Can Singapore be your retirement haven? Here are its plus points

Pavements and toilets become priorities as you grow older.

- Lim Ai Leen

Costa Rica. Portugal. Thailand. Malaysia. These are the countries that usually pop up when you search online for the top places to retire.

And if you pose the same question to your middle-aged friends and family in Singapore, chances are you will get a more regional list: Johor Bahru, Bali, Penang, Phuket.

The Lion City itself, however, rarely makes an appearance on either list, even though it is often the top choice for expat professionals looking for a base in South-east Asia.

A higher cost of living and stricter immigration rules usually put Singapore out of contention in retirees' minds, especially when pitted against retirement visa schemes promoted by less wealthy economies like Thailand and Malaysia.

Yet, my personal view is that this island state has lots going for it as a retirement destination. My top reasons can be summarised in three words: Pavements, toilets, laws.

Hear me out.

MIND YOUR STEP

A Penang resident once told me about a friend who was visiting the island. He'd shown his guest around town, recommending food to eat and places to see. A couple of days later, misfortune struck.

The friend had gone for a morning jog near his hotel in the centre of town. A common enough activity, you might think, as you mentally picture runners by Marina Bay Sands or Sydney Harbour Bridge, bathed in sunshine and staring at the gorgeous view ahead.

But this was Malaysia. Over there, you have to walk with one eye trained on the ground.

The drain covers were missing from one section of the pavement, and the friend promptly fell into the gap and hurt his leg.

"It didn't occur to me to warn him against jogging," said the Penangite. "Who goes running in the middle of Georgetown?" he mused, scratching his head.