Pls advise on expat package

[Doubtful]

I am offered a package of 3k per month, no housing or transportation allowances. The job is right and I'd benefit professionally by taking it, however the numbers are quite modest compared to what's discussed in this board. My concern is if that would be sufficient for untroubled by money issues life for two people (me and my wife) and what would be our lifestyle with such income?
Thanks

[Paul N]

You would be a very hungry Ang Moh.  

Rent here will start at 2k for a decent apartment and go up from there.  

Don't even kid yourself about a car 1.5k/mo.

If you completely adapted to a local lifestyle, and were able to figure out how to legally rent an HDB flat, you might be lucky enough to save a couple hundred a month.

If you were single and flexible, it may be worth it just for the experience, but married...if I was faced with this offer, I would pass and look for something better.

I know people who's taxi bill comes to almost 1k per month...and taxis here are dirt cheap.  Heck, Rob's bar tab probably is more than your entire offer!  

[Mark D]

At least you'd hardly pay any tax (less than $2k) pa, but I agree that unless you are prepared to live the most frugal life possible you cannot get by on $2.8k per month (net) for 2 people.

Heck, there are people on this Board whose offers are more than double this who are being seriously advised to think twice.

I really wouldn't consider it unless your spouse can also get a reasonably paid job.

[Rob]

I have actually cut back significantly of late - New Years resolutions and all that, and have managed to get my beer bill down to abt 2K pcm. Now all I have to do is figure out what do do with all the money I am saving

[Mark D]

Maybe you could offer some of it to Doubtful to stop him starving

[Doubtful]

Thank you guys for your input. It seems that I am a very hungry Ang Moh (whatever it is) indeed, because, despite the common consent, I still can't make my mind. BTW, from the company offering employment told me one can get a 2-bedroom apartment for $700 pm - I wonder what it would be like?

[Casper]

about 10 inches wide probably!!!

[Daniel A]

Your company was probably talking about HDB (govt. housing).

[Paul N]

sounds to me as if the contact at your company is painting with a pretty rosy brush.  Search the archives....there is a ton of information on the cost of living here.  I can tell you, my food bill went from US$400/mo for a family of four to US$840/mo, and our diet has not changed significantly, albeit we eat way more rice.  

Search the archives on this board...you need the information to make your decision.

[Boston Family Sing. bound]

Hi,
Ang moh - literally 'red-hair' in chinese but taken to mean Caucasians/Westerners.
I hate to be a wet blanket but I have to agree with above posts.  You could probably just make ends meet if offer is in US$ but it sure wouldn't be comfortable.
I would take Paul's advise and look up previous threads on expat packages, it sure helped us get a handle on costs.
Good Luck

[Not so bad]

Hi - my partner and I live here on $4000 per month very comfortably - I guess it's all relative to what kind of standard you are used to at home.  We were both unemployed before coming here and had learned to live extrememely frugally - coming here was great as we had regular money coming in and could experience lots of local dishes!! and the sunshine.

Our apartment is very central and costs $1600 per month - that leaves us a fair amount to enjoy ourselves.  We don't have a maid and we are not big drinkers but we have managed to travel and go away at the weekends quite a lot.  I would ask for an extra $1000 dollars though - I think with $3000 you would struggle unless your wife had a job.

[A Little more]

I have to agree with Not So Bad.
My partner and I are just starting out in our careers and have a combined income of around $5000 and live quite nicely ( obviously with less of a social life than Rob)
$3000 however would be very tight, and unless you have a deep love of rice and vegetables I really wouldn't recommend it.
$4000 would be enough, unless you are party animals and want to go out every night.

[Somewhat Confused]

Hey...we do have the same problem man...
Maybe we should connect and see if we can do something? Maybe we are being employed by the same company.
Read my other posts. or e-mail me gogoboy1974@yahoo.com

[Doubtful]

Thank you people, you are most helpful. I don't think negotiation is an option in my case, nonetheless I'll try. Early next week I'll have this resolved, in one way or another.

[PJ]

You've got to be joking!!!