Advice Needed.
Sep 2nd 2011 | 8:43 am
#1
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Advice Needed.
Hi Everyone,
First of all, I should tell you that I am not a British. I hope you don't mind if I am asking for your advice here. I often visit this forum and found it very helpful.
Here comes my situation. I'm a Thai having been living and working in the US for more than 15 years. I'm currently in Los Angeles. I might be getting a permanent job in Singapore (as opposed to being an expatriate moving to Singapore temporarily). Even though I'm originally from Thailand, I have never been to Singapore before. (How ridiculous!) So, I don't know what it would be like over there. I did some searching on the net and found that the cost of living is quite high. Honestly, I can say that it's higher than that in Los Angeles. Moving to Singapore would be one of my biggest decisions I may have to make. So, I wanted to make sure that I don't screw it up. I would like to ask you if what I will be making there is reasonable and what the moving package should be. Here is the information for your consideration:
- I have about 8 years of solid work experience, and my work experience is exactly what the company is looking for. I have an M.S. and a Ph.D. degrees from a reputable university in the US and have engineering licenses in multiple states.
- I would be offered a Senior Structural Engineer position there. The base salary would be about S$ 96k.
- I would get a relocation package that I still do not know what would be included.
- The other benefits are pretty much similar to typical benefits; e.g., 18 days for vacation, sick leave days, insurances, etc.
- The bonus would be between 2-5 months depending on my performance.
- They would be apply an EP for me with a renewal every two years.
- My wife and my daughter (1 year old) would be moving with me.
Are these compensations reasonable or a bit in a low side? How much should I be asking for the relocation package (moving from LA)? Is there anything else important I need to consider or should be included in the package? Thank you very much for any advice you could give. I really appreciate it.
Regards,
Ksea
First of all, I should tell you that I am not a British. I hope you don't mind if I am asking for your advice here. I often visit this forum and found it very helpful.
Here comes my situation. I'm a Thai having been living and working in the US for more than 15 years. I'm currently in Los Angeles. I might be getting a permanent job in Singapore (as opposed to being an expatriate moving to Singapore temporarily). Even though I'm originally from Thailand, I have never been to Singapore before. (How ridiculous!) So, I don't know what it would be like over there. I did some searching on the net and found that the cost of living is quite high. Honestly, I can say that it's higher than that in Los Angeles. Moving to Singapore would be one of my biggest decisions I may have to make. So, I wanted to make sure that I don't screw it up. I would like to ask you if what I will be making there is reasonable and what the moving package should be. Here is the information for your consideration:
- I have about 8 years of solid work experience, and my work experience is exactly what the company is looking for. I have an M.S. and a Ph.D. degrees from a reputable university in the US and have engineering licenses in multiple states.
- I would be offered a Senior Structural Engineer position there. The base salary would be about S$ 96k.
- I would get a relocation package that I still do not know what would be included.
- The other benefits are pretty much similar to typical benefits; e.g., 18 days for vacation, sick leave days, insurances, etc.
- The bonus would be between 2-5 months depending on my performance.
- They would be apply an EP for me with a renewal every two years.
- My wife and my daughter (1 year old) would be moving with me.
Are these compensations reasonable or a bit in a low side? How much should I be asking for the relocation package (moving from LA)? Is there anything else important I need to consider or should be included in the package? Thank you very much for any advice you could give. I really appreciate it.
Regards,
Ksea
Last edited by Ksea; Sep 2nd 2011 at 8:52 am. Reason: Added more information.
Sep 2nd 2011 | 1:13 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Advice Needed.
The big costs here are accommodation, medical for the family and a car.
Now you can do without a car but it may be provided by your company especially if you have site visits to make.
A three bed condo will set you back S$4000 to S$5000 per month.
Yes you can find them for less but you are looking long term and want to be comfortable.
A two bed condo might be S$2500 to S$4000 pm plus.
Make sure the medical package you get from the company will cover your family and isn't limited.
