How ordinary people live in Singapore. Myths about Singapore. The economic environment of Singapore

Subscribe to our Telegram channel and tell your friends in business about it.

The island city-state of Singapore is home to some 4.5 million people. Of these, there are very few Russians - about 2 thousand, which, however, does not reduce our interest in this place. The life of Russians in Singapore is another page in the history of this city, which is famous for its cosmopolitanism, stability and speed of development. What and how is it arranged here? Let's see.

When you come here, be prepared to speak English on an industrial scale. Despite the fact that Chinese, Tamil and Malay are considered official languages ​​besides English, most of the real communication takes place in the language of the subjects of Queen Elizabeth II. True, as practice shows, many of our fellow citizens, especially from the younger generation, still have a good command of the language - it is enough to communicate. If your profession requires a lot of communication, then you will have to pull up. But fortunately, it will not be difficult to find practice in this city.

You can find a job in the city - this is also a question that many people ask when they are interested in the life of Russians in Singapore. Another thing is that it may take more time than we would like. The recommended search term on the spot is up to 3 months, while an attempt to get a job in advance would be an excellent solution. For example, through message boards or acquaintances, or on business trips - a lot of visiting employees work here on temporary jobs. If you came here on a business trip and want to stay, you can start looking for suitable vacancies in your free time.

Singapore is making a serious offer for businessmen who, though their own company. There are excellent conditions for the international market, many free niches, strong legislation. If you decide to create an enterprise that will bring tangible benefits, then you can safely count on getting a local residence permit (although here, as elsewhere, there are some nuances). Many Russians start working here on a work visa, and only then receive one or another resident status.

In general, there are opportunities for everyone: whether you are even an employee, scientist, traveler or entrepreneur. The city, which has declared development, progress and improvement as its priority, and has followed this choice for many years, shows how even on a desert rocky cliff, a kind of paradise can be built.

Yes, there is high competition here, yes, there are problems here. But you can safely walk at night, because the crime rate is very low. You can enjoy cleanliness and order - fines for an abandoned cigarette or can can be up to $ 160. Many things that are familiar to a Russian are unacceptable here. It takes some getting used to, but over time makes your stay very comfortable.

A serious issue for every newcomer is the topic of housing and living. Let's face it, Singapore is not the cheapest country in the world, and even more so in Asia. If in almost the entire region you can comfortably live on a penny, then this is not the case with Singapore.

Prices for rental housing here start at an average of $ 1,500, and really comfortable housing in residential areas will cost about $ 2,500. In this amount, you will receive not only a two-bedroom apartment, but also a pool, a barbecue area and similar bonuses on the territory of the residential complex. Security, passes and similar security systems may or may not be expensive, depending on the location.

Of course, the closer to the center, the higher the prices. Therefore, all visitors need to decide what is more important at the same prices: to get 20-25 minutes to work and live in a little more comfortable conditions, or 5-10 minutes and live more cramped. For those who survived Moscow traffic jams, the answer is obvious.

By the way, about getting to work. There is a very developed system of public transport here, while personal transport is very expensive - a car can cost 4 times more than in Russia (in which, anyway, the same imported cars are somewhat more expensive than in Europe). Thanks to this policy, there are relatively few cars here, but the roads are good, transport runs on schedule, and the air is cleaner.

Feeding in Singapore also costs money, although this question largely depends on your eating habits, as well as where you buy your groceries. The markets are cheaper than the stores, although many do not complain about the prices in supermarkets. It is better to check it yourself by at least going on an excursion and comparing prices.

If you smoke, then get ready for problems - the prices for cigarettes here are as high as in the UK, if not higher, and you cannot bring your own. This means that after, frankly, cheap Russian cigarettes, it will be difficult to get used to.

If you have children or are planning on in the future, Singapore is a great place to raise and educate them. As mentioned above, it is safe here, while a strong education is given in schools and universities. Languages, as you understand, here you can also learn a variety of languages, moreover, just going out into the street. And finding teachers is not such a problem. By the way, many Russians in Singapore are just engaged in teaching - where without it.

