I picked Singapore, It didn't pick me
Meet Max Chernov. Born in Russia and having lived in 7 countries, he chose Singapore as his home 5 years ago. But has Singapore chosen him back? We'll find out in this video. We'll also discuss how he became Kiasu after living here, why foreigners choose to live in an expat bubble in Singapore, and what's the status of his application for PR. I’m Max. As you see, today's video is unusual. Enjoy!
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👥 If you have a guest suggestion for an interview, please reach out at maxchernovYT@gmail.com
Thanks to Mark for this interview!
Watch my interview with him here ► The Reality of Moving to Singapore for a British Expat: • The Reality of Moving ...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:31 What do you like about Singapore
02:22 What would you change about Singapore
03:01 Surprising discoveries in Singapore
03:40 The weirdest thing Max've encountered
04:40 Do your wife love Singapore too
05:41 Singapore PR status
07:01 Where do you see your future
07:46 When it's time to leave home
09:20 The importance of having friends
10:33 The gap between locals and foreigners
11:46 Why did you decide to start your KZhead channel
13:08 About "unsuccessful" interviews
14:22 Challenges and decisions
15:45 What are you most excited about in life
16:36 Plans for New York
17:10 Life principle
WATCH NEXT:
► Pros and Cons of moving to Singapore from New York: • Pros and Cons of movin...
► Top Things You Should Know About Schools in Singapore: • Things you should know...
► KZhead pays my bills in Singapore (this is how I do it): • KZhead pays my bills ...
Hey! This channel bridges the gap between locals and foreigners in Singapore. Join Max as he interviews expats, unraveling their unique stories and providing valuable insights into their lives in this vibrant city-state. Through engaging conversations, Max fosters understanding and appreciation between Singaporeans and the global community with a focus on cultural exchange.
If you're a company seeking sponsorship opportunities to engage our upscale audience, contact us at maxim.chernov.msc@gmail.com. With over 50% Singaporean viewers and a substantial number of foreign professionals (US, EU, Australia), our mature audience (35-54 years) boasts strong purchasing power and interests in an above-average lifestyle, travel, investment, and personal finance.
If you have a guest suggestion for an interview, please reach out to us at maxim.chernov.msc@gmail.com.
#ExpatLife #MaxChernov #Singapore
Subscribe to this ang moh’s channel! He produces descent content 😎
Ok lah, quite decent. As long you keep your shirt on. :)
Max, persist! i wish you all the luck and success =)
Get this man a PR.
Perhaps because of your black hair, I personally do not consider you an Ang Mo (literally “red hair”). You look like our fellow muslim Singaporeans :D
Alright, you've got me ^^ best of luck with the PR thingy!
Max's channel certainly helps bridging the gaps of understanding between locals & foreigners.
Finally! This is the long awaited interview of Max himself. Hooray! 😆
Give him and his family PR!! You so deserve it!!
I second that!
LOL-ed when the interview table was turned! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you, Max!
I like it when you use HDB as your backdrop. Most foreigners don't feature HDBs in their videos.
My colleague and her husband got their PR only after ten years of working here. They are not high income earners. They just kept applying. Just continue to apply, don’t be discouraged.😊
You deserved to be a PR of Singapore!
One of the best interviews yet from this channel! Really enjoyable. Thank you for being such a positive personality. I would sign if there's a petition for you to get PR as suggested.
Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️
Can we sign a petition to have you approved for a PR? 😂 I'd attest to how your channel adds cultural value. ❤
Hahaha great idea! 😁
Don't think that's a good idea and the applicant is probably more seen as a problematic person that can incite against the authorities.
I think he already had the attention of SG prime minister so I would rather he continue creating great work and let the time and networks do the job
if petition works, i dun mind adding my signature for you either 😄
@@alvinkuo what is your basis for saying that this content might be seen as being inflammatory ? As a guy born in Singapore all I see is someone helping to shed some light on how the country is seen through the eyes of people from different nationalities Genuinely curious
this channel is seriously underrated. do hope the authorities pick this up, see value in it and find ways to collab. and congrats on your second daughter. look forward to more great videos from you despite the busier life
thanks so much! the channel will be way bigger by the end of 2023!