If your basic salary is supposed to be all encompassing, i.e. you are on local terms, as many are these days, then imo it is too low for you and your family to live happily.
You could live on it but you'd have to watch the dollars carefully and probably live in an HDB flat. This might cost you say S$1500 ish per month and would not have any facilities, gym, tennis courts, swimming pool etc., mind you local facilities are available and are fine. I use one of the Sing Sports Council gym and it's great, off peak it costs me S$ 50 per 6 month..
There are 50m pools everywhere and HDB's are close to supermarkets, wet markets and MRT and bus stations.
You should make a visit here before you sign on the dotted line just to get the feel of the place and maybe look at some accommodation which is within your budget.
Oh yes the relocation package.
Can't help much with that but if you are bringing furniture etc with you then that will come by sea and a 20 ft or 40 ft container which is generally sufficient.
A 6 week to 2 month stay in a hotel or Serviced Apartment while you look for your permanent accommodation.
As you might well be eating out all the time while in the hotel then a food allowance during that period.
Now you can do without a car but it may be provided by your company especially if you have site visits to make.
A three bed condo will set you back S$4000 to S$5000 per month.
Yes you can find them for less but you are looking long term and want to be comfortable.
A two bed condo might be S$2500 to S$4000 pm plus.
Make sure the medical package you get from the company will cover your family and isn't limited.
If your basic salary is supposed to be all encompassing, i.e. you are on local terms, as many are these days, then imo it is too low for you and your family to live happily.
You could live on it but you'd have to watch the dollars carefully and probably live in an HDB flat. This might cost you say S$1500 ish per month and would not have any facilities, gym, tennis courts, swimming pool etc., mind you local facilities are available and are fine. I use one of the Sing Sports Council gym and it's great, off peak it costs me S$ 50 per 6 month..
There are 50m pools everywhere and HDB's are close to supermarkets, wet markets and MRT and bus stations.
You should make a visit here before you sign on the dotted line just to get the feel of the place and maybe look at some accommodation which is within your budget.
Oh yes the relocation package.
Can't help much with that but if you are bringing furniture etc with you then that will come by sea and a 20 ft or 40 ft container which is generally sufficient.
A 6 week to 2 month stay in a hotel or Serviced Apartment while you look for your permanent accommodation.
As you might well be eating out all the time while in the hotel then a food allowance during that period.
Last edited by ex reg; Sep 2nd 2011 at 1:31 pm.
Sep 2nd 2011 | 1:44 pm
#3
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle
Re: Advice Needed.
Hi Ksea, everybody is welcome here! So long as they behave 
Have you checked the Hays Salary Survey to see what's the going rate in Singapore for your job? It's usually quite accurate.
I'm very out of touch with current costs in Singapore (left in 2008) so will leave it to ex-reg to give you up-to-date information but agree $96k is not huge, although the tax will be low (probably around 12%) and a lot of people live on far less - but then it's a fact of life that expats do have more expenses and less access to public facilities (which is only fair).
Ask for a relocation package - what have you got to lose by asking for one? If you don't get one, you might want to weigh up the cost of moving everything you own v. buying large items new when you get there. We took very little to Singapore (a few boxes) as we had no idea of our timescales or where we'd be living, but moved virtually everything to Oz as we were relocated.
I do want to point out that "permanent" may be a dangerous way of looking at this opportunity, especially if you are on an EP. My husband's first job on an EP came to a swift end when his UK employer went into liquidation and it looked like we'd have to leave Singapore very quickly, having just furnished a 3 bed apartment from scratch and adopted 2 cats! He managed to find another sponsor (the MNC he was sub-contracted to) and we applied for PR as soon as we could. It makes you feel a bit more secure. Would you apply for PR? Your employer has to contribute to CPF if you get it; would they be OK with that?