What many people who have moved to Singapore have noted is confidence and comfort. Yes, the prices are higher here, but at the same time the salaries are good. If any problems arise, you can always come and discuss them with your superiors and colleagues. Many relationships are built on mutual assistance and respect - all are newcomers here, just someone arrived earlier or later. A single pseudo-nation has not yet formed here, as, for example, in the United States. Everyone who is ready to work and offer high-quality services and goods is welcome here.

If you want to learn more about life, work and business in Singapore - read our blog and section on Singapore. If you have questions about how to open a business in Singapore or you want to receive detailed information about living in this country, then feel free to contact our specialists at [email protected] and wait for the fastest and most detailed answer in the Russian Internet.

Many countries wanted to repeat the Singapore miracle, but only a few succeeded. In the past, a backward state in some 50-60 years turned into an Asian tiger, the most advanced, technological and modern country the world. If you want to see the future, then you should definitely visit this country: futuristic architecture, clean streets, low crime rate (there is practically no crime), strict laws, maximum safety on the streets, many entertainment and amusement parks. The abovementioned advantages make this state one of the most promising and comfortable places to live. In this post, we will take a closer look at the cost of living and prices in Singapore in 2018 for food, food in cafes, transportation, rental of real estate and utility bills. Recently, experts have compiled the TOP 5 most expensive countries for tourism and life. Guess which country took first place?

Living prices in Singapore in 2018

Car taxes are the highest in the world. Even the average Singaporean who receives average salary, cannot afford to buy his own car due to the very high tax. Thus, the authorities artificially underestimate the growth in the number of cars on the roads to effectively combat traffic jams. The streets are mainly driven by cars of the most expensive and prestigious brands in the world. Own cars are the cream of the crop, including directors large companies, millionaires, entrepreneurs, etc.

Apartments for rent and utility bills in Singapore

The main expenses of local residents go to apartment rent and utility bills. The city is recognized as one of the most expensive places to live due to high rents. We analyzed the average cost of renting apartments (from 1 to 3 bedrooms) in the city center and residential areas. Multi-storey residential buildings can be called a separate mini-city. As a rule, such houses have underground parking, a gym, catering establishments, swimming pools, gyms, etc.

Rent

Communal payments

Basic utility bills are less expensive compared to countries Western Europe... The amount of utility bills depends on the area, the number of people and the needs of residents.

On average, you should focus on the following numbers:

Prices per square meter

In the central part of the city, where the local cream of society mainly live, the average price for 1 square meter reached 18,945 US dollars (about 1,123,438 rubles). This is explained by the fact that the city is experiencing problems with a shortage of land for construction. As a result, this problem was reflected in the sharp rise in property prices.

Mortgage interest

The size mortgage interest corresponds to the level of the most developed countries in the world.

Average salaries in Singapore in 2018

The state economy is built in such a way as to create the most comfortable conditions for doing business. You can register your own business in this country in a few minutes via the Internet. A young specialist in an average job immediately gets more than $ 2,000 in net. Many entrepreneurs and highly specialized specialists from the most developed countries, for example, from the USA, Germany, Canada and Japan, move here.

Prices in cafes and food in shops in Singapore

There are many large supermarkets in the city where you can find all kinds of food (dairy products, meat, fish, bread, eggs, cigarettes, beer, wine, juices, vegetables, fruits, etc.). The lowest prices are found in Indian supermarkets.

Below is a list with the average prices for various products in Singapore.

Average bill for 1 person in catering establishments: cafes, restaurants, fast food

Other living expenses

TO additional costs we include transport, payment for the Internet, kindergarten (if there are children), etc.

1. Singapore has a population of 3 million. Mostly Chinese, famous for their obedience. Lee Kuan Yew - the ruler of Singapore from 1959 to 1990 - had virtually unlimited power there, which allowed him to create a "computer state": a totalitarian state in the Orwellian style. The island position of Singapore also contributed a lot to this.

The truth is, Li Kuan Yew managed to create a state with a robot-like population that will live ideal lives and bring maximum returns to their state. In terms of the composition of the population, indeed, even now the Chinese make up a significant percentage of the population - in the region of 77% - and indeed modern Singapore was built on their workaholism and zeal. But the main thing is by what methods and restrictions it was achieved, how a whole generation of residents of the port city was deprived of its usual life. This can be called a successful experiment, now Singapore occupies a leading place in the world economy - but it was staged on living people, which seems terrifying. It is enough to talk to any of the taxi drivers over 60 to understand how much they do not encourage the policy of the ruling party and the LCY itself in the past.