I lived in Singapore for almost 10 years. I have a lot of respect for its history and rapid development. But in my opinion it's not a longer term / retirement option. One thing missing from this interesting interview is the origin of Max as a Russian. I wanted to hear more about was what it's like being Russian in different countries - ie is Max 'accepted' more in SG compared to other countries? I don't know. Surely this will greatly influence people's perceptions and acceptance of a foreign country as their 'own'. For example, I can see why so many Indian and Filipino nationals accept SG as 'home' owing to the difficult conditions in India and PH. And I don't agree Singapore is easy to make friends. Aside from expats who I found come and go every 2-3 years, Singaporeans are generally friendly and welcoming, but esp among the Chinese demographic, I found it hard to go beyond the niceties and really find deeper friendship. This is cultural I think and I totally respect that. The final point is how Max's great YT channel will take on great risk if it probes into some areas of important conversation such as race, religion and government - which is sad because these are the areas often most deserving of insightful conversation in any part of the world. But nevertheless, much respect for this channel so far - I appreciate watching such a diverse range of interviews.
My Russian background will be discussed more in the second part :)
Appreciate the honesty. I think it’s rather hard to make friends even for local after you are pass marriage age. Most of our friends are childhood friends or early time in our career when we were single. So it’s not just difficult for foreigners to make friends. Married with kids here you are just busy with your own family in a bubble.
There are places u can go to. I suggest smith street taps if you want a start with the locals. Provided you like beer! On any case, Ghib Ojisan seem to have achieved it. Even as a local I'll agree it can be hard as you were anywhere to find your own people. Not by blood or skin color. But ideologies or interests
You can't really have a deep conversation about the SG govt. It's a bit of a moot point. Singapore has survived because of its government. I'm not being defensive as a Singaporean. No country is perfect. Singapore is always moving at a frenetic pace. Even we locals get confused about how we should adapt. I think there's no real issue about race or religion. It's quite minor compared to other countries in the world. Our biggest problem I personally foresee is the wealth and social divide. We cannot afford to lepak in Singapore. We're all bees working for the hive. There's not much choice if we want to live a decent comfortable life here. It is what it is. I'm glad to be Singaporean.
We are too busy working. After giving guidance to my children, barely have time to connect to my friends.
Wonderful, sincere talk
Congrats on the arrival of your 2nd child! And, may your PR application materialized soon! March on.... Wish you success in whatever you wish for and undertake!
I think it is a very spot on comment. While we continue to evolve, we remain rooted to culture and values. It is often very easy to spot a foreigner turned PR or citizen, we respect and welcome that, but you are likely to be viewed as foreigner in a sense. Same same but different. And this applies everywhere you go, be it US, UK, etc.
Hope u get your PR! Happy to hear that you like Singapore. Me too!
You have done a great deal in Singapore. Your wish will be granted. We pray for you. ❤
Thank you so much!
Another great sharing, Max. All the best on your PR application.
Enjoyed getting some insights into your motivations and aspirations for your family. Over the long term with a track record, I'm sure your PR application will be approved eventually.
how the table has turned! loving it. keep up the good work
Praying for you and your family to get pr asap. You are precious to singapore
🙏
His videos are insightful and probably does more than a 1 million dollar ad that STB spends ... Just give this man a PR already.
I really hope more people can find these videos. Singaporeans really take Singapore for granted.
This is a great interview. Subscribed.
What you said about living in a bubble in Singapore is very true, not just for expats. I am very close with singaporeans but I also notice they totally live in a bubble as well within their own culture. It really feels that way when I go out as well, the races don't really mix. So yeah Singapore is 'accomodating' to new cultures. Excellent insights and good to hear about your family!
Agree. If you check out Singapore’s 5 shared values, one of the values is “Consensus over Conflict”. After many years of working in SG, only recently I was able to relate this with my experiences with locals. Having consensus is preferred which is a good thing. But this concept or ideology can swing another direction where Singaporeans will choose not to get involved, to reduce conflict. Sometimes so accommodating to the point of “I don’t bother your, you don’t bother me”. This is what makes that bubble. Meaning, I mind my business. You mind yours. Everyone is living in a bubble to avoid any inconveniences or trouble. This is good and bad at the same time, because you can go on with your day peacefully, but people can also become absorbed in themselves, and not care so much about others.
Love your channel Max; hope you get your PR status soon! You deserved it!!
Thanks so much!!
Keep up the good work Max!!!
Really hope you get your PR soon fully support you , you rock keep it up awesome interview love all your work 👍🏻😀🙏
Thank you so much!
