7-Month UPDATE in Singapore 2023: UK expat life after moving, Singapore rental market exp, New Year

In this 7-month update video, I cover some of the challenges we've faced in Singapore’s rental market and rental hikes (in 2023), and where we've been living since moving here. I also talk about how plans might not work out and the emotional challenges of this huge relocation. Singapore is the second most expensive city in the world (after New York City), so if you’re moving to Singapore 2024, this video will reveal some of what to (possibly) expect in 2024. I hope you enjoy the video - like and subscribe for more. In the meantime, thank you so much for watching :) Happy New Year 2024!!! 🇸🇬❤️. A short film.

btw: the December rains part of this video includes some lines from a famous movie - do you know from which one? :)

Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish:
We went too far in our thinking
And forgot that destinies are written.

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A B O U T ME
With my husband, I moved to beautiful Singapore from the UK. Currently, I am taking a career break to Rest and use the time to delve deeper into my childhood hobbies - film and storytelling. I hope you will follow along in my journey as I reflect and share my thoughts on life in short film :)

Disclaimer:
- No paid promotion.
- All opinions are my own and based on our real life experiences.
- This video is only one aspect of our lives living abroad - if you're interested in a wider context of our adventures, I have more videos on the channel :)
- Footage was taken between May 2022 - December 31st 2022
- Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I may receive a small commission from.

* Copyright 2021-2023. MetaLove. All rights reserved.

#expatlife #singapore #freepalestine

[fahmidamiah]

Are you currently living abroad? What have you learnt so far? Share the country you're living in and your experiences here ❤

[tutiens]

I have lived in Singapore for 38 years. I have friends from Australia & USA who intend to migrate to Singapore, thinking it's a small city state in Asia, where an expat will be highly valued. They thought, we need English teachers, we still live in jungle, and since it's part of Asia, it must be cheap. I told them : Give it trial run, at least 3 - 6 months! They were shocked at how modern it is, almost everything runs on auto & digital. Their wives & daughters are safe back at the apartment at 2 am after dancing at the clubs, took taxi. All these infrastructure cost money, so is safety. Heck, Singapore was even once import drinking water! Singapore's cost of living is high. Employment is tight & competitive. Somebody from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar will be ready to do your type of jobs, for lower price. Since the pandemic, when most of workforce chose to work from home, the rental of apartment has been skyrocketing. It's what it's. My take is: You can't be poor in Singapore, life will be miserable.

[kwpf]

Learn to adapt. Expect the unexpected no matter how well you have planned because there will be factors which are not in your control. Simply put, the world is not perfect, and we all live in this imperfect world. As long as you moderate your expectation and loosen up a bit in your strive for perfection, you will find life less stressful and acceptable. It's all in the mind. Sometimes, just accept reality as is. It is what it is. You would probably be happier. Look for the sunshine, not the rain. Be optimistic.

[santochow]

Great videos! I used to work and lived in Singapore. I then return to my hometown to start my own business. I have since travelled back and forth to Singapore frequently. This tiny little country holds a special place in my little family’s heart. ❤

[jimmyteo]

You look like such a “private” couple, yet took the time to share your lives with us. So, thank you.
Acceptance is the key to keep moving on. It is said that one’s happiness is inversely proportional to one’s expectations.
Enjoyed your video. You are so talented. Stay happy.

[leewn]

Sg is branded as the most expensive city to lived in due to bias reporting based on expat living their full western lifestyle without adapting to Sg local lifestyle. Cars ownership are purposely made costly to limit the need to expand roads infrastructure in limited land in this small island. But this is grossly compensated by the public transport (trains & bus & taxis ) systems. Housing rentals has escalated in 2022 largely due to the huge surge of expats, foreign companies and Chinese relocating to Sg from China & Hong Kong. Also the downturn of global economy coupled with the Ukraine / Russia war affecting EU countries, UK and US, many westerners plus some Indian nationals also relocate to Sg due to Sg’s stability. This aggravated rental market chasing the steep rise. The cheaper way is to rent and live in our HDB flats which is much more affordable than condominium and landed properties.

[guruchoykokkee]

Don't think too much. Keep
moving forward. When we are aware that each moment of each day, each gesture and step we take, is truly mystical and full of wonder, we will live our lives with greater thought and care. We will also have greater respect and appreciation for the lives of others.

