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by singapore_xp » Wed, 04 Jan 2006 4:59 pm
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!!