🇸🇬 Singapore Guide - The Most Expensive and Green City in the World

In this edition, let’s talk Singapore and its stunning highlights. Let’s go!

Singapore – Top Tier State in the World

The history of contemporary Singapore began when, after a thought-to-benefit-the-economy merger and following disagreements, Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became an independent republic on 9 August 1965 resulting from the Singapore-Malaysia UN agreement. It is the only country to date to gain independence unwillingly.

Singapore as strongly holds the first place in the Top Most Expensive Cities in the World Ranking as of 2023, according to the annual EIU’s Worldwide Cost of Living survey, for the ninth time in the last eleven years.

Singapore also takes the second place in the Ease of Doing Business Ranking 2019-2020, following New Zealand only.

The Port of Singapore is the second largest container port in the world as of 2022-2017, giving way to first place only to the port of Shanghai, according to the World Shipping Council Report.

The city takes top places in other rankings as well.

People are lovely and super friendly. And it feels good to live among people who understand that, for instance, trash should go in a bin, not only in Singapore.

Singlish

Although Singapore has 4 official languages - English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, English is the lingua franca here. However, spoken English has been influenced by the Chinese dialects, Malay, Tamil and others and has transformed in a way that even the government recognises that as an issue. It has been launching “Speak Good English” campaigns since 2000s! The purpose of the yearly program is to make Singaporeans recognise the importance of speaking standard English (based on the British standard) and to encourage its usage, as a countermeasure to colloquial Singlish. There is of course some criticism, as Singaporeans use Singlish as a way of identifying themselves, but the movement still insists that people should use the global language of commerce and business to be universally understood.

The mix is noticeable when you speak with locals and read road and restaurant/food-truck signs. Here are some examples of usage.

For more examples, please refer to the Singlish Wiki page.

Overall, when the official language is English, it facilitates so many day to day things and promotes the place across the world arena.

Let’s dive into the spots I’ve come across! You can also see the full list directly in Google Maps.

Garden City

Singapore is a very green state. Greening was consciously incorporated into urban planning starting from 1970s. By 1982, it was reported that one tree had been planted for every Singaporean born in the last ten years, reinforcing Singapore’s reputation as a “garden city”.

The city has a beautiful collection of parks. Trees grow from the skyscrapers!

It’s so green you can easily spot roosters promenading around the streets. Not like foxes in London…

• Gardens by the Bay (Google Maps) – A network of modern greenhouses and parks containing super trees. In the evening, enjoy the lights show.

• Mount Faber Park (Google Maps) – Take a cable car to this one and admire the views of the Port.

• Singapore Botanic Gardens (Google Maps)

• TreeTop Walk and surrounding areas (Google Maps)

Food Scene

The food scene is absolutely astonishing. It’s like they have taken the best bits from all surrounding countries. Want a tasty bibimbap from Korea? Got it! Want a juicy tonkatsu from Japan? Help yourself! Want a nice pad thai from Thailand? Here you go!

You don’t know where to start? Go directly to La Pa Sat (Google Maps) – a great hawker centre.

Coffee

The quality of coffee is very good, probably thanks to the Australian influence. Grab a cup from one of these.

• Nylon Coffee (Google Maps)

• The Glasshouse (Google Maps)

• Asylum Coffeehouse (Google Maps)

• Snap Cafe (Google Maps)

• The Coffee Code (Google Maps)

• KYŌ KOHEE (Google Maps)

• Acoustics Coffee Bar Neil (Google Maps)

• Yixing Xuan Teahouse (Google Maps) – As a bonus, if you love tea, definitely come to this place. I was impressed by their tea collection and knowledge around it.

Restaurants

To be honest, recommending restaurants in Singapore is hard, since there are so many good options everywhere. You don’t even need to know a specific place, just notice what you have in front of you and it will be great.

• Guiga Korean BBQ Restaurant (Google Maps) – Korean.

• KOMA Singapore (Google Maps) – Upscale Japanese restaurant.

