What does Singapore have that other SE Asian countries don't?
Jul 5, 2014, 5:06 pm
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 710
What does Singapore have that other SE Asian countries don't?
A lot of people miss of SG from their plans because of its small size and the belief that anything in SG can be done better in other countries.
However, Singapore is my favourite country in Asia, and personally I feel the food, the shopping, and the civilised way of life contribute a lot to make foreigners feel at home (as tourists).
What would you say is the main thing about Singapore that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the region - if anything?
However, Singapore is my favourite country in Asia, and personally I feel the food, the shopping, and the civilised way of life contribute a lot to make foreigners feel at home (as tourists).
What would you say is the main thing about Singapore that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the region - if anything?
Jul 7, 2014, 6:10 am
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
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The combination of everything.
English speaking, well educated people, safety, 24hrs lifestyle, good public transport (train is coming, train is coming, train is coooming
) AND taxis, low criminality (low crime doesn't mean no crime 
), great choices of food (not THAT overpriced even if compared to around Singapore), good hotels (even if expensive)...
Generally, it's the deal if you want something you can trust.
English speaking, well educated people, safety, 24hrs lifestyle, good public transport (train is coming, train is coming, train is coooming
) AND taxis, low criminality (low crime doesn't mean no crime ), great choices of food (not THAT overpriced even if compared to around Singapore), good hotels (even if expensive)...Generally, it's the deal if you want something you can trust.
Jul 7, 2014, 6:14 am
#5
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The combination of everything.
English speaking, well educated people, safety, 24hrs lifestyle, good public transport (train is coming, train is coming, train is coooming ) AND taxis, low criminality (low crime doesn't mean no crime ), great choices of food (not THAT overpriced even if compared to around Singapore), good hotels (even if expensive)...
Generally, it's the deal if you want something you can trust.
English speaking, well educated people, safety, 24hrs lifestyle, good public transport (train is coming, train is coming, train is coooming
) AND taxis, low criminality (low crime doesn't mean no crime ), great choices of food (not THAT overpriced even if compared to around Singapore), good hotels (even if expensive)...Generally, it's the deal if you want something you can trust.
Jul 7, 2014, 7:18 am
#6
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Class.
It isn't just one thing - it is the whole package.
It will never suit all but those things that others seem to hate are the things I love. THe over-control in the current increasingly unsafe world is what I like. I like street food from clean places. The hotels seem excpetional. Transportation is cheap and exceptional. The people are wonderful. We're now spending up to 10 weeks or so per year in Singapore over up to three trips. I now have an (almost) second home there. The same suite every visit and set up exactly how we like it every visit. All I need to do now is get rid of the haze risk ......
We must keep this thread UP!
Singapore NOT just a stopover
It isn't just one thing - it is the whole package.
It will never suit all but those things that others seem to hate are the things I love. THe over-control in the current increasingly unsafe world is what I like. I like street food from clean places. The hotels seem excpetional. Transportation is cheap and exceptional. The people are wonderful. We're now spending up to 10 weeks or so per year in Singapore over up to three trips. I now have an (almost) second home there. The same suite every visit and set up exactly how we like it every visit. All I need to do now is get rid of the haze risk ......
We must keep this thread UP!
Singapore NOT just a stopover
Jul 7, 2014, 7:21 am
#7
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I also like the way the different groups seem to get along in general and are accepting/welcoming to others.
Jul 7, 2014, 9:30 am
#8
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Two things:
First one, which nobody mentioned specifically, but I think is a HUGE deal in this particular region: Singapore is the only country in 2000 miles radius where you can drink tap water anywhere without risking 'getting' something in return.
Second one, this you release once you move here from States/EU: you are paying 1/3 of taxes for the same income you had in your home. (yes, I know that US citizens are taxed from the worldwide income and I can quote you Publication 59.
And yes, I know that rent for 1br - where you can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting walls - is higher than mortgage for for 6br 3 floor McMansion back home. But still)
First one, which nobody mentioned specifically, but I think is a HUGE deal in this particular region: Singapore is the only country in 2000 miles radius where you can drink tap water anywhere without risking 'getting' something in return.
Second one, this you release once you move here from States/EU: you are paying 1/3 of taxes for the same income you had in your home. (yes, I know that US citizens are taxed from the worldwide income and I can quote you Publication 59.
