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costs of living
costs of living
Hi,
I am trying to estimate budget for comfortable living for family of 3 (2 adults + 1 3yo). I assume: kindergarten: ~1500SGD/mo - English classes are prio, learning Chinese is a plus 2-3 bedroom apartment not too far from queenstown (30-40min commute): 3500SGD/mo
My avg monthly income after tax would be around 12300 SGD / mo. This means in theory I have 7300 SGD left for eating, savings, whatever other costs. We like asian food, cook ourselves, don't really need a car, rather renting and traveling.
After some time, hopefully my wife finds job as well.
Does it make sense? Appreciate any feedback!
Thanks
I am trying to estimate budget for comfortable living for family of 3 (2 adults + 1 3yo). I assume: kindergarten: ~1500SGD/mo - English classes are prio, learning Chinese is a plus 2-3 bedroom apartment not too far from queenstown (30-40min commute): 3500SGD/mo
My avg monthly income after tax would be around 12300 SGD / mo. This means in theory I have 7300 SGD left for eating, savings, whatever other costs. We like asian food, cook ourselves, don't really need a car, rather renting and traveling.
After some time, hopefully my wife finds job as well.
Does it make sense? Appreciate any feedback!
Thanks
Re: costs of living
Schooling costs jump dramatically for International Schools .... you're estimate is well under. I'd budget at 30k a year for schooling.
Also rents are definitely going up. I don't think 3500 is enough. Probably 4k will be enough.
Also rents are definitely going up. I don't think 3500 is enough. Probably 4k will be enough.
I not lawyer/teacher/CPA.
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!
You've been arrested? Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals.
You want an International School job? School website or http://www.ISS.edu
Your rugrat needs a School? Avoid for profit schools
You need Tax advice? Ask a CPA
You ran away without doing NS? Shame on you!
Re: costs of living
Whether your wife will find a job or not, it depends on her education, skills, experience... Some industries/roles are totally closed for foreigners
For the general costs of living, you can check numbers on Numbeo.com. I find them quite accurate for Singapore. Add maybe +5% for the inflation.
If you want to cook at home, you can check the prices of groceries on Lazada Redmart - online supermarket.
For the general costs of living, you can check numbers on Numbeo.com. I find them quite accurate for Singapore. Add maybe +5% for the inflation.
If you want to cook at home, you can check the prices of groceries on Lazada Redmart - online supermarket.
- sundaymorningstaple
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Re: costs of living
viewtopic.php?p=851706#p851706robodude wrote: ↑Mon, 09 May 2022 3:14 amHi,
I am trying to estimate budget for comfortable living for family of 3 (2 adults + 1 3yo). I assume: kindergarten: ~1500SGD/mo - English classes are prio, learning Chinese is a plus 2-3 bedroom apartment not too far from queenstown (30-40min commute): 3500SGD/mo
My avg monthly income after tax would be around 12300 SGD / mo. This means in theory I have 7300 SGD left for eating, savings, whatever other costs. We like asian food, cook ourselves, don't really need a car, rather renting and traveling.
After some time, hopefully my wife finds job as well.
Does it make sense? Appreciate any feedback!
Thanks
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers
Re: costs of living
Do you have health insurance? Is your company providing any? Make sure you cover that angle too.
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- malcontent
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- Location: Pulau Ujong
Re: costs of living
It’s surprising how expenses can accumulate. All of the seemingly little things add up, and before you know it, it’s a 5 figure sum.
Going without a car helps. Going without air conditioning helps. Going without diary products helps. Going without alcohol helps. Going without beef helps. Going without imported Western foods of most kinds helps.
One other point on schools, don’t assume you can get your child a place in any school here. The popular schools have waiting lists, including popular local kindergartens. Both of my kids went to Barker Road Kindergarten, it’s a decent local school that foreigners can access, if there is a spot available - price is also reasonable. But that is only an option until age 7. No easy or cheap options after that.
Going without a car helps. Going without air conditioning helps. Going without diary products helps. Going without alcohol helps. Going without beef helps. Going without imported Western foods of most kinds helps.
One other point on schools, don’t assume you can get your child a place in any school here. The popular schools have waiting lists, including popular local kindergartens. Both of my kids went to Barker Road Kindergarten, it’s a decent local school that foreigners can access, if there is a spot available - price is also reasonable. But that is only an option until age 7. No easy or cheap options after that.
It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters ~ Epictetus
Re: costs of living
I think $3.5k to $5k if you're looking in the queenstown area, maybe older condos give better value and space. Just avoid a west facing house to avoid high bills from the high air-conditioning.
To add on, your child might need tuition or enrichment classes which will add on to your schooling expenses. Don't drink and smoke, that'll save you quite a bit.
Grab cab is common, but car might come in handy if you have a kid to move around. Buy second hand cars if you're looking to buy a car or a COE car.
I think schools, rents and cars are the highest costs you need to consider.
To add on, your child might need tuition or enrichment classes which will add on to your schooling expenses. Don't drink and smoke, that'll save you quite a bit.
Grab cab is common, but car might come in handy if you have a kid to move around. Buy second hand cars if you're looking to buy a car or a COE car.
I think schools, rents and cars are the highest costs you need to consider.
The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. - Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
- malcontent
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- Location: Pulau Ujong
Re: costs of living
Schooling: $2,500-4,000/mo per child
Housing: $4,000-5,000/mo (3br, outskirts)
Remember, housing is not just rent alone, and schooling is not just tuition alone.
These two expenses can easily push a family of 4 into 5 digits monthly. This is why expats get packages, and locals get government subsidies for education, housing and healthcare. So if you have school aged children and you’re not getting a package or subsidies, you really need an exit plan.
If you are single, a couple or a young family, it’s important to recognize how your expenses will change as your family situation changes.
Housing: $4,000-5,000/mo (3br, outskirts)
Remember, housing is not just rent alone, and schooling is not just tuition alone.
These two expenses can easily push a family of 4 into 5 digits monthly. This is why expats get packages, and locals get government subsidies for education, housing and healthcare. So if you have school aged children and you’re not getting a package or subsidies, you really need an exit plan.
If you are single, a couple or a young family, it’s important to recognize how your expenses will change as your family situation changes.
It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters ~ Epictetus
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