PAP Spin - HK is more crowded than sinkapore

[winnipegjets]

Why Singapore is still my home

By Dominic Ho
My Paper
Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013

SINGAPORE - I am 25 this year, have not lived in Singapore for over a decade and always find it ironic to see the words "Welcome Home" flash when I'm at airport immigration.

Since 2001, I've spent six of my most formative years in Hong Kong, two more serving national service here, and another four years after that pursuing a higher education in Sydney, Australia. I will be graduating by year end.

Still, I come back at least once a year.

Through all this, my immediate family lived in Shanghai, so I do have trouble figuring out where my home really is.

To make things worse, I found out on my current trip here that the country's population could hit nearly seven million by 2030, and The Economist Intelligence Unit said Singapore is now the sixth most-costly city in the world to live in, up from ninth last year.

Like some Singaporeans, I first took this as a sign that it's time to pack up and leave for good.

The population increase could spell tougher competition in getting a job. I'm also uncertain if Singapore would become less crowded, despite more houses and train stations being built.

And, to be honest, having experienced life overseas, I'd be very content staying in the so-called "greener pastures" for good.

I like that I have more friends in Hong Kong. This means it's easier for me to find people to chill out with or call for help on work matters.

I like that taxis there fight for your patronage, rather than the other way round, as I've experienced here time and time again.

In Sydney, I love that the city's lifestyle and culture are more laid-back. I like that many things there - such as the shorter work hours, the weather and the hipster cafes - make living in Sydney seem like one extended holiday.

These are just a fraction of the things that I just can't find here.

Furthermore, Singapore's physicality changes so fast that I feel rather disoriented every time I come back. And, when you feel like a tourist in the city you were born in, you know it's time to go.

But, in recent months, something has changed.

My immediate family has moved back, probably for good. And, with my time in university coming to a close, I've had to do some soul searching about where home is, and where I really want to be at the end of the day.

This Chinese New Year, I caught up with many relatives, some of whom I haven't seen in years, and realised that while Singapore might be more crowded in the future, my family will always be here for me.

These ties run much deeper than what any city can offer.

I know, deep down, that my parents always felt guilty about letting me live independently, and constantly worried about me. So, the least I can do is be around to support them as they supported my decision to live overseas.

I also have pleasant memories of my childhood here, which won't change no matter how much Singapore does.

And I guess you can call it a sentimental attachment, but there has to be a reason why, for the last four years, I've been coming back for internships every summer and winter break, when I could work anywhere else.

I'm anchored here and this is where I will probably settle down, despite the flaws I see in Singapore.

Besides, while Hong Kong is less dense than Singapore population-wise, it feels more crowded.

Sydney, while spacious, is now the third most-expensive city in the world to live in.

Living in Australia did feel like an extended holiday. Maybe that's just what the last 10 years have been for me, and it's time to come home.

 

[winnipegjets]

Besides, while Hong Kong is less dense than Singapore population-wise, it feels more crowded.

Wow, this guy must be blind!

Sydney, while spacious, is now the third most-expensive city in the world to live in.

In Sydney, your dollar has more purchasing power. And you don't need to spend a lifetime to pay off your mortgage. You have a better retirement income.

This guy doesn't seem to have a clue on life outside sinkapore despite being in Australia for the last 4 years.

His next article will be why he will vote for the PAP.

 

[coogans]

This must have been written by a first class poofter.

 

[streetsmart73]

Wow, this guy must be blind!


In Sydney, your dollar has more purchasing power. And you don't need to spend a lifetime to pay off your mortgage. You have a better retirement income.

This guy doesn't seem to have a clue on life outside sinkapore despite being in Australia for the last 4 years.

His next article will be why he will vote for the PAP.

hi there


1. aiyoh!
2. this is just another dafter sheep spinning
3. wait till it joins the real world for the job hunt.
4. i was from hk too hoh.
5. sheepishland can never match or beat hk:p
6. individuals there have balls & souls.
7. dafter sheep here only have ears to listen & follow

 

[laksaboy]

Again, comparing apples with oranges. HK is a SAR which is part of China. Singapore is a city-state.

Don't forget that HK has a minimum wage law and its public transport system isn't screwed up.

The running dogs must be desperate.

 

[depeche]

Propaganda...

 

[lesMISERABLES]

This must have been written by a first class poofter.

I would think the writer is a member of the PAP brigade.

 

[po2wq]

iz not whether hk is denser, sydney is mor spacious or sinkielan is mor crowded ...

iz dat sinkies dunwan mor trashes ...

 

[congo9]

Wow, this guy must be blind!


In Sydney, your dollar has more purchasing power. And you don't need to spend a lifetime to pay off your mortgage. You have a better retirement income.

