Singapore, Zip Code: 088539
Three years ago, I boarded a flight from Mumbai to Singapore with two suitcases, a new job offer, and a head full of questions. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect — I’d never lived outside India before, and while I had read about Singapore being efficient and safe, it still felt like diving into the deep end.
I landed late in the evening. The first thing that struck me was how orderly everything was. Immigration was quick, signs were clear, and people stood in neat queues. The cab I took from Changi to my temporary accommodation in Tanjong Pagar was spotless. The driver asked if the AC was okay. It was a small thing, but it caught me off guard — people just seemed more thoughtful here.
Discovering the City, One Walk at a Time
In the beginning, weekends were quiet. I didn’t know many people, and my calendar was mostly blank. So I walked — a lot. I wandered through Chinatown’s lantern-lit streets, browsed second-hand bookstores in Tiong Bahru, and once took the MRT all the way to Punggol just because I was curious what the “last stop” looked like.
Chinatown Street Market
What I began to notice during these explorations was the incredible mix of cultures. On one street, there’d be a Chinese temple, a mosque, and an Indian restaurant — all within 200 meters. People spoke in four different languages in the same sentence. It didn’t feel disjointed; it just… worked. That mix, that easy blend of heritage and modernity, was unlike anything I’d experienced before.
Making Connections, Building a Life
My job helped anchor me. I joined a fintech firm with a multicultural team — people from all over Asia, a few Europeans, and yes, a few fellow Indians too. It was a learning curve, not just in terms of the work, but also in how people interacted. Meetings started on time, hierarchy wasn’t as rigid, and even senior folks were open to a quick chat over kopi at the pantry.
Over time, colleagues became lunch buddies, and then actual friends. One of them introduced me to kaya toast and kopi-C on a Tuesday morning — now it’s my go-to comfort breakfast. Another took me to a Deepavali celebration organized by his Indian temple group, and just like that, I had a place to celebrate the festival, even away from home.
Moments That Made It Feel Like Home
There were moments that made me feel connected to the city in ways I hadn’t expected. Like the Sunday mornings spent playing cricket at East Coast Park with a bunch of uncles and younger players, some of whom had been in Singapore for over a decade. After the games, we’d gather near the water for prata and laugh over old match stories.
Another was the hike I took on my first Deepavali alone in Singapore. I wasn’t in the mood to be indoors that day, so I laced up my shoes and did the Southern Ridges trail. The view from Henderson Waves, looking out over the skyline and greenery, made something shift inside me. I wasn’t just a visitor anymore.
Finding Familiarity in a Foreign Place
The Indian community in Singapore is strong — and it helped me feel less adrift. In Little India, the scent of incense mixes with marigold garlands and Bollywood music from shop speakers. There’s a rhythm to that place that reminds me of home, but it’s uniquely Singaporean too.
During Holi, we had a celebration at a community park where strangers became friends over colors and music. The Tamil New Year is celebrated with just as much spirit here, and the temples in Serangoon are full during major festivals. There’s always someone who’ll invite you to share a meal or bring you sweets from their family puja.
What This City Has Taught Me
Singapore has a reputation for being clean, efficient, and expensive — all of which are true. But living here has shown me how much more there is beyond the brochure. It’s the small things that stick with me: aunties offering tissue packets at hawker centres, the joy of watching otters swim in the canal near Marina Bay, or the quiet satisfaction of figuring out my CPF contributions.
I’ve also learned to slow down a little. Life in India felt like a race at times — fast, noisy, nonstop. Singapore moves at a different pace. People still work hard, but they make time to enjoy life too. That’s rubbed off on me. I’ve picked up cooking again, tried my hand at dragon boating (not great, but fun), and even developed a weird appreciation for durian.
From Newcomer to Local-ish
Now, when I think of home, I don’t think of just one place. Mumbai will always be my first home — the chaos, the late-night vada pav, the local trains. But Singapore has become a second home in its own quiet, unexpected way. It’s the place where I grew up a little more, learned to live on my own, and figured out what kind of life I wanted.
Three years ago, I came here for a job. Today, I stay because this city has given me a life — filled with friends, routines, festivals, and a feeling of belonging. And sometimes, that’s all we’re really looking for.
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