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Josh and Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere have lived in both Singapore and Portugal for over four years. These are the two countries they have lived the longest in. So why is that? What are the pros and cons of each? Which one do they like better? Have you ever thoughts of moving to either of these two countries? Let’s unpack the main topics you need to consider.
* ABOUT US *
Josh and Kalie left the US for a life abroad in 2009 and haven’t looked back. They have lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and are currently in Portugal. Yes, they realize they only moved to countries starting with the letter “S” until they spoiled that streak with their move to Portugal. Follow ExpatsEverywhere as we aim to get information to you through expat interviews, city breakdowns, expat life, travel, vlogs, and more.
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Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:32 – Topic 1
04:05 – Topic 2
07:16 – Getting International Insurance
08:38 – Topic 3
13:10 – Topic 4
15:00 – Topic 5
17:06 – Topic 6
20:30 – Topic 7
23:38 – Topic 8
27:06 – Topic 9
30:13 – Topic 10
32:36 – Topic 11
36:53 – Tally and Important Final Thoughts
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Thanks for watching! Which country wins it for you?
For how we got a great price on our travel insurance for our 2 week trip to Asia, check out our insurance partner on this video, SafetyWing https://bit.ly/3ALAoCA – Josh & Kalie
completely agree about the food. i’ve not found a lot of português food that i like but singapore food i enjoy much more. much more interesting and flavorful than português food. IMHO
We were in Porto in Oct & loved the weather – we are living in TX,USA- and it’s sooooo hot here.
I do love Asian food a LOT- had some good Thai food while there. We love Portugal – Ithe food was amazing the people are amazing! I got a tattoo of the Portuguese flag from a local tattoo artist in Porto ❤🇵🇹 we plan to move in spring 2026!!
Singapore is almost unaffordable on the housing front other than that, I really didn't find it that expensive. We visited last December and you can eat expensively or in China town, Little India, or the Hawkers, there is something for everyone. Its completely incomparable really to Portugal. I absolutely loved Singapore for everything except the weather, and there is where Portugal is better in leaps and bounds and for countryside and space. Cleanliness, safety and quality of life – Singapore all the way!!
Great video. I used Nomad when I travelled to Portugal the first time, for 3 months. Their rates are too high now, in my opinion… I've been shopping around for an upcoming trip.
I'm with Kalie, Portuguese food doesn't really do it for me… I do prefer Asian food, but my preference is Portugal… I'm not a foodie though either. I like what I like and I eat what I like. I can't stand 'wasting' money on expensive food… no judgement on those who do love their food and value it. It's just not me.
Portugal has incredible beaches, mountains, valleys and close proximity to Spain, France, Italy etc. However, Portugal 🇵🇹 has Madeira and the Azores. Checkmate.
Having been to both places, Portugal wins hands down! Both are great, in different ways! Singapore could almost be somewhere in USA, like Miami(?) and somewhat "sterile". I enjoyed my visit, but wouldn't want to live there, but Portugal is so liveable!
I love both countries…though it’s been several years since I’ve visited Portugal. I was in Singapore just a few weeks ago and it’s extremely impressive…immaculately clean and safe…I’d probably struggle with the constant heat and humidity, though I adapted fairly quickly to always being wet with sweat.
The lead on this feels pretty deceptive- suggesting you are leaving Portugal. I know why you do this, but it weakens your brand. I’m a lot less likely to watch your videos as a result. A shame, I liked and trusted you guys.
I did follow you guys as long as you did travel. For me Portugal was beautyful and Singapor a different dimention, often like a place in Florida. But more a good Asian style. My heart goes to China since my childhood. And also to Scotland. I found my real fathers family was from there a few years ago. I Wonder what I find in China. Perhaps my soulmate. 😊
I have just two – to me important Questions:
1. how about KL and Malaysia compared to Singapor or Portugal?
2. you gave a great tip about expat insurence. How about Bankaccount. I’m an Expat since 1972 and it’s the reason why I get pension from several countries today. It is a hell with tax and complicated to proof every year, I am still alive. 🥵
I always did move to the next country and changed to the local bank. But now with the pension and traveling much more, it would have been better, having a bankaccount in each country and transfer the money to my Apple account or Revolut or are there other specialized Expat banks today?
Thank you for sharing 🌹🙏👏👏👏
For those of us in the LGBTQ community, there is no comparison. Portugal was the eighth country in the world to adopt same sex marriage and non discrimination for trans people is enshrined in the national law. Singapore by contrast does not recognize same sex marriage and gay male sex was only decriminalized in 2022. Many LGBTQ people are fleeing the increasingly hostile environment in the United States and Portugal is a far better option.
I am a Portuguese who spent most of her life in the USA, but returned home x 6 years ago.