This guy doesn't seem to have a clue on life outside sinkapore despite being in Australia for the last 4 years.

His next article will be why he will vote for the PAP.

In HK, everyone in city is rushing. It only crowded in city area. Once you move out of city area, there are so many things spare places around.

 

[streetsmart73]

In HK, everyone in city is rushing. It only crowded in city area. Once you move out of city area, there are so many things spare places around.

hi there


1. don't worry, come 2030.
2. at 6.9mil, there is simply kosong space everywhere.
3. poor dafter sheep have to sleep in mudland, make cheap home there
4. take the high speed train back to sheepishland for work hoh.

 

[Ash007]

This guy is obviously a daft sinkie that would vote for the MIWs. He compares HK, to being crowded, and Sydney to be laid back and similar to taking a holiday. What is wrong with that? I get my work done, get praises for it, leave on time and earn a salary. Given the choice between HK and Singapore, I'll rather chose HK, things are so much vibrant there compared to Singapore.

 

[coogans]

I would think the writer is a member of the PAP brigade.

Absolutely, and with a slightly broken wrist too.

 

[BuiKia]

He is not exactly wrong.

Hong Kong is less dense than Singapore but it will only feel more crowded if you're in Mongkok or city area. If you're in Hong Kong island, the place is rather peaceful and very little traffic. In Hong Kong, some oart feels more crowded than Singapore but some other places is much less dense. It depends on where you are...in singapore, everything is crowded.

Wow, this guy must be blind!


In Sydney, your dollar has more purchasing power. And you don't need to spend a lifetime to pay off your mortgage. You have a better retirement income.

This guy doesn't seem to have a clue on life outside sinkapore despite being in Australia for the last 4 years.

His next article will be why he will vote for the PAP.

 

[ZombieFart]

Besides, while Hong Kong is less dense than Singapore population-wise, it feels more crowded.

HongKongers like to stay outside till late at night because there are many places, new and old, that they can go to.

 

[Brubeck]

Hong Kongers like to stay outside till late mostly because their apartments are very small. Their typical size is like our shoebox apartments. So, it is kind of claustrophobia.

However, you are very right about the many places that one can go. Singapore is so boring. So many places I have been there like some many times.

 

[prancku]

Again, comparing apples with oranges. HK is a SAR which is part of China. Singapore is a city-state.

Don't forget that HK has a minimum wage law and its public transport system isn't screwed up.

The running dogs must be desperate.

Agreed.

Also HK has a humongous motherland. What is 7 million people in HK but just a tiny drop out of the motherland?

Singapore on the other hand does not have a hinderland, nor a support mountain behind. We are just a tiny drop in a sea of ...

For all the differences amongst multi races in Singapore, for the people who had worked hard for the uniqueness of this land that had been built up for the last 50 years ... and in 17 years time (or even earlier) be swamped and become a minority, is indeed a sad sad sad tale.

Who will ever believe this tale? :(:(:(

Only the heavens will bear witness to this tale ... retribution follows .....

 

[Spock]

I hope the writer does not get retrenched at 40 with mouths waiting for him to feed. Maybe he would much prefer to live in a fishing village by then.

 

[syed putra]

Singapore on the other hand does not have a hinderland, nor a support mountain behind. We are just a tiny drop in a sea of ...

actually, singapore acts as a hub for almost everything for south east asian nations, from logistics to petroleum refining. spares to repairs. Only problem is that natural beauty was destroyed in the names of progress, unlike hong kong which preserved it.

 

[ZombieFart]

Hong Kongers like to stay outside till late mostly because their apartments are very small. Their typical size is like our shoebox apartments. So, it is kind of claustrophobia.

You are right that their apartments are very small.

This is probably because they, as a whole, rather keep the many places they can go to.
Unlike Singapore, where everything has to give way to housing, "copycat" shopping malls and expressways.

 

[eatshitndie]

if it's just hong kong island, the hilly terrain is not ideal for mass public housing. only a small fraction of the island can be carved up. if hk includes hk island, kowloon, the new territories, lantau island and other nearby islands, the land size is bigger but only the new territories have enough land for mass public housing to spread out population centers. hongkongers still prefer to live near their jobs, businesses, shopping malls, entertainment, eateries and transport means. by clogging in and around kowloon and hk island, the unbalanced density situation will not improve. it will only improve if the hk government builds an extensive mtr network and new towns across the new territories many miles left and right of the train line to lo wu, at the doorstep to shenzhen. they will have to move the farms or remove them altogether and develop the flat lands, all the way to the hills surrounding the reservoirs. it's true that the sg gov plans land use better than the hongkie gov. and the sg gov is able to execute their plans with little resistance and tentativeness unlike the hk gov.