Singapore Expats

Have any of our regulars had to be go down around the MBFC area recently? You know now you can walk from Asia Square all the way through to Ocean Centre without going down to ground level. Lau Par Sat is actually walking distance that way from Asia Sq.

My point is that there are thousands of non SC / PR in those buildings and they are not on this forum and they are not likely to be applying for SC or PR. They are here to do a job, make money and move on. Similar to expats in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. That is a real transition from what I saw when I first moved here.

The labour market opportunity set has changed dramatically in the last decade or so (the last five years for some segments). Many are oblivious of the changes.

Yes - that was my realisation. People like Fatima Akhtar will be happy.

It’s interesting how different things are now. The new walkways make it so much easier to get around the MBFC area. I’ve noticed a lot of expats just come to work and then move on, kind of like in Dubai.

It's kind of funny when one looks back at all of the rants and dire predictions about changing EP levels, etc. While what we see today has probably been shaped by external factors (at least partially), the reality is some people were displaced and others moved in.

It is really no different from the big US cities (or other tier 1 cities around the globe). If you are not in a high paying industry / extremely skilled at what you do, costs will always seem high. It's even worse if you get complacent or your career stagnates along the way (for some other reason); while you stand still someone else passes you by. Yet, in all places many people pay 100k or more in school fees for their children. The only question is whether one makes enough to afford it.

I think if you look at many expat or immigration destinations, the story is the same. Open borders and free movement of capital mean most places are expensive for a typical graduate/professional (even above average ones). But the major centres/global hubs tend to have a greater number of opportunities for the very very skilled (or the ones that just happen to go into high paying industries).

Regarding Dubai, fast forward a bit and the situation may be different. I think amenities have improved over the years, and those who built a career/life there may stay put (realize some will be loath to do so). Further, some people that have been offshore for decades are probably not going to want to return to their home country (social/political disarray and/or higher burdens from the state).

Some of the changes in the UK (if they are as bad as advertised) could shift more money there too. Maybe people don't stay there year-round, but it could end up being a nice place for some to spend 3 - 6 months out of a year in.

Better make it quick, because they're already putting together an exit-tax.

Death and taxes...