After two and a half years, the time has come to say goodbye to Singapore — a place that has been our home through both highs and challenges. From Japan to Hong Kong, then Singapore, and now back to the UK, it’s been quite the journey for our family. Each move brings its own hurdles, but also new opportunities to grow and learn. Leaving Singapore is bittersweet. I will truly miss the amazing football community at our local CSC. They have been more than just teammates and coaches — they have been a vital part of Kai’s journey with autism, helping him come out of his shell, build friendships, and develop confidence. Their kindness and support have meant the world to us. We also want to thank the school that, in the end, stepped up to support Kai in ways we didn’t expect. It’s been a relief and a comfort to see him flourish in that environment. Singapore has given us the chance to be part of a vibrant, multicultural community, meeting people from so many backgrounds and walks of ...

Labour Day weekend was all about chilling out, so we took the kids on a little adventure to Sentosa Beach. We met up with two friends and set off from Woodlands — it’s quite the trek, about an hour by bus to VivoCity, but the ride was actually pretty cool. The bus takes a scenic route past some eye-catching buildings — there’s one that looks like giant Lego blocks, and the kids had a blast spotting it! After a quick, tasty lunch at VivoCity’s food court, we strolled across the boardwalk to Sentosa — and bonus, it’s free to walk until the end of the month (usually it’s a buck, so we saved some cash!). We headed straight for Siloso Beach, this amazing man-made stretch of sand and surf. Now, here’s where the magic happened. Kai, who usually keeps to himself because of his autism, surprised us all by really coming out of his shell. He and Ted, my younger son and resident mischief-maker, teamed up and started playing together. Ted’s the wild one — a total clown who’s always into some chee...

  There’s a major downturn happening right now in Singapore’s rental market. So many landlords are struggling to rent out their homes — but tenants are paying the price in a different way. Deposits are being unfairly withheld, and many landlords seem to have already spent the money, refusing to give it back. Singapore looks like a safe, well-regulated country where people are honest and fair. But the harsh reality? There’s legalized theft happening right under the surface. The only cases that seem to make it to court are those involving speaking against the government. Meanwhile, serious incidents like a kid being slashed at school don’t even make the news — you have to find clips on Facebook to learn about them. Singapore feels less like a country and more like a business — one that prioritizes greed over fairness. Why does the government allow this? The biggest cases in small claims courts are tenants fighting landlords to get their deposits back. If you’re thinking of moving...

  Friday was one of those feel-good days you don’t forget. Ted, Kai, and the rest of their football team were invited to a special coaching clinic with Home United , a pro S-League team here in Singapore! The kids got a taste of the big leagues — learning cool passing, dribbling, and juggling tricks from actual coaches. At first, Kai struggled to settle in (new places can be tricky), but soon he found his rhythm and had a blast. Football is amazing like that — it gives structure, builds confidence, and helps kids connect in ways words sometimes can’t. Ted was showing off some skills too… until the ball decided to high-five his face! 🥴 He wasn’t too thrilled after that — but then came the surprise of the day. When we got to the stadium, Ted was one of 22 lucky kids chosen to walk the players onto the pitch! His whole mood changed in a heartbeat. He was so proud, grinning from ear to ear, even saluting the players and waving at the crowd like a little pro! 🇸🇬🎉 Moments like th...

  This past weekend was a reminder of all the things I love about living in Singapore. It was relaxing, fun, and, as always, expensive — nothing comes cheap here. Still, after a bit of haggling (as the Japanese say, “price down” ), we managed to knock a bit off the bills. We started with a visit to our local strip mall at Woodgrove. Lunch was at our go-to spot — the upmarket version of a hawker centre, what used to be the Aussie Café. I had a chicken burger, and Hiroko had a pork chop. Not too pricey since we shared with the kids. Unfortunately, Kai had a bout of pink eye and we had to visit the doctor. Alongside some antibiotics, we also got his form signed for a special needs school we’re hoping he can attend. All in, not too bad — $35. Then came the kicker: the doctor said Kai needs glasses. So, we headed downstairs to check his eyes. Turns out, he definitely needs glasses — the quoted price was $600, but we got it down to $300. Still steep, especially for a child who’ll outg...

