Netizens on pros & cons of life in Singapore: ‘SG isn’t looking too bad these days especially for building a family, but there are still drawbacks’

Online interaction between an international author and an international editor about the pros and cons of living in Singapore has become an open forum where people have come forward to share their thoughts on the upsides and downsides of life in one of the world’s richest countries.

Rob Henderson, author and contributor to international publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Boston Globe shared some thoughts online on some pros of living in Singapore.

Among the positive things he listed were “Little to no drug addiction, shoplifting, homelessness…small children ride public transport without parents,” and “women and elderly can walk alone at night without fear.”

Singapore: Little to no drug addiction, needles, car jacking, shoplifting, violence, homelessness, litter, or graffiti. Small children ride public transport without parents. Women and elderly can walk alone at night without fear. Hard to see the appeal of this place.

— Rob Henderson (@robkhenderson) September 14, 2022

In response to his post, contributing editor to the Spectator Melissa Chen shared her thoughts on the contrast between life in the United States with life in Singapore.

“Born and bred there, moved to the US for higher education and stayed,” she wrote, before stating that many of the aspects that she once appreciated about life in America “are either diminished or gone.”

“Singapore isn’t looking too bad these days. Especially for building a family,” she wrote, “But there are still drawbacks to your list.”

Born and bred there, moved to the US for higher education and stayed.

Many of the things I loved about American life are either diminished or gone.

Singapore isn’t looking too bad these days. Especially for building a family.

But there are still drawbacks despite your list.

— Melissa Chen (@MsMelChen) September 14, 2022

Many responded to this post, taking it as an opportunity to share their two cents on the matter. Some listed more positive things, with one saying “People are great, it is safe, and they have health and education infrastructure.”

On the other hand, a few took the chance to share their personal realities, with one writing “Singapore is a different place (than it was) 15 years ago. More than twice the population and it feels like it–feels hemmed in. Physically, mentally, (and) spiritually.”