He Moved From SF to Singapore and Is Ready to Give up His US Passport

Nick Burns was making six figures within the US and nonetheless discovering it hard to save.

Burns, now 35, grew up in Connecticut and served within the Navy. It was throughout that point that he first visited Singapore.

Impressed by the nation’s clear and quick public transport system, he started to think about what it is perhaps prefer to reside there someday. “Nevertheless it felt unattainable, like a loopy thought,” Burns advised Enterprise Insider.

After leaving the Navy in 2017, Burns moved to San Francisco for work and finally ended up within the semiconductor manufacturing business.

He lived in downtown San Francisco and commuted an hour and a half every technique to Silicon Valley. He stated it wasn’t unusual to move darkish alleys and see folks overtly utilizing medicine.

“Whilst a single man, I felt unsafe strolling round,” Burns stated.

Between his lease, steep taxes, and safety concerns, town didn’t really feel value the price.

In January 2020, Burns took a lateral switch to relocate to Singapore along with his firm.

“I do not need to return to america,” Burns stated.

Housing prices: renting in San Francisco vs shopping for in Singapore

Singapore is usually ranked among the many world’s most costly cities — not an apparent alternative for somebody trying to reduce prices. However for Burns, it made monetary sense.

In San Francisco, Burns’ two-bedroom residence prices $5,728 a month, inclusive of a $300 reserved parking price. Shopping for property there did not really feel inside attain.

Burns spent a number of years renting in Singapore, each earlier than and after marrying his spouse in 2023. In 2025, the couple purchased a four-room public housing apartment on town fringe for 1.01 million Singapore {dollars}, or about $790,000.

Referred to as HDB flats, these government-built properties make up nearly all of housing in Singapore and are primarily reserved for residents. Burns was capable of purchase one along with his spouse, who’s Singaporean, whereas he holds everlasting residency.

The stamp responsibility and down fee totaled about SG$280,150. They paid the bulk in money and about 20% from their CPF — Singapore’s mandatory savings account, used for issues like housing, healthcare, and retirement.

The remaining quantity was financed by means of a financial institution mortgage. At this time, their month-to-month mortgage is about SG$3,520.

Taxes: Shifting overseas labored out in his favor

Taxes additionally performed an enormous position in how his funds modified after the transfer.

In 2025, Burns earned about 6% lower than he did in San Francisco in 2019, however his general tax burden is considerably decrease.

In California, his taxes have been round $41,200 in 2019. In Singapore, his newest tax invoice was about SG$13,300.

Decrease tax charges have allowed him to maintain extra of his revenue, although, as a US citizen, he nonetheless has to file US taxes.

People dwelling overseas can exclude roughly $120,000 to $130,000 of foreign-earned revenue, which helps cut back what they owe, however does not remove it solely. The US is likely one of the few nations that taxes its residents overseas.

Day-to-day bills: A cheaper life overseas

His day-to-day bills have additionally gone down. In Singapore, inexpensive meals is simple to seek out at hawker centers, the place you may have a meal for only a few {dollars}. A plate of rooster rice, a standard native dish, is usually lower than $5.

Getting round is cheaper, too. In San Francisco, he owned a automobile and says he spent about $400 a month on fuel. In Singapore, he depends on ride-hailing companies and public transportation, spending about SG$300 a month.

With a hybrid work association and a shorter commute, he is additionally been capable of reclaim a lot of his day.

“Each day, I’ve extra time to train as a result of I’ve received three to 4 hours again. I run lots now and often go earlier than work,” he stated.

Burns stated his high quality of life has improved considerably for what he spends. Extra importantly, he is lastly capable of put cash apart.

A life he selected

Nonetheless, it took Burns a while to get used to life in Singapore — particularly town’s scorching and humid local weather, with temperatures between 80 and 90 levels year-round.

“After I first moved right here, I would stroll to the bus cease in my work shirt, and it will be a sweaty mess,” he stated.

He additionally misses Mexican meals and pizza from again within the US, including that whereas they’re obtainable in Singapore, they don’t seem to be fairly the identical.

Whereas some members of the family have visited him and been impressed by the city-state, Burns says others do not get his choice to leave the US. They fear about what may occur within the occasion of a struggle or one other pandemic, he stated.

“I attempt to inform them I am safer right here than you guys are within the US, however they do not perceive that,” he stated.

He added that Singapore’s strict gun legal guidelines and low crime charges contribute to that sense of security. Within the US, he felt he needed to pay extra consideration to his environment.

These variations have solely made Burns extra sure about staying.

He utilized for citizenship in December and is now ready to listen to again. If accepted, he plans to surrender his US citizenship — a call he stated he is prepared for, and one required in Singapore, which doesn’t enable twin citizenship.

“I’ve all the time been proud to reside right here,” he stated.