In effect, a dramatic, if not epic, transformation of the city’s landscape, and lifestyle choices is happening now. Policy makers are not just harping about economic performance but about the arts, live music and alfresco dining.

“I enjoy being able to go rock climbing, do yoga, and run outside,” said Melissa, noting that the weather and clean air has been good for her health-wise, “but I also like to take advantage of the great shopping and the great libraries. In fact, one of the first things I did was get myself a library card.”

The closest she came to culture shock was the Singaporean obsession with food, she says with a laugh. “I still can’t believe there is a regular line of over 50 people queuing for donuts near my workplace,” she says with a laugh. “And there are all these TV shows about where to get the best hawker food.” That said, the couple love dining out and Melissa herself has developed a taste for grilled stingray in sambal, a piquant local chilli paste. Of course, true to her North American upbringing, she still prefers sandwiches and juicy meats, which she can find at many Western style delis like Cedele and cafes like Hog’s Breath.

Compared to Beijing, where they were previously, the cost of living in Singapore is a step up. Although, Singapore is ‘arguably less expensive than Canada’, admits Melissa. Nevertheless, the availability of a good public transport network here sees her relying less on taxis.

“Before we moved, I was concerned about figuring out the logistics like taxes and insurance, and of course, finding reasonably priced housing,” she shared, but she was pleasantly surprised at how easily they have settled in. “It’s just plain easy to do day-to-day things since everything is so well-organised, and everyone speaks English, so language is not a barrier!”

Both agree that the best part about living here is being able to spend weekends at nearby beach resorts in Malaysia and Thailand. Singapore’s connectivity as a hub in Asia, as well as the presence of budget carriers has meant competitive fares for avid island hoppers like themselves.

Career advancement on the horizon

Melissa was transferred from the Beijing bureau of IDC, a U.S.-based research publishing company, to its Asia-Pacific headquarters here in Singapore. With the move, she has assumed an expanded role as an analyst tracking the mobile device market.

Working at headquarters has translated into greater exposure for her. Thirty percent of her colleagues are foreigners, so she has first hand experience of different work practices and a more vibrant work culture. “Being in an internationally connected city like Singapore has definitely opened up more possibilities for me,” Melissa adds, “my network is growing.”

For Jin, his professional adventures in architecture have continued since joining SCDA, one of Singapore’s top architectural practices. The firm’s design expertise and high standards are highly sought after by big-name developers. Jin is regularly jetting off to oversee regional projects, most recently in the Middle East and Vietnam.

“Singapore architecture firms are held in high regard regionally, scoring high points especially for the quality of construction,” he noted. “I’m working on a number of high-end hospitality projects in the region and the exposure is great!”

Another aspect he finds fulfilling is the quality of clients he meets in Singapore. “There is a more sophisticated understanding of architecture and subsequently, more respect for your expertise,” he explained, “so it is much easier to get your ideas accepted.”

While he has found the pace of work much faster, even compared to places like Hong Kong, where he has spent eight year previously, he sees a lot of potential for his career. The local market is enjoying a construction boom. At the same time, Singapore’s architecture firms like SCDA are seeing rising demand in emerging economies throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Undoubtedly, there are exciting opportunities opening up for foreign talent in the construction industry. Jin foresees that many more engineers and architects are needed, especially those with international design expertise.

Both Melissa and Jin look forward to taking their careers to the next level. “There are more advancement opportunities for me professionally,” she said.

“Now’s the time to come over,” quips Jin, with a grin. “Things are heating up.”