Tax rate in singapore is really low and most people pay next to nothing. Check online for the inland revenue department for the tax rate. I think the top rate is about 19% which comes in when you earn more than 200K....not sure.
If you are on a budget, then perhaps living a bit further from the metro is better. Unless you are talking about
condominiums, flats around the metro are older and not too nice. The
condos are very expensive... We have a very good public transport system so make full use of it. Nice suburbs to live are Ang Moh Kio, Tao Payoh, Bishan, SErangoon. They are a few train stops from the city. Singapore is actually quite small so everywhere is quite near. A train ride across the whole country will take you about 45 to 1 hour. A government HDB is very good and more than 90% of us live in them. My friend rented a 2-bedroom in Ang moh Kio for about $750 a month.
If you are on a budget, the best thing is too perhaps try to cook at home as much as possible. Buying food cost about $2 a person. Buying a car is too expensive here...there is no need anyway. Just rent one when you need.
Living in the east of singapore would be better if you are thinking of going to little india in serangoon. However, the trains in the northeast of singapore are slightly expensive (10-20 cents more) but are less crowded and fully automated (ie...no driver). I'd personally like anywhere on the nrotheast line cos the other train lines are really really crowded...imagine tokyo.
Public schools are the way to go for your kids and are almost free. I was a PR and I paid about $15 per term.
Trying to save 2000 every month is not hard but that means you'll have to cut down on luxury items such as restaurants etc.