We had never been to Singapore before we moved there
which completely goes against the advice I give to people planning to do the same re. Australia. We did rent out our UK house though, so we had something to go back to (and had just sold it when the company went bust...) and we don't have children, so we always felt we were on an adventure with no timescales and could always go back to the UK if necessary. (Thankfully it didn't come to that, and we're now PR in Sydney, heading for dual passports.)
I don't know what your visa situation is for the US, but I would suggest you think about what comes next, if Singapore doesn't work out. We Brits have it embarrassingly easy in a lot of places; I don't know your situation as a Thai national.
Other than that, your daughter is very young and mobile, Singapore is a great (and safe) place to have little ones, and I'd say go for it.
Have you checked the Hays Salary Survey to see what's the going rate in Singapore for your job? It's usually quite accurate.
I'm very out of touch with current costs in Singapore (left in 2008) so will leave it to ex-reg to give you up-to-date information but agree $96k is not huge, although the tax will be low (probably around 12%) and a lot of people live on far less - but then it's a fact of life that expats do have more expenses and less access to public facilities (which is only fair).
Ask for a relocation package - what have you got to lose by asking for one? If you don't get one, you might want to weigh up the cost of moving everything you own v. buying large items new when you get there. We took very little to Singapore (a few boxes) as we had no idea of our timescales or where we'd be living, but moved virtually everything to Oz as we were relocated.
I do want to point out that "permanent" may be a dangerous way of looking at this opportunity, especially if you are on an EP. My husband's first job on an EP came to a swift end when his UK employer went into liquidation and it looked like we'd have to leave Singapore very quickly, having just furnished a 3 bed apartment from scratch and adopted 2 cats! He managed to find another sponsor (the MNC he was sub-contracted to) and we applied for PR as soon as we could. It makes you feel a bit more secure. Would you apply for PR? Your employer has to contribute to CPF if you get it; would they be OK with that?
We had never been to Singapore before we moved there
which completely goes against the advice I give to people planning to do the same re. Australia. We did rent out our UK house though, so we had something to go back to (and had just sold it when the company went bust...) and we don't have children, so we always felt we were on an adventure with no timescales and could always go back to the UK if necessary. (Thankfully it didn't come to that, and we're now PR in Sydney, heading for dual passports.)I don't know what your visa situation is for the US, but I would suggest you think about what comes next, if Singapore doesn't work out. We Brits have it embarrassingly easy in a lot of places; I don't know your situation as a Thai national.
Other than that, your daughter is very young and mobile, Singapore is a great (and safe) place to have little ones, and I'd say go for it.
Last edited by Kooky.; Sep 2nd 2011 at 1:45 pm. Reason: typo
Sep 2nd 2011 | 4:39 pm
#4
...............
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 17,625
From: Far North Queensland
Re: Advice Needed.
Not much to say except to second what Seasider has said about "permanent". You will be Expat and maybe you'll become permanent, maybe not.
We moved "permanently" to Singapore (with our business) in 2005. We got turned down on PR and 6 years later (and 2 countries later) we are early retired in Malaysia. There's so many twists and turns in life, but even more when you become an expat. Having said that, don't let that put you off. Just keep an open mind for the future.
We enjoyed working/living in Singapore. Made some great friends and had a ball and wore ourselves out too. Enjoy.
We moved "permanently" to Singapore (with our business) in 2005. We got turned down on PR and 6 years later (and 2 countries later
) we are early retired in Malaysia. There's so many twists and turns in life, but even more when you become an expat. Having said that, don't let that put you off. Just keep an open mind for the future.We enjoyed working/living in Singapore. Made some great friends and had a ball and wore ourselves out too. Enjoy.
Sep 3rd 2011 | 10:28 am
#5
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Re: Advice Needed.
The big costs here are accommodation, medical for the family and a car.
Now you can do without a car but it may be provided by your company especially if you have site visits to make.
A three bed condo will set you back S$4000 to S$5000 per month.
Yes you can find them for less but you are looking long term and want to be comfortable.
A two bed condo might be S$2500 to S$4000 pm plus.
Make sure the medical package you get from the company will cover your family and isn't limited.
