For Those who Had migrated

last SG · 2006-11-04T11:41:23+00:00

That's it! I'm locking this thread

10dollar SG

How happy are u as compared as to when you are in singapore? Do u miss Singapore? How do u like it over at your new country? Is easy to get a job?

Please Be Honest

jetta SG

Yes I miss SG now and again. What I miss fluctuates with my mood. Laughing Mostly the food. Razz

Meia Gisborn SG

Are you researching information for a paper or project? Very Happy

Anyway, to (briefly) answer your questions:

1. How happy are u as compared as to when you are in singapore?

Can't really say, as I left Singapore immediately after NS and never had the opportunity to sample a "regular" 9-to-5 job there. The only references to working life in Singapore I have come from chatting with other Singaporeans on this forum, and from what I can gather, I'm pretty glad to not be part of the rat race there.

2. Do u miss Singapore?

I miss my parents, who are still in Singapore.

I miss some of the friends from my childhood days in Singapore.

I miss the food in Singapore, though not as much now as when I had just left there.

I do not miss the heat and humidity of Singapore.

I do not miss the perpetually overcrowded buses and trains of Singapore's public transportation system.

I do not miss the outrageously overpriced housing in Singapore.

I do not miss the ridiculous cost of private vehicle ownership in Singapore.

I do not miss living in fear under a paranoid, unaccountable and dictatorial regime so completely out of touch with reality that it thinks rap and hip-hop are viable means of communication with its constituents.

3. How do u like it over at your new country?

It is by no means perfect. We have a very serious illegal immigration problem about which the government appears unable or unwilling to do anything. We also have serious social problems stemming from a permanently unproductive, underperforming and violent ethnic minority group that sees itself as having the right to live off the teat of public welfare.

That said, you'd be hard-pressed to find another country with as many freedoms, opportunities and constitutionally-protected rights as the US. Hard work is usually commensurately rewarded, and there's a greater chance of your being able to live your "ideal" life here at a much saner pace than could be hoped for in Singapore.

4. Is easy to get a job?

If you are an American, generally yes. Jobs are available if you have the proper qualifications and/or experience, and are willing to adjust your expectations as the job market dictates.

There. Honest enough? Very Happy

Rhonda SG

OK, here's my two cents' worth :

How happy are you as compared to when you are in SG?

Happy in some areas, OK in others, not-so-happy in some others. I mean, there is no perfect place in this world where you'll be 100% happy and you really have to take the good with the bad and the big question is, when you weigh in the good against the bad, which stacks up more. Wink

For me, I am happier here overall. Wink

Do u miss Singapore?

But of course! My family and my buddies and friends are all there!

I also miss the kopitiams and food courts and restaurants and in general, the fact that you can eat out cheaply. Crying or Very sad I miss all the sinful local foods!

I miss the sights. I miss hanging out with friends at the Esplanade by Singapore River, gorging myself silly at the Makansutra place near it or at the Food Court in Marina, hanging out with buddies at the... gosh, have forgotten the name of that lovely coffee place that serves lovely food and desserts as well (branches in Great World City, Holland V and below Shaw Lido).

I miss going out with my parents for dinner at one of the hawker centres. Dad always brings us out to the best food places.

I miss the conveyor sushi places. Crying or Very sad

I miss the wonderful fresh and lovely seafood in the zhi char or restaurants in SG. ANd oh man, compared to eating out here, the price is cheap, man! (I shall never complain about food in SG being 'expensive' again, ever! Laughing )

I miss the relatively convenient public transport, esp the affordable taxi service! (I shall never complain about public transport and taxis in SG ever again! )

I miss the shopping belt! The sales aren't so fantastic but oh, the range of products you can get there!! SG imports from all over and the extensive variety you have is simply incredible!!

However, what I do not miss is living in HDB flats where your neighbours do the "aaaaaaack... PUI!" thang! Evil or Very Mad

Also do not miss the crowds, shall never miss being pushed and shoved! Laughing

Don't miss the shallow SG men there who have very typical notions of 'beauty'. Yawn! And definitely do not miss how harsh the general public in SG can be on people who are 'of generous proportions', nosiree!

