Cost of Living Calculator?

Zether · Post by **Zether** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 6:17 am

Hello,

I'm considering a job in Singapore. Though I can't seem to find a cost of living calculator from the U.S. to there.

Where would I find some useful information on living?

Anyone make the move with useful tips?

rails · Post by **rails** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 7:51 am

Hi,

It is really hard to find information, we had same when we were looking at relocating here.

Your cost of living will all depend on what style of living you looking at, ie: condo or house, car or public trans.

We decided not to get car as they are really expensive here, a freind said it would cost approx $1200 per month, which includes taxes, rego, insurance. Public trans is really cheap, easy, reliable and safe here.

Electricity cost us around $350 pm and that is with the ac running 24/7.
Cable tv is a must, we have most channels @ $70 pm
Alcohol is really dear - beer $15 for a 6pack
Beef is expensive and hard to get, but chicken & pork is cheap
Smokes are $10 - $11 for 20 pack
Eating out usally cheaper than cooking urself
Income tax is good
What else u need to know? hope this helps

We moved here April this year from Australia

Cheers

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 9:19 am

These two threads ought to help considerably. The second will probably be the best for your purposes.

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/ftopic38885.html

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/forum/ftopic38863.html

sms

Zether · Post by **Zether** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:08 am

Thank you both very much.

I'll read these threads.

Out of curiosity, would 152,660.38 SGD yearly afford a comfortable living?

Asian_Geekette · Post by **Asian_Geekette** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:56 am

It really depends on your lifestyle. Some manage to live quite comfortably with half of that amount.

Zether · Post by **Zether** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:06 pm

Well my lifestyle is work, sleep, and eat...I would just prefer to live in a clean apartment , I've worked for some companies in the states or japan that where shady to say the least.

by the way I guess people call apartments flats?

rails · Post by **rails** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:09 pm

We live very easily and not getting quiet that much. We manage to go away to Indonesia or Thialand at least once a month and eat out alot and drink alot and buy whatever we want.

But there is only 2 of us and we are living in a 3br condo, no car and staying out of town (north west)

Freinds also getting similar, staying in house same area as us, have a car, have 4 kids (12 - 18) and they are managing fine. Don't get to travel like us though.

Superglide · Post by **Superglide** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:13 pm

rails wrote:Beef is expensive and hard to get, but chicken & pork is cheap

This puzzles me.

Where do you do your shopping?

Zether · Post by **Zether** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:20 pm

rails wrote: We manage to go away to Indonesia or Thialand at least once a month and eat out alot and drink alot and buy whatever we want.

Ah, I haven't had a vacation in like 10 years. Singapore sounds better then NY already

rails · Post by **rails** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:22 pm

well there is beef steak at our local, but not good quality and the sausages are like the poor peoples food in Aus, but here they are expensive and you can't get them at my local. Couldn't emagine what u would pay for a big juicy Tbone steak, that's if you find it.

rails · Post by **rails** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:25 pm

Yeah, we been here 4 months and have already been to Bintan Island (goin back on 15th Sept) Phuket, Tioman Island and Bali...great life[/quote]

Superglide · Post by **Superglide** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:34 pm

rails wrote:well there is beef steak at our local, but not good quality and the sausages are like the poor peoples food in Aus, but here they are expensive and you can't get them at my local. Couldn't emagine what u would pay for a big juicy Tbone steak, that's if you find it.

Every cold storage around the island has a wide range of beef, including t-bone and everything else. I would even go as far as to say every place selling meat does so.

Yes, the prices could be a bit higher than in Australia.

Not that many farms with cows grazing in Singapore, are there?

Asian_Geekette · Post by **Asian_Geekette** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 1:08 pm

Superglide wrote: Every cold storage around the island has a wide range of beef, including t-bone and everything else. I would even go as far as to say every place selling meat does so.

Yes, the prices could be a bit higher than in Australia.

Not that many farms with cows grazing in Singapore, are there?

Not all Cold Storage stores have beef. Well, not in that specific branch in Chinatown where I used to shop.

Zether,
There are lots of flights (including budget airlines) from SG to other parts of Southeast Asia. I'm sure you'd be able to use your vacation leave days here. 10 years of not taking any vacation?! Oh my!

sprite · Post by **sprite** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 1:23 pm

Zether, since people on these forums come from very different circmstances, it's best to ask specific questions.

Otherwise some will say you can live on $2,000 a month because that's more than the average Singaporean, but by the US standard it would be a big step back. Someone will always say they do it cheaper, or scoff at how much the rich expat needs to get by.

Of course if you tried to recreate your lifestyle from the US to here, the cost would be prohibitive. Certain things would be very expensive. Beef is very expensive, chicken and pork are ridiculously cheap compared to the US.

US cereals are S$10/box, a hawker stand breakfast is $2 - 3. A Starbucks coffee is S $5-6, or from a local coffee shop: S$.80.

So you have to find a balance between the cheap items and the splurges that make it feel more like home. Most people I know, after a year or two of finding their way, and figuring out how to shop locally for most items, can start saving money -- usually not as much as they planned on, when they were considering the assignment though.

But usually the decrease in savings is a trade-off for a worthwhile life lesson, lots of travel, fun things collected along the way, new friends, etc.

Kind of rambling, my apologies.

Zether · Post by **Zether** » Thu, 06 Sep 2007 5:20 pm

Asian_Geekette: It has been far to long. I wouldn't even know what to do with myself if i had the time and money for a vacation.

Sprite: the Experiences with be want I Am looking for. I've lived in every major city in the U.S. and my options right now are Manhattan or Singapore. I'm not a New Yorker type person.

I appreciate everyones input. I've never been our of the country , so i am a true newbie at this.

SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

Cost of Living Calculator?

Cost of Living Calculator?

Who is online