I've only visited once and for a weekend. My prejudices were not quite reflected in what I actually saw, since I came totally prepared to hate the living bejee

I've only visited once and for a weekend. My prejudices were not quite reflected in what I actually saw, since I came totally prepared to hate the living bejeezes out of this place. It's not quite as black and white. What impressed me most was the garden at the bay. Where they invested a cool billion to build a garden on the most expensive (reclaimed) real estate in the world. The food is fantastic too. I understand why my parents loved it. It's instant asia without the hangover you get in places like Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur. That said, and while I didn't totally hate it a weekend is fine and I don't really need to go back. The comparison with Dubai seems apt. If you're not into shopping malls it's mostly a rather drab place. And there's always the slight undercurrent of fascism, which I intensly disliked. I got the strong impression that if you don't go with the flow you're a pariah and a social outcast. It also doesn't help that they charge roughly S$ 20 (and up) for a bloody beer at any place, which is halfway in the city center. It's a place where happy hour really makes sense. So, if I want a huge city with unmatched shopping oportunities, which has still a lot to offer in terms of liveability I rather chose Tokyo.