Single Parent - need urgent advice

[dijo]

Hi there

I am a single mum with 8 year old child currently living in Britain, I have
been offered a job in Singapore with a salary of 110000 SGD.

The company are willing to put me in a hotel for a month and give me 4000 SGD
relocation expenses. The company will also provide me with medical insurance but
not my son. Is this enough for us to get started and is the salary enough to
live on with a young child. My working hours would be 8:30 - 6 pm so I would need help with childcare. As far as I know there are no further allowances.

Also, are there any other single mums out there!

Your help would be much appreciated as I have to make a decision in the next
few days!!

HELP!

Dijo

[sq009]

I've PMed you, since you said it ws urgent... just in case u missed out SG expats forum

[dijo]

Hello

Thanks for the reply, that's reassuring to know. Yes, it is $110000 PA.

I don't want give up an OK life here for just an OK life there. Also, my son has a peanut allergy, would this present us with lots of difficulty eating local food?

Cheers

Dijo

[jpatokal]

I don't want give up an OK life here for just an OK life there. Also, my son has a peanut allergy, would this present us with lots of difficulty eating local food?

Depends on how severe it is. In general, Chinese and Indian food doesn't use peanuts (outside desserts), while Malay/Peranakan food does. All bets are off if he's allergic to peanut cooking oil though...

[sq009]

Hello

Thanks for the reply, that's reassuring to know. Yes, it is $110000 PA.

I don't want give up an OK life here for just an OK life there. Also, my son has a peanut allergy, would this present us with lots of difficulty eating local food?

Cheers

Dijo

with approx $10,000 it will definitely be an above average life in singapore... more than OK

[Emkay]

You may also want to factor in other considerations like family/friend supports when you are in Singapore when compared back home.

Also, education can be costly if you plan to send your son to an International School.

[ejs]

Hi Dijo...I'm not a single mom - however , I hope my "single dad" answers help. I'm in the same situation (8 yo daughter). Basically, you can do it on $9000/month if you watch your budget ...you will be looking at monthly expenses: $2500-$4000 (2 bdrm on the edges of Singapore), $500-$900 utilities (power, water, cell phone, cable), $400-$600 groceries. In addition, school is another $2000/month, school bus $150/month and incidentals (cab, train, dining out, this and that) another $1000. Of course you will want to budget, if possible, going out money. I don't have a full time maid, instead I found one that comes in once a week for 5 hours each visit (evening time...so I can have some "freedom") for about $200/month.

Remember: You will also have to pay income tax in Singapore and (in my case) I still have to pay US tax (however, there are ways you can significantly reduce your home tax).

Well, I hope that helps and good luck!

[shuk]

Hi there,

I am relatively new to this site, however I have come across this discussion having just done a search for 'Single Mum moving abroad' . In particular I have a question for 'Dijo' that she raised a while ago on Fri Sep 14, 2007.

Basically, I am a single divorced mother of a 6yr old boy looking to relocate to Singapore in August (both my brother and sister have been settled there for the past 2.5 yrs). My son has had no contact whatsoever with his father since since the age of 2yrs olad. My relationship with ex was an abusive one and though I do not have a court order as such in place stopping him from seeing his son, I have made it clear right from the start that any form of contact needs to be done via the appropriate legal channels. However, my ex has not bothered to make any attempt to comply with this arrangement and therefore has by default not bothered to persue any contact since my divorce from him 3yrs ago.

My question to Dijo (or any other single parents looking to relocate abroad), is that did you have to seek any legal guidance and/or 'Leave to Remove' order via the Courts prior to relocating?

I know for certain that due to my ex's aggressive and unreasonable nature, he would for sure do what it takes to stop me from taking my son.

Whilst I will be seeking legal advice, I would be grateful to know if anyone faced similar issues with removing their child from the UK to relocate abroad?

Thank you.