Cost of living Paris vs Singapore

[Thierry Roch]

I'm currently working in Paris (France),
my annual salary here is 330 KF and I'm being offered a S$60 K.

Will I financially be better off in Paris
or Singapore after tax ?

Any French expat on here?

[Burbage]

Hi

At 60K your tax will be around 13-15%. That could help you work it out. You will not be able to afford a car in sing, your accommodation choices will be limited. The only other major expense is booze. Pretty much everything else will be cheaper than Paris.

So, if you can't live without a car and that magnificent French wine (I reckon accomodation problems are about the same between Paris and Sing) either push for more money, or a better package, or stay in Paris. If you can do without these you could be financially better off in Sing... just. I don't know what your current tax situation is.

Culture is a whole other issue. Trouble is, we start talking about that and a mudslinging match tends to start. Refer to other threads.

I hope you follow this. Perhaps if you don't some kind person will translate it into French.

[Junebug]

For taxes look at the following website:
http://www.iras.gov.sg/TaxInfo/taxrate.htm#1997

As of 2002 they will go down:
http://www.iras.gov.sg/TaxInfo/taxrate.htm#2002

For a salary of S$ 60.000 the tax should be a total of S$ 5.375 this year (S$ 3.375 on the first S$ 50.000 and S$ 1.600 on the rest of S$ 10.000)

If you are on your own, then you might be able to survive here on that salary. It really depends on whether you will have to also pay for housing or not. Housing tends to be quite expensive here compared to Europe if you want to live comfortably, i.e. in a condominium with swimming pool, tennis courts, etc.

Good luck!

[Thierry Roch]

In France we're taxed about
50% on income, so I guess I might be
better off in Singapore if I don't drive.

And you cannot find condominium in Paris with swimming pool and tennis court ;-)
They simply do not exists ...

You may be able to find those in southern France, Cannes or Nice maybe ...

[Bern]

Hi Thierry,

I am quite in the same situation. French, with an option to move to Singapore as an IT, software engineer for around $60-$70.

Difference for me being that I am curently in the US.

Anyway, just curious about which company and for what position you did apply.

[Junebug]

True, but as far as I remember Paris isn't 32 - 34 deg C every day of the year... Have you been here before, or is your move here the first time you will be to Singapore?

I have about the same salary - it's fine as long as you are aware that in the way of savings it's not going to be easy. I don't live the high life here and basically get by from month to month. Take that into consideration as well...

(Not living the high life means: no alcohol, no cigarettes, no car - I do however live in a nice condo 2 bedroom with a pool and I go out to dinner about twice a week, I don't have any transportation costs to and from work, half my rent is paid by the company)

[This message has been edited by Junebug (edited 30-05-2001).]

[Nathalie & Benjamin]

We moved from Paris 2 months ago, I was making there the same sort of money. Taxes are actually much lower here, but 60K will be short. If you want a condo either it will be small and far away from the center (transportation can easily get up to 1 hour or more), or it will be flatshare, or may be you might go in a HDB (expats were not supposed to rent any). Medical costs are very high too, you'd better have your company take in charge a good insurance (pay a close look to details of coverage !).
Then if you are used to trendy and active Paris life, and living in the center, do not come for 60K or be ready to have a much more quiet life. Anyway you may want to set foot into Asia and boost your CV.
Do not hesitate to mail if you want more details and discuss private.