in town

[Tan Elaine]

Where I live, when you say "John is in town", it means he has not gone abroad. He is still in Singapore.

Do native speakers use this expression? If not, what do natives use to say the same thing?

Many thanks.

[konungursvia]

We do say that, but as our cities are not islands, we more often use it for friends who are living away, who are now back in town visiting.