Relocating to Singapore and Cost of living

KrishX · Post by **KrishX** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:47 am

Hi all,

I'm new this forum, so bear with me. I'm sure this has been asked before, but I've had a look at previous posts and haven't anything of relevance.

I have been offered a job at Singapore General Hospital, and I wanted some advice on salaries and cost of living.

I've been offered a job that provides with $4000 a month with $600 housing benefit. Is this enough to survive? Also, where is best to search for accomodation

I currently earn £2300 take home in London, so I'm not sure if this is enough to sustain the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed.

I'm single, I don't smoke but I do drink and I like to go out and have fun/socialise and I love shopping!

Does Singapore have what I'm looking for?

Any thoughts on this would be wholly appreciated!

Krish

ecureilx · Post by **ecureilx** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 1:15 am

my 2 cents: you can live in Singapore for 2,500 $ (not less, if you are looking for basic comfort) and .. you can live in Singapore for 25,000 or more a month and still be short of $

Do some read up on the costs ..

You can rent a room from 700 to a bungalow house for 50,000

Cheers

Mad Scientist · Post by **Mad Scientist** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 2:35 am

KrishX wrote:Hi all,

I'm new this forum, so bear with me. I'm sure this has been asked before, but I've had a look at previous posts and haven't anything of relevance.

Krish

So much for looking up yourself.

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic ... y+expenses

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic ... t=expenses

ev-disinfection · Post by **ev-disinfection** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:05 pm

SGD 4,000.00 + SGD 700.00 is only enough for a 1 rental room, public transport, local food and some drinks and shopping at "Mustafa".
So i would say it is enough.
And you forgot about "Dates" with gals.

and 2,300 pounds = SGD 4,679.00 -- so you gain SGD 21.00
which is enough for 4 big bottles of beer at a local coffee shop or 7 cans of Kingfisher at the local supermarket.

Hope this helps.

Hmmmm..... I see what you mean , JR8.
Same profile, same questions....

revhappy · Post by **revhappy** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:32 pm

ev-disinfection wrote:SGD 4,000.00 + SGD 700.00 is only enough for a 1 rental room, public transport, local food and some drinks and shopping at "Mustafa".
So i would say it is enough.
And you forgot about "Dates" with gals.

and 2,300 pounds = SGD 4,679.00 -- so you gain SGD 21.00
which is enough for 4 big bottles of beer at a local coffee shop or 7 cans of Kingfisher at the local supermarket.

Hope this helps.

Hmmmm..... I see what you mean , JR8.
Same profile, same questions....

Mustafa, Kingfisher???? The OP's nick is an easy giveaway for me, but how do you know it? Are you also an...........?????

ev-disinfection · Post by **ev-disinfection** » Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:44 pm

revhappy wrote:
ev-disinfection wrote:SGD 4,000.00 + SGD 700.00 is only enough for a 1 rental room, public transport, local food and some drinks and shopping at "Mustafa".
So i would say it is enough.
And you forgot about "Dates" with gals.

and 2,300 pounds = SGD 4,679.00 -- so you gain SGD 21.00
which is enough for 4 big bottles of beer at a local coffee shop or 7 cans of Kingfisher at the local supermarket.

Hope this helps.

Hmmmm..... I see what you mean , JR8.
Same profile, same questions....
Mustafa, Kingfisher???? The OP's nick is an easy giveaway for me, but how do you know it? Are you also an...........?????

Yes Revhappy,
I am an Asian like you, but of the PCK kind.
and i have many friends of different races and creed.
I really like your other post , when the OP was talking about minorities...
I guess he did not know which race you were... that was funny.

xclark · Post by **xclark** » Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:37 am

Your housing allowance will just about cover you to rent a room in an HDB, your biggest cost in Singapore will be your rent, unless you want to share a flat, there are few and far between one bed flats out here, rent out here is double what I paid in London for a 2 bed flat in a central area.

Your salary to salary is pretty much the same, tax is lower here but rent is higher, check out . and the property search on this web site to get an idea of rental prices and areas.