  Today I read a blog by Chris Reed. His bold statement caught my attention: “Singapore has the world’s worst taxi drivers.” He made it clear — this wasn’t a question or an opinion. It was a declaration. And honestly? I agree with him wholeheartedly. Let me preface this by saying: I love many things about Singapore — the food, the efficiency, the safety, the multiculturalism. But taxis? They're not on the list. Yes, I've had some brilliant drivers. But some is the key word. Out of roughly 100 taxi rides, about 10 have been excellent. The rest? Rude, abusive, racist, or rip-offs. You might ask, “Why still take taxis then?” Simple — there's no choice. After 10:45 PM, the MRT shuts down. There’s no night bus network. Your only option home? A taxi — assuming you can even get one. If it’s raining, forget it. Let me share a few stories that shook me to my core. If I weren’t a professional, I might’ve ended up in jail. 1. Abuse Toward My Son One evening, my wife, my son...

  It’s official — Singapore has just been ranked the most expensive city in the world. Funny thing is, every country I’ve moved to seems to earn that title not long after I arrive. When I lived in Tokyo, it was the most expensive. Then I moved to Hong Kong — same story. And now I’m in Singapore… and here we are again. Sometimes I wonder if the universe just doesn’t want me to be rich — or even comfortable! 😅 I work in IT for a bank, and yet I still find it hard to save money or even get through the month comfortably. Some might think, “You must be spending on luxury items or living the high life.” Honestly, I haven’t bought new clothes or anything fancy in nearly 10 years. Most of the new things I have come as gifts from family and friends in the UK. Yes, we do take holidays, but they’re simple and local — Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, or staycations here in Singapore. We’re a family of four — two boys aged 6 and 7, my wife, and me — living modestly. So What Makes Singapore S...

Since moving to Singapore, we’ve settled into the heartlands — and I’m truly glad we did. From the beginning, we wanted to embrace the local culture and community, not just live alongside it. One of the best decisions we made was joining the local football club. It’s given our family a way to connect with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We were also looking for a way to support our eldest son, Kai, who has learning difficulties. He’s been receiving learning support for a while now, but we’ve noticed real progress since he started playing football. The game has helped him build confidence, improve his social skills, and most importantly, make friends — his two closest are Noah and Aarron. It took me a little while to get involved myself, but I eventually stepped up as a coach. Now I coach the 5–6-year-old age group, which includes Kai. He’s seven, but playing with the younger kids suits him well and gives him space to thrive. He’s doing great — and more importantly, he...

  To me, any name or label that causes offense to someone based on their race or ethnicity is, by definition, racist . However, in Singapore, I’ve noticed that some terms — like "Ang Mo" — are still commonly used, even though they can be deeply offensive to some people. The other day, I came across a Facebook post discussing Singapore's fall to the Japanese during World War II. Instead of offering thoughtful discussion, one person simply commented, "Ang Mo lost — couldn't fight for Singapore and just ran off." That comment wasn't just disrespectful — it was historically inaccurate and dehumanizing. Many Allied soldiers died during the Japanese occupation. Thousands were captured, tortured, or starved to death while forced to build infrastructure for their captors. Suggesting they “ran off” erases the immense suffering they endured. This brings me back to the larger point: racism isn't always about intent — it's also about impact . Take the U...

  We moved to the heartlands of Singapore two years ago — and I’m genuinely glad we decided to stay. One of the biggest reasons for that is the amazing people we’ve met through Admiralty CSC , a community sports club where I now help coach football (soccer) for local children, including my own sons, Kai and Eita (we often call him Ted). About two years ago, we were looking not just for an activity — but for connection. We wanted a place where we could truly integrate into Singapore’s culture, and more importantly, where Kai could build social skills in a supportive environment. Kai has learning difficulties. We first noticed this while living in Hong Kong, around the time he was three. He was slower to speak and learn than his peers. We sought help at Watchdog , a fantastic school that supports children with learning challenges. Unfortunately, due to his age at the time, we couldn’t get a formal diagnosis. By the time Kai was five, he had already been through quite a lot — fre...

  It’s funny — after two years of living in Singapore, I’ve finally decided to start a new blog. The journey since we moved here has been a mix of ups and downs. We relocated from Hong Kong, uncertain about the future of our jobs there. Singapore seemed like a natural choice — a new opportunity, a new culture, and hopefully, some stability. When we arrived, one thing was clear: we didn’t want to live in an all-expat community. Not only was it financially out of reach, but more importantly, we wanted to integrate. I’m from the UK, my wife is from Japan, and we have two boys, Kai and Eita, now aged 6 and 7. It was important for me not to become the kind of expat I’ve grown to dislike — someone who moves to another country, imposes their culture, and becomes defensive when challenged. Integration, to me, is crucial. It opens your eyes to what your own culture might be missing, and it creates real connection with the people around you. When we first arrived in Singapore, we enrolle...