At the expense of the state, the computer is also true - the whole city is covered by video surveillance, the police are almost invisible on the street - only in especially dangerous places, for example, in the subway. Everything that happens inside the country is under control, the border of the island is small - every centimeter can be controlled, every person is controlled in one way or another, squealing is spreading in the country. For example, having littered on the street, a random passer-by can film you and send a photo to the police. I myself did not get into such situations, but I heard. They say a lot of plainclothes employees walk the streets, if you are suspicious, they may come up to check the documents. But in general, the police inspire confidence, communicate politely, do not provoke rudeness, and in the case of a regular check, they will "serve" a tourist or a foreigner as a manager in a bank.

2. Singapore consists of three zones - tourist, economic and sleeping. Each zone is separated from the other by a border - an impeccable lawn five kilometers wide.

At the expense of the lawn, of course, now this is no longer so noticeable, because the territory is more and more built up with new buildings, but as for the three zones, they really exist. There is an economic business zone - called CBD, where all the large offices of banks and companies are concentrated, and indeed, there are no residential or tourist areas nearby. There is a tourist area - the island of Sentosa or, for example, a zoo. In general, there is not one or two such zones, but as a rule there are no sleeping quarters nearby, everything is done especially for tourists. And there are sleeping quarters, of which there are a lot and they are really fenced off by lawns from each other - not 5 kilometers away, but beautiful and large.

3. Violations of public order are severely punished. The fine for spitting on the ground is $ 500. The fine for smoking in public places is $ 500. Throwing away rubbish, such as a piece of paper - $ 500 fine. The fine for leaving water in saucers under the pots while watering flowers is $ 500 (water attracts mosquitoes).

Everything is correct here, Singapore is a city of fines or, as they say in English, a fine city - which can be translated as a beautiful city or a city of fines. Regarding the water in saucers under the pots, once there was even a commission that selectively went from door to door and checked that there was no water in the saucers (it may still exist). This important rule helped the country to get rid of epidemics of fever and malaria, as they practically got rid of mosquitoes. Indeed, in 1.5 years in Singapore, I have never been bitten by mosquitoes - their drainage systems and fines do an excellent job.

4. The number of cars in Singapore is artificially limited. To start a car, you must first buy a car permit at a special auction (the permit is given for a period of 10 years). This permit will cost tens of thousands of dollars. Then you need to buy the car itself, which is subject to an import duty of 41% of the cost. And finally, you need to pay a registration fee - 140% of the cost of the car. Thus, the purchase of, for example, a modest Toyota Corolla will result in no less than $ 100,000.

Absolutely true, except for percentages. Time is advancing and the numbers have, of course, already changed. But the essence remained the same - due to the size of the state, they were forced to introduce an artificial limitation of cars on the island, and in order to create a competent and convenient infrastructure, they also had to establish significant taxes on import and maintenance. Therefore, a car in Singapore is the lot of wealthy people.
But in fact, a car is not needed there, city transport works very well, a very affordable taxi. Therefore, you do not feel any discomfort from the lack of a car there.

5. If the dog barks at night, his vocal cords are cut off. Men should always wear trousers, in any heat. Women should also wear stockings at all times, even when outside plus thirty-five.

For a year and a half I did not hear any dogs barking, neither day nor night - as well as the dogs themselves - very, very rare and very good breeds. Probably everyone has already been reloaded. But it is very likely that once there was a similar rule, it is very much in the LCJ style. At the expense of clothes for men and women - now it is not so strict, especially if you are a newcomer - you can wear anything, no one will comment on you. But, again, when the island turned from a port city into a financial center, people had to forcibly dress people from whatever they got into pants and stockings - even if it was +35 on the street so that Western people could see something similar to a civilized society. And now, of course, people are used to it, they understand everything themselves - especially with the arrival of large corporations. There is no such law anymore.