If your basic salary is supposed to be all encompassing, i.e. you are on local terms, as many are these days, then imo it is too low for you and your family to live happily.
You could live on it but you'd have to watch the dollars carefully and probably live in an HDB flat. This might cost you say S$1500 ish per month and would not have any facilities, gym, tennis courts, swimming pool etc., mind you local facilities are available and are fine. I use one of the Sing Sports Council gym and it's great, off peak it costs me S$ 50 per 6 month..
There are 50m pools everywhere and HDB's are close to supermarkets, wet markets and MRT and bus stations.
You should make a visit here before you sign on the dotted line just to get the feel of the place and maybe look at some accommodation which is within your budget.
Oh yes the relocation package.
Can't help much with that but if you are bringing furniture etc with you then that will come by sea and a 20 ft or 40 ft container which is generally sufficient.
A 6 week to 2 month stay in a hotel or Serviced Apartment while you look for your permanent accommodation.
As you might well be eating out all the time while in the hotel then a food allowance during that period.
Now you can do without a car but it may be provided by your company especially if you have site visits to make.
A three bed condo will set you back S$4000 to S$5000 per month.
Yes you can find them for less but you are looking long term and want to be comfortable.
A two bed condo might be S$2500 to S$4000 pm plus.
Make sure the medical package you get from the company will cover your family and isn't limited.
If your basic salary is supposed to be all encompassing, i.e. you are on local terms, as many are these days, then imo it is too low for you and your family to live happily.
You could live on it but you'd have to watch the dollars carefully and probably live in an HDB flat. This might cost you say S$1500 ish per month and would not have any facilities, gym, tennis courts, swimming pool etc., mind you local facilities are available and are fine. I use one of the Sing Sports Council gym and it's great, off peak it costs me S$ 50 per 6 month..
There are 50m pools everywhere and HDB's are close to supermarkets, wet markets and MRT and bus stations.
You should make a visit here before you sign on the dotted line just to get the feel of the place and maybe look at some accommodation which is within your budget.
Oh yes the relocation package.
Can't help much with that but if you are bringing furniture etc with you then that will come by sea and a 20 ft or 40 ft container which is generally sufficient.
A 6 week to 2 month stay in a hotel or Serviced Apartment while you look for your permanent accommodation.
As you might well be eating out all the time while in the hotel then a food allowance during that period.
Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate it. It is pretty helpful. I agree with you that my base salary is kinda low considering the cost of living. I would live in an HDB flat. If I want to use any facilities, following your suggestion, I would go to the Sports Council gym.
For the relocation package, thank you for pointing out about the temporary accommodation and the allowance. I never thought of those. I would certainly ask for those. :-)
Thank you very much again for your advice.
Regards,
Ksea
Sep 3rd 2011 | 10:53 am
#6
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Re: Advice Needed.
Hi Ksea, everybody is welcome here! So long as they behave
Have you checked the Hays Salary Survey to see what's the going rate in Singapore for your job? It's usually quite accurate.
I'm very out of touch with current costs in Singapore (left in 2008) so will leave it to ex-reg to give you up-to-date information but agree $96k is not huge, although the tax will be low (probably around 12%) and a lot of people live on far less - but then it's a fact of life that expats do have more expenses and less access to public facilities (which is only fair).
Ask for a relocation package - what have you got to lose by asking for one? If you don't get one, you might want to weigh up the cost of moving everything you own v. buying large items new when you get there. We took very little to Singapore (a few boxes) as we had no idea of our timescales or where we'd be living, but moved virtually everything to Oz as we were relocated.
I do want to point out that "permanent" may be a dangerous way of looking at this opportunity, especially if you are on an EP. My husband's first job on an EP came to a swift end when his UK employer went into liquidation and it looked like we'd have to leave Singapore very quickly, having just furnished a 3 bed apartment from scratch and adopted 2 cats! He managed to find another sponsor (the MNC he was sub-contracted to) and we applied for PR as soon as we could. It makes you feel a bit more secure. Would you apply for PR? Your employer has to contribute to CPF if you get it; would they be OK with that?