Max, you have accurately observed the unique multiculturalism that Singapore is practising. The government is not pursuing a melting-pot multiculturism but a mosaic-art multiculturism. As our 2nd PM said it, we don't want everybody to be the same and every culture should retain their uniqueness but yet blend with your surrounding - together, every mosaic tile can make a beautiful picture.
so glad you are being interviewed... great video
Max, thank you for choosing Singapore and bringing the best of our country. I always follow your channel and enjoy what you share. Keep up the great work!
I love your channel Max. They are great and interesting. It allows people like me as a Singaporean to learn more and understand how foreigners or PR think and feel living in Singapore. Truly respect their views and honest sharing. Wish you and your family enjoy staying in Singapore and make more great friends whether they are foreigners or local. Enjoy on what you are doing.😊
Awesome, thank you!
❤❤❤ Max as usual. Glad to know u better though this channel. Hope you fulfil your dreams n find joy n happiness here in sg.
Hi Max, I've subscribed to your channel. I like your videos. Indeed, you are bridging the gap between locals and foreigners. I wish that you will get the PR soon, don't give up. Also, congrats on your 2nd girl. I hope your girls will enjoy growing up here in Singapore, before they go abroad to enrich their life experiences.
Thanks for putting Singapore on the world map. You are a better Singaporean than some Singaporeans. You appreciate some of the things we took for granted. 😊
@fit4fit4 Cute but singing a couple of sweet songs about Singapore as a foreigner ain't gonna cut it, don't shoot down true blue Singaporeans who serve their land and spend their lives not being on social media to talk about it
@@heavymetalrox268 I said some Singaporeans which denotes the minority.
Mind blowing interview! Thanks for sharing an interview of yourself here. This is interesting! I watched till the end.
My theory of foreigners finding it hard to build deeper relationships/friendships with local Singaporeans have to do with the size of this country that allow Singaporeans to stay in touch with friends as far back as primary school or even kindergarten. In other larger countries with states, people move away when they grow up or form new families, but in Singapore, your childhood friends are just a few MRT stations away. To the locals, I think this is a good thing because many have a good support system of community built from many years of connection. But for foreigners, it is often a challenge to build deep friendships with locals, who are mostly closed to their inner circles. Even if you have some local Singaporean friends, their schedule are filled with weekly family gatherings on weekends (which in other larger countries, may not happen weekly due to people living in different states), and also because aging parents live nearby (again, in some countries parents don’t live in the same state), working adults would also need to take care of caregiving of parents (for some westerners, it’s not in their culture to have the obligation to “take care” of elders). These are just a few factors, that I think influence the way things are in Singapore. I also don’t think many Singaporeans recognise or see this in themselves because it is embedded so deeply in the lifestyle and it’s so normal that nobody would think of the proximity factor that resulted in how a people behave.
I love the change of the interviewee position of Max in this. The humour of this 👌
Love your channel! Its interesting to see the views from the expats! Maybe can expand to other nationalities foreigners!
Thanks for saying so many good things about Singapore!
Hi Max. I have been watching your videos since an year now. We lived in SG for about 2.5 years during covid. Got an opportunity and moved to UK with 5 year settlement visa but returned back here couple of months gago as we did not feel home there at all besides change in priorities and preferences. I can relate many things from your interviews on choosing to live in SG than other countries. thanks for all the information you are sharing over the videos. Wish we could meet some time by face if we get a chance in this tiny land.
I hope u get your PR the next round, Max!
I enjoy your videos. Keep it up! 😄
As always, a nice chat. I am a US and UK citizen... lived a decade in SG. While i loved the SG multicultural society, i dont think the UK and US societies are as "strong" as you describe. Certainly in the US it is very possible to live in a bubble, within your own language etc within the large cities. In California you can take your driver's license exam in any one of 32 different languages 😂. You may have visited Brighton Beach, Brooklyn...its basically a neighborhood of people from the forner Soviet Union...all shops, restaurants, services... everything is in Russian.
Hope you hv a memorable stay here ❤😊
Finally got to know more about Max!! Cool! Keep up the good work!
As a singaporean, thanks for being real and authentic. As this channel aims, I do see the bridge between locals and foreigners, having been exposed to big MNCs and working with people managers from various places, if not for my occupation, I think I would have missed out on getting to know people from different walks of life. Despite some cultural differences, I love the notion of a melting pot of culture, we're different, but not too different when you know great people have similar values and outlook on happiness and love. So as a fellow singaporean to other singaporeans, I've seen some videos on this channel, and are loving what I've seen, you'll love it too!
