Living in Singapore

I have been getting quite a lot of messages asking me how life is here in Singapore. To be honest, it's not the easiest thing in the world but it's not that hard either.

I think one of the biggest struggle any Filipino would face when they go to Singapore is communicating with locals, especially the elderly ones. On my first few months in Singapore, I think I have used "Sorry? Come again." too much for a lifetime. It was really hard to understand what they're saying but I have gotten used to it. Don't get me wrong. Most Singaporeans speak good English but it is quite hard to catch what they're saying because of their accent. And in their defense, they also find it hard to understand what I'm saying when they're talking to me. Probably because of my accent as well. No matter how clear I feel like my voice is, we pronounce and use words differently that's why the communication barrier is always there.

Another thing that's still hard to swallow about Singapore is the very high cost of living. Everything seems so expensive here. And no, I no longer convert SGD to PHP but I still find that most of the things are overpriced. Say for instance, I pay $700 (around 24,000PHP) for the small bedroom I am renting. That's already a studio condo unit back home. Until now, I send my rent payment with my eyes closed.

But if there's one thing I would give Singapore credit for, it's the convenient mode of transportation. Contrary to popular belief, we also experience bad traffic in this island and the trains are jampacked as well most of the time. However, compared to the Philippines, Singapore's land travel experience is two hundred times better.

The safety is also incomparable to the Philippines. I can walk around the park at night or carry my laptop in my arms to work and I'm sure I would experience no harm.

Now the million dollar question, would I still go back to the Philippines for good? Yes, I will. Once I'm satisfied with what I have accomplished, I will go back to my hometown and never leave again. Singapore is beautiful place but my heart is still in the Philippines.

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