And yes, I know that rent for 1br - where you can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting walls - is higher than mortgage for for 6br 3 floor McMansion back home. But still)
Last edited by invisible; Jul 7, 2014 at 9:36 am
Jul 7, 2014, 3:04 pm
#9
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Absolutely - affordable, comfortable and efficient public transport is one of the tangible differentiators from the rest of SE Asia.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
Jul 8, 2014, 4:40 am
#10
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Absolutely - affordable, comfortable and efficient public transport is one of the tangible differentiators from the rest of SE Asia.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
Jul 8, 2014, 8:26 am
#11
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Absolutely - affordable, comfortable and efficient public transport is one of the tangible differentiators from the rest of SE Asia.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
But theres a price: as a destination it's largely lacking anything to attract travellers, other than those on a first trip ... or others who don't much like travelling.
As a place to work, or to stop-off on the way to somewhere interesting, it works just fine. I'm always more than happy to spend a couple of days there - but as a tourism destination in its own right, surely it's got to be something of a niche market.
Everybody are at different stages in their travel and explorings. I've spent a lifetime on planes and going to strange places and have travelled much more than most and in the end when you are happy not to explore - and simply want a change of scenery and relax in somewhere easy and familiar - you might then choose after those travels from what you have learned and what you distil you want. Singapore to us is an extension of home. We just decamp from one home to another home and spend time there for a change of scenery. The hotel is familar and home. And so is Singapore. The same suite, the same staff.
That is good enough for us.
Jul 9, 2014, 10:01 am
#12
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You sound like you are prescribing solutions for others that work precisely for you or what you feel should work for everyone. I'm sure you do not mean to. Not everything that works for you works for everyone. It isn't a matter of being better or worst for everyone it is what fits best for every individual.
I spent several days there last year and will return for several more in October. I like the place. I think there are some interesting tourist things to see and do. And IMHO the people are gorgeous...some of the best looking men I have seen anywhere. I liked the diversity of the people.
But I have to say that when I am going halfway around the world I like to explore a bit outside the comfort zone. I prefer Thailand because it is familiar enough but at the same time totally different and there's so much diversity of scenery from one end of the country to the other. Some of the more "rustic" destinations around the region are just a lot more interesting to me.
However, if you want some place comfortable (or as comfortable as you can get in that climate anyway) then for sure Singapore is a good place to be.
Jul 10, 2014, 8:02 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 620
The tap water in Malaysia is fine to drink.
Jul 10, 2014, 8:16 am
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
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If you boil it before, only.
Singapore, on the contrary, the water is generally safe to drink straight from tap.
And even for Singapore, some websites do have it on "not THAT safe to drink, comparative with cities like Marrakech or Rome)"
http://safewater.heroku.com/search/singapore/singapore
Singapore, on the contrary, the water is generally safe to drink straight from tap.
And even for Singapore, some websites do have it on "not THAT safe to drink, comparative with cities like Marrakech or Rome)"
http://safewater.heroku.com/search/singapore/singapore
Jul 10, 2014, 9:25 am
#15
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Not to start a flame war, but you seem to be doing the same. You love Singapore and it works for you. That's great.
I spent several days there last year and will return for several more in October. I like the place. I think there are some interesting tourist things to see and do. And IMHO the people are gorgeous...some of the best looking men I have seen anywhere. I liked the diversity of the people.
But I have to say that when I am going halfway around the world I like to explore a bit outside the comfort zone. I prefer Thailand because it is familiar enough but at the same time totally different and there's so much diversity of scenery from one end of the country to the other. Some of the more "rustic" destinations around the region are just a lot more interesting to me.
However, if you want some place comfortable (or as comfortable as you can get in that climate anyway) then for sure Singapore is a good place to be.
I spent several days there last year and will return for several more in October. I like the place. I think there are some interesting tourist things to see and do. And IMHO the people are gorgeous...some of the best looking men I have seen anywhere. I liked the diversity of the people.
But I have to say that when I am going halfway around the world I like to explore a bit outside the comfort zone. I prefer Thailand because it is familiar enough but at the same time totally different and there's so much diversity of scenery from one end of the country to the other. Some of the more "rustic" destinations around the region are just a lot more interesting to me.
However, if you want some place comfortable (or as comfortable as you can get in that climate anyway) then for sure Singapore is a good place to be.