It’s hard to not be biassed whenever somebody asks me what’s good about living here. To be honest, there are a ton of pros.

The high quality of life, access to world-class medical care, efficient public transit system, low crime rates, diverse culture, and access to green spaces, parks, and nature are a few of the many. 

If you’re considering moving here, I have some insights that may help you. It might just be the final nudge you need to book your tickets!

The quality of life is very high

One of the biggest pros of living in Singapore is the high quality of life. According to the Expat Insider Report 2023, it ranks 6th in the world for quality of life. 

The country boasts world-class medical institutions, an efficient public transportation system, plenty of housing options, an abundance of global business institutions, and world-ranking schools and universities. 

Expats can also enjoy the fact that many attractions are within reach of the Central Business District. There’s access to green spaces, parks, beaches, hiking spaces, and more from the centre of the island. 

The healthcare system is world-class

Another big pro of living in Singapore is the access to world-class healthcare. Locals enjoy universal healthcare wherein a huge portion of their income goes towards a premium that pays for medical expenses when they need it. 

Expats, on the other hand, are excluded from universal healthcare, but can still access quality medical services through the island’s private hospitals and clinics. 

There are over 20 hospitals in Singapore, 10 of them public and 8 of them private medical institutions. There is only one psychiatric hospital in Singapore, 12 polyclinic dental clinics, and 955 private dental clinics. 

The public transit system is super efficient

Singapore has one of the most efficient public transit systems in the world, with trains, buses, and shuttles serving almost all districts on the island. According to Statista, the average waiting time for commuters on a daily basis is 9 minutes.

That’s pretty quick considering the amount of traffic and pedestrians out on a daily commute. Train frequency is averaged at 2 to 3 minutes, especially during peak hours of 7:00 am to 9:00 am. 

Taxis are widely available, with average tariffs starting at $0.70 per kilometre. You can hail one at almost every major street and most importantly, at the airport. 

Its geographic location in Southeast Asia makes flying all over the region much easier (and sometimes cheaper!)

Planning a vacation in Bali soon? Flying out of Singapore to other tropical destinations in Asia is a breeze, considering its strategic location on the map. 

For context, destinations like Bangkok, Thailand or Bali, Indonesia are only a 2-hour flight away. Other countries like the Philippines, Taiwan, India, Australia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, are only less than 6 hours away by plane. 

Flights are generally cheaper, too, if you fly out from Singapore to nearby destinations in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. You can save a lot more time, energy, and money. 

BONUS: Malaysia is only an hour away, and you can drive yourself across the border! 

Low Crime Rate 

If you’re thinking about some of the most important things to know about a country before moving there, safety should be at the top of your list. 

Luckily, Singapore consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with a global rank of 7 according to the Global Residence Index. 

The island is well-equipped with security measures and police officers, ensuring that all locals and tourists roam about the island with ease and security. This makes walking by yourself in the city very safe, too! 

Cleanliness

Singapore’s strict cleanliness laws are highly effective, keeping the streets, public transit stations, and other public areas well-maintained and litter-free. Everyone is expected to dispose of trash properly and in the right bins. 

You won’t even find old chewing gum scattered on the streets because the government is very strict with regard to gum. People who break the laws of cleanliness can be fined thousands of dollars or even serve some jail time for heavy offences. 

That’s how far the government will go just to keep the island clean. The benefits are abundant, so take part in their efforts to clean the street litter-free (or else!). 

It’s easy to start a business, even as a foreigner

Singapore is one of the best countries to start a business, thanks to its business-friendly environment, low tax rates, efficient property policies, and strong adherence to free trade. 

Foreigners who would like to start a business can easily register their company (after acquiring and submitting legal documents and due diligence) online within just a few minutes. 

The requirements vary, depending on the size, nature, and background of the business, but registrations can last about 15 minutes max. No lining up at bureaus or sending a ton of paperwork! 

It’s a “smart city”

Another great thing about Singapore is its status as a smart city. Smart cities are urban areas that heavily rely on technology for processing and collecting data and information. 

These digital methods are then used to implement efficient management of assets, goods, and services, making them very accessible to the public.

Picture this: you need to secure important legal documents from government agencies to jumpstart your onboarding process at your new job. 

All you need to do is download the agency’s mobile app, send in your request, and easily access what you need from your phone. 

This kind of efficiency is what being a smart city is about. This also means that Singapore is wired. There’s internet connectivity virtually anywhere on the island, making communication much easier and faster even while you’re on the go! 

You’ll be spoilt for choice with food

Singapore is home to a diverse range of cuisines, owing to its history as a major trading port and the cultural diversity of its overall population. 

Most of the local population are of Chinese, Malay, or Indian descent, so you’ll find lots of restaurants across the island serving Chinese, Malay, or Indian cuisine. 

There is also a very vibrant food scene thanks to the existence of hawker centres. These centres are basically massive food courts packed with stalls selling all sorts of local and international fare. 

These places are also where you’ll find Michelin-starred dishes at very cheap prices. If you’re looking for a more elevated dining experience, you’ll really be spoilt for choice with the countless restaurants around the city. 

It’s a green city

Singapore may be small, but it’s packed with lots of green spaces, nature reserves, and gardens that are well-maintained and sprawling with foliage and lush forests. 

While many tourists turn to the Central Business District for a dose of Singaporean cosmopolitan life, pockets of nature are very accessible from the city centre. A few examples are the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park.

Rooftop gardens are also abundant, hidden among the towering skyscrapers that line the island’s skyline. Most of these green spaces are free to visit, too! 

It’s always sunny

Singapore is a tropical country that experiences sunny days for most of the year. There are sporadic rain showers and thunderstorms during some parts of the year, but it’s mostly sunny every day. 

That said, having more sunny days means more chances of heading out and experiencing the best there is to explore in the city. There are beaches, parks, malls, and so much more you can do when the weather permits! 

Locals speak English

If you’re worried about how to best communicate with locals, you won’t have to carry a dictionary around with you. English is widely spoken on the island and is also the medium of instruction. 

The locals also speak another unofficial language called “Singlish” which blends English with local slang. You’ll quickly get a hang of it once you strike up a conversation with a local! 

The water is clean

Did you know that you can drink water from the tap in Singapore? As long as the sign says “potable”, you can basically drink the water from any running fountain or tap because it’s super clean! 

Choosing to refill reusable water bottles using tap water is one of my favourite travel advice I give to any first-time tourists in the city. They can save so much more money by drinking from the tap (not to mention, lessen the use of single-use plastic!). 

You can find drinking fountains at MRT stations, shopping malls, and in the airport. Just be ABSOLUTELY sure that the sign says “potable water” before you drink, though!