Choices

If given the choice, where would you rather live and work? Dubai, Hongkong or Singapore?

All three cities are similar in that they are well-developed, cosmopolitan and highly-westernized urban areas which have very high numbers of expatriates and foreign nationals.  Dubai is said to be composed of 90% foreign nationals, 3% of which are Filipinos.  While not nearly as large as that of Dubai, Hongkong and Singapore also have very large expatriate communities.

Off-hand, Hongkong and Singapore appear to be very similar as they are both Southeast Asian megacities with predominantly Chinese heritage.  Hongkong, however, strikes me as a little darker, stressful and maybe even a little dirtier.  I guess the tight streets and heavy crowds lend much to this outlook.  Singapore, on the other hand, seems cleaner and lighter, more carefree.  As workplaces, both cities are known for workaholics, where success and money are the ultimate priorities.  But, I guess, the same could be said for most, if not all, places in the world, at least when it comes to our highest priorities. 

Both Hongkong and Singapore are already mature markets with economies whose size do not accurately reflect that of the cities that generate it.  These cities do not sleep, and literally the only difference between day and night is the sun.

Dubai, in comparison, has the advantage of being a one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.  In that, it is an exciting place to be at this time.  It has come a long way from its dependence on oil.  It is now a leading tourist destination with some of the planet's most daring and unusual construction projects.  I would go so far as saying that Dubai is a resort-city.  Having no taxes makes Dubai an instantly attractive destination.  It is also known to have a very relaxed and carefree attitude towards work, but that's just word-of-mouth.