Migrate
From SgWiki
Migrate see migrating Immigrations are for people, but for wild animals and bird especially we call migration ! see original Porcupines in Singapore forest reserve ! How did they get to African and Canada? via Federal Express?
Emigration to Vancouver or Perth
Continuing the serious discussion I saw on "A lesson in Asian Culture" and the debate on East and West, I am actually considering to emigrate to either Vancouver or Perth. I am considering to leave Singapore, my homeland, for a number of reasons:
a. The political system here is not sustainable. It may be working well now. But when the team breaks up, people will be lost on what to do. PAP has done too good a job in spoon-feeding the public. The biggest weakness they have is to stifle all opposition, many times using techniques that are very questionable. It is not good for our country long term.
It is a good government but it creates a political system that lacks self renewal and self sustaining capabilities. I have been voting for PAP because there are no viable alternatives. I cannot objectively vote for any opposition because they are not allowed to grow into the political system.
b. Singapore is getting so expensive that even if one has 4 to 5 million dollars, I am not sure I can retire comfortably. Medical care is a concern. Cost of living is so high that we cannot afford the quality of life that we deserve. It is going to get worse.
c. The education system stifles creativity. It is rich in content but too high pressured that causes pupil to hate schools, homework and study. It is not the best way to educate. The best way to educate is to create a love for learning and cultivate creativity of which our education system fails badly.
d. We have a nice country - clean, green and organized. But look at our neighbours. It is such a mess. Can we stand alone and survive long term? No city state has survived in history. Singapore can be the exception but probably quite tough.
I am considering Vancouver because of the weather - cold but comfortable. Its close proximity to US opens up opportunities for me and my kids. Education is not a problem. My kids will probably end up with some good University in US if they choose not to study in Canada. There is a vibrant immigrant population that keeps the culture alive and society interesting. It is really multi-cultural but little trace of racial prejudice. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Even when I retire, I have plenty of places to go for vacation and plenty of things to do.
Quality of life is certainly the best in the world. Medical care is one of the finest and it is free. The cons is that taxes are high but you get back what you pay for.
As for Perth, the weather is milder. It is also one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities in the world. Having said all the above, I will still miss Singapore - all my friends, business network and relatives. Perth is only 4 hours away. The cons are that it is not as vibrant as the community in Vancouver although in Perth itself, 80% of the people living there are not born in that city.
The world has shrunk so small. I have lived both in Britain and US, travelled extensively to Europe and Australia. I know it is not a problem living anywhere. I will maintain my many friendships - many of them are dispersed around the world. I want to live in a place where the cost of living commensurates with what you pay, the society is gracious, the community is vibrant and a place in close proximity to business opportunities.
Singapore is close to China which is probably going to experience the fastest economic growth in the next decade. But doing business in China is such a pain and thus not worth all the effort.
Any opinions from anyone (in the newsgroup) are welcome.
Zpring
See also Singapore Serf (http://singaporeserf.blogspot.com) for one Singaporean emigrant's story.
Goto Migrating
- return to [[1]]
- All animals can migrate but where would the old Lion go?
