As a blogger based in Singapore, I frequently get emails from readers asking me about life here. More often than not, these emails come from 'potential expats', people who are planning to move here for work. As much as I would like to individually reply to each and every email, its virtually impossible thus, I felt the best way to give out the information was to do a post here! As someone who has lived here for over 4 years, I absolutely love Singapore. Its safe, convenient and vibrant! This blog post will hopefully shed some light and give you a glimpse into what life has to offer here. In fact, the best thing about expat blogs like these are that you get an honest view about life in Singapore.
A Vibrant Food Scene
Singapore has an incredibly happening food scene. From hawker centers to fine dining restaurants (such as the Olive Tree at the Intercontinental), the options here are endless! Some of the best restaurants in the world are located here providing a wide variety of world class cuisines. There is something for everyone here. National dishes like chicken rice, pepper and chili crab are widely enjoyed here along with regional cuisines found in Little India and Chinatown. That's not all, Arab street is the middle eastern corner filled with the wafting fragrance of exotic spices and succulent kebabs. My personal favorites here are Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese restaurant specializing in juicy dumplings and Ay Roy Thai!
Café Culture
On the weekends, most of Singapore heads out to the local cafes to enjoy a scrumptious brunch amid a casual and relaxed ambiance. Pancakes, egg benedicts and freshly baked croissants are devoured and relished. The areas around Tiong Bahru and Dempsey are home to some amazing eateries. The cafes here include the hipster variety to whimsical to al fresco . Most of the cafes invest heavily in interiors making them stand out while attracting the crowd. I love cafes that are located in a green expanse exuding a tropical feel. We usually head to a café for a late brunch or for a hot cup of gourmet coffee! PS café , Café Melba, wild honey, Riders café , Strictly Pancakes and La Marelle Cafe are my personal favorites.
Heritage Pockets
While Singapore is incredibly modern and fast paced, there are little heritage pockets that have been preserved in their original state. Places like Armenian street, Katong and Joo Chiat are home to colorful shop houses that are reminiscent of a glorious past. While most people know Singapore for its skyscrapers, not many are aware of the rich history. Peranakan influences can be seen in the local food and architecture around the island. To immerse in the rich cultural heritage, head over to Peranakan Museum and relive a bygone era.
Summer all year long
If you hate winters and love all things summery, then Singapore is the place for you. Here, we dress in shorts and cotton dresses all year long. No need for woolens and absolutely no need for bulky boots. Think flip flops , think pretty summer dresses , think breathable fabrics, think Singapore! The culture here is very casual. You can walk into a mall in flip-flops and no one will judge you! Unlike places like Dubai where people actually dress up to go shopping, this place is relaxed and has a non-judgmental vibe. I absolutely love that!
Excellent Public Transportation system
The public transport here is excellent! The trains and buses run on time and the connectivity is phenomenal. Cabs are aplenty here and charge reasonable fares compared to most of the other developed countries around the world. The cab drivers are honest and helpful. I have personally experienced kindness by a Singapore cab driver when I fell down and twisted my ankle. There are apps available which allows you to book cabs conveniently as well as check what time the next bus is arriving. Another thing that I find really nice is that the bus drivers will ALWAYS stop for you when they see you running. Its happened to me so many times (waking up late and running to catch my bus to office) and the kind bus drivers have always waited for me to board.
Greenery all around
With 300 parks and 4 nature reserves, Singapore has numerous green spaces that takes you a step closer to nature. Reserves like Labrador Nature reserve and Sungei buloh wetland reserve are filled with tropical foliage and hiking trails. Mac Ritchie trail and botanic gardens are frequented by expats and locals alike. As I live in the east part of Singapore, I love going to the east coast park for walks. The lagoon here offers a tranquil experience and an opportunity to witness some gorgeous sunsets. During the weekends, people throng here to do cycling, fishing, camping and even wind surfing! The restaurants along the parkway offer various cuisines and seafood is a local favorite here!
Safety
I cant think of many countries where a woman can walk alone at 3 am in the morning and still feel very safe. That's Singapore for you! Incredibly safe with zero tolerance for crime,Singapore is considered to be the safest country in the world. Eve teasing or women molestation is unheard off and in the rare case that something like this happens, the police take strict action. This ensures that crime is kept to a bare minimum with hefty fines and punishment for offenders. I have personally gone out alone late at night with friends and have felt as safe as I would during the day.
Extremely Clean
Yes, Singapore is also one of the cleanest cities in the world with a world class disposal system. Infact, everyone drinks tap water here because it is clean and safe to drink. There are fines for littering which ensures litterbugs are kept at bay. The public washrooms in the mall and in offices are usually spotless . Overall, Singapore deserves the title of one of the cleanest cities on the planet!
A Travel Hub
My favorite thing about Singapore is its proximity to some amazing travel destinations. Infact there is everything for everyone. For beach goers, destinations like Phuket, Krabi, Langkawi are just a short plane ride away. Some other exotic beach destinations like Joyo beach, Batu Batu and Tioman Island can be reached by road + a short ferry ride. Singapore is also a travel hub to discover Asia. Philippines, Indonesia and Australia can be easily reached. Singapore has lots of options for some amazing weekend getaways. Infact, Changi airport is counted among the best airports in the world and commuting from here is a breeze!
Multi-Cultural
Singapore prides itself in being multi-cultural. There are 4 national languages here which include English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. This is in accordance with the different communities that peacefully co-exist. There are also different cultural pockets across the island . Little India is full of vibrant colors and spices and is home to the Indian community. With restaurants depicting local cuisines of India to Mustafa , the largest supermarket, you can find anything and everything under the sun here . Chinatown is home to bustling markets, Chinese medicine stores and Chinese restaurants. These cultural places around the island add a vibrant feel to the island and offer an incredible experience.
In Short Singapore offers the best of both worlds. Its incredibly modern and cultural at the same time. Its clean, safe , multi-cultural and vibrant! Its close to world class destinations and has a great transportation system. Overall, a great place to live!