We had never been to Singapore before we moved there which completely goes against the advice I give to people planning to do the same re. Australia. We did rent out our UK house though, so we had something to go back to (and had just sold it when the company went bust...) and we don't have children, so we always felt we were on an adventure with no timescales and could always go back to the UK if necessary. (Thankfully it didn't come to that, and we're now PR in Sydney, heading for dual passports.)
I don't know what your visa situation is for the US, but I would suggest you think about what comes next, if Singapore doesn't work out. We Brits have it embarrassingly easy in a lot of places; I don't know your situation as a Thai national.
Other than that, your daughter is very young and mobile, Singapore is a great (and safe) place to have little ones, and I'd say go for it.
Have you checked the Hays Salary Survey to see what's the going rate in Singapore for your job? It's usually quite accurate.
I'm very out of touch with current costs in Singapore (left in 2008) so will leave it to ex-reg to give you up-to-date information but agree $96k is not huge, although the tax will be low (probably around 12%) and a lot of people live on far less - but then it's a fact of life that expats do have more expenses and less access to public facilities (which is only fair).
Ask for a relocation package - what have you got to lose by asking for one? If you don't get one, you might want to weigh up the cost of moving everything you own v. buying large items new when you get there. We took very little to Singapore (a few boxes) as we had no idea of our timescales or where we'd be living, but moved virtually everything to Oz as we were relocated.
I do want to point out that "permanent" may be a dangerous way of looking at this opportunity, especially if you are on an EP. My husband's first job on an EP came to a swift end when his UK employer went into liquidation and it looked like we'd have to leave Singapore very quickly, having just furnished a 3 bed apartment from scratch and adopted 2 cats! He managed to find another sponsor (the MNC he was sub-contracted to) and we applied for PR as soon as we could. It makes you feel a bit more secure. Would you apply for PR? Your employer has to contribute to CPF if you get it; would they be OK with that?
We had never been to Singapore before we moved there
which completely goes against the advice I give to people planning to do the same re. Australia. We did rent out our UK house though, so we had something to go back to (and had just sold it when the company went bust...) and we don't have children, so we always felt we were on an adventure with no timescales and could always go back to the UK if necessary. (Thankfully it didn't come to that, and we're now PR in Sydney, heading for dual passports.)I don't know what your visa situation is for the US, but I would suggest you think about what comes next, if Singapore doesn't work out. We Brits have it embarrassingly easy in a lot of places; I don't know your situation as a Thai national.
Other than that, your daughter is very young and mobile, Singapore is a great (and safe) place to have little ones, and I'd say go for it.
Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate it. I'm glad to hear that I am welcomed here. :-)
Yes, I did check the Hays Salary survey for Year 2011. I found that for a Senior Structural Engineer, the range of the base salary is between 6k/mo and 8k/mo. That means mine is on the upper bound. However, considering my qualification, US-based work experience, and education, I think it's kinda on a low side.
When you mentioned about expats having less access to public facilities, what do you mean by that? What kind of the public facilities does not allow expats to use?
For the relocation package, they would give me one. But, I don't know what would be included in the package.
I agree with you on the risk of being on an EP. To apply for a PR, how long would I have to be there before being qualified for that? And, how long would it take to get it? I would bring this up with the company and see what they'd say.
I also agree with you that I need to think hard about my situation in the US. I'm currently a Green Card holder. However, if I leave the country like this, I might lose the status. I don't want this to happen. It took me very long time to get the Green Card. I had to go through so many difficulties before getting it. So, that is one of the key factors I need to carefully consider.
I don't think I have that kinda "luxury" the Brits have like you mentioned. :-) So, I have to be even more careful for every move I have to make.
Thank you again for your advice.
Regards,
Ksea
Sep 3rd 2011 | 10:59 am
#7
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Re: Advice Needed.
