Is 1980s Singapore better?

[Benarsenal]

Unfortunately, I'm one of those who is not old enough to have lived through or remember much of the 1980s. But since Covid period I find myself watching archive footage and reading up about what life is like in Singapore in the 1980s.

My general sense is that, although things are probably not as sophisticated as now, there seems to be a general sense of more satisfaction. Maybe it's the fact that it was a 'right' mix of simpler times as well as good growth and prosperity (but not too much such that it becomes too stressful and competitive).

Those who lived through it, is it really better in the 80s compared to now?

Edited February 6, 2023 by Benarsenal

[Thaiyotakamli]

For sure i cant live without my smartphone

 

 

[Jman888]

actually the whole world was better in the 80s, not only Singapore.

[Carbon82]

Those were the days when I know I can save up for something I want. Price is pretty much constant for say HDB flat, car, or even private property. 

In the late 80s, my parent sold their close to 20 years old 3 room flat (76m2) at Boon Lay for $34K+/- and bought a new 4A (106m2) at Teck Whye for $63K.

From mid Y2K, price of everything seems like a run away train, the amount I saved cannot even matches the price increased, especially property. Yes, I prefer the days before Y2K. 

[Jman888]

the best year was actually in 1978 according to this article.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2361857/Why-1978-year-world-good-We-perfect-balance-wealth-work-happiness.html

[mersaylee]

60s vs 80s...and...

yes, 80s was better...😅

[inlinesix]

I prefer 90s.

90s got

 

[zipping]

 

[Volvobrick]

80s best years for me. Had much less but enjoyed much more! 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Volvobrick

[zipping]

https://remembersingapore.org/2011/11/03/100-things-we-love-about-the-80s/

https://remembersingapore.org/2011/11/06/100-things-we-love-about-the-80s-part-2/

[macrosszero]

No - I would say 90s was better because we started getting air-conditioned buses, and the proliferation of the MRT network. People started getting flats of decent size from HDB the likes you wouldn't see since. We didn't have a painfully obvious wave of foreign talents and we actually thought we could attain a Swiss Standard of living in the tropics.

[RadX]

Music of the 80s was better

[Inlinefour]

1 hour ago, Carbon82 said:

Those were the days when I know I can save up for something I want. Price is pretty much constant for say HDB flat, car, or even private property. 

In the late 80s, my parent sold their close to 20 years old 3 room flat (76m2) at Boon Lay for $34K+/- and bought a new 4A (106m2) at Teck Whye for $63K.

From mid Y2K, price of everything seems like a run away train, the amount I saved cannot even matches the price increased, especially property. Yes, I prefer the days before Y2K. 

90s is the best 

 

kena left right center from trainers 🤣🤣🤣

[Inlinefour]

56 minutes ago, mersaylee said:

60s vs 80s...and...

yes, 80s was better...😅

Tot you fancy JAV like James 🥰🥰🥰

[Jamesc]

 

[Benarsenal]

I realised that MeWatch actually have a lot of the old SBC shows in their archives, although they're not easy to find (need to specifically search). But some of them feels like a good window into the past.

Like I came across this very interesting Ch 8 drama from 1986: https://www.mewatch.sg/show/家和万事兴-29504

Never seen Chen Shu Cheng and Zhu Houren look so young before. And Huang Yi Liang driving Lotus Esprit LOL. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by Benarsenal

[Mkl22]

Someone will come and say this is a boomer thread! 😂

Edited February 6, 2023 by Mkl22

[Playtime]

7 hours ago, Carbon82 said:

Those were the days when I know I can save up for something I want. Price is pretty much constant for say HDB flat, car, or even private property. 

In the late 80s, my parent sold their close to 20 years old 3 room flat (76m2) at Boon Lay for $34K+/- and bought a new 4A (106m2) at Teck Whye for $63K.

From mid Y2K, price of everything seems like a run away train, the amount I saved cannot even matches the price increased, especially property. Yes, I prefer the days before Y2K. 

I remember hdb prices going mad in early 90s, every quarter go up 5 figure type crazy, someone clearly decided that's the way to go for hdb policy. A friend got a 5room at $125k, we tot it was crazy expensive.... only to realise it was so cheap just a few years later. 

Not helped by all the "asset enhancement" that was actually "asset inflation".

Iirc, there was a big dump around y2k... many people got caught .. then cycle reappeared in mid y2k.