Singapore is expensive but is it that bad?
-
Do you agree with author?
--
“World’s Most Expensive City” says the internet… and with that the Facebook explodes to life.
You know, I have read two of BBC’s opinions on Singapore this year already. The first one aboutSingapore’s hidden poor and the second one showing how poor families “survive” in this country.
I felt both articles were opportunistic at best. Take the same headline and you can plaster it on any country, making a sensational story. Tell me which country on this planet doesn’t have a problem with poverty?
However I took offence at today’s commentary on Singapore being most expensive city in the world.
In traditional economics, you take a basket of goods for global comparison. Guess what? Singapore is land scarce. We will surely lose out on such a comparison. We hear it again and again, we are small. Some dismiss it as Government propaganda. It is not, it is reality. We ARE small.
Now when you don’t have land, you don’t have a lot of space for cars. We do not have a lot of space to build houses. We do not have enough land to share between farms, cemeteries, historical preservation, parks and industry. We do not even have enough land for water catchment.
Cars and investment property are not, cannot and should not be cheap. We have to manage the prices of food which we almost wholly import. Our politicians fought tooth and nail over our supply of water, without which our military will almost be certainly be deployed into war to defend this basic sustenance (and thank goodness for investment into water technology, this is not going to happen).
To make up for the lack of land, we pay money to build infrastructure. We pay money to develop or import technology. We have to use pricing to control the distribution of goods such as cars and property.
If you read a headline that goes “Singapore named the world’s most expensive city”, you would almost go “…awww, the poor Singaporeans…” But I assure you, it is not like that.
This country needs a lot of work to maintain a constant state of balance. Too much wealth and the economy could overheat, the bottom-middle strata of citizens may not be able to catch up. Yet poor economic performance could set a downward spiral, a downtrend that could take decades to recover from.
It is not that bad.
Basic education is virtually free. The destitute are taken off the streets, housed and helped back on their feet. The handicapped have social assistance. The poor also have similar assistance and help with job placement. A strong tripartite alliance is lifting both wages and productivity. Government handouts that neutralise the effects of Goods and Services tax. Very low income taxes. A forced savings plan known as the CPF, to guarantee a most minimum of savings to use for medical care and old age.
In some ways, it is expensive – and it is important we know why. See beyond the high price and you will see an oasis of opportunities. Opportunities for one to capitalise off the wealth in this country and to build a niche of success for oneself.
We may not have done as well as them, but surely the British should be proud of this little ex-colony called Singapore, no?
-
Basic education is virtually free. The destitute are taken off the streets, housed and helped back on their feet. The handicapped have social assistance. The poor also have similar assistance and help with job placement. A strong tripartite alliance is lifting both wages and productivity. Government handouts that neutralise the effects of Goods and Services tax. Very low income taxes. A forced savings plan known as the CPF, to guarantee a most minimum of savings to use for medical care and old age.
Things are so bloody expensive now. When I want to pick a smart working dress for an interview, a good-looking and quality one from Bugis costed me $35. How do I find the bloody money when my parents are poor (I don't want to burden my parents) and I need a job? Unless you want me to turn up in tee-shirts and shorts.
-
Can we don't deny that things are bloody expensive now?
Please I don't dream of Ferrari or even a Toyota. I don't dream of Sentosa cove or distirct 10 properties. I want my most basic need to be met- Housing. If I need to pay 30 years for it, I rather pack my bags and make a run for it. Please lah gahmen, please lah.
I have a lot of challenges thrown in front of me caused by my bloody parents. I need to make a run, a desperate run or I will risk a fate of constant fiancial struggle. You think when I get university degree no need to pay for the bills ar? Parents ill no need pay? No need to start a family?
-
Just because a car costs $100-200K and public housing can reach almost 1 million dollars doesn't mean that Sg is expensive.
-
Its only skewed because of the cost of cars, and property. The simple reason for the high cost of cars is the scarcity of land. High property prices? Same reason.
If it took into account personal income tax, we're paying among the world's lowest, CPF not withstanding.
Trust the BBC to come up with an opinion like that hor?
-
-
:lol:
-
I think if you don't buy a car and a house, you should be able to survive financially.
-
sleep on the streets? :lol:
-
Originally posted by Mr Milo:
sleep on the streets?
No lah, sleep in front of Istana.
-
that guy in wonderland ah?
-
Originally posted by Mr Milo:
sleep on the streets?
I am sure you can find some bench under some flat.
Or at the playground.
-
:lol: sleep in front of Istana.....there will be lots of people sleeping there :lol:
-
Originally posted by Summer hill:
Can we don't deny that things are bloody expensive now?
Please I don't dream of Ferrari or even a Toyota. I don't dream of Sentosa cove or distirct 10 properties. I want my most basic need to be met- Housing. If I need to pay 30 years for it, I rather pack my bags and make a run for it. Please lah gahmen, please lah.
please lah now is maximum 25 years liao...
-
Originally posted by charlize:
Originally posted by Mr Milo: sleep on the streets? I am sure you can find some bench under some flat. Or at the playground.
cai png expensive... eat yourself lah... pain also must eat... lol... complain to yourself!
-
Ouch.
-
:lol:
-
.
-
Originally posted by charlize:
Ouch.
your problem....
-
Yes ma'am.
-
We are on the way to be number one :lol:
-
Hanor hanor.
-
-
:lol: the hanor virus :lol:
-
yalor yalor.