Not much to say except to second what Seasider has said about "permanent". You will be Expat and maybe you'll become permanent, maybe not.
We moved "permanently" to Singapore (with our business) in 2005. We got turned down on PR and 6 years later (and 2 countries later) we are early retired in Malaysia. There's so many twists and turns in life, but even more when you become an expat. Having said that, don't let that put you off. Just keep an open mind for the future.
We enjoyed working/living in Singapore. Made some great friends and had a ball and wore ourselves out too. Enjoy.
We moved "permanently" to Singapore (with our business) in 2005. We got turned down on PR and 6 years later (and 2 countries later
) we are early retired in Malaysia. There's so many twists and turns in life, but even more when you become an expat. Having said that, don't let that put you off. Just keep an open mind for the future.We enjoyed working/living in Singapore. Made some great friends and had a ball and wore ourselves out too. Enjoy.
Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate it.
I agree with you and Seasider mentioning about the risk of an EP. I will take that into consideration.
I like your suggestion about keeping an open mind for the future. Thank you. If the time to move to Singapore really comes, I hope I can enjoy working and living in Singapore like you did.
Thank you again for your insights.
Regards,
Ksea
Sep 3rd 2011 | 4:56 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 31
From: Singapore
Re: Advice Needed.
@ex reg made good points.
@Ksea what you don't write is your current financial condition in US. If you get the same salary there or almost the same, then you won't be better here. Everything, except widely available cheap food and efficient public transport, is very expensive here compared to US. Especially now when USD is so weak to SGD (US$1 = S$1.20).
You can apply for PR immediately upon being granted with EP:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151
It is advisable though to wait 1-2 years before doing that.
Tax wise you will be much better here. You will end up paying 4-5% tax for S$100k income. Safety is second to none here. Perhaps you can negotiate some housing allowance to rent a condo here instead of HDB. There is nothing wrong with HDB but myself being expat on a good salary (P1) here would prefer a condo style living for my family.
You can also check singaporeexpats.com forum where a lot of expats share their ideas and experiences. It was usually said the rent should not be higher than 1/3 of your salary. However this can differ if you are sure your company will pay you a decent bonus in addition to base salary.
@Ksea what you don't write is your current financial condition in US. If you get the same salary there or almost the same, then you won't be better here. Everything, except widely available cheap food and efficient public transport, is very expensive here compared to US. Especially now when USD is so weak to SGD (US$1 = S$1.20).
You can apply for PR immediately upon being granted with EP:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151
It is advisable though to wait 1-2 years before doing that.
Tax wise you will be much better here. You will end up paying 4-5% tax for S$100k income. Safety is second to none here. Perhaps you can negotiate some housing allowance to rent a condo here instead of HDB. There is nothing wrong with HDB but myself being expat on a good salary (P1) here would prefer a condo style living for my family.
You can also check singaporeexpats.com forum where a lot of expats share their ideas and experiences. It was usually said the rent should not be higher than 1/3 of your salary. However this can differ if you are sure your company will pay you a decent bonus in addition to base salary.
Sep 3rd 2011 | 5:33 pm
#9
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle
Re: Advice Needed.
IIRC it got taken over by young locals wanting to socialise with expats, and people either wanting to be Singapore Girls or sharing tips on double-eyelid surgery. Maybe it's managed to turn itself back round?
Sep 3rd 2011 | 7:08 pm
#10
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Re: Advice Needed.
@ex reg made good points.
@Ksea what you don't write is your current financial condition in US. If you get the same salary there or almost the same, then you won't be better here. Everything, except widely available cheap food and efficient public transport, is very expensive here compared to US. Especially now when USD is so weak to SGD (US$1 = S$1.20).
You can apply for PR immediately upon being granted with EP:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151
It is advisable though to wait 1-2 years before doing that.
Tax wise you will be much better here. You will end up paying 4-5% tax for S$100k income. Safety is second to none here. Perhaps you can negotiate some housing allowance to rent a condo here instead of HDB. There is nothing wrong with HDB but myself being expat on a good salary (P1) here would prefer a condo style living for my family.
