'I don't want to go back': US man, 35, moves to S'pore in 2020, cites safety & lower cost of living

A 35-year-old American man moved from San Francisco to Singapore, citing high living costs and safety concerns as reasons for leaving the U.S.

According to Business Insider, Nick Burns also cited Singapore's lower overall taxes as a reason for his decision.

Burns, who is now a permanent resident, told Business Insider, "I don't want to go back to the U.S."

He now co-owns a four-room Housing Development Board (HDB) flat with his wife, which the couple purchased for S$1.01 million.

He has also applied for Singaporean citizenship in December 2025 and plans to renounce his U.S. citizenship, saying, "I've always been proud to live here".

Grew up in Connecticut

Burns grew up in Connecticut and served in the U.S. Navy. He visited Singapore for the first time during his service.

He told Business Insider that he was impressed by Singapore's transport system and imagined what it might be like to live here, "but it felt impossible, like a crazy idea".

Burns left the U.S. Navy in 2017 and moved to San Francisco for a job.

He lived in downtown San Francisco, where it was not uncommon to cross dark alleys and drug users.

Burns said: "Even as a single man, I felt unsafe walking around."

In January 2020, Burns relocated to Singapore with his company via a lateral transfer. He initially rented a place in Singapore.

Housing costs

In San Francisco, he said property purchases seemed unattainable, and Burns' rent was US$5,728 (S$7,294) a month, which included a US$300 (S$382) reserved parking fee.

In Singapore, Burns was able to purchase an HDB flat with his Singaporean wife.

According to Business Insider, the stamp duty and down payment for the home totalled about S$280,150; the couple used their Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts to foot about 20 per cent of the cost; the rest was paid in cash.

The remaining cost of the flat was financed through a bank loan, and the couple's monthly mortgage comes to about S$3,520.

Taxes

Burns told Business Insider that in 2025, he earned about 6 per cent less in Singapore than he did in San Francisco in 2019.

But his taxes were significantly lower.

His 2019 taxes in California were around US$41,200 (S$52,450) as compared to his 2025 taxes in Singapore at S$13,300.

While he still has to file U.S. taxes, Americans living abroad can file for tax exemptions, excluding around US$120,000 (S$152,767) to US$130,000 (S$165,496) of income. 

Day-to-day

Other than food costs, Burns said that his monthly transportation expenses have also gone down.

In San Francisco, he owned a car and would spend US$400 (S$509) on gas monthly, while in Singapore, his mix of ride-hailing services and public transportation costs around S$300 a month.

His hybrid work arrangement and shorter commute have also allowed improved his quality of life as he can spend time exercising and is able to save his earnings.

He added that his family does not understand his decision to leave the U.S.

However, Burns is certain about staying and says that "I try to tell them I'm safer here than you guys are in the US, but they don't understand that".