“Why I Regretted It”: A Personal Comparison
A TikTok post shared yesterday sparked discussion after a Singaporean woman working in London reflected on why relocating for work did not turn out as expected.
The post, captioned “Just a London hater, besties,” frames the experience as strictly personal. Slides in the post read: “Moving to London from Singapore for a job” and “And why I regretted it – this is my personal experience.”
One of the biggest challenges highlighted was London’s climate.
The creator described winters as “unbearable,” noting that it gets dark as early as 4pm. The cold was described as getting “to u the bone,” with strong winds and frequent rain adding to the discomfort.
She added that three months of summer did not feel sufficient to compensate for the rest of the year.
Cleanliness and Hygiene Concerns
Another recurring issue was the city’s overall environment.
According to the post, London felt “super dirty and grimy everywhere,” with hygiene described as “terrible.”
In the comments, some viewers echoed this sentiment, with one writing that they had stopped going for walks because of how unpleasant public spaces looked.
High Costs and Taxes Raised Concerns
The post also listed financial pressures, pointing to the high cost of living in London.
Housing, daily expenses, and transport were described as expensive, with train costs and taxes singled out as particularly high, especially “for what we are paying for.”
Safety Issues and Small Daily Frustrations
Safety was another major concern mentioned.
The creator listed phone theft, stabbings, and hate crimes as worries, clarifying that while she had only personally experienced phone theft, the broader safety climate felt unsettling.
Even basic conveniences came up in the post. The creator noted that it was surprisingly difficult to find public toilets in London.
In the comments, one user suggested using an app called “Flush” to locate free toilets, or heading to major stations or shopping centres during operating hours.
The creator responded with thanks, saying the tip was helpful.
Despite the challenges, the post noted that making friends was not particularly difficult.
The creator shared that new friendships tended to be with other internationals, including people from Spain, Japan, Australia, and Russia.
Comments Reflect Mixed Views on London and Singapore
The post drew a wide range of responses, many comparing overseas work to life back home.
Some commenters said living abroad made them realise how fortunate Singaporeans are.
One wrote that London felt “past its prime,” while another said moving anywhere from Singapore often leads to dissatisfaction.
Others offered a different perspective, noting that London can still be rewarding for those with high-paying jobs and access to better opportunities, even after taxes.
The creator responded by acknowledging that experiences differ, adding that Singapore still felt like the better choice for them.
Several commenters concluded that while overseas travel is appealing, Singapore remains home.
“Best place in the world,” the creator replied to one comment praising Singapore’s cleanliness.
A Familiar Question for Singaporeans Abroad
The post has since grown into a broader conversation about working overseas, trade-offs between opportunity and quality of life, and what Singaporeans value most when comparing life abroad to home.
As many commenters noted, experiences vary — but for this creator, Singapore still comes out on top.
Find the post here.
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