Hi all,

For the last three years I have been working on a project in Switzerland (not living in Switzerland but commuting from Jersey regularly) which has now "gone live" and the project will now move on to Singapore.

I have 3 choices; 1) relocate, 2) travel frequently to Singapore (2 weeks a month at first and then down to once a month afterwards) or 3) leave the Bank completely - not really desired in the current business climate!

My wife is generally unsure about "1" and unhappy with "2" (as she works full time too), so I have a couple of questions and would really appreciate your feedback asap (I have to make my decision soon!)...

1. To live comfortably with my wife and 18month old daughter at home, what would I need to earn as a single earner? I'm not looking for a car or extremely excessive wage but would like to be able to afford a meal / drinks every now and then. Could this be done on say SGD70,000.00? (just took this figure as a mean from the Hays survey last year).

2.What could I ask for in terms of package as it would be a fixed contract of (say) 18 months? Rent paid for, nursery schooling, flights home?

3. Do you have any ideas for things my wife and daughter could get up to whilst I am at work?

4. What is the law regarding toddlers in taxis/cars? Do they have to be in a car-seat?

Really appreciate any help and thanks in advance!

Hi gvb, I'm an ex-Singapore expat, now in Oz

S$70,000 is not a lot of money for a single, never mind a family, TBH, even with the low income tax rates (we averaged about 12%). Do you mind me asking what line you're in - banking? IT? IT in banking? (re. Jersey and Switzerland )

I'm a bit out of touch with the situation there these days but I do know that a couple of years ago the cost of living was rising pretty quickly.

Yes, you can live on it - people will tell you, some live on a lot less, but then they will have their subsidised housing and healthcare, etc. It's not cheap to be an expat there and I think you would basically be existing.

Assuming you will be granted an Employment Pass, your wife and daughter with be on Dependent Passes. Your wife can work on hers if she can get a job, but that's not easy unless she has skills in demand herself. I freelanced here and there and did voluntary work (before and after we got our PR).

There's tons to do; don't believe anybody that tells you Singapore is boring. People are boring; life is what you make it. It's a good place to have young children. There's the outdoor life, museums galore, all the different cultures to explore, masses places to go for weekends, and of course all those shops

Taxis don't have child-seats, and I know a lot of parents don't like this so end up buying cars, which are ridiculously expensive. We didn't have a car as taxis are cheap and public transport is great, but we don't have children.

I don't think we have many people currently living and working in Singapore on this forum - ex-reg and Englishmum should come along to help you with up-to-date info but you might want to check out the archives of www.expatsingapore.com. The intro pages have some suggestions for expat packages too (we were "local", paid our own way).

www.singaporeexpats.com is another option and also has a very informative property section.

www.singaporum.com is a small community, that forum has been going about 18 months although most of the people on it came from another, now defunct forum (that I used to run!) and they're friendly so if you ask questions, they'll do their best to answer. They might take the piss but they'll help too.

PS. When we were there my husband was out of the country about 75% of the time. It soon wore thin, I had to make my own life, and his health suffered from all that travelling, which is why after 6 years we moved on. With a young child, I would say don't do option 2, for the sake of your whole family.

Thanks for your comments. I have been twice (once a couple of years ago on Business (same project) and before that when I was travelling so I know a bit about the layout etc), although nothing about livings/costs etc.

SGD70,000 was a minimum but I guess i would want at least 85 or so. Guess this makes things a bit easier.
I am originally from Banking Operations but this new system (T24) has been brought in and made use of my business knowledge and put this to use in designing the new system for others to use. Good fun!

Will check out the other websites you suggested - already had a quick look but haven't checked out the discussions/boards yet.

I'd prefer not to do "2" but if thats the best option at this time, then we shall have to see.

JFYI it's a long weekend in Singapore (Hari Raya) so the forums will probably all be quiet.

What a wonderful line - I'll have to remember that one

I'm also an ex-Singapore Expat and pretty much agree with all that Seasider has posted above. Definitely put some postings on the other sites.

You said that your wife is working full-time and I guess she needs to think long and hard if she wants to give up her job. Singapore is certainly an experience. There is a lot to do there, English speaking (well, sort of) and lots of groups she could join, voluntary work possible if she is inclined.

Thanks. Ideally she would stay at home (and possibly make No.2?) and possibly put my daughter into nursery etc for a couple of times a week.

She'd love to do that now but no way with the Jersey market unless you are earning LOADS

70k is definitely on the low side but manageable.

I had to take a huge paycut when I lost my job earlier this year. we are on not a huge amount above that but could manage easily if we weren't locked into an expensive rental agreement for another year.

your wife will probably develop quite a quick social network through the condo todler mafia.

when agreeing your contract keep in mind that standard leases on apartments here are 2 years.

Sorry, I forgot about Inselaffen! Right there and current with the info.

yes I'm here
I would never have moved to Singapore to be on my current salary. we stayed because at the time it was better than returning to the UK with no job and having to jump through many hoops to get a visa for my wife.

I would not move here for less than 10k a month and even on that I would guess you would be earning less than most British/Aussie/Euro expats. I know people who pay more than that for just their rent

.... well we discussed over the weekend and my better half wouldn't be happy to move at all, full stop, and wouldn't be happy with me travelling a lot too, so it looks like I'll have to try and find something over here

Thanks for all your help and advice, you never know, it may be used in the future.....