Singapore on $20k Sing a month

[ittybittyspider]

Family of four.

my bad- didn't see that. that makes a big difference actually....

[PrimroseHill]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

[Mussolini]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

They are just show offs.

[Makes Sense]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

Just been offered a similar deal to yours and had to decline for the same reasons. The cost of living sounds utterly laughable - there seems to be not way to make it work within reasonable levels....

[Compensation expert]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

If you intend to settle permanently in Singapore, why not live like the locals. If you live like the middle class Singaporeans, your income will do just fine.

[Mr A]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

If you intend to settle permanently in Singapore, why not live like the locals. If you live like the middle class Singaporeans, your income will do just fine.

Yes, but who would want to live in a concrete box and eat greasy cholesterol laden slop for the rest of their lives?

[JohnSIN]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.
(...)
So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

If you intend to settle permanently in Singapore, why not live like the locals. If you live like the middle class Singaporeans, your income will do just fine.

The monthly median income in Singapore in 2011 was 7037 SGD compared to 20000 SGD. Please check the facts before stating that 20000 SGD will be "fine" only if you live "like middle class Singaporeans".
Source: public document, on page 9
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/pp-s18.pdf

If you compare yourself to the "condos community", the median average income in 2011 was 14669 SGD. So with 20000 you will earn 36% more than the current median income of your "housing type" peers
(source page 11 of the previous report)

Furthermore, if you look at page 13 of this report, you will see that 20000 SGD will get you at about the top 10% of household income in the country... No really "middle class" mister "Compensation expert"

Yes, I understand Singapore is expensive but with 20000 SGD, you look OK.

[Mr A]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.
(...)
So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

If you intend to settle permanently in Singapore, why not live like the locals. If you live like the middle class Singaporeans, your income will do just fine.

The monthly median income in Singapore in 2011 was 7037 SGD compared to 20000 SGD. Please check the facts before stating that 20000 SGD will be "fine" only if you live "like middle class Singaporeans".
Source: public document, on page 9

If you compare yourself to the "condos community", the median average income in 2011 was 14669 SGD. So with 20000 you will earn 36% more than the current median income of your "housing type" peers
(source page 11 of the previous report)

Furthermore, if you look at page 13 of this report, you will see that 20000 SGD will get you at about the top 10% of household income in the country... No really "middle class" mister "Compensation expert"

Yes, I understand Singapore is expensive but with 20000 SGD, you look OK.

Just because the averageis 14k doesnt mean that you are going to have a good life on 14k. The average singaporean household income is 7k and they all look suicidal.

[PrimroseHill]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

Just been offered a similar deal to yours and had to decline for the same reasons. The cost of living sounds utterly laughable - there seems to be not way to make it work within reasonable levels....

So, Make Sense, I am presuming a lot of things here. I presume that you are from US and $30k per month isn't enough. And presumably you have a lifestyle that you are keen to transpose over to SIN.

[PrimroseHill]

Mr. A, why are you still in SIN? I presume you are still in SIN?
Average median, means just that, John. An average median for stats and publication. I take these stats and averag median crap with a pinch of salt. In publications, the average median salary of Londoners is £70k pa. Really? Go onto the streets and ask some random people their salary and you will pleasantly surprised.
However, saying that $20k per month is either and awful lot or shite all, depending on how and what your priorities are.

There are people out there that will live as cheaply as possible - HDB rooms etc and shove as much money as they can earn into the bank, then there are folks out there want the jetset/highflying lifestyle first class travels, 6star hotels, living in a bungalow with private pool, live-in housekeeper, drives a 911 and still down at least 3 bottles of Dom per week, then, of course $20k is nothing.

And I wonder at these people especially the Dom swinging Europeans, they earn that much in Europe? £20k per month or EUR20k per month? Chances are they don't. Chances are back in their home country, their commute into work is an average of an hour per day. They live in some £500k/EUR500k home and drives a 10year Espace or a VW.

I am sorry if I stereotype anyone or offend anyone. I feel that this is an expat forum, other some trolls occasionally, the entire point of this place to share impartial advise, not make judgemental calls like box rooms and greasy laden ...... To me it translate back to ..... back in the wars, we as  your imperialist, we taught you English, without us you will still be living in the trees. These sort of attitude brands us expats a very bad name and sometimes, we wonder why they hate us.

[PrimroseHill]

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

If you intend to settle permanently in Singapore, why not live like the locals. If you live like the middle class Singaporeans, your income will do just fine.

Compensation expert, we do intend to live like a middle class Sporean; other than my daughter's education. Over here, I pay for her private education, so, I do not feel comfortable in sending her to a local school, it is that simple. We clear quite a bit here in London, being dual income with one daughter. We live in town, 25mins door to door commute into work, whilst my daughter walks to school and back.
Whilst we do not have that big swinging .... liefstyle here, thats due to choice. For us as a family, we rather spend our money in having a nice comfortable home and travel, rather than pissing it up in alcohol.

[Mr A]

Mr. A, why are you still in SIN? I presume you are still in SIN?
Average median, means just that, John. An average median for stats and publication. I take these stats and averag median crap with a pinch of salt. In publications, the average median salary of Londoners is £70k pa. Really? Go onto the streets and ask some random people their salary and you will pleasantly surprised.
However, saying that $20k per month is either and awful lot or shite all, depending on how and what your priorities are.

