Is SG$260K ok?

[What a twat you are]

Singaporeans have one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world - not surprising as their diet has negligible fibre.  Just think about a local meal with 2 bits of wilted green on the side of the pile of rice and fatty chicken.  Then think of the meals of your childhood with brocoli, beans, sprouts and cauliflower - on an Indian diet with lots of complex fibrous pulses.

They also have very high rates of kidney disease, diabetes (despite being thin), cardiovascular disease and ridiculous levels of oral cancers.

I'm not claiming that the West is super healthy - we have our own problems particularly obesity, but the Singaporean diet is not brilliant.  Genetically they are thinner than us, and the servings are much smaller than Western portions (which is totally to their credit) but skinny does not necessarily mean healthy.  Look at all the anorexic women, and the triathletes dropping dead all over the place.

A mediteranean diet is actually much healthier - but way more expensive here as everything has to be imported.

You really love those stereotypings, don't you? Stay as shallow as possible and live comfortably.

Mediterranean....

Talking about fats and oils...

[For a few years]

I guessed you missed the lesson on irony.


Stereotyping is also accusing anyone who dares to challenge the Singapore PR machine of being a shallow expat who never sets foot outside of their condo.

Saying the food here is unhealthy is not a personal attack on every Singaporean.  It doesn't matter how loud you scream, olive oil will always be healthier than palm oil - which is why the global fast food industry is running away from transfat as fast as they can.
A diet high in complex carbs and cruciferous vegetables will always be healthier than one high in simple starch and fat.  Yes - it's just an opinion, but it is one shared by most of the global medical community.

My comment was directed to an incoming family in response to the usual " Singaporean food is really cheap" comment.  My response was that Hawker food is not healthy, and that view is shared by Singapore's own HSA and Health Ministry.  Do the words "less Fat" and "ask for less oil"  "ask for more vegies" sound familiar?  they are campaigns run by the Singaporean government in an attempt to reduce the medical cost impact of the local diet.

No country is perfect - not even Singapore.  Hurling abuse at every person who has a different opinion to you just makes Singaporeans look intolerant, and in some cases ignorant. 

To suggest that expats are scared to step out of their condos into the real Singapore is simply silly.  Most of the expats living in Singapore have lived all over the world, in all sorts of conditions.  Their opinions are usually based on a broad experience and knowledge - which is not always the case with some of the local posters on the board.

The only scary things about Singapore are the manners of the people like the posters above, and the very narrow Singapore centric view of the world that they have.

[For your ifnormation then]

I guessed you missed the lesson on irony.


Stereotyping is also accusing anyone who dares to challenge the Singapore PR machine of being a shallow expat who never sets foot outside of their condo.

Saying the food here is unhealthy is not a personal attack on every Singaporean.  It doesn't matter how loud you scream, olive oil will always be healthier than palm oil - which is why the global fast food industry is running away from transfat as fast as they can.
A diet high in complex carbs and cruciferous vegetables will always be healthier than one high in simple starch and fat.  Yes - it's just an opinion, but it is one shared by most of the global medical community.

My comment was directed to an incoming family in response to the usual " Singaporean food is really cheap" comment.  My response was that Hawker food is not healthy, and that view is shared by Singapore's own HSA and Health Ministry.  Do the words "less Fat" and "ask for less oil"  "ask for more vegies" sound familiar?  they are campaigns run by the Singaporean government in an attempt to reduce the medical cost impact of the local diet.

No country is perfect - not even Singapore.  Hurling abuse at every person who has a different opinion to you just makes Singaporeans look intolerant, and in some cases ignorant. 

To suggest that expats are scared to step out of their condos into the real Singapore is simply silly.  Most of the expats living in Singapore have lived all over the world, in all sorts of conditions.  Their opinions are usually based on a broad experience and knowledge - which is not always the case with some of the local posters on the board.

The only scary things about Singapore are the manners of the people like the posters above, and the very narrow Singapore centric view of the world that they have.

I am an expat... A caucasian... from Europe...

I invite you for a treat at several hawker centres here, that may open your eyes, or widen them for that sake.

Dig deeper, as suggested.

