't really talk to other it's a bit sad. I think a lot of Singaporean should travel abroad to see what it's like ( and not just Japan or Hong Kong ) I think it would help a loooot of people I met in the past that only travel to 5 stars hotel. Also a few things about freedom of speech and the all.. but well as a foreigner it's not me to say. I still think it's an amazing country, I would go back in a heartbeat and would love to raise my future kids there!

[@OudPlayerHBY]

You can't imagine how much I feel you when you talk about customar service...It is something that really and deeply bother me, not being able to have small talk with a random person...sometimes I try to make a joke with a someone in a shop and get just a poker face...really horrible feeling..

[@emailant]

Thanks Georgia! Even your why leave Singapore video is heartwarming. How do you do that!? Haha.. Oh we ask when you leaving not because we want you to but to prepare our hearts for that sad day. You’re gonna be so so.. missed. My KZbin consumption is highly pillared on a regular vitamin dose of Georgia’s Singapore experience. ♥️

[@Hoffi310]

I can definitely compromise on 30 degrees all year long instead of getting depressed, just speaking as a german.

[@bobgraf7510]

Private school fees in Singapore are very expensive so if you choose that route, yes it is expensive to educate children here. And yes, it will be a first class education (I speak from experience). With expatriate benefit packages drying up (employers used to almost always include school fees in their packages), then it becomes prohibitive if you have to fund these expenses out of your own pocket. But the local school system is also quite good (it's an Asian style education, not a western one, but teaching is all in English) and many expatriates from western countries now send their kids to local schools. This reduces the expense to almost nothing.

[@andrewmclaren4253]

Am Singaporean my whole life and totally agree with ya and wanna migrate one day.

[@khusnulblekty3874]

was just wondering how long do you think expats need to stay in singapore in order to fully understand singapore or feel its completed just like what she said

[@captroy7721]

Many foreigners left Sg for all kinds of reasons but then came back because at then end of the day, its the more important things like safety, security, peace of mind etc..that really mattered. As you get older, adventure wears off as life becomes more about responsibility and about what you can do to improve the society no matter where you live.