Is Cost of living really that high in Singapore?

Qitai SG

Tuition.. never had them... but I earn a lot from it. I use to earn >$1000 even while I was a student. So, that is not a cost of living for me, but rather a source of income for me Wink

I think you can cut down some of your expenses if you want to. To me, cost of living only includes necessary items. Some people include their yearly tours in their cost of living and claim the cost of living is very high. For these people, even a $10K salary is not enough for them because they will probably increase their spending the moment their salary goes up.

Qitai SG

local salary for a common man in Bali < SGD200

what's your point?

tspg SG

But if you look at the average salary of blue collar worker $1000 +. The cost of living is high. Basic items like food and transport shd be kept affordable.

tranquil2 SG

high? certainly it is...

well, some egs are:

Food: it's hard to find 2$/plate of rice or noodles
utility bills: so ex, depending on individual and every home's needs also la.
though there are many loans, but ultimately, interest are stil high
transportaion fee also high

so, at the end of the day, START EARLY, PLAN EARLY. Save early for your retirement nest. ha

ratinacage SG

no point really....
since i jux came back from bali, u have to forgive me....
suffering from Back to bali sickness....

Qitai SG

Right. That is the purpose of this thread. To look at the cost of living. That is why I am asking for figures. The remark is made to gerrykoh since he apparently is well off enough to buy a car and have a maid.

Qitai SG

No problem... effect of traveling - you lost gauge of price. Go Europe, you feel so poor. Go Indonesia, feel like a bloody rich man, spend by the 10,000, hee hee.

ditzy SG

Eating out in Singapore has got to be one of the best. Its cheap, you got variety and you can find at least one place running 24/7. Try living elsewhere, other than some branches of Maccas running 24/7, its a ghost town. Price wise, if you find $8.00 for a decent meal eating out ridiculous, you’ll be glad to know such things rarely occur in Singapore. By the way, some restaurants charge 15% on top of their service and GST charges on public holidays if they are open. I made the above references with regards to the state of Queensland, Australia.

Qitai SG

Anyway, a restate of the question for this thread.

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Well.... a motivation from the other thread about poverty.

Questions here are

(1) Is it true that the cost of living is very high in Singapore?

(2) If it is, then what are the exact items where the cost is very high? Examples of items and actual cost will be much appreciated when making claims of high cost.

(3) Are the high cost justified, necessary and inevitable?

I would appreciate actual figures to be given to justify claims of high cost as indicated in question (2).
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Please note that this is not a complain thread. Should be an objective discussion of what is priced reasonably in Singapore and what is not priced reasonably. We know that all of us has to earn a living and pay our bills. The big question here is which of those are reasonable bills and which are not.

mercutioz SG

in reply to ur questions,

1)I don't think the cost of living is very high but is magnified by the slow increase of salary due to ecomy downturn etc etc against the rapidly increasing inflation in recent yrs. Coupled 2 these r the various price hikes, which worsen the situation.

2)Of cos there r a couple of items which seem ridiculously highly priced like HDB flats n cars. Reasons r given in the case of car to prevent congestion, but does it really works? New cars r still seen on the road n ppl, frens ard us at least 4 me r still buying cars w/o batting an eyelid regarding the prices n long term cost. Well if ppl can afford cars with exorbitantly priced COE, why not HDB flats which r lying unoccupied all over the place?

Of cos when we talked abt HDB flats, this issue bring up the marriage issue and the ridiculous rule of only singles aged 35 can own a flat.

Mospeada SG

no lah..the cheapest form of entertainment is right here, SgForums... Mr. Green

Joshua1975 SG

Rolling Eyes One point is too many oredi as one leads to another... my point I think is good enough abt the rent per/mth more than 10k Shocked

oldbreadstinks SG

still need to have a com and to pay for internet connection what

cheapest , i think is PCC Laughing Twisted Evil Mr. Green

Qitai SG

But your point does not translate to high cost of living to consumer at this point in time. The prices of necessary comodity is still affordable by and large.

av98m SG

The basic consumer goods and services, including public transport are pretty affordable here compared to many other countries. Income tax rates are also pretty decent.

The main drain on our financial resources are the overpriced HDB flats and cars. So if you have both, then you might find it a bit tough, since these 2 will take big chunks out of your pay every month. (well...the flat will eat up your cpf, and you'll feel the pain when its time to retire and there's very little left in your cpf, maybe not even enough to make up the ever increasing minimum sum. Don't worry though, McDonalds is always eager to hire old people)

Joshua1975 SG

maybe when the carrot cake is at $5 to $6 per plate is it?

Qitai SG

Yeap. But it has not happen yet!! So, how can you say the cost of living is high when it has not happen??!! Rolling Eyes

Joshua1975 SG

you sure there is not 5 or 6 per plate.

like that har, why not you list out where to get all the cheapest stuff in Singapore.

Ppl buy or spent even it high cost because most of the time again MOST OF THE TIME no choice.

Next why most ppl say it high is because of low pay given to them but they have to pay high for most things.

tspg SG

I think high cost means different things to different ppl :

For the upper class or super rich they may not feel anything because they got plenty of money to spent.

The middle class will make the most noise.

The under class and poor will suffer in silence but they are the group that need the most help from our govt and society.

Qitai SG

Of course, there is lah!! Also got $20 fried rice if you want. But if you are poor, who ask you buy those things!

Explain no choice. I do not understand that since I am well aware I can buy it at $2 per plate. And in most neighbourhood, less than or equal to $3 per plate.

List out? I only know to get things I need at a reasonable price and place. And I can find them when I need to. I do not claim to know where all the cheapest things are.

High and low must give figures mah! Can give actual example or not? So far, most people who say they are poor to me are not poor at all (There are some, but most are not, especially those who drive big car living in condo telling me they are poor Mad ). And if you want to blame the government, must plan an attack route mah... mad dash cannot win one.

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