Motorbikes

[singapore_xp]

Hi all...

Ok, so I'm arriving in Singapore around the 25th of Jan.. now I need to figure out what to bring! I'll buy/rent my furniture in Singapore, so that's not going to be a problem... but I need transport!

I currently own a new scooter in Thailand (125cc Yamaha Mio - 2005), so ideally, I'd like to take it to Sinagpore.

Is this going to be worth it?? Or is it expensive to import any type of vehicle into Singapore? Should I just buy a decent 2nd hand motorbike in Singapore?

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[dot dot dot]

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/ftopic29683.html

with your attractive package and your 205K a new car or bike here should be no problem, right?

dream on dude....

Eric

[Saint]

With your "amazing" package , you weren't able to negotiate a sizable car allowance

[madwolfie]

Did you get the currency right? You sure its in SGD or ...?

[singapore_xp]

c'mon kids... I asked a simple question, you don't have to come back and criticise me for it. I thought this was a helpful forum, full of mature people... maybe I was wrong?

It's simple... I don't want to waste money on buying a new bike when I already OWN one that's on the same continent.

And yes, I do get a car allowance with my new job, but I don't think it's too practical to own a car in Singapore.

[dot dot dot]

who's the kid here?

Eric

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hot damn! A CEO going to work at a 205K job on a 125 cc Yamaha!. Good catch Eric! This windup merchant just cashed out!

[singapore_xp]

Wind up merchant??

And who said I was a CEO?? I've accepted a 'director' role... the CEO is 2 levels above me in the company hierarchy.

I apologise for being offered a great package... I also apologise for gaining the experience I have over the years to be in a position to get this job.

Maybe I shouldn't accept the offer and instead apply to work in 7-eleven... then I'll be more worthy of my 125cc motor-scooter.

Or maybe I should take the package, give my thai bike to a beggar and waste my money in a Benz or BMW... who needs savings anyway.

Thanks for the advice guys... I really appreciate it. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

[dot dot dot]

Wind up merchant??

And who said I was a CEO?? I've accepted a 'director' role... the CEO is 2 levels above me in the company hierarchy.

I apologise for being offered a great package... I also apologise for gaining the experience I have over the years to be in a position to get this job.

Maybe I shouldn't accept the offer and instead apply to work in 7-eleven... then I'll be more worthy of my 125cc motor-scooter.

Or maybe I should take the package, give my thai bike to a beggar and waste my money in a Benz or BMW... who needs savings anyway.

Thanks for the advice guys... I really appreciate it. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

One would expect from a director's level, that the person would be balanced in his or her opinions, not being childishly defensive, right?

And on a serious note then, I find it a bit strange that you, being an experienced director and having lived overseas in other countries in Asia, such as Thailand and Japan, would not know what a expat package consists of, how much 205K on a yearly basis in Singapore is, what kind of lifestyle it could bring you and whether it is suitable?

What if you as a director here would have to negotiate packages with those in your company reporting to you and having to work for you? They will have an easy time with such a naive and not knowledgable person in front of them.

Sorry dude, but the odds are against you.

Wish you all the best,

Eric

[singapore_xp]

Thanks for your response. Sorry for defending myself against childish comments to a simple question... next time I'll just let myself be a punching bag. I know you're just having fun, but I'm quite stressed about this sudden move (start date - 23 Jan), so I'm taking everything personally.

With regards to my experience living in different countries (Japan, Thailand, UK, briefly in Hong Kong and also Australia... which is where I'm from originally), I can tell you that each country is extremely different in packages offered (car allowance, living allowance, maid service, supplied apartment, stock options, etc. etc.), living costs, and different parts of the country are also often different (Osaka vs Tokyo for example). If anyone wants advice on those countries, I am more than happy to offer it... but I guess I'll save that for another forum.

The exchange rate of each country also rarely reflects the living expense, so I rely on other people that have lived in those countries to educate me on that matter (the cost of living surveys only paint part of the picture).

When I moved to Hong Kong a number of years ago, I expected living costs to be relatively low compared to Australia, so I took a package that was a lot lower in reality than I thought it would be.... hence my brief stay there. Once bitten, twice shy I guess.

I was previously under the impression that living in Singapore would be similar in cost to Hong Kong, but from reading previous posts on this forum (and the sarcastic replies to my questions), and seeing the apartment costs on this site, it seems not. Next time, I'll RTFF.

And you're right... if I have to directly negotiate my employees salaries, I'll be in big trouble! That's what the HR department is for though!!

[madwolfie]

125cc motorbike with such a good salary package? It is not about jealousy really, more of not being to understand the supposed "logic".

You don't even need a motorbike here, you can just walk or take the bus/train if your accomodation is near to where you work. Public transportation system here in Singapore is very convenient indeed.

Why not forget about bringing over the motorbike? No stress here pal...

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

singapore_xp,

Take it from one who knows: many Forum members find it offensive to discuss large packages and/or salaries. Trust me, I have the battle scars to prove it (Et tu, Eric?).

The amount given as your salary is considered obscenely, ludicrously high to 99% of the people on this board, the average Singaporean, and even the average expat.

I think the trouble is that you have always had a big, healthy package, (we're discussing only salary and allowances here, nothing else. We are after all, a family Forum) and may not understand there are lots of expats who get by on a tenth of that.

As far as the bike goes -- if you have no family moving with you -- then I'd bring it, you don't need a car. But find out what happens to the allowance if you don't get a car. Does the allowance dry up or does it get rolled into salary?

Hope this helps,


MHB

[Saint]

Very well put MHB, had been trying all morning to put that into words without sounding too rude.

I totally agree that this is not the place to post exactly the size of your package (Even I can't make that not sound crude MHB ) as the majority of the members here will find it rather offensive and gloating

By all means ask questions and for advice on what should/could be included in an Expat Package and people here will only be too pleased to help you out.

My advice on whether to bring your bike over would be don't bother. You'll soon find out just how stressful and dangerous it is to bike it during the rush hour. Singapore isn't blessed with the best car drivers in the world, particularly taxi drivers!

Just take a cab everywhere or use the superb public transport system.

[singapore_xp]

Thanks for your helpful replies guys... I've decided to leave my bike in Singapore with some friends for now, then I'll decide whether I want it after a month or so of public transport. I've only been riding a motorbike for a few months, so I've become attached to this little thing (despite its gutless top speeds, and obvious lack of aerodynamics!).

Apologies for listing package details... In retrospect, I agree that it's a bit silly to seemingly 'gloat' on a public forum about how much I'll be earning (for the record though, I wasn't gloating). If it makes you all feel a bit better, I'll just say I accidentally put an extra zero in there. My real 'package' is only 25 inches.. oh, I mean $25k. Is that better? Can we be friends now?

Now, about the maid service, personal driver, private chef, masseuse, security guard, etc... can I hire local ones here or shall I bring my own from Thailand? (kidding!)

[singapore_xp]

Thanks for your helpful replies guys... I've decided to leave my bike in Singapore with some friends for now, then I'll decide whether I want it after a month or so of public transport. I've only been riding a motorbike for a few months, so I've become attached to this little thing (despite its gutless top speeds, and obvious lack of aerodynamics!).

Apologies for listing package details... In retrospect, I agree that it's a bit silly to seemingly 'gloat' on a public forum about how much I'll be earning (for the record though, I wasn't gloating). If it makes you all feel a bit better, I'll just say I accidentally put an extra zero in there. My real 'package' is only 25 inches.. oh, I mean $25k. Is that better? Can we be friends now?

Now, about the maid service, personal driver, private chef, masseuse, security guard, etc... can I hire local ones here or shall I bring my own from Thailand? (kidding!)