“Everything is way too centred around pay cheque and staying afloat in Singapore” — Singaporeans on what made them leave Singapore

“Lack of a work life balance,” answered one. “Everything is way too centred around your paycheck and staying afloat in Singapore. If you’re not wealthy, there’s no room for you to enjoy the other aspects of life to the fullest.”

Another who has not migrated but plans to do so next year said, “To be honest, I feel like Singaporeans’ view of the world is quite small. We feel like we are competing with one another at work, which causes a lot of unhappiness, but the world is bigger than Singapore.”

The online user added, “In general, we are very competitive, to the sense of the lack of cohesiveness in a team sometimes. I can feel it all the way from school to work. It’s like we think from a mentality of scarcity, If he succeeds, it means I don’t get it, if he gets the opportunity, it means that I miss out…how about changing the narrative to wow he succeeded, maybe I can too?, if he succeeds, it will open up door for us too? And sometimes it feels a little bit negative for me.”

A third shared, “I left because Singapore was too conservative for me politically and socially. For the first time, I felt like I could breathe and be my true self without having to worry about how others would view me. With something as simple as expressing my opinion, I didn’t feel I could properly do that in Singapore.”

Still, one user pointed out, “What a topic to discuss during National Day… Would leave if life becomes too difficult in Singapore as well.”

those who have migrated out of Singapore, what made you leave?
by u/sixpastfour in askSingapore