From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
#46
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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 .
#47
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
#48
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
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.
Anyway, we would only ever do it to cash up.
#49
Last resort... format c:/
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
Posts: 1,627
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
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?
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.
#50
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
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.
I've been to Singapore enough to know how it works. See you there next week for another one of those regular trips.
#51
Last resort... format c:/
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
Posts: 1,627
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
#52
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
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.
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.
#53
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
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.
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.
#55
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
#56
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
#57
Last resort... format c:/
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
Posts: 1,627
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
Hit the nail right on the head there.
#58
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,040
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
Looks like you found it, then left. You pay for what you get right? Let that be a learning experience for all.
#59
Last resort... format c:/
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore to Surfers Paradise to... Tenerife... to Gran Canaria!
Posts: 1,627
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
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.
#60
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Lower North Shore Sydney (again)
Posts: 85
Re: From Singapore with love...via Derby UK
"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).
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).
Last edited by Crystaltipps; Apr 10th 2017 at 3:43 pm.