I visited Singapore and Malaysia twice. Loved Singapore, but would never live there. It's too expensive, hot, clean, busy and too restrictive for my freedom loving barometer. I am a law abiding citizen, but there are so many restrictions that it's kinda scary giving Singapore a chance. Malaysia, I absolutely love and could live there if it wasn't for the pollution, hot and muggy weather, and both places are just a bit too far from my little Portugal..also I could never get a hold of my beloved codfish there, so I will stay put. 😊
It was interesting comparison 🙌
Greetings from Estoril…Just got back from Esposende. Like you I have lived, traveled and worked in many countries around the world…Yet under the current set of circumstances on this planet, Portugal bang for buck offers everything my gal and I need and want in a small package…We have been a legal residents since 2016…In December we hit our 8 year mark…I did most of Asia during my Navy days…Beautiful countries with Rich History and amazing cuisine and people…Yet too many people…I like my elbow room here in Portugal…My gal is from São Paulo Paulo…22 plus million…No thanks…Less is More…Boa Sorte! 😉👌
You missed comparing efficiency/bureaucratic red tape between the two countries. 😅
We lived in Texas and Mississippi with hot weather most of the year with cold winters. We moved to Porto and love the cooler summer and not as cold winters.
Always enjoy these side by side comparison videos, and you guys did not disappoint! I have never been to Singapore, but as someone whose move to Portugal was somewhat influenced by your vlogs, I trust your deduction. Love it, thank you!🫶🏿👍🏾😊
The main flaw of this comparison is that you’re comparing a city with a country. You’re comparing a city with a country that has two major cities and several moderately sized cities, that has a geography that is much larger and diverse from the very north mountainous region to the very south beach areas. It’s not a good comparison. Better would’ve been to compare Singapore with Lisbon only. Of course they have better infrastructure in Singapore. It’s a little city; they’re not having to cover an entire country. and it’s a wealthy little city so they’ve got plenty of money to make their city state look perfect which is what they do. Portugal has been a poor country for a very long time and is trying to catch up, and you see it -a lot of it is first world, some of it second, and a little bit of it is third
Also Singapure is a dictatorship, right? And it only has 1 party. The Portuguese had a bad participation in Singapure's history in 1613. This was in the middle of a war with the Dutch – that was actually the first World War, back in the 16th/17th century. There is a map of this battle. https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-11/issue-4/jan-mar-2016/contrafactur-battle-dutch-portuguese-de-bry/
Seriously, we like the food we are used to but most foreigners that tried Portuguese food loved it so I am surprised you are surprised fourth is a high ranking! Portugal has two good things: food and the Portuguese people. Everything else I am ok with you criticizing! 😆
I'm singaporean, travel 50 countries include portugal sad to say, very unsafe, pickpockets, follow travelagency our tour bus infront of hotel we stay, jacket,shoe, etc. Driver of the bus left his electrical items, all stolen, polices report, nothing given, feel very grateful, staying in Singapore, very safety, everything withinreach, my home fully paid, hospital bill well taken care, food from all over world can enjoy, hawker ctre food very cheap, chicken rice $2.80, rice with 2 type pof vegetables n 1 meat $2.70, fried mee with fried chicken ñ egg…so on. Save money for clothes like winter…..happy,keep healthy 💪🙏
No comparison! Singapore is a top world class country! Modern infrastructures, strong financial banking systems, honest & efficient government, a melting pot of cultures, great mix of foods, highly advanced in technology! Notwithstanding the cleanest country! All attributes of a rich country! I've been to over 52 countries and Singapore is definitely an envy of the rest of the world! Portugal is just way behind in a lot of ways!
What are your thoughts on moving to Dubai..?
The door is open for anyone to packup and go our come 😂 and yeah Singapore a rich nation that will put you in jail for spitting
Roll on 5 years , we’ll be moving to Alvor to live on a small pension , can’t beat portugal on any front for me
Being Portuguese, im surprised that our food is ranked so high. There's a few good things, but most of it is really bad.
This is a difficult comparison, somewhat unfair too.
Portugal is a relatively poor country in European standards. Singapore is one of the richest countries in the world. Unfortunately, your comparison is heavily biased towards Portugal supporting the hype of Portugal.
I have spent time in both countries and I would not live any of them. Singapore is great but you have to be quite affluent to be able to enjoy it. It is also quite sterile and a sort of police state.
Portugal is great when people sell their home in California/New York for couple of million $ and move to Portugal.
I believe in the near future a lot of Americans will move back to America or look for another country after they realized that Portugal is not as good as they hoped.
No Singapore! too small and too autocratic
Singapore is ALOT more expensive than Portugal
which city in Portugal do you guys live?