6. Each car is equipped with a built-in siren that stuns the driver if he exceeds the speed of 80 km / h.

It seems to me that such a system should be in every car designed for use in urban environments. But in Singapore I have not seen this, it happened by taxi and drove at 100 km / h - there was no siren. Perhaps it used to stand to teach people to drive carefully.

7. After 18-00 it is forbidden to drive alone in a car. You have to give a ride to your work colleagues or fellow travelers. Are you going alone? The fine is $ 500.

They say that there used to be such a rule when you are in the area of ​​the business district. Now you can drive alone, the road system is adjusted and works very well without this rule. There is a toll road system, plus taxi drivers take additional fee for entering the area of ​​the business district. In general, they beat this rule with money.

8. Every Singaporean driver is obliged to place a special sensor under the bottom of the car so that the police are always aware of all his movements. The police monitors traffic on special monitors. Pedestrians, entering the house, are obliged to report their name to the guard who is constantly on duty at the door. In addition, the entire city is flooded with video cameras.

It's all true. Only at the expense of the dachtyk under the bottom of the car - the concept has been changed a little, the main purpose of this dachtik is to pay for toll roads. There are a lot of places in the city where travel is paid at certain hours. Such a sensor allows you to make payment in automatic mode, and of course control the movement of the car. And yes, the sensor is nowadays located on the front of the car, not under the bottom.

It is, indeed, obligatory to give the last name to the guard. Especially in condominiums, this rule is still in effect, although it is not always observed.

At the expense of video cameras, there are a lot of them in the city, especially near metro stations, road junctions and crowded places. And how much is still not visible - it's hard to imagine.

9. Singapore is a democratic state. But so that citizens do not vote at random, the passport details of the voters are indicated on the ballots.

10. Theft, violence, drugs, bribes are punishable by death by hanging. For lighter crimes, punishments with a whip are provided. The laws also apply to tourists - in Singapore, poor fellows are regularly executed, who have the imprudence to bring some drugs with them for personal use.

Absolutely true, for drugs and weapons in Singapore, the death penalty is by hanging. It is enough just to exceed the maximum allowable zone and that's it, life is over. There were indeed cases when people from the Western world were executed, but they are rare. Basically, Asians are executed trying to smuggle drugs across the border with Malaysia. Several dozen cases annually.
For minor offenses, they can be punished with a whip or blows with rods. Moreover, it is, indeed, a painful sensation. They are doing this under 2 meters pumped up comrades who put all their power into each blow. They say that this skill is passed down from generation to generation, there are even whole dynasties.

11. The press is censored. Writing about sex and politics is prohibited.

It is true, I would even say that you can only write about what is said or allowed. You will not see anything about any opposition or intrigue scandals of investigation in Singapore newspapers. But in some places, it happens that absolutely sophisticated jokes about sex or politics slip through. All in all, these are very boring destinations in Singaporean life.

12. To make Singaporeans smarter, Lee Kuan Yew took steps to encourage the right choice partners. Men who marry women with higher education are rewarded. Women without a higher, who have a second child, pay a fine. The illiterate is strongly advised to sterilize, in exchange for a significant amount of money.

Yes, it was. The LCJ even arranged a public speech on this matter - which was met ambiguously, but this experience was put above the peoples. As a result, such a policy has led to a critical decline in the birth rate in Singapore and the state plans to compensate for the loss of population at the expense of immigrants. There were few women with higher education roofing felts; they did not plan to marry after receiving education.
In general, marriage in Singapore is now associated as a joint purchase of housing, and not as a love union in order to have a family. People get married because they simply have nowhere to live.

13. Two children per family are considered optimal. Therefore, in the evenings, the police call families where they already have two children, and remind them to take the contraceptive pill and use a condom.

I have not come across this, but it is quite possible, based on the LCJ policy to encourage the correct choice of partners and fine for the second child.
***
In general, you can think a lot about the structure of Singapore, in our time it is, indeed, an advanced civilization. Perhaps some kind of prototype of the civilization of the future. An ingenious invention of LKYU and his associates. Their model looks very viable and promising, but unfortunately it does not allow a person to feel like one of them, to be confident in the future. This model is only able to use a person, squeeze all the juices out of him and send him back home.