You can also check singaporeexpats.com forum where a lot of expats share their ideas and experiences. It was usually said the rent should not be higher than 1/3 of your salary. However this can differ if you are sure your company will pay you a decent bonus in addition to base salary.
@Ksea what you don't write is your current financial condition in US. If you get the same salary there or almost the same, then you won't be better here. Everything, except widely available cheap food and efficient public transport, is very expensive here compared to US. Especially now when USD is so weak to SGD (US$1 = S$1.20).
You can apply for PR immediately upon being granted with EP:
http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151
It is advisable though to wait 1-2 years before doing that.
Tax wise you will be much better here. You will end up paying 4-5% tax for S$100k income. Safety is second to none here. Perhaps you can negotiate some housing allowance to rent a condo here instead of HDB. There is nothing wrong with HDB but myself being expat on a good salary (P1) here would prefer a condo style living for my family.
You can also check singaporeexpats.com forum where a lot of expats share their ideas and experiences. It was usually said the rent should not be higher than 1/3 of your salary. However this can differ if you are sure your company will pay you a decent bonus in addition to base salary.
I'm making $95k in the US. You're right. Considering all the taxes here compared with those there, the net gains are pretty much similar. One benefit to move there that makes me interested is that I could be a lot closer to Thailand.
I researched on the net regarding taxes, I think I would have to pay taxes more than 4% to 5% for S$100k. I think it would be like 10% to 15%. I could be wrong, though. Anyway, they are still a lot lower than those here.
Your idea to negotiate some housing allowance is good. I would use it. However, as you know, I would be hired as a "local" employee. I don't think they would give me that. But, who knows?
Ksea
Sep 3rd 2011 | 8:53 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: Advice Needed.
Do they? I always recommend that site for its property section but I haven't been on the forum for over 3 years, wouldn't know my password now.
IIRC it got taken over by young locals wanting to socialise with expats, and people either wanting to be Singapore Girls or sharing tips on double-eyelid surgery. Maybe it's managed to turn itself back round?
IIRC it got taken over by young locals wanting to socialise with expats, and people either wanting to be Singapore Girls or sharing tips on double-eyelid surgery. Maybe it's managed to turn itself back round?
Sep 3rd 2011 | 8:59 pm
#12
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle
Re: Advice Needed.
Heck, it's many years since I went on there. I didn't get much out of it anyway with having neither kids nor maids and then I was persona non gratis for running another board
(I have occasionally recommended it on here for people with families, but always with a warning that it can get a bit weird.)
(I have occasionally recommended it on here for people with families, but always with a warning that it can get a bit weird.)
Sep 4th 2011 | 5:35 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 31
From: Singapore
Re: Advice Needed.
[...]
I'm making $95k in the US. You're right. Considering all the taxes here compared with those there, the net gains are pretty much similar. One benefit to move there that makes me interested is that I could be a lot closer to Thailand.
I researched on the net regarding taxes, I think I would have to pay taxes more than 4% to 5% for S$100k. I think it would be like 10% to 15%. I could be wrong, though. Anyway, they are still a lot lower than those here.
[...]
I'm making $95k in the US. You're right. Considering all the taxes here compared with those there, the net gains are pretty much similar. One benefit to move there that makes me interested is that I could be a lot closer to Thailand.
I researched on the net regarding taxes, I think I would have to pay taxes more than 4% to 5% for S$100k. I think it would be like 10% to 15%. I could be wrong, though. Anyway, they are still a lot lower than those here.
[...]
For S$100k income this year you would pay exactly S$5650:
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190
S$3350 on first S$80k + 11.5% from S$20k = S$5650.
Singapore is lovely, it makes your living so comfortable that wherever else you would go for living, it wouldn't compare. I thought I love the weather here initially but being European I am getting tired with the same hot and humid climate. I am sure though that for yourself being a Thai this shouldn't be an issue.