There are people out there that will live as cheaply as possible - HDB rooms etc and shove as much money as they can earn into the bank, then there are folks out there want the jetset/highflying lifestyle first class travels, 6star hotels, living in a bungalow with private pool, live-in housekeeper, drives a 911 and still down at least 3 bottles of Dom per week, then, of course $20k is nothing.

And I wonder at these people especially the Dom swinging Europeans, they earn that much in Europe? £20k per month or EUR20k per month? Chances are they don't. Chances are back in their home country, their commute into work is an average of an hour per day. They live in some £500k/EUR500k home and drives a 10year Espace or a VW.

I am sorry if I stereotype anyone or offend anyone. I feel that this is an expat forum, other some trolls occasionally, the entire point of this place to share impartial advise, not make judgemental calls like box rooms and greasy laden ...... To me it translate back to ..... back in the wars, we as  your imperialist, we taught you English, without us you will still be living in the trees. These sort of attitude brands us expats a very bad name and sometimes, we wonder why they hate us.

You presumed wrong.

And its Dom swigging Europeans, not Dom swinging. Why on earth would you swing a bottle of champagne? Back to the local forum for you...

[Kapitan Obvious]

How much money you need, lifestyle costs, etc can and does go on and on here on this board.  You would indeed easily be in the top 10% of family incomes here. 

One thing I've noticed here, though, is that SG is so small and concentrated, and the desire to show off wealth is so strong culturally, that you will feel like you are not doing so well when you see routinely the Italian sports cars rumbling by (at 25km/hr), when you ride past the 5mil$ penthouse condo, etc

The one other comment I have is your plan to live here permanently.  This implies that you are emigrating here and renouncing UK citizenship to become Singapore citizens.  Without doing so, you will have no permanence here.  The "P" in PR is notional.  Be aware there is no straightforward process for applying for Singapore citizenship, it may not be as easy as you think.

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

[Weirdo]

How much money you need, lifestyle costs, etc can and does go on and on here on this board.  You would indeed easily be in the top 10% of family incomes here. 

One thing I've noticed here, though, is that SG is so small and concentrated, and the desire to show off wealth is so strong culturally, that you will feel like you are not doing so well when you see routinely the Italian sports cars rumbling by (at 25km/hr), when you ride past the 5mil$ penthouse condo, etc

The one other comment I have is your plan to live here permanently.  This implies that you are emigrating here and renouncing UK citizenship to become Singapore citizens.  Without doing so, you will have no permanence here.  The "P" in PR is notional.  Be aware there is no straightforward process for applying for Singapore citizenship, it may not be as easy as you think.

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

I think it's weird that Primrose Hill is even contemplating PR and living in Singapore permanently when she's not even living in Singapore yet!!!  This is naive at best and I would put it firmly in the stupid category to be honest.   

Most of us with any personality, ambition, and skill  have a finite time we can manage to live in Singapore - personally, my head was close to exploding after 4 years and I couldn't wait to leave.   I miss my friends (why I read here from time to time) but after 5 years have no desire to go back!

Most long termers are those that "hide" in Singapore - ie, they'd get found out anywhere else or they have married a local which is at least more understandable!!! 

[PrimroseHill]

How much money you need, lifestyle costs, etc can and does go on and on here on this board.  You would indeed easily be in the top 10% of family incomes here. 

One thing I've noticed here, though, is that SG is so small and concentrated, and the desire to show off wealth is so strong culturally, that you will feel like you are not doing so well when you see routinely the Italian sports cars rumbling by (at 25km/hr), when you ride past the 5mil$ penthouse condo, etc

The one other comment I have is your plan to live here permanently.  This implies that you are emigrating here and renouncing UK citizenship to become Singapore citizens.  Without doing so, you will have no permanence here.  The "P" in PR is notional.  Be aware there is no straightforward process for applying for Singapore citizenship, it may not be as easy as you think.

I am getting disheartened. I am reading this posting and verging on anger and wrist slashing.

Why? Because like tons of others, I too will be moving to Spore in 2 months time. Combined income will be approx $30k per month gross, give or take. There's a cash bonus, share incentive schemes, private medical etc etc. 1 daughter that will be going to an international school, she is going to be 13.

We are budgeting $5-8k per month on rental. Eventually, we are thinking about buying, as we plan to live in SIN permanently, forever and ever. Daughter's school fees approx $30k pa. Utilities we are budgeting $1k per month, transport - $1k per month. Cleaner/Maid - weekly 4hours.

We are a Brits family of 3, we aren't rich here either, although we do have a reasonable lifestyle here. We travel as a family and have at least 2 big trips a year. We have a cleaner that comes in on a weekly basis in London on a £10 per hour basis. My daughter goes to a private/independent school in London and thats costing approx £15k. We are getting hit over 40% in income tax pa.

So, based upon reading all the posts, all the expats here either earn top dollar in their home countries and hate and are slumming it in Singapore. And people like us that wants to move and relocate to SIN permanently, we should just forget about it.

I think it's weird that Primrose Hill is even contemplating PR and living in Singapore permanently when she's not even living in Singapore yet!!!  This is naive at best and I would put it firmly in the stupid category to be honest.   

Most of us with any personality, ambition, and skill  have a finite time we can manage to live in Singapore - personally, my head was close to exploding after 4 years and I couldn't wait to leave.   I miss my friends (why I read here from time to time) but after 5 years have no desire to go back!

Most long termers are those that "hide" in Singapore - ie, they'd get found out anywhere else or they have married a local which is at least more understandable!!! 

lol, thats why I love this SG Expat Forum. Judgement judgement judgement. And even more assumptions and presumptions.