Is Cost of living really that high in Singapore?
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Right. That is the purpose of this thread. To look at the cost of living. That is why I am asking for figures. The remark is made to gerrykoh since he apparently is well off enough to buy a car and have a maid.Originally posted by tspg:But if you look at the average salary of blue collar worker $1000 +. The cost of living is high. Basic items like food and transport shd be kept affordable. -
No problem... effect of traveling - you lost gauge of price. Go Europe, you feel so poor. Go Indonesia, feel like a bloody rich man, spend by the 10,000, hee hee.Originally posted by ratinacage:no point really....
since i jux came back from bali, u have to forgive me....
suffering from Back to bali sickness.... -
Eating out in Singapore has got to be one of the best. Its cheap, you got variety and you can find at least one place running 24/7. Try living elsewhere, other than some branches of Maccas running 24/7, its a ghost town. Price wise, if you find $8.00 for a decent meal eating out ridiculous, you'll be glad to know such things rarely occur in Singapore. By the way, some restaurants charge 15% on top of their service and GST charges on public holidays if they are open. I made the above references with regards to the state of Queensland, Australia.
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Anyway, a restate of the question for this thread.
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Well.... a motivation from the other thread about poverty.
Questions here are
(1) Is it true that the cost of living is very high in Singapore?
(2) If it is, then what are the exact items where the cost is very high? Examples of items and actual cost will be much appreciated when making claims of high cost.
(3) Are the high cost justified, necessary and inevitable?
I would appreciate actual figures to be given to justify claims of high cost as indicated in question (2).
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Please note that this is not a complain thread. Should be an objective discussion of what is priced reasonably in Singapore and what is not priced reasonably. We know that all of us has to earn a living and pay our bills. The big question here is which of those are reasonable bills and which are not. -
in reply to ur questions,Originally posted by Qitai:Anyway, a restate of the question for this thread.
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Well.... a motivation from the other thread about poverty.
Questions here are
(1) Is it true that the cost of living is very high in Singapore?
(2) If it is, then what are the exact items where the cost is very high? Examples of items and actual cost will be much appreciated when making claims of high cost.
(3) Are the high cost justified, necessary and inevitable?
I would appreciate actual figures to be given to justify claims of high cost as indicated in question (2).
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1)I don't think the cost of living is very high but is magnified by the slow increase of salary due to ecomy downturn etc etc against the rapidly increasing inflation in recent yrs. Coupled 2 these r the various price hikes, which worsen the situation.
2)Of cos there r a couple of items which seem ridiculously highly priced like HDB flats n cars. Reasons r given in the case of car to prevent congestion, but does it really works? New cars r still seen on the road n ppl, frens ard us at least 4 me r still buying cars w/o batting an eyelid regarding the prices n long term cost. Well if ppl can afford cars with exorbitantly priced COE, why not HDB flats which r lying unoccupied all over the place?
Of cos when we talked abt HDB flats, this issue bring up the marriage issue and the ridiculous rule of only singles aged 35 can own a flat. -
no lah..the cheapest form of entertainment is right here, SgForums...
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One point is too many oredi as one leads to another... my point I think is good enough abt the rent per/mth more than 10k 
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still need to have a com and to pay for internet connection whatOriginally posted by Mospeada:no lah..the cheapest form of entertainment is right here, SgForums...
cheapest , i think is PCC
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But your point does not translate to high cost of living to consumer at this point in time. The prices of necessary comodity is still affordable by and large.Originally posted by Joshua1975: One point is too many oredi as one leads to another... my point I think is good enough abt the rent per/mth more than 10k -
The basic consumer goods and services, including public transport are pretty affordable here compared to many other countries. Income tax rates are also pretty decent.
The main drain on our financial resources are the overpriced HDB flats and cars. So if you have both, then you might find it a bit tough, since these 2 will take big chunks out of your pay every month. (well...the flat will eat up your cpf, and you'll feel the pain when its time to retire and there's very little left in your cpf, maybe not even enough to make up the ever increasing minimum sum. Don't worry though, McDonalds is always eager to hire old people) -
maybe when the carrot cake is at $5 to $6 per plate is it?Originally posted by Qitai:But your point does not translate to high cost of living to consumer at this point in time. The prices of necessary comodity is still affordable by and large. -
Yeap. But it has not happen yet!! So, how can you say the cost of living is high when it has not happen??!!Originally posted by Joshua1975:maybe when the carrot cake is at $5 to $6 per plate is it? -
you sure there is not 5 or 6 per plate.Originally posted by Qitai:Yeap. But it has not happen yet!! So, how can you say the cost of living is high when it has not happen??!!
like that har, why not you list out where to get all the cheapest stuff in Singapore.