For the next episode you should interview a domestic worker or low skilled workers on work permit about their life in Singapore , many people watching your videos may have different expectation when they come to Singapore after watching your video but when they come here it’s opposite of their expectations
It can’t be that bad for most . I deal with them with most of them are work permit holders /domestic helpers . Many are still working for the same employers / been here for many years. Many also rushed back once the 🇸🇬 gate opened 2022 pandemic .
It would be a different lifestyle than expats. Not to mention that their view of Singapore would be heavily influenced by the family they live with. Domestic workers dont have to worry about rent, food, shelter etc. There's also difference in goals. Expats come to SG to not just work, but to experience the culture (hence why they travel). That's why u see there's attempts to blend in. Domestic workers are here strictly to find money because their home country cant provide. Thats why u would observe that they tend to spend time with their own ppl.
Keep doing what you are doing. Like you said, life is full of ups and downs. Keep trying for that PR, you will get it, it's only a matter of time. Don't give up.
I am a Singaporean, saw your video, subscribed few months back and have enjoyed watching your contents ever since, hope you get your pr 😊
Max done subscription.Great content. Lovely country, people and food. For Singapore always thumbs up Thanks for your efforts
Hi @maxchernov, thank you for your channel and videos about Singapore. I'm truly grateful and proud of how Singapore is being portrayed in your videos so please do keep it up! A piece of advice: Do continue your local volunteering works like RC/RN, taking local courses, and the most important thing: Reapply for PR every year if you did not manage to get it the year before. If failed to get PR, wait a year and apply again. :D
My pleasure!
Hi @maxchernov TYSM for your videos, they’re very inspirational!!! I’m a Singaporean and you make me very proud to be one!!! And every time I watched your video of foreigners who chose to live here makes me so proud of Singapore❤❤❤ Majulah SINGAPURA!!!
Remember to pay full taxes. Govt like people who contribute. SG Govt always penalize self employed people. Good luck !
Thank you for posting
👍👏💪🇸🇬 Your experience of living in many countries served you as a good bridge between SG local and foreigners. Just keep on applying, you should be able to get PR. Best still, if you have son that can serve NS in SG, definitely a great contribution to SG. Good luck! Whenever I returned from overseas trips, the moment I stepped out of Changi airport and travel along the east coast highway, I always feel home sweet home and SG is still the best place compared to other countries.👍 If SG has four seasons weather, that would be the best….. While you are living in SG, your children should take advantage of SG education system and environment to learn two great languages (English and Chinese) so that they can do business with a large population in the world, just like what Jim Rogers did.
I’ve been watching for a while, but this is the video that made me subscribe, great work Max! Keep on doing what you do!
Welcome aboard!
Same here! Just subscribed!! ‘Jia you’ means add oil - persevere for your pr application ... go go go
Very good job I really enjoyed Your different interviews and your channel And you’re really encouraging me to come see Singapore
Go for it!
Keep JOY alive Max! I enjoy your you tube videos!
🙏
@2:29 - the sidewalks ... 1 - concrete is very expensive in Singapore ( just about everything needed to make concrete is imported ) 2, most narrow sidewalks are not utilized ( shown in the video for example ) 3, concrete sidewalks contribute to the "urban heat island" effect (literally for Singapore) 4, more concrete on the ground increase flooding risk . Note that Singapore is building more bike paths next to the existing sidewalks ( wonder if the new paths are made of porous materials ).
More bike patches would be amazing!
You so hit the nail on the head…this quality about Singapore that permits people of other differing cultures to settle down with relative ease.
great video! i just graduated from a london university and find myself appreciating singapore more
Singaporeans don’t mind or rather would be more than happy to have foreigner friends, just that it’s hard to tell who’s here for a holiday or stay, so unless it’s a working situation or friend introduction that we get to know foreigner friends.
Amazing stuff
Don’t worry, Max. I’m quite certain you and your family will get PR eventually, based on what you’ve been doing. Keep trying, like some of your interviewees did. From: a 61-year-old Singaporean.
Max... again another great clip. You ought to get PR soonest n eventually citizen. Don't you stop trying applying it.
I AGREE AS A SINGAPOREAN THE SIDEWALKS ARE WAY TOO NARROW!!!! we can report on one service app and ask them to expand it 😄
I thought I was the only one who had this thought 😅
I'm still waiting to bump into Mark - he lives right behind me evidently!
