Having lived in Singapore for seven years and initially considering it near-perfect, I became curious about the increasing number of people leaving for Australia. Was Australia, often perceived as expensive, isolated, and even racist, truly a better alternative? I embarked on a personal journey to Sydney to find out.
The Eight Criteria Comparison
To objectively compare Singapore and Australia, I developed eight criteria, including cost of living, lifestyle, and weather. The country scoring higher across these areas would win my metaphorical "taxes." I also spoke to experts and Singaporean expats for diverse perspectives. The goal was to determine whether to stay in Singapore or start fresh in Australia.
Safety and Security
Sydney was generally safe, but bag checks at bookstores hinted at petty theft. As a Singaporean, this raised a concern, because Singapore feels even safer. Homelessness was also more visible in Sydney's city center than in Singapore. In conclusion, Singapore wins in safety due to its extremely low crime rates.
Coffee and Food
Sydney's coffee scene generally surpassed Singapore's, offering consistently excellent Western-style coffee. However, Singapore's hawker centers provided an unbeatable variety of cheap and delicious food, a feature notably absent in Australia, where restaurant meals were pricier.
Social Pubs and Supply
Australian social pubs, subsidized by the government, offered locals affordable drinks. Australia felt like there was a undersupply and overdemand for many things, such as cafes. Labor costs and regulations might discourage new businesses, possibly because the high quality of life meant fewer people felt the need to start many new businesses.
Revolute Ad Integration
Life in both Australia and Singapore is made easier with a Revolute card, which works in over 150 countries and enables users to exchange and hold 39 currencies. Benefits include great exchange rates, no ATM fees, and automatic global travel insurance when tickets are bought with the card. New users can sign up via a link or QR code for $30 cash back.
Healthcare Systems
Australia offers a Medicare system for permanent residents and citizens, providing free doctor visits and subsidized medications. While some expensive medications still require co-payments, the government covers a significant portion of the costs.
Cost of Living and Taxes
Comparing the cost of living, including housing and car ownership, Sydney and Singapore were comparable. Some things are cheaper in Australia, and some are cheaper in Singapore. However, income taxes were twice as high in Australia, and dining out was also more expensive due to higher labor costs.
Weather and Lifestyle
Expats cited the weather as a drawback in Sydney, with one interviewee from a cold country saying the winters were difficult. Another liked the easy-going, smiling people. Sydney summers are hot, but spring and fall are pleasant. Singapore's weather is generally liked but can get uncomfortable. For its real seasons and cool evenings, Australia wins out.
Tasmania and Domestic Flights
A planned trip to Tasmania was briefly disrupted by a flight delay but was quickly resolved. Domestic flights in Australia had minimal security. It was possible to book a ticket under a false name, and no identification was needed to board.
Tasmanian Whiskey and Alternative Investments
Tasmania's distilleries rival Scotland's, leading to a discussion on whiskey cask investment. Whiskey is ranked as a stable alternative investment, holding value even during economic downturns. Potential investors should research and understand that returns are not guaranteed.
Commuting and Traffic
Commuting within Sydney was relatively easy, with short travel times and minimal traffic. However, road signage was confusing, especially in tunnels where GPS signals were unreliable. Traffic lights were also extremely frequent. Surprisingly, few motorcycles were seen on the roads. Singapore wins on effortless travel due to easy traffic conditions.
Culture and Societal Norms
Sydney felt a little too comfortable, lacking the vibrant street life of Southeast Asian countries. Australia's egalitarian culture discourages showing off or drawing attention to oneself. The general attitude is live your life but don't make it harder for the people around you.
Australian Culture
Before the trip, Australians were expected to be more like Americans, but it became clear they are more relaxed. The vibe is a mix of America and Europe. Some parts feels really European, some parts feel like San Diego. The city felt more crowded than Singapore, and Sydney's hilly streets added a special touch. Sydney is a melting pot.
Regulations and Customer Service
Australia has strict regulations, like the rule that only licensed staff can pour wine at events. Customer service was noted as relaxed and sometimes uncaring, possibly due to high demand. Many shops closed early, around 5 PM, regardless of the day.
Key Factors for City Evaluation
When considering a move, it is important to evaluate the work opportunities, the work-life balance, how clean the city is, how safe it is, and the weather. Sydney scores high but doesn't rank number one for any particular thing.
The Verdict
Despite Australia's allure, Singapore emerged as the preferred home. While others find happiness in Australia, Singapore's efficiency, convenient location, and overall ease of living are hard to beat. The key takeaway is that happiness can be found in any country.
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