What is life like in Singapore, one of the richest and safest countries in the world?

Although Singapore celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence in 2015, the country has not wasted time in organizing its next tribute.

The
The bicentennial of Singapore, which will be celebrated with events, exhibitions and festivals throughout 2019, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the arrival of
Sir Stamford Raffles, who established Singapore as a trading post for the British East India Company.

On the contrary that with the day of independence, these celebrations are not to everyone's taste. The British colonization of the island nation has long been a contentious issue and many residents feel that it should not be celebrated.

However, the bicentennial office says its goal is to give citizens the opportunity to reflect on the colonial past and the values ​​that have shaped the modern nation.

On the contrary that with the day of independence, these celebrations are not to everyone's taste. British colonization of the island has long been a controversial issue and many residents believe that it should not be celebrated.

These values ​​- tolerance, multiculturalism and independence, as the Bicentennial Office puts it – are exactly what many residents like to live in Singapore.

"Despite this diversity, all Singaporeans are similar in the way we speak, the values ​​we share and our acceptance of people from all walks of life."

Why is he so loved?

The mix of crops allows newcomers, especially Westerners, to adapt quickly to this city.

"It is an excellent gateway to Asia, physically, because it is very well connected to other tourist spots in the region such as Bali and Boracay, but also culturally", says Alexandra Feig, who has been living in Singapore for three years. He has a travel blog.

"Singapore has a lot of affinities with the West, because of the British influence, you can see Buddhist temples next to British style houses, and in the street stalls you can find all kinds of food, rice with chicken, Indonesian fried rice, hamburgers … "

And make no mistake: these street stalls are of high quality, says the Canadian and editor of a travel blog, Jordan Bishop.

The mix of cultures allows newcomers, especially Westerners, to adapt quickly to this city

Two of them now have Michelin stars: "Rice and chicken noodles with soy sauce from Hong Kong" and "Noodle pork from Hill Street Tai Hwa" were the first kiosks to be awarded this honor in 2016.

With the weekly opening of new restaurants and bars, Singaporean cuisine reflects much of its commercial past: Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, German, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese …

But Singapore's multiculturalism is not just reflected in food. The locals even have jargon that reflects this mixture of cultures: singlish, a mixture of English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Malay and Tamil, which, although not recognized by the government, is generally used in social situations, such as when ordering coffee or talking with friends.

What is it like to live here?

Unlike other big cities, residents are rarely concerned about crime or violence. With one of the lowest crime rates in the world, even petty street crime is considered a "waste of time," says Bino Chua, who has been living in Singapore for eleven years.

"You can leave your car unlocked or your purse unattended," says American Alison Ozawa Sanders, who has been living here for five years and who is co-author of the "Singapore Expat Guide" .

Unlike other big cities, residents are rarely concerned about crime or violence. With one of the lowest crime rates in the world, even petty street crime is considered a "waste of time"

"As a woman, I can go out at night without worrying about my safety, and as a mother, I do not feel that if I look away from my children for two seconds, somebody one will take them away. "

Singapore is also very clean and easy to navigate, especially because of government restrictions and high car prices.

"Some people say that it's sterile and boring, but I think it's a product of safety and comfort," Chua said. "I'd rather live in a safe and boring place than in a country where I have to be constantly worried about being robbed."

The city center has a work-oriented environment and people are moving at a fast pace, but it's easy to escape the hustle and bustle when it's needed.

"My apartment is just a 25-minute walk from a jungle forest great for birdwatching," says Daniel Burnham, an American expert in flight research.

"Singapore has very beautiful national parks and a large fauna, given its size and density."

According to a recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is also the most expensive place in the world: a new car can cost $ 100,000 and renting an apartment outside the center can cost $ 1,885.

As the island is relatively small, residents also recommend taking advantage of Changi Airport and its low airfares. "When the country gets small, it's easy to get on a plane and get out of the city," Burnham said.

What else do I need to know?

Singapore has a hot climate that lasts all year. Expats warn you that you have to get used to sweating all the time.

Chilled air conditioning inside buildings is also a "necessary evil," says Burnham.

Singapore is also the most expensive place to live in the world, according to
A recent report from The Economist Intelligence Unit: A new car can cost you up to $ 100,000, and renting an apartment out of the center can cost $ 1,885.

However, residents who have been living in Singapore for a long time say that these figures do not always reflect reality.

"Many visitors and expats tend to confuse life in Singapore with what you see in movies like Crazy Rich Asians," Burnham said.

"But the cost of living in Singapore is not necessarily part of the stratosphere if you live in the local lifestyle, you lead a normal life: we cook at home, we take public transportation … we spend much less money than in the United States. "

The country is also one of the least taxed in the world. Overall, Singapore shines brightly as residents struggle to leave the urban center.

"There is a lot of diversity if you're looking for it," says Burnham. "In addition to all the architecture of the 21st century, in the suburbs you can find acres of farmland, ruined cemeteries, fishing villages and colonial posts."

Lindsey Galloway – BBC Travel