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If you attempt to recreate the most particularly American aspects of life, namely car ownership, home ownership, dining out, purchasing clothing, yes, you will

If you attempt to recreate the most particularly American aspects of life, namely car ownership, home ownership, dining out, purchasing clothing, yes, you will pay out the nose. Singapore's government runs a budget surplus off of consumption tax. And if you take illegal drugs, you'll pay with your life! But if you live in an HDB outside of the downtown area, commute by bike foot or metro, cook in or eat hawker center, avoid consumerism, etc. Boy will you be rich and happy on this low tax, nice weather little island. All about personal goals :)

charlesdm 10y ago
I've always liked the thought of Singapore and I'm not really attached to owning a car. Add to that the interesting tax system, and I could be sold. That all said, could you disclose how much you're spending per month? How much on rent, for example? It seems property prices are insane (from the basic research I've done), hence my concern.
- salesguy222 10y ago
  Happily, pal! It'll be a mix of what I've learned personally and what I've heard. Forgoing a car will save you 100s of thousands USD. No point in owning one unless you are a banker or you have elderly family to take around who wouldn't do well in crowded transport. I arranged to live with friends who rent an HDB (decently nice publicly constructed condos that are privately owned by Singaporeans). The property is probably worth 130k to 170k USD. Taxes per year are a few K on it I imagine. I pay $500 USD to rent. Like I said, it's pretty much dirt cheap for how nice it is. Only 45 mins from downtown. It's in the Sembawang/Yishun area. People joke that SG gov't should build a wall to keep us weirdos out of downtown/Sentosa :) I have yet to go to a country that doesn't have at least one reasonable living situation under 1k a month. Even Switzerland!
  - 205guy 10y ago
    Right, but if you live with roommates (assuming single no kids as well), don't own a car, and are willing to commute 45 min by public transportation, you can live in any HCOL (high cost of living) city in the world, including SF/BayArea. And you originally claimed SF was overly regulated, so I'm not sure how that compares to Singapore. Every location has its ups and downs, and those will affect each person differently, depending on their situation. That said, I do support your original intent of encouraging people to find alternative lifestyles and locations and not get stuck in the rat race.

charlesdm 10y ago

I've always liked the thought of Singapore and I'm not really attached to owning a car. Add to that the interesting tax system, and I could be sold. That all said, could you disclose how much you're spending per month? How much on rent, for example? It seems property prices are insane (from the basic research I've done), hence my concern.

salesguy222 10y ago
Happily, pal! It'll be a mix of what I've learned personally and what I've heard. Forgoing a car will save you 100s of thousands USD. No point in owning one unless you are a banker or you have elderly family to take around who wouldn't do well in crowded transport. I arranged to live with friends who rent an HDB (decently nice publicly constructed condos that are privately owned by Singaporeans). The property is probably worth 130k to 170k USD. Taxes per year are a few K on it I imagine. I pay $500 USD to rent. Like I said, it's pretty much dirt cheap for how nice it is. Only 45 mins from downtown. It's in the Sembawang/Yishun area. People joke that SG gov't should build a wall to keep us weirdos out of downtown/Sentosa :) I have yet to go to a country that doesn't have at least one reasonable living situation under 1k a month. Even Switzerland!
- 205guy 10y ago
  Right, but if you live with roommates (assuming single no kids as well), don't own a car, and are willing to commute 45 min by public transportation, you can live in any HCOL (high cost of living) city in the world, including SF/BayArea. And you originally claimed SF was overly regulated, so I'm not sure how that compares to Singapore. Every location has its ups and downs, and those will affect each person differently, depending on their situation. That said, I do support your original intent of encouraging people to find alternative lifestyles and locations and not get stuck in the rat race.