My eperience is that what lies within 20 or 30 minutes by foot, subway or car is much more important than what is three hours away by air. This my be a function of being a New Yorker. We expect to have much of what we want close enough so someone can deliver it. Not knocking either place (I've never been) but within three hours of Dubia you have much of Europe which contains a fair number of interesting destination.
Are you being serious, did you not see the fumes, smoke from Indonesia all over Singapore? Besides within 2 or 3 hours from Dubai are in London, Paris, Rome not China!
Dealmaker, you need to brushup the flights durations from Dubai, it's not that close to Western Europe. Yet imo short flights ex Singapore bring nowhere atractive, and the fumes are a serious concern. Years back I spent a couple/few weeks there and haze coming from indonesian wildfires didn't stop. Someone mentionned the different ethnicity of Dubai and Singapore residents , it prolly plays a role in how someone enjoys the place. I prefer Singapore in that regard, also asians there are quite westernised and speak very fluent engligh (or singlish at least). Singapore would be on the very top of the list of my favourite places to move to in Asia but need to need to give it up at least because of mandatory military service for male children of PR holders. Dubai, really I don't feel confident, would be afraid Missus get into troubles. She's also a fan of Singapore btw.
Correct. If you don't care about the fact that some poor sod is getting his teeth ripped out with pliers and balls fried by electric shocks while you enjoy your business connections and low tax rates, a dictatorship can be just fine. For people with no human empathy or concern for global civilisation, I'm sure it can be most pleasing and profitable. Just make sure that if you ever end up on the wrong side of evil, you never complain to anyone or expect help of any kind. If some criminal rapes your mother, sister, wife/gf, or murders one of your friends for advocating a political stance peacefully, or you ever suffer violent criminality of any kind, be sure to take it in your stride, and remember your apathetic comments on this thread. And if some societal level evil a la the gas chambers of Germany or the gulags of the USSR ever occurs where you live, be sure to turn a blind eye like your ilk did in the past. That way humanity can continue to suffer more evil from passive bystanders like yourself abandoning their moral duty to their fellow human beings. Let's leave the field open to the worst out species have to offer and the mayhem and evil they cause, so you can enjoy gin and tonics in the countries of your choosing, and not have to ever stick your neck out or take a stand on anything. Bravo brave Luis!
Even better - why make any personal sacrifice to the security of the place that offers you safety, law and order, civilisation and prosperity. Let the sons of poor factory workers get bombs and bayonets to keep you and your offspring in the lifestyle to which you are accustomed. If everyone took your attitude I am sure the world would be a veritable paradise!
Yep. The quality of supermarkets is more important than rape victims being sent to jail for reporting the crimes perpetrated against them. Good to see you have a sense of perspective, Dogfish.
Needless to say flight duration time was used figuratively. Regardless both Singapore and Dubai are expensive places to live and if I should incur such an expense I much rather do it in the Principality of Monaco. Neither the smoke of Singapore nor the heat of Dubai to bear, much pleasanter, civilized environment on top too boot.
They don't need to be factory workers, you or your own sons are welcome to play government sponsored warriors sucking up to the hierarchy if you enjoy yourselves this way. You deserve a chocolate medal for your bravery. Just don't ask me to pay for the chocolate nor the coffin.
Actually at first I was quite surprised at the level of ignorance in this and the other reply to my post but I saw they both display all the ignorance and lack of insight one would expect from the country from which they come. There's quite a few options for things to do in Singapore but as it's so small it can feel rather claustrophobic and it's nice to have other options. The east coast of Malaysia (and its islands)has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world within easy reach. A couple of hours flight takes you to some wonderful destinations in Thailand/Laos/Vietnam, Indonesian islands or an hour extra to the Philippines. Dubai is 7 hours from London so if you want to fly that far you could reach Australia from Singapore. I did see the recent smog but it didn't last that long although it can be rather unpleasant. (I spent 7 years in Malaysia so I speak from personal experience too)