inLingo
May 28

Why I Secretly Admire Singapore (Even if I’d Never Live There)

I’ve never lived in Singapore — and to be honest, I don’t think I could. It’s hot and humid all year round, summers are brutal, and I’d probably get fined just for jaywalking. But every time I visit, I leave thinking the same thing: this place works.

Seriously. The trains? Work like clockwork. The streets? Spotless. The airport? Impeccable. The whole city feels like it’s been given a designer makeover and now it’s showing off — in the most polite way possible, of course.

There’s something oddly satisfying about a place that’s so well-run. No congested roads, no broken sidewalks, no chaos. And as someone who lives in a more... let’s say vibrant (read: chaotic) European city, the contrast is almost comical. Back home, things could do with a bit of Singapore’s efficiency.
Singapore - City walking
Fun fact? Chewing gum is technically banned in Singapore.
That’s right — since 1992, you can’t buy or sell gum (except for medical use). It sounds extreme, but the idea was to keep public spaces squeaky clean — and honestly, it’s working. No gum on the pavements, no sticky messes. It’s kind of genius, if you think about it.

Signage of chewing gum ban

That said, there’s a reason I wouldn’t move there. After a few days, it would starts to feel a bit too… polished. Too quiet. Too perfect. It’s like everything’s been made squeaky clean, but at the cost of a little soul. You would start to miss the mess — the noise, the imperfections, the spontaneity. There are moments when it feels like you’re watching life through a glass window. Beautiful, but not quite real.

Still, I admire it. Not just for how it looks, but how it works. The mix of cultures, the melting pot of food and language, the way people coexist. Singapore is a reminder that cities don’t have to be run-down or polluted. With the right planning, they can actually breathe.
Would I live there? Maybe not. But would I go just to try the street food, enjoy a few calm nights, and soak in that strangely satisfying order? Absolutely.
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