Business and work in Singapore: 10 good things
In no particular order:
- The immigration system actively welcomes qualified individuals.
- The taxation levels are extremely low (compared to Australia).
- The city is very safe and comfortable to live in.
- People are generally highly qualified, polite and accommodating.
- There is sufficient exposure to Western culture to avoid significant culture shock.
- There is an effective command of English within professional circles.
- Food is plentiful, diverse, good and inexpensive.
- Taxis are significantly inexpensive (compared to Australia).
- Public transport is out of this world (compared to ShittyRail in Sydney).
- It is a comfortable and convenient access point to other exciting parts of the world – like China.
7 comments on “Business and work in Singapore: 10 good things”
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All your points are quite correct.
Meanwhile, what does it say that Singaporeans are leaving in droves to migrate to Australia.
I should add point 11.
11. The Singapore govt treats foreigners better than its own citizens.
Interesting point Jeff. I have heard this from several other Singaporeans. Can you elaborate please?
i’d like to elaborate on jeff’s comments if i may…
i would say that singapore has developed a not entirely unique economic/social system that is stratified by the allocation of disparate public educational resources from as early as primary school. consequently, this entrenched disparity evolves into obstacles to economic oppurtunity later in life, especially in a country like singapore where paper qualifications and an individual’s track record supplant their life experiences and other non-tangible qualities. naturally, this will have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and prospects. while this occurs everywhere to some degree, i do feel that the system here is much more rigid and offers much less social prestige to non-white collar occupations… also read on the 5 Cs mentality, though i’m not too sure it entirely applies anymore…
conversely though, i do think some singaporeans are also slightly under-appreciative of some of those niceties that you mentioned, especially our public transportation and public housing systems. then again, the grass will perpetually be greener on the other side. thing is, this is the “other side” for you (i gather you’re from sydney, which is my fave aussie city btw), and somewhere else is the “other side” for locals… sorry if i’ve blubbered too much…
THAT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE ABT TAX!!
in spore, within average income range i.e. >30 000 < 80 000, tax is still less than 10% compared to in aus, the min is 15% and it can go up to 45%
oh, transport in melb is pretty shitty as well.
Thanks Lenny Boy – you have raised some interesting points. The focus on paper qualifications is particularly interesting. Useful when hiring specifically trained people to fill clearly defined roles. Less useful when trying to identify non-linear thinkers and problem solvers.
The grass is greener factor is a permanent human condition fixture I guess.
MB – I have always had access to a car the few times I have been in Melbourne. It is not good to hear that public transport is not good there either.
No political will – that’s what I reckon it primarily boils down to. In turn, it reflects perhaps our continual love affair with the car.
I am a high school teacher from Oz & saw an ad for teaching in Singapore (via an Aussie agency). Does anyone know what it is like to teach/work there? On the other hand, my husband is a warehouse worker. Has qualifications from Europe, but not recognised in Oz (hence the warehouse work). How would he go with finding a job there not having any recognised qualifications? How good would my package have to be in order for us to make it worth while living there, and to be able to save something for when we come back to Oz? ANY info would be much appreciated!