[New Yorker in Singapore]

I think it's laughable to suggest eating out in America is healthier than it is here.  I moved here last year from New York, I've lived in the NYC area my entire life and I'm a bit on the heavy side.  Since coming out here I've probably been eating more (in volume) than I used to back home but I've lost over 20 pounds.  Back in NY if you want a quick meal you're usually limited to fast food, a deli sandwich, pizza, or a salad.  Here you can go to a typical hawker center and within a couple of minutes you can have a real meal with vegetables, meat, fish, rice, etc.  There are many dishes you can choose that aren't fried or laden with oil.  Eating healthy at home here is harder for me than it is in the States because you don't get the same variety of groceries in Singapore and/or they are much more expensive.  But eating out healthy here is much much easier than it is back in the States.

I think the other poster was accurate in describing you as a scared expat.  I'm an American expat but maybe growing up in multicultural neighborhoods in and around NYC took the blinders off my eyes.  Go to the hawker centers and explore your options, talk to the cooks, tell them what you want.  Don't just be a fool and point at something on the menu and when it comes out all oily make ridiculous statements about the dietary options available in the entire country.

[mustangsally_71]

Well, well, well...

I just had to reply after I'd chuckled my way through all the high drama of this section. Mypoic expat lady, I so totally agree with you. My husband, 5 year old son and I are just about to move out to SG. We're 'giving up' £180K p.a. combined salary, a spacious, gorgeous 4 bed detached house in leafy South West London with a huge garden etc... And for what?? I'll tell you what.
My hubby is negotiating his 'package' currently. I reckon we'll get about S$150/p.a. to live on, I reckon I can earn a local salary of about 3-4K a month to add some pocket money. What 'idiots are we??' I tell you what idiots.
Every day at the moment I wake up in leafy West London and find another 4 year old's been stabbed to death, or an 11 year has been gunned down by a 14 year old on his way home from football practice. So this idiot is coming out to a peaceful country, with a blessed community of people who seems to both tolerate and care for one another. If I live in a cardboard box with my beautiful family, then I'm a happy girl. God forbid I'll have to get the tube instead of having a nice flash BMW to drive, but hey, I can always get a nice cheap taxi, hell I might even ship my bike out there.
So Mr. 'which idiot' man, when you wake up in a peaceful country tomorrow morning where you can walk around safely and your neighbour doens't carry a knife everywhere, think hard about what 'quality of life' really means - how much is it worth and what really matters? I tell you, 'idiot' that I am, I can't wait to embrace a new culture and country - safe and happy. I think the myopic expat lady and I may well be good friends...

[on the food topic...]

Sorry to digress...

On the whole, hawker center food isn't healthy.  Come on everyone, NY guy, whoever else - open your eyes.

Yes, some soups are available and some steamed stuff.  But overall, the method of cooking everything is heavy oil.  It has to be, they need to be able to make stuff in 5 minutes!  Eating vegetables made limp by stir fying in oil defeats the purpose.

I like roti prata, mui fan, thosai, nasi padang, biryani, etc as much as the next guy.  But eat in moderation.

[expat mom]

Singapore is a great place to raise children.  The international schools are outstanding.  Many expats decide to stay till their children are out of school because they do not want to leave the schools.  So it is very important to have an understanding about who will pay schooling costs if you are still here when your little ones come of age.  Discuss it with your potential employer.  If they will pay be sure to get it in writing.  Over 20,000 sgd per child is a hefty expense to provide on your own. Many of the international schools are great and their high tuition lets them operate at this superior level. 

[To mustang sally]

While it's nice to see you positive about your upcoming "adventure", it seems strange to telling all these people that they're wrong about Singapore when you haven't even tried living here yet.

See if you still feel the same way in a year.

[BillDirt]

Singapore is excellent for families (with young kids). But it tends to get a little boring after a few years, after you have checked out nearly every beach resort the region has to offer.

That period could be 1 year or 10 years...to each his own.

Personally, I dont mind working here and will continue to do so till I retire. The economy looks robust and taxes are low.

But i believe there are many places my $ will go a lot further and give me a better lifestyle once i stop working

[Long Time SG]

"a blessed community of people who seems to both tolerate and care for one another."

Look, it's not a dangerous place but neither is the UK really.  You do know about the very high rate of teen suicide here, right?  The abuse of domestic servants that happens sometimes here (burning them with irons, scalding water, etc), right?  The murders and beatings that happen in popular tourist areas occasionally?  Kidnappings and child abuse?  The prostitutes you will be able to see in central and popular areas.  Yes, it all happens in SG.

