Is the offer enough?

[Concerned UK]

I have been offered a management position in a Singapore based company with a take home salary after tax of approx. 7500-8000 SGD a month + a car and medical insurance.

Can anybody please give me some advice as to whether this is enough to support a family (2 children aged 10 and 5), pay for accommodation (3 bedroom apartment in a condo, 1800 sqft, Clementi area) and also pay for the children to go to an International school teaching the British curriculum.(e.g. Dover Court or Tanglin Trust)

I will also need to consider a pension and flights to the UK for vacation. As with any expat position I would also like to put some  money aside.

I have my doubts based on information gleaned from this site and others, Any advice welcome before I take the plunge.

[Jo]

If you figure the kid's school fees...could be quite tight...international school here isn't cheap....accomodation can be compromised though..and you could get something really cheap....however, that's still a wee tight.

[Brit]

No school fees? No airfares for home leave? (and when your elder child is 12 an adult fare is payable). And no pension? If it is a Singapore co. then I guess (you would need to check this out) you can't pay Class III National Insurance stamps either which go towards the UK State pension. I doubt if you would want to be a Permanent Resident in Sing, but if you did you could pay into the CPF where both you and your employer make contributions.

I think it may be a bad move - do-able if you were just a couple, but not with kids unless you wish to put them into the local school system. However, it is extremely rare for Western expats to do this - it might be worth exploring but your kids might find it very difficult to adapt. Another alternative might be to waive the company car if the company can pay the school fees instead? But at the end of the day, I don't think you would manage to save much money here.  

[mj]

School fees and extras (registration/building fees etc.) will set you back around $30,000 a year plus busses/lunch/uniforms etc etc. and you're looking at around $3000 a month before you've even put a roof over their heads!  I think the blunt answer would have to be that the package offered will not be enough to enjoy your stay here and manage to put anything away.  You may even find yourself "borowing from your savings to pay your tax bill at the end of the year!

[Git]

Forget it, it's ok if your kids are going to local school but school fees/expenses in international school would be about nearly $3,000 for 2, a roof over your head is about minimum $3,000, what have u left with? U need about $15,000 to cover housing, school, home trips, car expenses, food etc. especially for an expat's lifestyle.

[nick73]

what you are offered would be considered a local deal which is fine for a foreigner in two situations:

1.  you are here alone and have no dependants or liabilities to look after

2.  you are foreign but married to a local and living the local lifestyle -- in that sense not a true expat

otherwise you are likely making life hard for yourself.  being here just for the fun of it is one thing when you are single but forcing a wife and kids through it too on a budget could be unfair.  thaink carefuly.  the other choice would be if your wife could also find a reasonably well paid job and you employ a maid to look after your kids and home.

[Jon]

Not enough. But they are not being un-reasonable in their offer. I know somebody with 2 kids school age, australian, get S$1500 housing and salary of about S$6000 no car, basic insurance, no travel allowance.
Dunno how he survives but he got stock options which he cashed in and said were worth many times more than his annual salary ! What does this say... it depends on your circumstances if you really want to come here or want the promotion etc. and can live with  the  package why not ? You probably won't starve but you maybe miserable.

Also check on the medical insurance, is it portable an issue covered in another topic.

[ConcernedUK]

Many thanks for the replies. These unfortunately have re-inforced my doubts.

I had condsidered my wife getting a job but feel it is unfair that she has to work just so that we can provide an education for the children.

Time for a re-think!

[TIGER]

just to add...The offer isn't too bad - just lower than expected (I here in a similar situ)- if you were single and sharing accomadation then you would have a good lifestyle - but housing and schooling are really % wise high cost - you can get, really good cheaper housing (1.8K to 2.2K)
but the location may not be good for the schools. Most companies offer 13 month bonus plus return flight home. If you really want to consider you'll have to push for more cash 10-12K would be managable. and don't forget tax about 10% of your wage -also - ensure your medical cover is sufficent - I didn't check and my company medical cover is pretty bad - ensure you and family are fully covered - for all medical expenses - a trip to the doctor isn't cheap and is required for meical leave - M.C. (medical cert). each day your off.  
The only saving grace for me is I make good on travel allowance when overseas....
Good luck.

[This message has been edited by TIGER (edited 17-11-2000).]