8 Things That Surprised Me About Singapore

With the high prices of alcohol, you may never get drunk again

One of my favorite parts about moving is the feeling you get when you step into a new place. That feeling of landing, grounding, arriving with the experiences you carry from other places. Showing up in a place with a backpack full of history and stories ready to collect more.

And even if you’re returning to a place you’ve been before, you are not the same person you were, so how can your experience of the place be the same?

I moved to Singapore about 1.5 months ago, and the opportunity to see things with a new pair of eyes and experience a new culture happened again. Much like documenting my impressions of Spain, it’s time I sat down to pen down some things that surprised me about Singapore.

1. It’s highly structured and organized

During the cab ride from the airport, I thought to myself — wow, everything is so well-maintained and organized. Not a single blade of grass is out of place! Indeed, it feels like things are well-maintained and organized. Which can be great, but also not great when you’re up against bureaucracy and its rigidity.

My employment pass was going to be delivered to my old address and I asked if they could change the delivery address. They said they weren’t able to, which was understandable, so I offered to pick it up at the employment office instead. Apparently, that wasn’t an option either.

Instead, I had to wait for “two failed deliveries” to my old address before I’d be able to pick it up in person. I was trying to save the hassle of them trying to deliver my card to an address I was no longer at anymore and pick it up myself, but nope — the rules were clear and even if it made more efficient sense otherwise, the rigidity in rules prevented any changes.

2. The amount of green space and nature

What I’ve enjoyed about the city so far is that it’s actually really walkable, despite what many may say about the weather, and how there’s greenery peppered everywhere, even on main roads and streets. The government has clearly made an effort to provide citizens of this small island-state with places to roam around and connect with nature.

But one thing that also struck me is also how curated it all is. It takes me back to a cultural geography class in college where we asked the question, what is nature? If it’s human-made and artificial, does it make it “real” nature?

3. The laws are strict and unforgivable

You probably already know that gum is illegal in Singapore because of the high costs to clean up gum litter (they’re really trying to maintain a pristine image over here!). Cannabis is also illegal and when it comes to laws for drug possession and use, they’re very iron clad.

I recently learned about the death penalty for carrying drugs (depending on the amount) and how many are trying to change this. Pages like Wake Up Singapore on Instagram show this new wave of perspectives and it’s something government-sponsored Media won’t cover.

I won’t comment on the laws, but it’s clear from reading the comment sections that opinions on the seriousness of the law are divided and I’m curious to see where the younger generation takes this.

4. How safe it feels

But strict laws do bring a sense of safety and security. I’ve always felt safe walking around at night here and never feel like I have to look over my shoulder. Singapore is regarded as one of the safest countries in the world with exceedingly low crime rates.

It makes getting home at night really safe, save for…

5. Public transport closes early

I wonder if it’s because I haven’t been out and about because of Covid, or because public transport closes early, but I’ve found myself stranded at friends’ place after midnight with no other option but to call a cab.

Ride service prices are probably similar to that of the US, but at least there, I can take the subway home at 2 am in the morning. And although other parts of Southeast Asia, like Thailand, also end their public transportation services at a similar hour, calling a ride home in Thailand will only cost time a couple of dollars.

Given these experiences in other countries, the fact that public transportation ends before midnight was new to me.

6. The cost of living, especially alcohol

Speaking about costs — I mean, I knew it was going to be expensive here, but for some reason, even after living in the US and being accustomed to Western prices, I wasn’t prepared for how expensive it would be. To be fair, I did arrive at the worst possible time for the housing market, so rent is costing me my left arm. And food — well, you can find cheap food at hawker centers, but eating out is gonna cost you.

But I was shook when I saw the prices for alcohol. I used to complain about $12 cocktails in the Bay Area and $10 cocktails in Thailand, but cocktails here will be upwards of $15. Buying alcohol from a supermarket also isn’t necessarily cheaper. What’s considered mediocre wine in the US and Europe would cost at least double here. For those familiar with Barefoot, that’s around $18 per bottle here.

I’m lucky since I don’t drink that much, but if you do — be prepared!

7. Tap water is drinkable

Speaking of beverages and drinking, tap water is drinkable! I somehow got it into my head that in the West, I drink tap water, but in Asia, I drink bottled or filtered water. So I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that tap water is indeed drinkable here.

For my peace of mind, I still filter it through a Brita (I know, I know), but it’s refreshing not having to waste plastic, which is what happens every time I’m in other parts of Southeast Asia.

8. The disparity between local and expat life

I’ve been lucky enough to get a glimpse of the local life as well as the expat life while being here and what struck me was how different the lives of two people living in the same country could be.

An expat (yes, a white one) with a corporate company could be living in an all-paid apartment overlooking Marina Bay Sands. Meanwhile, hawker center cleaners make sub-2000 SGD a month($1500) and a local Singaporean family lives with their family of four in a modest HDB (government-controlled housing).

And I know, disparity and inequality are everywhere — just look at the favelas of Brazil. But for some reason, I didn’t expect to experience it here in such a jarring way.

I’m still new and learning and it’s been a good experience so far. If I had to describe Singapore, I’d describe it as an East meets West situation.

It has a high concentration of tech companies (like Silicon Valley) and is really the center of APAC when it comes to growth and innovation. But even with all this business and economic activity happening, there is still the humbleness that’s familiar in Asian culture. A sense of family and belonging to groups that I really enjoy.

Been to Singapore or have any other thoughts? Let me know!

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