Singapore vs London: My Brutally Honest Take After 16 Years

After living in Singapore for 16 years, people often ask me the same question: “So which is better - Singapore or London?”

The truth is, they’re both world-class cities. But they’re world-class in very different ways.

I trained as a doctor in the UK and spent years in London before moving to Singapore. London will always have a special place in my heart. It’s a city bursting with history, culture, and personality. Every street seems to have a story. The pubs, the theatre, the music, the art scene - it’s a place where life feels colourful and unpredictable. London has a kind of creative chaos that makes it incredibly exciting.

Singapore, on the other hand, is almost the opposite and that’s exactly its strength.

Singapore is efficient, safe, and incredibly well organised. Things just work. The streets are clean, public transport is excellent, and you can walk around at night without a second thought. As a place to build a career, raise a family, or run a business, it’s one of the most practical cities in the world.

But that efficiency sometimes comes at the cost of spontaneity. London feels messy and alive. Singapore feels polished and controlled.

Then there’s the lifestyle difference. In London, the weather can be brutal, grey skies, cold winters, and rain that seems to last forever. Singapore flips that completely: sunshine, warmth, and the ability to live an outdoor lifestyle year-round (as long as you can handle the humidity).

Food is another huge contrast. London has phenomenal restaurants and incredible diversity, but Singapore might be the best food city in the world. Michelin-starred restaurants sit side by side with hawker stalls serving legendary dishes for a few dollars.

Cost of living is high in both cities, but in different ways. London housing can be eye-wateringly expensive for very small spaces. Singapore isn’t cheap either, but the infrastructure, safety, and efficiency often make the price easier to justify.

So which city wins?

Honestly, it depends on what you value.

If you want culture, history, creativity, and a little bit of chaos - London is hard to beat.

If you want efficiency, safety, incredible food, and a place where life runs smoothly - Singapore is extraordinary.

For me, having experienced both worlds has been a privilege. London shaped who I was growing up. Singapore shaped who I’ve become over the last 16 years.

And the honest truth?

You don’t really understand either city until you’ve lived in both.

Check out my podcast 'Stryke of Midnight' for the full breakdown!

Take care friends,

Dr. Stryker