[cryptorama]

Most people who move to Singapore do not really understand the related costs of living the same lifestyle as back home in US or UK or Australia . Once they try to settle down here they realize it is very different ( cost, culture, location etc ) and have to adapt fast to what they have been given or regret . " The secret of being happy is accepting where and how you are in life now and making the most everyday whatever card you are being dealt with...the good, the bad and the in betweens "

[leongyet]

I just came back from Malaysia after visiting some relatives.

Inflation there is crazy.
For locals, their daily necessities is way more expensive for locals earning ringgit.

Even their so called subsidise petrol is 😅

In fact, normal people like us, no matter where, Inflation hit many of us.
As for housing in Singapore, like what some mentioned, the housing market is crazy because of many expats moving here which pushes up the rental market.
One more thing is that during the last 2 years covid, there was not enough manpower building new houses.
Now manpower is back, the building of new houses is starting to get back into shape, so hopefully in a year or 2, the market will be lowered or at least stabilise.

There's always light at the end of the tunnel!
Keep going👍

[Nik-mvhr]

If budget is your main concern, perhaps you could try experience lower cost cities like Bangkok, Manila or Kuala Lumpur, Penang 1st? Maybe try living there for 1 month or so.
Few years ago, I often go to Singapore for work. It is a beautiful & safe country. I do like Singapore a lot but I know I can't afford a luxury lifestyle there. Singapore is great but if a comfortable/luxury lifestyle we are looking for, we either have to earn more or choose a lower cost country. I will still love to travel to Singapore for sure.

[margaretlim]

A really beautiful and honest video. Happy you have no regrets now. Singapore welcome both of you. Hope things will eventually fall into place as planned. Good luck, blessed 2023.

[fadzanuar]

Rule of thumb: (1) work in singapore, (2) live in Malaysia and (3) party in Thailand.

[jasonjack]

Hi, why not move to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ?
It's HEAVEN on EARTH !
Food haven, much cheaper accomodation, English language friendly, friendly people, so much to explore , great infrastructure, diversified culture
This list goes on,
and on,
and on .

MUCH, MUCH, MUCH CHEAPER than Singapore.

[goddanner]

That narration voice is fantastic, and the pacing for this video is excellent, teaching us to slow down and appreciate what we have in the midst of our hectic lives.

[hychua]

Your voice and narration are absolutely of a different level. Very calming and poetic. Love it.

[Veron]

Thank you for sharing. Great video❤
And, welcome to Singapore🎉. Just want to say not only in Singapore, everyone in any corner in this world has their own issues to manage. It’s the mentality how you want to handle it. Stay Positive 🎉

[mothratemporalradio]

Not only is it a pleasure to listen to your soothing accent (so smooth - you would be amazing at bedtime stories for adults!), the responses you have evoked here from locals who are proud of their home are genuinely interesting to stumble across as a neighbouring Australian. Enough to forgive you for that click bait!

Wishing you and your husband as well as your viewers all the best.

Finally, as an aside, to the Singaporeans that are struggling to find a home in the current atmosphere, you are in my thoughts now that i know. i hope it gets better. I appreciate the pride you have in your country in spite of this difficulty, it's quite heartwarming as well as your hospitality to expats even with the housing market in the state it's in. We have similar problems in Sydney yet it looks like the system set up by government in Singapore is very different, so that's really interesting. As an Australian, we don't always hear a lot about Singapore in general so i enjoyed seeing lots of comments by locals, especially outside of a political subject. And Meta, you were able to evoke this commentary, more please (:

Cheers! ✌️

[tckiing]

we live in Singapore and we settled our roof at a village near HuaHin..every moment of our life is fighting between options and choices. keep going and stay happy of every moment you have.

[saronahjorgen]

As someone who moved here recently with my husband, if you don't look oriental/chinese they will treat you a bit differently. My husband is white and I am tanned. First two months I was here I noticed Singaporean especially the elderly love to stare and its so uncomfortable for me but I was being optimistic and thinking maybe they just being curious, till I encountered something that hurt my feelings. One of our neighbours came to our house, to say hi, and they thought Im the maid. They just love to stare at us, I think its very rude. Apart from this experience i think singapore is lovely.

[zenweaver]

Just remember, Singapore is a good place to travel to many places in the region like Bali, Phuket and so many other places whenever you need a change of scenery.Glad you found that peace you have been seeking.I guess part of it is just gratitude for what we have.