Don't miss the working conditions for my profession back home.

How do u like it over at your new country?

I like it! Very Happy I can take the bad with the good. Wink

Here, I'm a 'second class citizen' and yes, I do feel discriminated against in certain ways. THere are also more drunks and drug addicts about, esp in my neighbourhood late at night on weekends, esp. The public transport system isn't so fantastic and if you don't drive and don't own a car, you're very isolated in your own li'l niche. Razz

But...

I like how FREE I feel!

Nobody tells me I'm fat anymore and they genuinely do not categorise me as 'fat' at all! Mr. Green And there are men who choose their women based on character and they have had fat and skinny girlfriends before so you know they walk the talk, unlike in SG where it's mostly just hot air. Laughing

I like the sales here! They are really sales! I mean, if things are 60-80% off, that is a SALE!

I LOVE my new pay, compared to what I used to get in SG! Mr. Green Enuff said!

I love how you can be free to be who you want to be and not feel like you have to conform to a norm over here.

I like the healthier lifestyle I live now, in part due to all the walking I have to do, and in part due to the fact that quick and easy lard-laden, fried foods are no longer available or if available, aren't cheap and accessible. Laughing

I like the possibilities I have. I can own my own apartment / little townhouse! Mr. Green I can also learn how to drive and own my own little car! And I can do all these without going broke!

Is easy to get a job?

Depends on which industry you're in. In my industry, hell, YES!

whitsundays SG

I agree with Rhonda, there is no such thing as a perfect place. I've been here for some time and I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of Australia. Am I happy, yes. However at times, the loneliness/sianzness can unbearable (I live in a very rural environment)

Yes I do miss Singapore at times as family and friends are all there. I've left Singapore straight after National Service. I do miss the food and public transport. It is very cheap compared to here.

Do I like it here?

Yes. I like it here. The night sky where I am is full of stars. I've spend hours lying on my hammock relaxing after long hours at work. There is no public transport here. However I own a car. Weekends are spend either at home or fishing/diving in the great barrier reef which is an hr from where I am. If you enjoy hunting for pigs/roos, this would be the place for you.
However you find the need to go to a major city, you need to fly there.

Job/career,
Jobs are available with the right experience and qualification. You need to be willing to work in a rural environment.

10dollar SG

Thanks for all the replies any more to add? Smile

Generally, it seems you prefer being overseas then Singapore. And looks like all Miss Singaporean food, and of course families, but doesnt miss the hustle n bustle here, the high cost of car and house especially.

I am asking because I have heard that Some Singaporeans came back after spending time overseas as they felt that Singapore is so much better.

Is there any Singaporeans who actually came back from overseas after realising Singapore is better? I would like to hear your view as well

viciouskitty74 SG

Here's a interesting tidbit.

Orange County USA.

School teacher pay US$1400/- per month
Rental apartment US$1000/- per month
Old Beat up 15 year old car $USD250
Gasoline USD3.16 per gallon/litre

Commute to and fro work 3 hours to & fro.

Are you sure you want to migrate? Mr. Green

Go there eat their green grass? Or stare at their moon will make you full?

Meia Gisborn SG

So what you're saying is, if you want to live in Orange County, don't live in an apartment and work as a school teacher while driving a beat-up 15-year-old car, or you'll find yourself living a life of debt.

Check! Mr. Green

There is an element of truth in what you're saying. Thanks to the media and Hollyweird, California has become the idealized notion of the American Dream for much of the rest of the world. What's often overlooked (or at least conveniently omitted) is the fact that the cost in living there is horrendously high, especially in the popular SoCal and Bay Area regions.

But all is not lost, though! One can always attempt to realize the American Dream in any one of the other 47 states in the contiguous US, where the cost of living is often much more reasonable. For myself, I still harbor the notion of eventually moving to Seattle. Mr. Green

jetta SG

Pity me. Crying or Very sad

It's so funny MG, don't you think? Here I am with roots in Seattle and I won't go but yet even though it's expensive here, I'd rather struggle and be here. Laughing

mhcampboy SG

One thing for sure, never ever migrate out of Singapore if you have unfinish business there... or half hearted...

example... family problems... bgr probs...

