enough - $85k p.a

[filante]

Hi there

I have been offered a job for $85k per annum. Is this enough to survive on for my wife, and 18 month old son. I would have to pay my own rent out of the package and my wife does not intend to work. Can I find a nice place, furnished for $2k or under close to CBD.

Could I expect to save any based on this deal, factoring in other costs?

Thanks

[jpatokal]

No problemo, you qualify as upper middle class. I'd say you can have a pretty comfortable lifestyle and still save half of that -- at least if you don't get a car.

[guest 54]

That's not too much. Of course everything depends; your profession, etc. how much you would earn in other countries and all that. Sg is really expensive compared to most places, so 85k wouldn't go far. You already said you would have to spend 24k of that just for rent. Then utilities, then transportation(forget about a car), then food, then all the extra stuff wives and kids need, and if you drink or smoke!! I don't think you would save a whole lot. Plus all that, you would have to put up with the severe censorship, and no satellite dishes, etc. I'd think twice if I were you.

[filante]

Can anyone be a bit more of assistance. A general breakdown of costs on a monthly basis would be really appreciated. A comparison between Melbourne and singapre would be really appreciative, factoring a salary of $S85k a year. Is it possible to live a comfortable life. Not that fussed about hitting th PUBs etc, been there done that...

[sam]

I don't think you can have 'comfortable' life with that.
I don't know what do you mean by 'comfortable' life.
Like guest 54 said, 24K for rent. Now you have 61K which is 5K/monthly.

what do you mean by confortable.
food 500
transportation 150
utilities ???
other spends for your wife and children
cost of social gathering for your wife and kid (remember this is foreign country)

I think guest 54 pointed out well. SInce your budget is tight, you'd better think about that (so been there done that, so you are not going to drink with your colleague or something??)

You'd better have some support from company at least housing...

[filante]

I was actually wanting to rent a place near the MRT so I would be using puiblic transport. The condo will obvioulsy have a swimming pool so my wife and child will spend a fair bit of time there. We don't plan and don't want to have a car.


Are you saying that you can't live on $5k per month? What would the average persons costs be. We are not going to want to go out to restaurants every week like other expats. What salaries are other expats living on with a small child.

Also the company pays a bonus at the end of the year somewhere between 15-20% but I wasn't taking this into consideration in my monthly living allowance. I also get a $5,000 pound sign on fee but of course again I'm not takin this into my monthly living allowance as I want to live off my montly wage

Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[guest22]

mate, you'll be fine if you live out near Simei or one of the MRT stops outside the city. you can still take the train in w/in 25 mins and shopping is cheaper at the local supermarkets (e.g. NTUC) vs where many expats shop (e.g. Jason's or Tanglin)

you'll need to watch your money, but your taxes will be lower (15%?), if you don't have to pay in Aus (or anywhere else), and you can probably swing it.

[Singapore_Sling]

It's enough - you will not need a car.

[cool one]

I think u can live a comfortable life in Singapore with 85K provided u r Ok with travelling in the public transport and not too much on pubbing & eating out. In $2000 you will get good condo's and close to MRT too and if u r ready to travel far, u can even get good ones cheaper than that.

So, all the best

[western food]

We are a family of 4 (2 toddlers) and our monthly grocery bill is between S$800-S$1000 per month (that includes diapers & wipes and things like that). I should state that we do buy mostly 'western' food (i.e. brands from the US) and I don't shop in wet markets (at least yet, anyway). I'm sure if you were really into working at cutting your food bills down you could learn to shop at the wet markets and other places that are less expensive than 'expat' targeted grocery stores. Hope that helps you a bit.

[Moth]

Filante, you wanted a monthly breakdown of costs. Here is my shot at it. I have been trying to figure this out for myself. I am moving to Singapore in late April.

Your 85K should be about 80K after taxes. Assuming 12 month pay (though 13 months, with 1 month bonus in Dec is the norm), you will have $6700 cash in hand per month. In this, your major expense categories should be:

Housing: 1800 you should get 3BR condos in this price in out locations, close to MRT
Utilities: 250
Groceries: 800
Transport: 200
Cable/Newspaper/Internet: 150
Phone: 150
Others, including medical insurance: 500
Entertainment/discretionary: 300

Total expenses: 4200

You will be able to save about $2500 per month.

Living standards are subjective and whats great for one is not even survival for another, so I cant say if the above spending levels and assumptions will be good for you. For example, many expats cant do without a maid and car, which if added to this equation will wipe out your savings.

Hope this helps.