Quora Answer: Outside of Singapore, Which Country Would an Average Singaporean Feel Most Like Home?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Outside of Singapore, in which country would an average Singaporean feel most like home?”

I have been to 30 or 40 cities in two dozen nations.  I have stayed in some of these places for a significant period of time.  In my experience, no place is really close to Singapore.  I like the idea that everything from the supermarket to eateries are 24 hours.  Very few places are like that.  Even if we consider cities such as New York and London, these places are not exactly in the neighbourhood.  Even if they are, they are not the sort of places you walk around by yourself at night.  Even then, not many cities have the variety of food we have.  Malaysia is a close contender, but it is no Singapore.  It is a distinct country, and less developed.  Kuala Lumpur is two decades behind Singapore in development.  Few countries are truly as multicultural, or as open to immigrants, as Singapore.  This variety of cultures, languages, ethnicities and religions, all living in harmony, is something Singaporeans take for granted until they experience racism or discrimination overseas.

I cannot speak for other Singaporeans, but there is no place close to Singapore.  People who migrate from Singapore are not looking for another Singapore overseas.  They are looking for something different.  Some are looking for open space, some are looking for new opportunities, some are looking for a different climate.