Else, you will never be happy wherever place you migrate to..

Rhonda SG

That's true. Never migrate to a country in order to 'escape' an existing problem because like Gedanken said once before, "It will soon catch up on you".

No one country is perfect and I don't think you can find Utopia on the atlas! Laughing (If you do, tell us and we'll all flock there! ) You have to take the good with the bad and like any marriage, you have to make compromises cause sometimes, you find yourself in a win-win deal, sometimes, it's more of a win-lose and you just have to stomach the fact that there are imperfections. Wink

Rhonda SG

You're right about the loneliness bit! Sad I don't even live in a rural area here and I feel lonely.

It seems to be harder to get together with friends here than back home in SG. Distance is a huge problem! Most of my friends don't own a car and they live far far away and each time we try to arrange an outing, we either have rosters that clash (that's the thing about shift work! Razz ) or we can't agree on a meeting place cause of the distance and accessibility.

I've extended invitations to my friends to come over to my house, and they've done the same to me, but each time, plans fall flat cause it's like a 10 min wait for a tram that takes 20 mins to get to town then I have to switch to a train for a 45 min ride or so to the outskirts and wait for them to come pick me up and drive me deep into the suburbs where they live then when it's time to leave, it's the same rigmaroll and I still haven't snapped out of the Singapore mindset where we take taxis and the longest journey by public transport doesn't take more than 60 mins or so. Embarassed Razz

Yeah... I'm kinda lazy and it's hard to pry me outta da couch once I've planted me butt on it! Mr. Green Especially on my days off when I morphe into a total non-moving plant!

Quite pai seh!

BUT, I'm a frank chick!

laurence82 SG

i dont think i will migrate..dont wanna leave my family..but that aint stopping me from going to other countries and traumatising their citizens

Mr. Green v

Rhonda SG

You've already migrated in a sense... to Singapore from M'sia mah!

Laughing

No wonder we're all traumatised here! Twisted Evil

laurence82 SG

You know what is the shitty thing?

I lived in SG for so long i forgot that i was once a migrant

Laughing Embarassed

Rhonda SG

OK, tell you what I miss here... the day ends too early! Shops close way too early! Evil or Very Mad When I'm ready to go out and paint the town red, the town has already closed! Surprised That leaves a shopaholic stranded! Shocked

Also, for some strange reason, public toilets here aren't that easy to find. In fact, they should rename them 'secret toilets'. Laughing Even in the malls, you find directional signs to the loo's, then whether deliberately or to save on signage costs, the arrows and directions 'disappear' and you're left standing in the middle of nowhere, wondering where the hell the toilets are! Rolling Eyes

In some places, their public toilets are located in labyrinths where you'll have to seriously pray you have a strong bladder cause you'll have to wander round and round and walk great distances before you FINALLY, THANK GOD, find a lavatory!

As a result, I've developed a large-capacity bladder since arriving here. Embarassed

Twisted Evil

Rhonda SG

Surprised

AAAaaahh Harharharhahahahaha!!! Laughing

Nice to know that you feel so at home with us, lau! Wink Shows that you have become a part of us liao! Twisted Evil

viciouskitty74 SG

Left my heart in Seattle....Sigh...

Well, next time, if there really is a next time. Will definitely visit Seattle agian.

Dont know why, but me not having visited any of their esteemed libraries is having such a impact on me. I cant get it out of my head that I missed visiting a Major portion of Seattle.

Meia Gisborn SG

Rhonda,

I think it's safe to say that your social life is currently hobbled by the absence of a convenient means of personal transportation, i.e., A CAR. Are you currently taking any step to address that shortfall, like taking driving lessons and saving up for a vehicle? Razz

Imagine: if you had your own private vehicle, you wouldn't be at the mercy of public transit. You''d be able to go places, meet people, go on dates, transport bulky objects (not necessarily your date), participate in 'road rage' incidents, get speeding and parking tickets, be in traffic accidents, etc.

Yes, all this and more could be yours, if only you'd get off that couch and go buy your very own CAR! Mr. Green

laurence82 SG

Hmm, MG tries to hint something... Twisted Evil