A bit OT, @Seasider how does Sydney compare to Singapore in terms of day to day living, weather (are you freezing in winter?) and so on? Would you go back to Singapore after living in Sydney if you would have choice?
Sep 4th 2011 | 11:27 am
#14
Thread Starter
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6
Re: Advice Needed.
If being closer to Thailand is crucial then choosing Singapore would be wise. However I am surprised to hear something like that when you spent more than 15 years in US. I read people stories though when homesickness got them even after 20 years living abroad.
For S$100k income this year you would pay exactly S$5650:
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190
S$3350 on first S$80k + 11.5% from S$20k = S$5650.
Singapore is lovely, it makes your living so comfortable that wherever else you would go for living, it wouldn't compare. I thought I love the weather here initially but being European I am getting tired with the same hot and humid climate. I am sure though that for yourself being a Thai this shouldn't be an issue.
A bit OT, @Seasider how does Sydney compare to Singapore in terms of day to day living, weather (are you freezing in winter?) and so on? Would you go back to Singapore after living in Sydney if you would have choice?
For S$100k income this year you would pay exactly S$5650:
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190
S$3350 on first S$80k + 11.5% from S$20k = S$5650.
Singapore is lovely, it makes your living so comfortable that wherever else you would go for living, it wouldn't compare. I thought I love the weather here initially but being European I am getting tired with the same hot and humid climate. I am sure though that for yourself being a Thai this shouldn't be an issue.
A bit OT, @Seasider how does Sydney compare to Singapore in terms of day to day living, weather (are you freezing in winter?) and so on? Would you go back to Singapore after living in Sydney if you would have choice?
I'm not homesick or anything. One of the main things is that all of my family members (besides my wife and my kid) are in Thailand. I have been apart from them for more than 15 years already. I think it might be the time for me to be close to them.
Thank you very much for the verification on the taxes. Wow.... That's way lower than the taxes here.
I kinda know that living Singapore would be comfortable. But, considering the cost of the apartment rental, I may have to think twice.
Ksea
Sep 4th 2011 | 11:37 am
#15
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle
Re: Advice Needed.
Completely OT but I'll answer, with apologies to Ksea
Sydney is an easy place to live, as is Singapore. COL is high and of course tax is too - we certainly didn't move for the money! I do feel the cold, even as a Brit, after living in Asia. I also have health issues (thyroid) that make me feel the cold more, so I am quite miserable in winter. It gets colder than people think, and houses are not built for it. Why, I do not know - they're in denial! My Singapore moggies also hate the cold.
We're very happy here, but not sure it's our forever home; maybe it is but we need a few more adventures first? We'll wait until we get the passports next year (which coincides with my husband completing his MBA) before re-evaluating. Back to Singapore? It would have to be a very good offer indeed but never say never. Some great memories, some great friends, but also some very valid reasons we moved on.
For me, the key to being happy and settled in a place is to feel/think like a migrant rather than an expat, if you know what I mean. As an Ang Moh, it's hard to be an invisible expat in Asia but very easy in Australia.
Sydney is an easy place to live, as is Singapore. COL is high and of course tax is too - we certainly didn't move for the money! I do feel the cold, even as a Brit, after living in Asia. I also have health issues (thyroid) that make me feel the cold more, so I am quite miserable in winter. It gets colder than people think, and houses are not built for it. Why, I do not know - they're in denial! My Singapore moggies also hate the cold.
We're very happy here, but not sure it's our forever home; maybe it is but we need a few more adventures first? We'll wait until we get the passports next year (which coincides with my husband completing his MBA) before re-evaluating. Back to Singapore? It would have to be a very good offer indeed
but never say never. Some great memories, some great friends, but also some very valid reasons we moved on.For me, the key to being happy and settled in a place is to feel/think like a migrant rather than an expat, if you know what I mean. As an Ang Moh, it's hard to be an invisible expat in Asia but very easy in Australia.