It probably won't affect you, but neither would it in London really, would it.

Good luck with your move.  But realize that you aren't moving to St Augustine's "City on the Hill".

[oh dear me]

Well, well, well...

I just had to reply after I'd chuckled my way through all the high drama of this section. Mypoic expat lady, I so totally agree with you. My husband, 5 year old son and I are just about to move out to SG. We're 'giving up' £180K p.a. combined salary, a spacious, gorgeous 4 bed detached house in leafy South West London with a huge garden etc... And for what?? I'll tell you what.
My hubby is negotiating his 'package' currently. I reckon we'll get about S$150/p.a. to live on, I reckon I can earn a local salary of about 3-4K a month to add some pocket money. What 'idiots are we??' I tell you what idiots.
Every day at the moment I wake up in leafy West London and find another 4 year old's been stabbed to death, or an 11 year has been gunned down by a 14 year old on his way home from football practice. So this idiot is coming out to a peaceful country, with a blessed community of people who seems to both tolerate and care for one another. If I live in a cardboard box with my beautiful family, then I'm a happy girl. God forbid I'll have to get the tube instead of having a nice flash BMW to drive, but hey, I can always get a nice cheap taxi, hell I might even ship my bike out there.
So Mr. 'which idiot' man, when you wake up in a peaceful country tomorrow morning where you can walk around safely and your neighbour doens't carry a knife everywhere, think hard about what 'quality of life' really means - how much is it worth and what really matters? I tell you, 'idiot' that I am, I can't wait to embrace a new culture and country - safe and happy. I think the myopic expat lady and I may well be good friends...

You are an idiot I'm afraid.

180k GBP to 150k SGD - madness.  I'm in the opposite situation ~300k SGD base plus bonus >100% to 130k GBP base with similar bonus.  Basically I earn a lot more than you here but would be less, at least guaranteed amount in the UK than you have now and I'm looking at making the reverse decision (and I like Singapore a lot).  Taking a 70% pay cut to move here is crazy.  You know that where you will be able to afford to live you will be surrounded by people who resent your existence (not all, but enough, just peruse recent posts on this board).  Your lifestyle will dive as well, costs here are higher than London for many things, housing getting there as well.  If you are in a leafy suburb of London then why worry about a shooting in central Manchester.  If where you live is dodgy then move but not here for a massive cut.

[To 'OBVIOUS']

I beg to differ.  Looking at where a person lives, does NOT determine their salary.  Some employees are given a total package and choose to spend it in whichever way they please.  But many others are given a housing allowance, and because we do not wish to inject unnecessary cash from our own salaries, we make the best of the allowance we are given.  For your information our allowance is probably reasonably average, however, the salary is in the top 1%.  We choose to save the salary, and not spend it on a bigger, better property just so people like yourself may wish to be our friends.  We are not interested.

I imagine you surround yourself with people who pay top money for their accommodation - HOW SAD, and another colonial upstart to give the rest of us a bad name.

[Twisted Knickers]

You have a real "thing" about your beloved "colonial upstarts", don't you? Give it up already, sad sack! It's getting old and the chip on your shoulder is, to use some slang from your socio-economic sphere, "dead boring".

[To Twisted Knickers]

That obviously struck a chord with you then?  I guess you are just another reinvented housewife from the UK?

I agree with above poster, rental paid does not necessarily determine a persons salary or position in life.  We also choose to stick within our given budget and the money goes in the bank, ready for when we may need to return to 'normal' life in the future.

Sadly the only people who care about the house you live in are the people like yourself, and most of us don't give a toss.  It proves nothing.

[NetWorth]

I am with Twisted Knockers and the poster above him.  My income is also definitely in the top 1% but I think we spend less than most people here and save the bulk of my income.  My wife stays home with the kids but does not shop foolishly, in fact she is more of a budgeter than I am.  Each year we save hundreds of thousands of dollars.  I know so many people with less than half my income who spend much much more than me.  If I stopped working right now we could survive for several years without changing our lifestyle one bit.  In fact we could probably survive for over a decade.  I don't envy all the people who practically live paycheck to paycheck and think they are rich.