Nights out are more expensive, $15 - $20 (£7 - £10) a pint is not unusual but then you can get 2 big bottles of tiger in the hawker for $5 (£2.50)

Food is cheap or really expensive depending on where you go (same as everywhere really)

Public transport is cheap and efficent, if you know where you might be working I would suggest using that as a base for working out where you want to live, commuting 20/30 mins doesnt sound alot (especially in comparison to home) but when 10 mins of that is walking to the MRT in 28 degree heat (sweaty shirt stuck to your back isnt a great way to start the day) then the cold, mobbed train then another walk in the heat to the office, living round the corner from the office is very appealing! (thankfully I dont have to do the commute to the office anymore, Im the lucky wife who gets to wash the shirts though!)

Good luck!

JayCee · Post by **JayCee** » Sun, 17 Apr 2011 2:39 am

xclark wrote: you can get 2 big bottles of tiger in the hawker for $5 (£2.50)

Where?

If you're making 2300 quid a month after tax then you're better of staying put, 4600 is ok-ish but once you take off some for tax you're worse off not to mention the crazy rental prices here and the extortionate alcohol prices in any of the nightlife areas (as you mention you like to go out, you'll be doing it less here on that salary)

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Sun, 17 Apr 2011 4:09 am

$600 'housing benefit' suggests that they think you'll be happy sub=letting a room in an HDB flat-share. But are you?

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:28 am

revhappy wrote: Mustafa, Kingfisher???? The OP's nick is an easy giveaway for me, but how do you know it? Are you also an...........?????

Hey Rev, anybody who's lived in Singapore for 6 months (and interacts with the FT's regularly) can easily recognize a nick that has sub-continent origins. The nick is a dead giveaway. Quite often the style of writing confirms same as well. Regardless of where they did their schooling. Also, you guys are the only ones that think your degree should be the be all and end all of getting a high paying job.

No offense to you personally. You've become an asset here!

ecureilx · Post by **ecureilx** » Sun, 17 Apr 2011 2:44 pm

my 2 cents : (Again)

that is the pay offered for doctors in Govt Hospitals, so either suck it up and accept it, and then once you get full endorsement look for other options, or .. bye-bye to the job offer.

Even if you scream, govt hospitals are not gonna offer more than that ..

trust me - I know that much ...

thismyvoice · Post by **thismyvoice** » Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:20 pm

$600 rental may not even get you a master bedroom in the area around Singapore General Hospital. This is because the area is near the business district and the casinos.

A common air-conditioned room will easily cost you $700 per month in such a central location. Of course you can always stay somewhere further, not near MRT, older to cut cost. Take public transport to work and join the JAM!

eri_sg1 · Post by **eri_sg1** » Fri, 29 Apr 2011 3:31 pm

If you can manage the similar salary in London, there are no reasons you can't do it in Singapore.

Giving the tax rate, you will be only paying approx 5-7 % income tax.
Check IRAS link . So your net income won't be much different.

If you are single, then you definitely should give a try to live abroad. For the life experience which is priceless.

Like everyones says, rental is a big part in the paycheck, other than that, International School fees(which not concerning you), eating-out (those proper french, italian restaurant) , alcohol in pubs.are costy.

You should be able to work ard your budget and have fun.
You can share an excutive HDB (similar to condo, but no swiiming pool etc) or condo flat nearby workplace. probably be hard to have the whole flat on your own now. Many single ppl i know are sharing these days. its ard S$1300-1700. some nay even inlc utility fees.If you really don't mind stay a bit further out to east or west or north, or a normal HDB,, then i am sure you can get a less costy place.

One of the biggest advantage for me to live hear is able to travel to many south east countries frequently. There are a few budge carrier to choose from. and various hotel selections for diff budget as well.
I love shopping too, but I didn't feel its a great place to shop compare to Tokyo. Most malls carries simailar brands ( mostly British high street names), maybe suits you. They are slowly adding more brands these days.

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Fri, 29 Apr 2011 4:13 pm

eri_sg1 wrote: If you are single, then you definitely should give a try to live abroad. For the life experience which is priceless.

You are Borat and I claim my five pounds!

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