cost of Singapore compared to London
#16
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
How many Singaporeans do you know who live on their own? Most live in extended family units and it's common for young couples to live with parents/in-laws/grandparents ....as far as I'm aware single people are rarely allocated their own HDB apartment and the cost is prohibitive to buy a private flat.
As for local public schools - although 'foreign' pupils may be admitted, it is hardly encouraged and will be at the bottom of the pecking order for school choice. How many ang mohs have you seen attending the local schools?
Also remember that Singaporeans are 'in the know' about where to get the best bargains, cheapest produce (oh yes, ang mohs are charged higher prices at the wet markets and I've experienced this myself). New arrivals typically will not have a clue where to scout out these things....they don't have any relatives on hand to pool resources.
Sure, a single expat can 'get by' on S$66k but it won't be a salubrious lifestyle, most people are happy enough to live frugally for a year or two, but it would soon get tiresome.
#17
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
personally I like the Dubai stopover. breaks up the long flight and I've never had to wait more than 2 hours in Dubai
#18
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 47
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
You omitted the fact that Singaporeans get subsidies which expats - with the exception of PRs - don't eg. for HDB apartments, CPF, hospital fees, maids (reduction of the levy).
How many Singaporeans do you know who live on their own? Most live in extended family units and it's common for young couples to live with parents/in-laws/grandparents ....as far as I'm aware single people are rarely allocated their own HDB apartment and the cost is prohibitive to buy a private flat.
As for local public schools - although 'foreign' pupils may be admitted, it is hardly encouraged and will be at the bottom of the pecking order for school choice. How many ang mohs have you seen attending the local schools?
Also remember that Singaporeans are 'in the know' about where to get the best bargains, cheapest produce (oh yes, ang mohs are charged higher prices at the wet markets and I've experienced this myself). New arrivals typically will not have a clue where to scout out these things....they don't have any relatives on hand to pool resources.
Sure, a single expat can 'get by' on S$66k but it won't be a salubrious lifestyle, most people are happy enough to live frugally for a year or two, but it would soon get tiresome.
How many Singaporeans do you know who live on their own? Most live in extended family units and it's common for young couples to live with parents/in-laws/grandparents ....as far as I'm aware single people are rarely allocated their own HDB apartment and the cost is prohibitive to buy a private flat.
As for local public schools - although 'foreign' pupils may be admitted, it is hardly encouraged and will be at the bottom of the pecking order for school choice. How many ang mohs have you seen attending the local schools?
Also remember that Singaporeans are 'in the know' about where to get the best bargains, cheapest produce (oh yes, ang mohs are charged higher prices at the wet markets and I've experienced this myself). New arrivals typically will not have a clue where to scout out these things....they don't have any relatives on hand to pool resources.
Sure, a single expat can 'get by' on S$66k but it won't be a salubrious lifestyle, most people are happy enough to live frugally for a year or two, but it would soon get tiresome.
How did you get ripped off is a mystery since everything in Singapore has a proper price tag on it, including the veg and eggs at NTUC supermarket to Sheng Shiong. You must have gone for the most run down stalls with no price tags, and then you complain about being "ripped off".
66k is more than enough for a single man. You could probably even save 3k sgd per month easily if you lead a relatively simple lifestyle (rent a room in a hdb flat, eat at local coffeeshops, and still have some money left over shopping, movies, hanging out etc).
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
Apparently this guy wowwee is a Youth Worker.
The mind boggles.
Awaiting a bitter reply.
The mind boggles.
Awaiting a bitter reply.
#20
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Location: Lagrange 2
Posts: 1,507
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
I think whoreing is cheaper in London.
#22
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
I agree that life in Singapore is far more expensive for expats then the locals who do get subsidised accommodation, etc, etc......
I looked in to living expenses in Singapore a couple of years ago and found it way more expensive then London, I doubt you would get by on GBP 30k.
However, can someone please explain to me how the Singaporeans can afford to shop in all these new shiny temples along orchard road if the average salary is below 66k SGD.
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
As for doing groceries at coldstorage in Singapore, my Mum always went shopping there with me in tow and it was good quality and affordable but then this was in the late 60's, early 70's when living in Singapore was still cheap..........
I looked in to living expenses in Singapore a couple of years ago and found it way more expensive then London, I doubt you would get by on GBP 30k.
However, can someone please explain to me how the Singaporeans can afford to shop in all these new shiny temples along orchard road if the average salary is below 66k SGD.
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
As for doing groceries at coldstorage in Singapore, my Mum always went shopping there with me in tow and it was good quality and affordable but then this was in the late 60's, early 70's when living in Singapore was still cheap..........
#23
Just Joined
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
I agree that life in Singapore is far more expensive for expats then the locals who do get subsidised accommodation, etc, etc......
I looked in to living expenses in Singapore a couple of years ago and found it way more expensive then London, I doubt you would get by on GBP 30k.
However, can someone please explain to me how the Singaporeans can afford to shop in all these new shiny temples along orchard road if the average salary is below 66k SGD.
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
As for doing groceries at coldstorage in Singapore, my Mum always went shopping there with me in tow and it was good quality and affordable but then this was in the late 60's, early 70's when living in Singapore was still cheap..........
I looked in to living expenses in Singapore a couple of years ago and found it way more expensive then London, I doubt you would get by on GBP 30k.
However, can someone please explain to me how the Singaporeans can afford to shop in all these new shiny temples along orchard road if the average salary is below 66k SGD.
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
As for doing groceries at coldstorage in Singapore, my Mum always went shopping there with me in tow and it was good quality and affordable but then this was in the late 60's, early 70's when living in Singapore was still cheap..........
Each country has unique problems of its own... it boils down to the individual adapting to the country and not the other way around.
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,755
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
If you bring cost of buying property and cars into 'cost of living' then surely Singapore must be more expensive than London.
We all know about cars but we've just sold a property to an ex London banker.
He can't get over the price he had to pay us compared to what he received when selling his London property.
There are polls and studies on the costliest cities to live in though aren't there.
I didn't think Singapore was in the top 10.
We all know about cars but we've just sold a property to an ex London banker.
He can't get over the price he had to pay us compared to what he received when selling his London property.
There are polls and studies on the costliest cities to live in though aren't there.
I didn't think Singapore was in the top 10.
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Epsom
Posts: 1,705
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
From my research unless you want to live like a local it is more expensive than London. And personally I wouldn't want to live like a local most of the time, particularly in HDBs which I find depressing and claustrophobic.
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Epsom
Posts: 1,705
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
However, can someone please explain to me how the Singaporeans can afford to shop in all these new shiny temples along orchard road if the average salary is below 66k SGD.
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
I remember visiting eLV as they call it in Singapore and the wife and I just could not believe how the handbags were selling like hotcakes.....
Is there huge personal debt in Singapore, do they max their credit cards?
#27
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Location: Lagrange 2
Posts: 1,507
Re: cost of Singapore compared to London
Don't blame them. Orchard row is for foreigners and hotel guests (which are probably the same thing) goods are cheaper in Chinatown (except for foreigners) and JB , just over the border.