Founded in 1965, Singapore is a country whose youth belies its rich heritage. While our infrastructure may have evolved rapidly to support a population of over 5 million people in under 730 km2, historic landmarks have been carefully preserved to co-exist alongside new ones.
Historic districts of Jalan Besar, Chinatown and Kampong Glam are rich in architectural heritage, while newer areas like the CBD district in Shenton Way and Bayfront are where you’ll find modern, towering skyscrapers.
While we may be small, you will never run out of art galleries, museums, festivals and concerts to enjoy.
The National Gallery Singapore occupies two national monuments – the former Supreme Court and City Hall – and houses the world’s largest public collection of modern art in Southeast Asia.
Sitting at the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is home to many cultures, ethnicities and religions. We celebrate Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals as public holidays and speak four official languages, with English as our lingua franca and Singlish our creole.
The diversity of our society comes through in our cuisine. Our street food culture is rich in Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian influences, and has been included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
We are also home to the world’s best bars and restaurants, including Michelin-starred French, Japanese, and mod-Singaporean dining establishments. Alongside these restaurants, you’ll find both traditional coffee houses serving local kopi and chic cafes serving flat whites complete with elaborate latte art.
From the magnificent Gardens by the Bay to the untouched rainforests of Bukit Timah, Singapore is a lush city with over 47% of our land covered in green spaces. By 2030, no matter where you live, you’ll be able to walk to a park in under 10 minutes. Living spaces are also lined with park connectors and scenic waterways, with integrated green architecture, urban farms and skyrise greenery.
Our living environment is among the cleanest and safest globally, coming in 4th in Global Finance magazine’s World’s Safest Countries rankings (2021). It’s also easy to get around without a car. Our public transportation system grants affordable, efficient access to all corners of the island, and amenities are mostly within walking distance of where you live. Our healthcare system, considered one of the best in the world, ranked 12th in the FREOPP World Index of Healthcare Innovation (2021).
Singapore is regularly ranked one of the top five countries for educational outcomes by the OECD, with world-class pedagogy and educational institutions at all levels. It is not uncommon for foreign students to pursue post-tertiary education in Singapore, which adds to the vibrancy of the academic environment. New residents who move to Singapore with children may also enrol them in public or international schools.
In the span of just over five decades, Singapore has become a vibrant metropolis built on a strong foundation of diversity and innovation. The country may be small, but it would still take a lifetime to explore; and given its central location in Southeast Asia, you’re only a two-hour flight away from the beaches of Bali, the temples of Angkor, and the nightlife of Bangkok. Intrigued? Join our network to speak to others who have made the move or download our free guides to living and working in Singapore to learn more.
