View Poll Results: What is your situation?
You are given a company property to reside in
7
19.44%
You are given an allowance which COVERS your rent
16
44.44%
You are given an allowance that doesn't COVER rent
5
13.89%
Gross monthly salary and get a bank loan to cover rent
4
11.11%
Self Employed
5
13.89%
Villa Share
0
0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
The Rent Poll
Dec 15th 2007, 4:01 pm
#61
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 200
Re: The Rent Poll
But the big difference is likely to be that in Singapore, you pay rent monthly, not annually, right?
That makes a huge difference to affordability. It's not the amount of the rent that's the issue for me - as I've said before, we could actually afford to pay *more* in rent and still do OK - it's the fact that it has to be paid a year in advance, and the only way to do that is for us to take an interest-bearing bank loan.
Arguably, expats also get more back in Singapore. Yes, they pay tax, but it's at a low rate and it entitles them to all sorts of benefits that just don't exist here. There's also a world-class public transport system. We'd certainly think about Singapore as our next destination should the opportunity arise.
It's interesting looking at the Far East section of this board; there are a number of people living in Singapore who used to live here, and they all say they prefer Singapore to Dubai. The feeling seems to be that yes, it's expensive, but you get a better quality of life than here.
That makes a huge difference to affordability. It's not the amount of the rent that's the issue for me - as I've said before, we could actually afford to pay *more* in rent and still do OK - it's the fact that it has to be paid a year in advance, and the only way to do that is for us to take an interest-bearing bank loan.
Arguably, expats also get more back in Singapore. Yes, they pay tax, but it's at a low rate and it entitles them to all sorts of benefits that just don't exist here. There's also a world-class public transport system. We'd certainly think about Singapore as our next destination should the opportunity arise.
It's interesting looking at the Far East section of this board; there are a number of people living in Singapore who used to live here, and they all say they prefer Singapore to Dubai. The feeling seems to be that yes, it's expensive, but you get a better quality of life than here.
Dec 16th 2007, 12:52 am
#62
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 4,553
Re: The Rent Poll
Some important reasons why Singapore "feels" better are: that they have a proper legal system, there is no difference between the way citizens and non citizens are treated, workers/employee rights are protected, there is no fear of a labour ban, greater freedom to change jobs etc..... the list goes on. All this creates a far greater sense of security there than in the UAE.
Last edited by IndieG; Dec 16th 2007 at 2:44 am. Reason: Grammar...
Dec 16th 2007, 2:39 am
#63
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,434
Re: The Rent Poll
Some important reasons why Singapore "feels" better is that they have a proper legal system, there is no difference between the way citizens and non citizens are treated, workers/employee rights are protected, there is no fear of a labour ban, greater freedom to change jobs etc..... the list goes on. All this creates a far greater sense of security there than in the UAE.
I know... Anyway, I actually thought the ban was a good idea considering what prompted them to do it....
