Singapore he we come!

[Bundhar]

OK,
So you probably see this every week on this board, but I thought I would ask a blanket question and welcome all responses.
I, my wife and newborn will soon be relocated to Singapore.  We are extremely excited.  The reason I am posting is to get some advice on an expat package.  I read a lot of great ideas, but I am in a sort of special scenario.  I am an american, going to be hired by an australian company to work in singapore and they want me to inform them of my financial needs.  I got some great ideas, but there are subtle differences between the australian employer and US employer (Medical is paid by the employee for example).  SO, I need some help with what exactly does a singapore employer offer a Singapore employee, an australian employer offer a australian employee as an expat package, what an australian employee normally gets for benefits and what would a US employer offer a US resident as an expat package.  Not asking too much huh?
   Ill tell you what I have learned so far so there are no redundancies:
     I will need a housing allowance of 3-6k sing dollars
     I will need a furniture allowance (what does that cost usually for a 2 to 3 bedroom apartment or house)
     They will not pay for a car.
     I would like to include the cost of a maid (what is the price range in sing dollars?)
     I would like to include travel expenses (taxis, train, etc...)
     They will fly me and my wife back to the states twice a year.
     What do I do for medical insurance and life insurance?
     Utility bills are about 1200 sing dollars.
     Are there any other expenses I am missing?
Let me know.

[Jo]

Maid about 1k including govt levy
Car can be leased from 1800 to 2.5k a month.
Pre-school allowances...about 3-500 a month...know it's a newborn..but you'll be here for a couple of years...or so if u like it...might as well pre-empt it now...pre-chool here can start at 18 months..
utilities at 1.2k is way too much...lessen it by about half and u are still conservative.
Entertainment allowances...signing on bonuses, year-end bonuses, should be factored in your salary calculations.
Otherwise, you are quite covered already.

Don't worry about furniture...there are apartmensts that are fully furnished.

Try broadening your housing allowance abit more to give u more leeway....say 5-8k

Last of all...welcome to Singapore...and enjoy it all the way ok?

[Carl]

So they won't pay for a car for you!

Do not think that prices are going to be anything close to those in the States.

In Singapore you need to pay a 6-digit price to buy a new car.

If you are not prepared to spend like a hundred thousand dollars on a car, then be prepared to go public - mrt, bus or taxi.

[Aussie Answer]

Relocation of household effects could be replaced with an allowance. Car included S$2000 per month ,all medical maybe dental, one trip home per year or equivalent else where, only schooling from 4 or 5 years, a smaller amount towards utilities ($1200 - you are joking!! too much!!). Rental is about right $3000 - $6000.

[Aussie Answer]

PS Cut your utilities and go for a car...a maid is usually your responsibility.

[HNL]

As an American, you are liable to US tax wherever you are, whoever your employer is.  There is an exemption, but your package indicates to me that you are going to be over it.  So, get a tax equalization, or else you will be taxed and taxed.  

My impression about allowances for a maid is that only very senior people with very generous companies get them.  If your company does not pay for a car, you probably won't get a maid allowance.

Oh, I will try to get the company to pay for your income tax calculation especially with tax equalization, because your normal US accountant may not be familiar with it, and it is WAY too complicated to do it yourself.

Medical insurance available is Singapore is not too expensive--for an American used to American insurance prices anyway.

Goold luck and have fun.