Best of both Worlds

Hey, it's rare to find a foreigner who lived in Singapore longer than I did (12 years, although not in a continuous stretch, between 1993 and 2011)!
And yes, it's a great place for young adults to live and work. But as you found, retirees are better off elsewhere - and we also decided to move to Europe to raise our children in a more conducive environment.
I lived in Batam, too, in 1999 - 2001, during the Asian economic crisis, race riots, removal of Suharto and first democratic elections. Those were exciting times! But I remember the island more for overcrowded industrial wasteland with plenty of dysfunctionality, rather than tranquil luxuriousness (which, honestly, I never seeked).
I sold my house in Batam after a few years, but still have friends there.

Hi Beppi, I agree with you that a big part of Batam, as in many other parts in the world, has been destroyed by the industrialisation. However there are still nice quiet spots to be found as in Nongsa or at the other side at www.thetempats.com overlooking the Golf Course and the South China Sea where I stay. We hope that governments getting their act together in protecting that part of the Earth which is still intact.