Considering the jump....

[Benji1975]

Well' we're here now and as I type from outside Robertson Quay in my shorts and flip flops and a cold glass of wine, I'm very happy!
Landed last Thursday and all been pretty smooth so far, mostly because of vast amount of research first and help from others (including this forum).
Am I missing work? Hmmm....noooooooo

Went to MoM for passes yesterday and just agreed on a lovely 3000sq ft 5 bed/5 bath landed house for a very good price (for here). Am loving Singapore realty agents...play them at their own game. We do 'good cop bad cop' on them...very enjoyable.

I am blogging all of this so will share as might be of use to others.

For anyone considering the jump and panicking, don't. As long as the budget stacks up the rest is all straight forward with a bit of research/advice first. The Internet makes life soooo much easier!

Regards
Ben

[JR8]

Nice Benji, And 3k feet.... doing it large man, congratulations for landing this rather choice sounding fish!

ps. and keep the thoughts/experiences coming. It's of use to others, and also reminds the more hardened/cynical bar-stewards out there what it was like to be a newbie

[gunrock]

Congrats Benji. I have just (last week) turned down my firm's offer as, once I did the sums in detail (using here, some other forums, Expatistan, Numbeo, Singapore Transit cost calculator, various International Schools and some SG property sites) it confirmed that my instinct was right; once you add three kids into the mix, International School fees massive outstrip a >200k SGD wage. Looking at some other recent forum posts, local schools for the twins seems near impossible and therefore options have dried up.

I decided we couldn't take the financial risk of being hamstrung for money and struggling to make ends meet or dipping into the reserves on a monthly basis. Personally I feel aggrieved about it and my wife and kids are massively disappointed. I will find another way.

Anyway, best of luck to you and yours.

[Benji1975]

Hi Gunrock, sorry to hear this. It's better that you have used your instinct and research to find this out in advance though. Being lumbered with a 2 year rental agreement and THEN finding this out would be much much worse.
It sounds mental that $200k isn't enough to live on but, it's the school fees that hike it up. We went through the sums time and time again and built in every buffer so we should be ok. I'll admit, the base salary is a reasonable step higher and the bonus (which we didn't build in) at 20% should give a buffer. Even then, my wife was a bit nervous as suddenly she is now bread winner for a family of 4.
Try not to be aggrieved (easy to say when i'm over here) but you made the right decision not to plunge you and your family into a situation that could be a massive head and heartache. If your/new company wants you to go out here then it has to be made to work for you...no ifs and buts.
JR8, i lie, it's 4000 built up. It's a lovely place and just dealing with the agent (this one is 'ok') about what we want done upfront. It's next to beauty world MRT so not ideal for one-north commute but willing to make sacrifice for the place as it's that nice. It last rented at 8 something so getting it for well under 5 will be a right touch if it goes through.
I've seen 12 properties now and all but one are empty and, having been on . for last 3 months i know the price drops so, it's definately a renters market at the moment.
We've also got our helper sorted so in the 5 days so far, all good....

regards
Ben

[gunrock]

Sounds like you've got it all in hand, so long may that continue!

As to the money, they were offering a bit more and there's a bonus which could have made it tick (just!) - but as it's a discretionary bonus, I just couldn't factor it in.

Keep us all updated, as it'd be nice to hear how your doing and I can vicariously experience it through you and yours!

[Primrose Hill]

Hillcrest, Benji?
Gunrock, no way that the employers will pay for the school fees or even partially pay for them?

[JR8]

It's next to beauty world MRT so not ideal for one-north commute but willing to make sacrifice for the place as it's that nice.

You've got to tell me.... there's a new MRT stop called 'Beauty World'?

[ecureilx]

It's next to beauty world MRT so not ideal for one-north commute but willing to make sacrifice for the place as it's that nice.

You've got to tell me.... there's a new MRT stop called 'Beauty World'?

A whole lot of new stations. And new routes to travel.

[sundaymorningstaple]

http://www.moovemedia.com.sg/pastures/d ... eii-dtlii/

[JR8]

OMG [fan me down] I thought you were taking the P... ... SERIOUSLY!? Is it sponsored by Disney or something... just... why ... ??!

[nakatago]

OMG [fan me down] I thought you were taking the P... ... SERIOUSLY!? Is it sponsored by Disney or something... just... why ... ??!

And it's one of the ugliest places around.

[Barnsley]

OMG [fan me down] I thought you were taking the P... ... SERIOUSLY!? Is it sponsored by Disney or something... just... why ... ??!

Got some nice food opposite though

[JR8]

What's the next stop, Barbie-World. Then 30 years too late SG accepts it's time to open an equal-opportunities Ken-World

[sundaymorningstaple]

That shopping complex at Beauty World has been there for at least 33 years. It was there when I lived on Bkt Timah Road near to where SE used to live but back in 1982. It's always been called that as I believe there was a Beautician's school there once upon a time.

[JR8]

Do 'Underwater-proof' blusher ah? .... lol