Rev3Highlights: IS SINGAPORE THE WORLD’S BEST CITY

Sunday, December 22, 2024

IS SINGAPORE THE WORLD’S BEST CITY

Posted by

IS SINGAPORE THE WORLD’S BEST CITY

The short answer? yes, undoubtedly. To its detractors, it’s still the little red dot, too expensive, sterile, and a police state. For those who appreciate it’s efficiency, cleanliness, organization, and high tech development, it’s unmatched. When it comes to residing in Southeast Asia, if you have the financial capability, Singapore is at the top of the desirable locations. If you don’t have the financial capability then Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are probably the next best options. Even so, having lived in Thailand for almost thirty years I’ve always said that if I was twenty years younger, I’d move to Singapore in a heartbeat. Some may find this surprising.

Thailand is often viewed as the ultimate place to reside or enjoy life long-term. Twenty years ago, it probably was but like many who’ve spent a couple of decades in the place all that once seemed appealing, no longer is. Once the novelty of the nightlife, frisky ladies, and spicey food wears off, the negative aspects start to compound. Noise, traffic, pollution, inefficiency, rampant corruption, lethargic bureaucracy, visa issues, scams, overcrowded tourist areas, cultural differences, and language barriers eventually take their toll. Additionally, a country which places ever more reliance on a rise in GDP, from increasing levels of tourism, is eventually going to have some serious issues. Does forty million plus tourists a year, arriving in a country which is already behind in infrastructure capability, seem like a positive look for the place? I don’t think so. All the issues mentioned above will only get worse simply because of the local authority’s inability to plan ahead properly, or even decide on solutions. By comparison, Singapore has something which Thailand probably never had. Governments which think long term and get things done. So it’s goodbye to the chaotic Disneyland of Thailand and hello to the calmness and efficiency of Singapore.

If you’ve spent any time in the Lion City you’ll know that there’s more to the place than shopping trips along Orchard Road. It may be small, and full of high-rise buildings, but there’s a surprising number of green areas throughout Singapore. A bit of time spent looking at Google Maps will reveal plenty of parks, gardens, and nature reserves. One of the best is the MacRitchie Reservoir, located just a few kilometers from Orchard Road. This green area has some excellent hiking trails/walking tracks which will give you seriously good workout. The round trip from the carpark is approximately 12 km and runs around a dam, and through some great jungle terrain. The highpoint is the tree top suspension bridge which runs for approximately 250 meters through the upper branches of the dense jungle.