What to expect? No clue...

[Liftnot]

I am in the similar situation as Rambo except the company who wants to hire me is a local high tech SME. I don't think they have an "expat policy" thus my offer is very good for a local but not as  an expat. should I insist on more expat terms in addition to my base salary? I do intend to work in S'pore long term (5+ yrs)but I need some advice to handle my situation.
I will be relocate from US with a base salary of S$90k/yr. + S2500/mo.for 3 months of housing and car allowance. Not certain if this is a good deal. Please comment.

[Mark D]

Dear Liftnot

If you are a family man with kid(s) then I think you will struggle to maintain any kind of reasonable lifestyle in Singapore on a total package of S$90k (after the accommodation allowances run out)

After tax that comes to something around SGD6800 per month which wouldn't be much to cover accommodation, school fees, utilities, subsistence etc, let alone allow you to save anything.

If you are single you could probably get by OK but wouldn't be living in luxury by any means

[jim222]

Actually I consider that would be pretty much okay if you are a young single.  I earn that but still manage to have a car, my own 3+1 appartment and a nice enough lifestyle; probably much better than I would have back in the UK doing an equivalent job.  It's all relative.  If you have a wife and kids it won't be enough though unless you want to live frugally or your wife also finds a decent job here.

[liftnot]

Thanks Mark D and jim222:
looks like I have to negotiate further with this company so not to short-change myself.
I am married with no kids yet but we are planning to raise a family in S'pore so your comments were/are valued.
It certainly seems I must be more proactive than what the company willing to offer.
Do you think my persistence of acquiring a "resonable, good" offer will leave a "bad" taste(by not giving them face or seem greedy) between me and my employer if I decide to join them eventhough they don't have an "expat policy"?
My desire to join them is because their vision,the potential growth and I am not replacing someone who quit.

[arnot]

If you ask too much you may price yourself out of the reach of smaller companies I guess.  Remember all companies have some degree of policy regarding these issues and the company would be quite within it's rights to say "take it or leave it".  It really depends (as always) if you can do a job someone on a local salary can't.  Despite many of the stories about amazing expat deals that are bragged about on this board you do have to be realistic.  Obviously don't undersell yourself either.