Ppl buy or spent even it high cost because most of the time again MOST OF THE TIME no choice.
Next why most ppl say it high is because of low pay given to them but they have to pay high for most things. -
I think high cost means different things to different ppl :
For the upper class or super rich they may not feel anything because they got plenty of money to spent.
The middle class will make the most noise.
The under class and poor will suffer in silence but they are the group that need the most help from our govt and society. -
Of course, there is lah!! Also got $20 fried rice if you want. But if you are poor, who ask you buy those things!Originally posted by Joshua1975:you sure there is not 5 or 6 per plate.
like that har, why not you list out where to get all the cheapest stuff in Singapore.
Ppl buy or spent even it high cost because most of the time again MOST OF THE TIME no choice.
Next why most ppl say it high is because of low pay given to them but they have to pay high for most things.
Explain no choice. I do not understand that since I am well aware I can buy it at $2 per plate. And in most neighbourhood, less than or equal to $3 per plate.
List out? I only know to get things I need at a reasonable price and place. And I can find them when I need to. I do not claim to know where all the cheapest things are.
High and low must give figures mah! Can give actual example or not? So far, most people who say they are poor to me are not poor at all (There are some, but most are not, especially those who drive big car living in condo telling me they are poor
). And if you want to blame the government, must plan an attack route mah... mad dash cannot win one. -
I like the last part, but not going to plan any as i look at it, it going downOriginally posted by Qitai:And if you want to blame the government, must plan an attack route mah... mad dash cannot win one. -
If the rich can choose a plate of $20 chicken rice if they want to, can the poor also choose $1 chicken rice to eat if its all they can afford?Originally posted by Qitai:Of course, there is lah!! Also got $20 fried rice if you want. But if you are poor, who ask you buy those things!
Explain no choice. I do not understand that since I am well aware I can buy it at $2 per plate. And in most neighbourhood, less than or equal to $3 per plate.
List out? I only know to get things I need at a reasonable price and place. And I can find them when I need to. I do not claim to know where all the cheapest things are.
High and low must give figures mah! Can give actual example or not? So far, most people who say they are poor to me are not poor at all (There are some, but most are not, especially those who drive big car living in condo telling me they are poor ). And if you want to blame the government, must plan an attack route mah... mad dash cannot win one.
That example is a reflection of our current transports system. It is undeniable that cars are very expensive in SG. But it is a luxury, if you cant afford, dun drive, you have a choice.
But how about basic transport like buses and MRT ? Ppl dun have a choice, you cant expect everybody to walk or cycle to work or get around. I think an increase in price of public transport is unjustifiable when the operators are making healthy profits. I feel that the govt shd keep the cost of basic services as low as possible to lighten the load of the people. -
better said than my... powderful sia...Originally posted by tspg:If the rich can choose a plate of $20 chicken rice if they want to, can the poor also choose $1 chicken rice to eat if its all they can afford?
That example is a reflection of our current transports system. It is undeniable that cars are very expensive in SG. But it is a luxury, if you cant afford, dun drive, you have a choice.
But how about basic transport like buses and MRT ? Ppl dun have a choice, you cant expect everybody to walk or cycle to work or get around. I think an increase in price of public transport is unjustifiable when the operators are making healthy profits. I feel that the govt shd keep the cost of basic services as low as possible to lighten the load of the people. high 5 
smack screen monitor drop 
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Smack back ~ piak *Originally posted by Joshua1975:better said than my... powderful sia... high 5 smack screen monitor drop -
Right. And that is why I have included the third question? Are these cost justified, reasonable and inevitable?Originally posted by tspg:If the rich can choose a plate of $20 chicken rice if they want to, can the poor also choose $1 chicken rice to eat if its all they can afford?
That example is a reflection of our current transports system. It is undeniable that cars are very expensive in SG. But it is a luxury, if you cant afford, dun drive, you have a choice.
But how about basic transport like buses and MRT ? Ppl dun have a choice, you cant expect everybody to walk or cycle to work or get around. I think an increase in price of public transport is unjustifiable when the operators are making healthy profits. I feel that the govt shd keep the cost of basic services as low as possible to lighten the load of the people.
Foodwise, I think it seems okay to me. I do not have the breakdown in the cost of food but judging from the already low cost, I can believe that it may not be possible to bring it down further without subsidizes. And if it is subsidizes, then I guess it shuld be targeted at the truly poor people and not generla public. So, a different approach is better.
Transport, I agree with you that it is not justified since they are profitable even before the price hike.