Really enjoy your content! Just subscribed. You seem like a really interesting person and would be lovely to have a conversation with! Hope to get a chance to bump into you in Singapore someday!!
Thanks for the sub!
It is true that Singapore is still a young country. Because of that many people from different countries are coming to Singapore having the culture in Singapore so diverse. It has already happened with the local food courts/kopitiams, where there are different types of food choices from different countries.
I'm already your fan simply because you love Singapore my home country.
Give him what he wants, please ~ ❤
Wonderful video. Thank you for your insights and experience living in Singapore.
My pleasure!
@@MaxChernov 😀
Wishing Max, your dream will come true soon (Be Singapore PR)❤
Thanks Max for sharing. 💪👍
My pleasure!
Hope you get your PR!
I m a sporean. I have liked & subscribed.
I have seen all your videos about Singapore. I love them ❤❤❤
Good video, nice to hear your own views hope you are successful in getting a PR on next try. The pathways where you live are narrow and look unlikely to expand because the entire stretch from e2e is planted with rain trees that are very old you can tell by the trunk size. Its roots are destructive and go everywhere no matter it’s concrete or tar road and they destroy what’s above but It is a beautiful to see all that greenery from above. The path on the opposite just before the lights is a good example, it goes up and down not flat and has had a few repairs done. You can’t move the trees easily and a few have already been cutdown in recent years. There are big old rain trees at Hort Park where you can see how large and far the roots can travel.
Thanks, your explanation sounds logical 👍
Thanks for using the Senja Heights rooftop garden for your video. Enjoying your content!
Hope you get it. Will celebrate the day you and family gets it!!!
Hi Max, good to see you on the other side of the camera. Great interview. Thanks.
Keep on going . Bro. ....
there is definitely an increase in westerners living in Singapore. it was a rare sight years ago to see one. But now, they are everywhere. As always, welcome to Singapore and I hope you guys enjoy your stay.
Well done Maxi, love to meet you one day.
I hope so too!
I think as foreigners it take a lot more effort to blend in. Singaporean are generally very easy to get along but we are abit more shy for a start and we are very direct. We can seem impatient.
Ok. I subscribed 😊
Subscribed!!!!
Finally!
Fantastic video. Hopefully to see you around in Interlace
are you here too?
Max thanks for your interesting videos. 2005 i was in. Singapore 🇸🇬 for honeymoon with my japanese wife. I'm from Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 i will love to visit Singapore 🇸🇬 again.
Max ,about the side walk and the green is all about surface run off water. The green can absorb rain water.Is being calculated base on a 10 year rain fall to prevent flooding. So I hope you can accept that and clear your doubt lol
Hope u & ur family get the PR! Gambate💪🏻 *from a singaporean
Hi Max, I’ve watched your videos before. And as I followed more, I liked the contents/subjects. So, today I subscribed (it’s has nothing to do with you being ang moh).
Awesome, thank you!
An interesting set of content may be the many others in Singapore that have picked Singapore as home, have contributed positively to Singapore, have integrated into the Singapore community (both amongst Singaporeans and foreigners) and have not been granted Singapore permanent residence. In my view, there would be many (say in the range of thousands of) people Singaporeans married to foreigners, and many foreigners who would have interesting stories to share.
Hi Max, hope you n your family get the Singapore PR soon. Hopefully we can meet in person someday. cheers
Welcome! We welcome u
I am a singaporean. I enjoy watching your channel. Nice interesting content. We welcome you sharing your experience and try to close up the gap between local & foreigners. Its a small but meaningful way to contribute to our society. Thank you!😊
In the HDB town, the side walks have widened and the grass land are now cemented . Not necessarily better now as rain water has now less place to be absorbed.
Wherever you live, the first are fellowship and interaction with the locals ( in Singapore is Singlish, super great language ! ) and the ppl are very open, friendly and most of the English-speaking ppl are extrovert. 2ndly the environment, clean and safe 👌. But Singapore will make up for the space by her northern almost equally good, and so much slower and cheaper life style neighbourhood .
Good to know you better Max. Have been wondering who this Angmo is. Just subscribed. Looking forward to your next videos. 👍
Thank You for picking Singapore. Hope you continue to have a wonderful time staying in Singapore!!!
Thank you too!
Hey..! Just approved his PR. Love all your contents cheers.
Im a local and i love to mingle with foreigners as they give me new and better perspective.