This essay is based on a conversation with Candice Gallagher, a 38-year-old British marketing expert and Content Creator. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up in Asia. When I was eight, my family moved to Singapore. We lived there for two years and then in Hong Kong for six years.
As an adult, I wanted to go back and experience that life again. In January 2019, with no job but with absolute clarity, I booked a one-way ticket to Singapore.
I was destined for Asia
Gallagher on her travels through Asia. Candice Gallagher
When I first returned to Singapore as an adult in 2019, I worked at a now-defunct company called Zilingo. I briefly went home to the UK during the 2020 COVID lockdown, but I realised I needed to return to Singapore.
I secured a job at a fintech company called CardUp and was back in Singapore in September 2021.
Life in Singapore was pleasant. The weather is good. There is a lot of travel, it is multicultural. And there is a lot of good food.
But Singapore is an expensive city. I spent about $7,000 a month: $4,000 on rent and about $3,000 on bills from restaurants, bars, supermarkets, travel and other expenses.
Dating as an expat was no walk in the park
Gallagher hosted Singlepore, a singles mixer in Singapore. Candice Gallagher
Dating is difficult anywhere in the world and I’ve taken it pretty seriously in four countries: England, the US, Singapore and Switzerland, where I did my Masters.
But in Singapore, I found that there was only a very small pool of people who fit into the same cultural space that I was operating in. It was like I tried fishing in a very small pond.
Then I saw a video on TikTok from a group in the US that organized the dating event. I posted a video in Singapore and said, “Hey Singaporeans, is anyone there? Would you like to come to an event like this?”
Then the whole thing took off and I ended up hosting a dating event called “Singlepore.”
It was pretty amazing. It reflects the desire for offline, real-world ways to connect with people.
Decision to return to the UK
Gallagher will return to the UK in 2024. Candice Gallagher
I think a lot about the difference between life and lifestyle. In Singapore, I had a lifestyle that I enjoyed very much.
But I felt unfulfilled in my life. I had been abroad for over 18 years. I wanted to be with my friends from high school and college, so I decided to move back home.
So in July I packed my bags and moved back to the UK.
It took me a long time to come to this conclusion because I moved abroad when I was eight. The idea of ”just being an English girl in England” caused a bit of an identity crisis. I thought, “Who am I if I’m not an expat?”
However, I believe this thought process underestimates how exotic and diverse England can be.
I now feel like I’m discovering something new about what life in England will be like. I don’t know how it will go – but I’m going to try.