• Odette (Google Maps) – Fine dining.

• The Fat Kid Bakery (Google Maps) – Yes. Fill up your second stomach at this one.

Entertainment

I stayed in Singapore for about 2 weeks, but the funny thing though is that local people were always telling me that I was nuts to stay there for such long, as it becomes boring quite fast. They might have a valid point.

If you want simply to drop by as a tourist, you can make it in 5-6 days max. You can always find something to see, but everything is condensed into a small territory and available at a walking distance.

• Sentosa (Google Maps) – This is the entire island dedicated to relaxing and hanging out. Book a day off and explore the clean beach, golf and beach clubs, restaurants, concerts, aquaparks, hiking trails through jungles, museums and forts and much more!

• Serapong Golf Course (Google Maps) – The World’s Best Golf Course title at the annual World Golf Awards (WGA) in Abu Dhabi, 2023.

Rooftops & Bars

Discovering various rooftop bars is quite simple due to the abundance of ski-rises, in addition to the notable ones mentioned here.

• Mr. Stork (Google Maps)

• CÉ LA VI (Google Maps)

• Las Palmas Rooftop Bar (Google Maps)

• Smoke & Mirrors (Google Maps)

• Manhattan Bar (Google Maps)

• Bitters & Love Bar (Google Maps)

Shopping

There is a bookshop called Littered with Books. But I would say literally that the city is littered with shopping malls. It all even starts when you land at the airport. The Changi airport is a luxury 10-floor retail complex (with a 40-m waterfall). It is so easy to spend money here. Everything is commercialised and done in a way to say goodbye to money.

Singapore is “Switzerland” in Asia. But actually, I would rather say it’s like Canary Wharf in London or like Zurich. I have a feeling that all high-end, developed and most expensive cities look and feel almost the same.

And yes, it really is the most expensive city in the world. A good cappuccino costs around S$7-11 (€5-7). A good weekday lunch starts from S$30 (€21). A small standard beer is around S$5-10 (€4-7). And starting from S$25 (€17) is for a cocktail in a bar. The entrance fee to a venue can go as high as S$35-45 (€24-31) just for a typical party during weekend. What I call unaesthetic is that they often include GST (consumption tax) of 9% and service charge of 10% only in the final bill. So the final price is often higher. Additionally, many cafés implement the latest technologies, for instance placing a QR code on the table where you can not only see the menu but place an order too. At the end, you pay at the front desk. After that, I’m left reflecting what kind of service charge they include in the bill…

On the other hand, taxes are relatively low in Singapore, with a flat rate of 17% for corporate income and dividends usually not subjected to personal income tax.

Nevertheless, if you enjoy shopping, check these best out. Many others are available as well in the country.

• Jewel Changi Airport (Google Maps) – Luxury shopping mall combined with the airport.

• The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (Google Maps) – The deluxe shopping part of the huge integrated resort named Marina Bay Sands and owned by Las Vegas Sands. The resort itself and its architecture project are a WOW – 1 hectare roof terrace with the longest infinity pool; 2561 rooms; 57-story tall or 198 m; the world's largest atrium casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines.

• Orchard Road (Google Maps) – Along this street you can shop at 10+ shopping malls.

• Haji Lane (Google Maps) – Kampong Glam (Malay/Muslim) neighbourhood of Singapore, many boutiques and vintage stores are around here.

Events

To find extra what to do, check these websites out.

• Meetup (Link) – For international meet-ups.

• All Events in Singapore (Link)

• Manifest Events (Link) – House music parties.

End Note

For those who appreciate a blend of greenery, finance, delightful food and shopping, this is the perfect destination for you to go. I’m assuming, you’ve already arrived!

As always, here is the link to the full list directly in Google Maps.

Until next time!

📍Singapore City, Singapore

— Ilya

The included pictures are taken and text is written by Ilya Gruzhevski and subject to copyright. Copying and/or using without a written approval is not permitted.