moneypenny20

The first time I read your comment I though 'whoa arsey much'. Read it again and decided you were just interested. Easy to misinterpret the written word .

Kooky.

He covered the whole of APJ, and the India trips could mess up one Sunday and the following Saturday. Really messed with those grand ideas to jet off for weekends across SEA.

We were happy there but equally happy when the Sydney office poached him and relocated us, as Sydney was always the plan. Singapore was unplanned but came along and, as I said, we were up for adventure. We weren't very expatty, we lived in a local area (Geylang), mixed with locals and long-timers and didn't do the Club thing.

I prefer Sydney because I have more work opportunities (I did do a bit of freelancing in Singapore, and yet more voluntary work, but I felt like my brain mulched, and the NFP sector here is much bigger) and we spend a lot of time at the theatre, gigs, cinema (including NT Live screenings, which I love), dining out, etc.

I won't say we'll never go back (it's still regional HQ for him) but it would not be an easy decision. Does your wife work, Beoz? Would she want to work there if you moved? It's not always easy as the +1.

Beoz

Yeah she does, and doesn't like brain mulch either. She has already stated she would never want to live there. We had a few friends who lived there for a few years, she used to go and stay when I was up there for work. 2 couples are now divorced. I think that worries her and the women blame it on Singapore.

Anyway, we would only ever do it to cash up.

astera

Sure is. Luckily I've never needed a car here, but I do understand the need for having one. Plus they have these interesting vehicles here that you don't need to own, they all have their own drivers, insurance is paid for, they're all clean, all fueled up, and I believe the sign on top of them reads, "Taxi." Costs peanuts too compared to Australia where taking a cab is just ridiculous.

You really must have been given a low offer on moving here. Plus you need to differentiate between tourist hotspots and places where expats hang out.

I won't disagree with the notion that booze is expensive here, but Australia is a strange example where wine is super cheap but beer is quite expensive.

Sydney isn't great either. And the mediocre climate wouldn't even allow you to enjoy them for a large part of the year even if Sydney had fantastic beaches.

Luckily people can always head north to the Gold Coast or beyond, where great beaches can actually be found, just like Singaporeans can head to Boracay or many other near destinations to hit the waves.

Best tax system I've ever been part of. What exactly are you on about?

Haha, OMG! Sydney is stale compared to Singapore and has no variety compared to what a global city like Singapore has to offer. Seriously, you're trying to promote Sydney into a league that it will never reach.

Well, it all depends on the package that you get. If the money is right... make the move. If the money doesn't quite add up... don't take the deal. Plain and simple.

Beoz

Coming from the man who thought the Gold Coast was cool. The place where western Sydney and school leavers go on holiday - remind me - why did you leave?

I've been to Singapore enough to know how it works. See you there next week for another one of those regular trips.

astera

The Gold Coast is still great, which is why lots of people head up there whenever they can. Plus lots of people from Sydney and Melbourne move there to get away from the boredom and rather unspectacular weather in the far south.

I moved continents to try something new. I would never leave the Gold Coast to move to another part of Australia, that's for sure.

Ah, yes. I'm sure you have Singapore all figured out after coming here several times as a tourist, lol.

Beoz

I would never ever be a tourist more than once in Singapore. Too stale.

You bang on about the Gold Coast weather. Isn't the place under water right now.

Got to hand it to the Queensland govt. They do sell a good weather story. Bit like what they write on the number plates "Queensland - The Smart State" that cracks me up everytime.

moneypenny20

Does it not rain or places get flooded in Sydney?

The smart state logo finished about 8 years ago. Why it should still crack you up I have no clue unless you're lacking entertainment down there.

bcworld

It's been raining for weeks on end now according to Sydneysiders I know.

moneypenny20

From all the locals I know as well. They also had a very hot summer as well but none of it happened in Beoz's neck of the woods apparently.

Why we have to have constant belittling of town/cities/states just because someone doesn't like them is beyond me. Some people like where they live,some don't and if they're lucky they can move. Who cares, it's all personal preference anyway.

Beoz

It does this time of year. Gives the grass back its green. But Saturday was a belter. Couldn't have asked for better weather.

You know how it goes. Beautiful one day, perfect the next down here in the "Smart State" ho ho ho...... the very best of false advertising.

astera

Would be immensely more funny though if you were to see that on NSW plates.

Hit the nail right on the head there.

Beoz

I recall when you were trying to find the "cheapest" place to live with an internet connection and a beach but wasn't quite a one horse town.

Looks like you found it, then left. You pay for what you get right? Let that be a learning experience for all.

astera

Nope, your memory seems to be failing as I never looked for the cheapest place to live.

I simply stated that I work over the internet, so - logically - all I need is an internet connection. Hence, I can live by the beach if I choose to.

In truth I've actually been choosing some of the more expensive places: UK, Singapore, Australia. So quite the opposite of the "cheapest" place with an internet connection.

Crystaltipps

"Sydney is a boring dump compared to Singapore"

Are you sure Astera?

For a family with young kids, I would say Sydney has the edge. I think my kids would find it more exciting - it's a more down to earth, natural environment with less 'expatiness'. Kids don't care about cocktail bars or which hedge funds their friends' dads manage - they want space, grass, dirt and beaches.

I'm not knocking Singapore (I love it!) - it's glamorous, efficient and much 'easier' than other Asian cities but for a family with young kids, I'd say it's the boring option (my husband doesn't think it comes close to Hong Kong).