> What are the chances you will ever in your life be able to afford to buy anything bigger than an apartment/condo (aka a house on a piece of land) in Singapore?

About the same as in Paris, London, New York or Tokyo. The difference being there's no "outer suburbs" where you can get a landed property cheap at the cost of a 1h+ commute. At the end of the day, where you live is about acceptable trade-offs. London hedge fund managers bid millions of pounds on houses in SW7 that an accountant in Ohio would pass for $200,000.

I have many friends in Bangkok raving about the quality of life there, but I think it's for an earlier stage of life. At this point in time, I value the rule of law, equality before the law for citizen and foreigners, stable infrastructure, stable non-corrupt government, etc. much more than I used to, and cities like Bangkok (or any PRC city) whilst a bit more exciting are just too much work.

In terms of actually running a business, every company I know of that has its owners in Bangkok somehow has incorporated in Singapore or is owned by a Singapore holding company. I think that has to do with farang ownership restrictions, again, didn't look too deep into it.

Again, it's a very personal outlook and if I could go back in time 10 years, I would head straight for somewhere like Bangkok or Beijing.

The other thing is that when I get box fever (which is rare, my box is comfortable) I just fly somewhere. You can rent a 2 bedroom bungalow steps from the (deserted) beach on Rottnest Island offshore Perth for around $120/night. The flight takes 5 hours and the ferry another 45 minutes. One of many options, including Thailand and Bali.

> About the same as in Paris, London, New York or Tokyo

So.. slim to fuck all?

> I have many friends in Bangkok raving about the quality of life there.

For reference, I'm not advocating for Bangkok either - frankly as a city-vs-city comparison Bangkok is less liveable than Singapore.

There are limits on foreign ownership but its definitely possible to base your company here.

> I think it's for an earlier stage of life

> when I get box fever (which is rare, my box is comfortable) I just fly somewhere

I don't understand how these two phrases fit into the context. To me, living in a shoebox apartment in the middle of a city without a car (which could be either BKK or SIN) "is for an earlier stage of life". When I moved out from my parents place, I moved into a series of small apartments, which progressively got bigger until now when we're back in a real house on a piece of land, and our child(ren) will grow up with a garden to run around in like I had as a kid.

I came here from Australia, so while I understand what you mean about stability of government and rule of law - I've come to appreciate the freedom that a lack of red-tape provides. Yes, I have to be more personally diligent and responsible, and yes I get some weird looks because I've put on a seatbelt, or used a car-seat for a child, or worn a bicycle helmet, or used a drill and screws rather than a nail to hang something on a concrete/brick wall, but I'm ok with that.

I don't particularly need a police officer fining me for driving 5km over the speed limit on a highway in the middle of nowhere to understand the benefits of a car seat for a child.