Anyone with in Singapore but live in Batam?

[RichardOrme]

Hi all,

Newbie here so take it easy. I am a British citizen and I have an option to come and set up the Talent department for my company in Singapore. Looking at costs of schools, accommodation etc in Singapore and also having an indonesian wife it made more sense to move to batam and get the ferry daily. Anyone else done this as would welcome any advice.

Kind regards

Richard

[malcontent]

Let me try and break the stunned silence on the board here… you are suggesting a commute, both ways, Singapore-BTM, BTM-Singapore every single weekday? That means clearing customs and immigration on both sides, daily. Getting from the port to wherever you live/work on each side, daily. To be perfectly honest, it’s seriously exhausting just to think about it.

If I were forced into such an arrangement, I would only commute once a week into Singapore. For example, arrive Sunday night and then return to Batam on Friday night. Then I would rent a room for S$500-600/mo in Singapore to sleep during weekdays.

[Lisafuller]

Hi all,

Newbie here so take it easy. I am a British citizen and I have an option to come and set up the Talent department for my company in Singapore. Looking at costs of schools, accommodation etc in Singapore and also having an indonesian wife it made more sense to move to batam and get the ferry daily. Anyone else done this as would welcome any advice.

Kind regards

Richard

That's completely absurd, even if it is possible in theory, the costs of the commute, both financial and emotional, would take a toll on you very quickly.

[Lisafuller]

Let me try and break the stunned silence on the board here… you are suggesting a commute, both ways, Singapore-BTM, BTM-Singapore every single weekday? That means clearing customs and immigration on both sides, daily. Getting from the port to wherever you live/work on each side, daily. To be perfectly honest, it’s seriously exhausting just to think about it.

If I were forced into such an arrangement, I would only commute once a week into Singapore. For example, arrive Sunday night and then return to Batam on Friday night. Then I would rent a room for S$500-600/mo in Singapore to sleep during weekdays.

The $500 would probably look a little more like $1000 in this market, but worth every penny considering the alternative.

[smoulder]

Not worth it unless you're going to be working from home at least half the time and have flexible hours when you do commute to the office.

Other than that, I'd say that Mals suggestion to rent a room in Singapore is a much better compromise.

[PNGMK]

The assumption in this is that Indonesian immigration are going to let you back in every day (hint; they won't - not without a KITAS or KITAP).

There ARE long term Batam residents who live there and work on contract in Singapore - offshore oil workers, divers etc and there is a small resident population of retire expats.

JB would be perhaps a better choice but honestly everyone who has tried living in either Batam or JB knows that a daily commute just isn't possible.

[therat]

daily commute in JB, it is possible but prepare to wake up at 5am, reach home at 9pm.
During PH eve or long holiday, prepare 3-4 hrs to clear custom.

Can ask those Malaysian who stay in JB and commute daily.

[abbby]

Daily commute to and fro Batam sounds pretty exhausting. Agree with malcontent for only once a week, but definitely not daily commutes.

[malcontent]

Let me try and break the stunned silence on the board here… you are suggesting a commute, both ways, Singapore-BTM, BTM-Singapore every single weekday? That means clearing customs and immigration on both sides, daily. Getting from the port to wherever you live/work on each side, daily. To be perfectly honest, it’s seriously exhausting just to think about it.

If I were forced into such an arrangement, I would only commute once a week into Singapore. For example, arrive Sunday night and then return to Batam on Friday night. Then I would rent a room for S$500-600/mo in Singapore to sleep during weekdays.

The $500 would probably look a little more like $1000 in this market, but worth every penny considering the alternative.

I know room rents got inflated during the lockdowns… has it not come back down? I can’t imagine paying $1000/mo for an HDB room with a common toilet, unless it’s in a prime area. For that kind of money, I might look for a place to pitch a tent!

[the observer]

Let me try and break the stunned silence on the board here… you are suggesting a commute, both ways, Singapore-BTM, BTM-Singapore every single weekday? That means clearing customs and immigration on both sides, daily. Getting from the port to wherever you live/work on each side, daily. To be perfectly honest, it’s seriously exhausting just to think about it.

If I were forced into such an arrangement, I would only commute once a week into Singapore. For example, arrive Sunday night and then return to Batam on Friday night. Then I would rent a room for S$500-600/mo in Singapore to sleep during weekdays.

The $500 would probably look a little more like $1000 in this market, but worth every penny considering the alternative.

I know room rents got inflated during the lockdowns… has it not come back down? I can’t imagine paying $1000/mo for an HDB room with a common toilet, unless it’s in a prime area. For that kind of money, I might look for a place to pitch a tent!

Last I heard, 1000 is the norm, with 1200 for a common room getting snapped up as well.

[Lisafuller]

Not worth it unless you're going to be working from home at least half the time and have flexible hours when you do commute to the office.

Other than that, I'd say that Mals suggestion to rent a room in Singapore is a much better compromise.

I'd say as long as he needs to be at the office at all living offshore wouldn't be an option.

[Lisafuller]

The assumption in this is that Indonesian immigration are going to let you back in every day (hint; they won't - not without a KITAS or KITAP).

There ARE long term Batam residents who live there and work on contract in Singapore - offshore oil workers, divers etc and there is a small resident population of retire expats.

JB would be perhaps a better choice but honestly everyone who has tried living in either Batam or JB knows that a daily commute just isn't possible.

Actually, people living in JB do commute to Singapore on the daily for work, the exchange rate makes a huge difference to their salaries so they're willing to make the trip.

[Lisafuller]

daily commute in JB, it is possible but prepare to wake up at 5am, reach home at 9pm.
During PH eve or long holiday, prepare 3-4 hrs to clear custom.

Can ask those Malaysian who stay in JB and commute daily.

I'd say even earlier, in addition to employees, there are a lot of children who cross the border every day to go to school here, I saw a video from CNA on it, they get up at like three or four.

[Lisafuller]

Daily commute to and fro Batam sounds pretty exhausting. Agree with malcontent for only once a week, but definitely not daily commutes.

You would commute once a week? I know I absolutely wouldn't. If the job paid well enough, I'd just settle here instead.

[Lisafuller]

Let me try and break the stunned silence on the board here… you are suggesting a commute, both ways, Singapore-BTM, BTM-Singapore every single weekday? That means clearing customs and immigration on both sides, daily. Getting from the port to wherever you live/work on each side, daily. To be perfectly honest, it’s seriously exhausting just to think about it.

If I were forced into such an arrangement, I would only commute once a week into Singapore. For example, arrive Sunday night and then return to Batam on Friday night. Then I would rent a room for S$500-600/mo in Singapore to sleep during weekdays.

The $500 would probably look a little more like $1000 in this market, but worth every penny considering the alternative.

I know room rents got inflated during the lockdowns… has it not come back down? I can’t imagine paying $1000/mo for an HDB room with a common toilet, unless it’s in a prime area. For that kind of money, I might look for a place to pitch a tent!

Prices are crazy right now! Apparently they're up to 70% more than they were last year, so I believe that's an understatement.