I currently work for an American company that has a decent/large presence in Singapore. Does anyone have experience as an American making the move over there?
The role I’m currently in is awesome, but would like new challenges/get out of my comfort-zone. I know my company has positions there that overlap a ton with my current job, but I’m wondering if anyone has made the move for a couple years? Any advice?
Mainly want to know of hurdles you had to clear (immigration, language, etc.) and work culture over there. There’s a handful of people I could ask in my company that have done it but I haven’t really built that relationship with them yet and haven’t discussed this with anyone.
My mom has some friends that did it with their company for a number of years and loved it, but extra perspectives wouldn’t hurt.
While I can't comment on working there, my previous firms had significant presence in singapore and it served as the hub for all SEA banking activity - especially across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore obviously. And given the growth these areas have seen in recent years, there was a bevy of business development involved in identifying and beginning to bank companies who would eventually become investment banking clients and also a fair amount of deal execution given the consolidation which was taking place. Especially across public consumer / industrial companies.
Now, to your question, had a few non-Asians (one from California and two from London) who were transplants there and had absolutely no issue with immigration or language. The former was handled by the firm and as someone who has extensively travelled to Singapore as well, language is never a problem there. Have heard work culture is more laid back there in the sense that folks care less about dress and facetime than say new york, but certainly not to the extent that it would be considered "easy going". The vast majority of people I've spoken to there who live and work there say they feel more relaxed at work as the vibe is generally less intense but is also a bit more academic in a weird way... happy to elaborate on that further...
I go to Singapore a fairly often, if at a minimum to attend the Grand Prix there every year and have found no issues with communicating or navigating myself among the locals. Almost everyone I've encountered was kind and helpful when asked, and I always have treasured the time I spent there. Again, happy to elaborate on anything I mentioned here but hope this was helpful.
Mind me asking which firms? U can DM me if u prefer it that way
Sorry, no that's the one thing I'm not willing to offer.
Thanks for the info - I understand it’s a popular destination for expats from around the world, do people have barriers to making friends/dating there? Still in my mid-20’s so I’m pretty active.
English is the primary language here so you should be fine. There’s also a large expat community in SG so marking friends shouldn’t be an issue.
The major bonus about working from Singapore is that it’s an aviation hub. Pre covid I’ve always heard that expats travel to Thailand, Bali etc for a weekend get away.
However I’ve seen that rental prices has been going quite insane in the CBD area.
Very expensive. High COL.
Honestly, depending on where you're living now, I wouldn't move to SG at the moment. MAYBE in 3-5 years once all of this COVID and global markets dislocation settles. You have to understand that there's been a huge upswell of folks moving to SG as a result of the lockdowns in China. Everyone with capital and/or ambition has flooded to SG given HK is still a shitshow (and will continue to be) and mainland, as far as anyone who lives there can tell you, is no longer livable. This means rent, COL, etc. in SG has risen by easily 20-30% just this year alone. If I were Singaporean, I'd be pissed as hell. That said, I do think working abroad for several years never hurts and SG is a great place to do so. The entire ethos of the country follows a "Don't do stupid shit" mantra. Essentially a US/Anglo outlook but with none of the stupid shit (awful food, terrible service, tip requirements, shitty infrastrcuture, terrible political gridlocking, gun violence, trash bags on fucking streets essentially no better than medieval times, etc.). I'd make the move but just be prepared for much higher COL than previously (even though it was already high). The working culture is great. Singaporeans in general are good, hard working people who recognize and reward outperformance. Hope this is helpful.
Very helpful - thanks!
It’s one of those things that I wanted to get way out of my comfort zone, and it turns out most of the leadership has done an international assignment in Singapore. I figure at this point it’s time to take a risk like this when my parents are still healthy. They’re in their 60’s so I don’t know if I’ll have an opportunity in 3-5 years to spend an extended amount of time far away.
I sent 8 years there, feel free to DM for specific questions, but here is my 2 cents. It is expat 101. Pretty easy as english is the language defacto. If you are doing a move, make sure that you are getting housing and schooling if you have kids, as they can be a prohibitive cost. You will be paying around 4 to 5k a month in rent for a decent place(1200 sf) in a good location. Private school for kids is like 30k USD per kid per year. Cars are not necessary, but if you opt to drive its really expensive due to the COE license on a car. (can add around 70k over car cost) Also booze is taxed so its pretty expensive as well. The tax rate is good, but as an American you will be taxed in both the US and Singapore which sucks. I am from the NE so getting used to hot and humid weather was a hard adjustment especially wearing shorts for Christmas. Travel is great and its easy and cheap to do weekend trips to such places as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and tons of other places in SEA. The country is really clean and really efficient. Public transportation is clean, safe and affordable. Crime is very low and its one of the safest countries to be in. i liken it to being in the Truman Show. Hope that gives you an idea.
getting expensive, english or broken english, many foreigners, safe, can take MRT or Bus for public transport
Singapore is great lifestyle. Can be a bit dull. But ultimately it’s what you make of it - just like anywhere else. It has great food via the food court network and the mix of cultures which each bring their own cuisine to the table, a great public transportation system, a generally pleasant and courteous population, good outdoor space, humid weather, and a small but happy nightlife. If you want to go clubbing all the time SG will disappoint, but Clarke Quay and Boat Quay do give some opportunities to blow off steam. You’re in the heart of SE Asia so you’re able to easily travel to lots of great nearby destinations like Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia or take a 4 hour flight to HK. It’s what you make of it.
Given where rents have gone, and the increasingly 'Dubai like' feel of the place, I think some of the pros stated above are getting balanced by the cons. I spent 2 stints and about 9 years working there, and I think I'm done. And this is when I don't have issues with rent as I own my place - it is just too freakin expensive now and increasingly not value for money.
I wanted to make this move as well. When I got out of the Army I interviewed for some jobs, bad thing was rent is insane. Apparently up 65% over the past two years, and no stop in sight.
I still want to make this move but being that I am exclusively working on NA natural gas markets, I'm likely reserved to visiting.
Bump - can anyone share their experience of working patterns, living conditions, culture, outlook etc? Coming from London perspective
Very much depends on whether you work for an international or a local company, the latter of which I'd avoid at all costs (low pay, terrible culture, long hours).
At an international company YMMV depending on whether you're reporting to/in a team of predominantly locals, which will more likely than not skew up your working hours. But at least you'll be paid international money and get a solid tax break.
As a country, I'd honestly say it's the closest the world has to a utopia: immaculately clean, no crime, super convenient, highly functional administration. Dealing with the Singapore govt will honestly spoil you for wherever else you live. For all those reasons a lot of people don't like it; it definitely lacks some of the "edge" you get in a place like London. I personally loved the weather but that's a personal preference. Unfortunately it has become stupidly expensive in recent years.
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