10 Things I wish I knew before moving to Singapore // Expat living

Summary

In this video, the creator shares 10 things they wish they had known before moving to Singapore. They discuss living on a budget, the affordability and quality of food at hawker centers, the importance of hygiene ratings, the frequent rain, and the cultural practice of addressing elders as 'uncle' or 'auntie'. They also touch on the size of Singapore, the need for warm clothing due to strong air-conditioning, the unique Singlish dialect, and the availability of Western goods. This insightful summary aims to prepare viewers for their potential move to Singapore and offers a glimpse into the local lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ Living in Singapore is possible on a budget, contrary to initial impressions of high living costs.
• 🍽️ Hawker centers offer authentic and affordable food from around Asia, and are not as dirty as first perceived.
• 🏷️ Hawker centers have a high cleanliness rating system, with 'A' being the best and 'E' being the worst.
• ☔️ Singapore experiences frequent rain, making it important to avoid wearing flip-flops during wet weather due to slippery conditions.
• 🛌 Locals, particularly labor workers, are often seen resting in public spaces, which can be surprising to newcomers.
• 🗺️ Singapore is a small country, smaller than half the size of Brisbane, Australia, which can limit space for activities like marathon training.
• 👗 Dressing in loud, bright outfits can make one feel out of place in Singapore, unlike in Japan where fashion is more varied.
• 🧥 The intense air-conditioning in Singapore means it's often colder indoors, so carrying a light jacket or cardigan is advisable.
• 🗣️ While English is spoken in Singapore, the local dialect, Singlish, can be difficult for foreigners to understand at first.
• 👴 It's customary to address older men as 'uncle' and older women as 'auntie' in Singapore.
• 💸 Prices in Singapore can vary greatly, with tourist areas and Western-style items being notably more expensive.
• 🛍️ Most everyday needs can be met in Singapore, making it unnecessary to bring or order many items from abroad.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the things the speaker wishes they had known before moving to Singapore.

How does the speaker describe their experience with budget living in Singapore?

The speaker mentions that living in Singapore can be done on a budget and that they discovered places where they could save money over time.

What is the speaker's opinion on Hawker centers in Singapore?

The speaker initially avoided Hawker centers due to a preconceived notion of them being dirty, but later realized they offer delicious and authentic food at affordable prices.

Why does the speaker recommend paying attention to the hygiene ratings in Hawker centers?

The speaker recommends it because each shop in Hawker centers has a hygiene rating displayed on a laminated A4 paper, which helps in making informed decisions about the food quality.

How does the speaker describe the frequency of rain in Singapore?

The speaker states that it rains almost all the time in Singapore, with over 200 days of rainfall per year.

What advice does the speaker give regarding footwear during rain in Singapore?

The speaker advises against wearing flip-flops or thongs during rain due to the slippery surfaces and suggests more appropriate footwear for safety.

What surprised the speaker about the local labor workers in Singapore?

The speaker was surprised to see labor workers resting on the side of pathways or in the middle of nowhere, using just a piece of cardboard.

How does the speaker describe the size of Singapore in comparison to another city?

The speaker describes Singapore as being very small, with the whole country being half the size of Brisbane, Australia.

What misconception did the speaker have about Singapore's fashion norms?

The speaker initially felt they could wear anything in Japan without standing out, but in Singapore, they felt overdressed or out of place wearing loud, bright outfits.

What is the speaker's experience with air-conditioning in Singapore?

The speaker found the air-conditioning in Singapore to be very cold, especially in buses and offices, and recommends carrying a light jacket or cardigan.

How does the speaker describe the English spoken by Singaporeans?

The speaker describes the English spoken by Singaporeans as having a strong Singlish accent, which was initially hard for them to understand.

What cultural practice does the speaker mention regarding addressing older people in Singapore?

The speaker mentions that it is normal to address older men as 'uncle' and older women as 'auntie' in Singapore.

What did the speaker learn about the cost of living in touristy areas of Singapore?

The speaker learned that touristy areas in Singapore can be very expensive, with prices for items like a cup of tea being significantly higher than expected.

What was the speaker's initial concern about finding certain items in Singapore?

The speaker was initially concerned about not being able to find certain Western foods and cooking/baking ingredients in Singapore, similar to their experience in Japan.

What was the speaker's realization about the availability of items in Singapore?

The speaker realized that they could find almost everything they needed in Singapore, contrary to their initial concerns.