Singapore - anyone ever done a stint there?

**wim121** · 19 April 2012, 00:47

Although I don't have any first hand experience, I do have a lot of research, data, etc and information off people who have been there, as it is an interesting place and on my list of places to visit in consideration of migration.

Not so much boring, just stable. Cramped perhaps but successful, like the Germany of Asia ....

**cojak** · 19 April 2012, 05:32

We have poster who moved there a couple of years ago - Snaw. He doesn't post as often as he used to but he might catch your question

**chef** · 19 April 2012, 06:24

Did a 4 month stint there a few years ago. It has 2 seasons: hot, hot & wet.

The natives are pretty good to work alongside, very business focussed and serious (i.e as said like the Germany of Asia). Also secrecy on the project I worked on was at almost hysterical levels but then that could be because it was an IT Helpdesk consolidation project that merged all government dept's and was ran by the ministry of information. Unknown serious looking men would just appear in meetings with their laptops complete with screenguards, say nothing, take notes, all the locals switched from being helpful and accomodating to serious and non-comitting to anything not explicitly previously agreed upon. Mystery person leaves, work environment turns back to normal. This happened on an almost daily basis.

Great food to eat, decent after work social scene and very good to have a quick cheap weekend flight trip away to Bali or Kuala Lumpur.

I liked it a lot and would seriously consider going back if it wasn't for the fact it's so far away and so not realistic to have a commute home at the end of the week.

**Stan.goodvibes** · 26 April 2012, 02:57

Thanks for the info. I gather it's a serious workplace, but that's OK I'm pretty focused on my career and travel at the moment, so I think it would suit.

**TiroFijo** · 26 April 2012, 06:34

Originally posted by Stan.goodvibes View Post

I was in Singapore over Easter (the infinity pool on the skypark at the Marina Bay Sands is worth a visit alone) and quite liked it. Actually more the location - halfway between London and my home country NZ, only 8 hours to Sydney, and a small jump away to the madness of Thailand and the epic diving/surf of Indonesia etc.

Anyhoo I've heard mixed reviews - long hours (working on Saturday morning!), boring as anything, monotonous weather.

Anyone got any first hand experience they would like to share? (note emphasis on first hand? reliable anecdotes from friends who have worked there are also acceptable)

what author Paul Theroux wrote about it is more than enough to put me off forever.

**Scoobos** · 26 April 2012, 08:14

I've worked there for 6 months on a 3 month roller.

It was enough to see both seasons , looking back I really enjoyed it - my wife LOVED it .

At the time, I think my daily thoughts were:

"FFS loosen up"
"Damn its hot"
"I have to work WHEN?"
"Bored"

My thoughts are its an oasis of organisation and tidyness , surrounded by untidy and unorganised countries - compared to the madness of SE asia its amazing really.

It has ALL the mod cons

It has ALL the shops you want (but don't expect cheap)

The food and beer is tasty, not too expensive and very enjoyable.

Air conditioning just isnt strong enough in some offices - mainly those staffed by natives

Its just a little bit too straight for me

The train land crossing to Malaysia is well worth it (The Man in Seat Sixty-One...)

You're never too far from anywhere for a short break and there are LOTS of great destinations nearby.

I found it hard to save.

**Spacecadet** · 26 April 2012, 08:35

Originally posted by TiroFijo View Post

what author Paul Theroux wrote about it is more than enough to put me off forever.

From what I remember of his books, Paul Theroux was there in that stage between independance and the country finding its feet

**TiroFijo** · 26 April 2012, 19:33

Originally posted by Spacecadet View Post

From what I remember of his books, Paul Theroux was there in that stage between independance and the country finding its feet

yes, but i was going by, by what he said about it in his 2008 travel book 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star' where he pretty much slammed the place.

**scousemouse** · 10 May 2012, 19:50

singapore

Ive just accepted a job in Singapore and will be there in a couple of weeks. Im from the UK , but my wife is from singapore originally, so obviously we have family there which is a big pull factor for us. We go there once every year or so but it will obviously be different working there.

Looking forward to the move. Im expecting longer working hours than the uk, but am used to the long hours in the uk also working in the financial sector.

The main reasons for the move are for our two kids and my wife to see her family, but will also be good for me career wise.

Singapore - anyone ever done a stint there?