Chinese national’s ‘Don’t go to Singapore’ advice sparks discussion on high cost of living

A video has emerged online featuring a Chinese woman advising her fellow citizens against pursuing employment opportunities in Singapore, cautioning them about the potential challenges and difficulties they might encounter.

In her video, posted on Xiaohongshu, she urged her followers in Mandarin to reconsider seeking work in Singapore, despite the country’s accessibility to foreign workers with low entry requirements, nominal fees, and no language prerequisites.

However, she emphasized that not everyone can thrive there, stressing the importance of preparing for and enduring hardships before making such a decision.

She highlighted, “Although you may see online influencers in Singapore appearing glamorous, what’s shown is merely a façade.”

She portrayed their daily schedule: concluding work, commuting home via the MRT, and often feeling too fatigued to walk back to their accommodations.

She mentioned that adjusting to the local cuisine might pose a challenge. As a cost-saving measure, some individuals resort to consuming budget-friendly options such as instant noodles and porridge regularly.

“Sharing a dormitory with eight individuals, experiencing homesickness, and feeling disconnected from one’s hometown—all of these challenges must be faced independently.”

She cautioned those seeking employment in Singapore that they must endure this challenging initial phase, adapt to the demanding work atmosphere and language environment, and persist for a minimum of six months or longer, and only after that can they genuinely attain the desired lifestyle.

“If you can’t handle both mental and physical hardships, take my advice, just don’t go, ” the woman concluded.

Netizens highlight the shared struggle of locals and foreign workers in navigating Singapore’s high cost of living

Checking the Xiaohongshu account that posted the video, the user identifies herself as having 15 years of expertise in the overseas service industry and claimed to work for a Liaoning-based international manpower service agency called “Hengzhi International (恒志国际劳务).

The user has also shared other videos addressing various topics related to working or studying abroad, covering visa application processes and migration to different countries such as Japan, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, and more.

The video has sparked a discussion on social media. While some comments disagree with her criticism of Singapore, others have pointed out that the high cost of living is not only a challenge for locals but also for foreign workers who have to work diligently and save rigorously due to the expensive nature of things here.

One comment wrote: “Reminder: The Singapore dollar is 5-8 times stronger than the Chinese yuan, enduring some hardships is inevitable.”

However, another comment also highlighted that while the exchange rate is favourable, the expenses in Singapore are equally high.

One comment stated: “Making a living in Singapore is not easy. Everything is expensive, and the money earned goes into daily expenses. It’s impossible to earn a lot and save to take back home.”

However, another individual argued that according to what they learned from their friend, only accommodation in Singapore is expensive.

Still, others countered that even locals find everything expensive, prompting many to retire in other countries.

Meanwhile, certain comments highlighted that the woman’s message serves as a reminder for those aspiring for higher incomes abroad, emphasizing the need for greater effort and resilience.

“It’s inevitable; the foundation of success involves enduring the toughest challenges. There are no freebies in this world.”

Reviewing comments on the Facebook group “Complaint Singapore,” some netizens sarcastically expressed gratitude, stating they wished to “thank the woman” for dissuading an influx of workers as the city-state is already overcrowded.

Certain pragmatic advice highlighted that Singapore is primarily a workplace, and not everyone can thrive there. It requires readiness to endure hardships and possess adaptability skills.

Additionally, a comment pointed out that the woman’s statement overlooked the fact that migrant workers typically have to pay agent fees.

On average, it takes about 1-2 years to repay these fees from their earnings. Therefore, the initial 1-2 years are essentially working without earning anything for themselves.

Zurich, Singapore as world’s most expensive cities: The Economist

Recently, a survey published by The Economist magazine indicated that Zurich and Singapore are the most expensive cities in the world ahead of New York amid the ever-rising cost of living.

The findings of the Worldwide Cost of Living survey published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) highlighted that Singapore kept its position as the world’s most expensive city this year, for the ninth time in 11 years.

It ranks jointly with Zurich (Switzerland), which is back at the top after three years.

After the survey was released, the Singaporean government swiftly responded. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) defended that the survey might not accurately portray the cost of living for Singaporeans.

On 30 November, a spokesperson for the MTI asserted that the EIU’s survey aims to assist human resource and finance managers worldwide in calculating living costs, providing allowances for expatriates and business travellers, and formulating compensation plans.

The spokesperson emphasized that the consumption basket used in the survey does not align with the typical spending patterns of Singaporeans.

Furthermore, the survey converts the prices of goods and services in the surveyed cities into US dollars to facilitate comparisons between cities, said MTI.

“Our country’s strong exchange rate places us high in the rankings compared to other cities, but the strengthened currency does not raise the cost of living for Singaporeans earning income in Singapore dollars.”

“Conversely, a stronger Singapore dollar helps to curb imported inflation in Singapore by reducing import prices, subsequently lowering consumer prices.”