S$1500 - Is this Enough?? - Need your opinions

[Soon-to-be Expat]

i've recently accepted an overseas assignment in singapore starting next month. i was offered S$1500/month aside from housing as part of the package. (i'm still at the entry level) is this enough to live moderately or do i need to have a part of my salary transferred from home? please give me a rough estimate about how much money a single person in their 20's can get by with. i've been visiting a bunch of singapore expat websites, but most people seem to be on some fat packages unlike mine. i appreciate your responses as i've never even been to singapore before... help me out. hmm while you're at it, how much is one month's rent around orchard area for a one-bedroom apartment? i can only find suped up prices online... not sure if they're trustworthy. again, thank you in advance~~~~

[jones]

$1,500 seems too little for an expat living in Singapore. The cost of housing would already cost you around $1,500, if you're a bachelor and able to scrimp a little to save, food centre/ hawker food's relatively cheap around $3 per plate and drink would cost you another $1.20. However, you must also include in your 1) transport fares (taxi, bus or train), 2) misc. costs like entertaining friends, socialising, groceries etc.

Perhaps you could speak to your boss for a higher pay?

[joop]

Hi Soon-to-be-expat,

Do you have any idea on how much budget your company would be allocating for your housing allowance? We could help you on the places and apartments that will suit you.

You can contact me at +65 61000 300 when you are about to rent.

[Roadster]

If you're being offered a one bedroom apartment plus $1,500 cash, see if you can get it all in cash and just rent a room with someone - there are plenty around and your commitment is low. If you're in your twenties, you may still be ok with sharing with another likeminded person. You should be able to rent a room in a decent place near Orchard for less than $1,000 pretty easily and you can pocket the difference.

To put it into perspective, the starting salary for many Singaporean youngsters is $1,000/mo and they still live at home. If you're being provided accommodation, then you should be able to get by on $1,500/mo but you won't be drinking martinis at the Post Bar on Fridays...

[Poor Soon-to-be Expat]

thank you all for kind response. i guess the general consensus is that $1500 wouldn't be enough. i was trying to see if i would be able to save up my salary at home while i'm away. i'll have to put a hold to my "party animal"ness for the time being... if anyone knows of anyone's any friends... who know any good 1-bedroom apartments in the orchard area (furnished.. on a nicer side), let me know. thanks~

[taxico]

this must be a new game i've not been notified of!!! let me join in too!

okay take care bye bye.

[madura]

look buddy, 1500 isn't even enough for a local.
what kind of job are you doing for 1500?
is it an internship/attachment?
otherwise, your employers are taking you as a joke!

[sundaymorningstaple]

madura, please wake up. It would be good if you bothered to read the date of the post. Then you might not look so foolish.

(Taxico was replying to a post made by a spammer who dredged up that thread to post his spam & that was deleted two days ago).