Questions on Relocation - Need Advice on Places to Stay In

[relocatr]

Hi,

I am an MBA with 3 years of experience in India and I have an offer from a consulting firm in Singapore. They are located at 410, North Bridge Road. My income is likely to be around Singapore $80K + $10k bonus. I am married, but my wife doesnt have a job in Singapore yet, she will hunt for it once we are there.

How badly am I going to be taxed on an annual income of $90K?

What are the good areas where I can stay? I am looking at aircon apartments (prferably furnished, 2 bed-rooms + living room). I would prefer my residence to be about 15-30 minutes commute (public transport/ MRT/bicycle) from my workplace.

What are the typical rents in areas as per the criteria mentioned above?

On a general note, given my salary, what areas would you recommend otherwise, so that life is comfortable and savings are good? Rents??

I will really appreciate all help as this will help me negotiate better with my employer.

Thanks,
Relocatr!

[relocatr]

Guys, please help, really short of time here for accepting the offer.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Hi,

I am an MBA with 3 years of experience in India and I have an offer from a consulting firm in Singapore. They are located at 410, North Bridge Road. My income is likely to be around Singapore $80K + $10k bonus. I am married, but my wife doesnt have a job in Singapore yet, she will hunt for it once we are there.

How badly am I going to be taxed on an annual income of $90K?

About S$5,700/year

http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page03.aspx?id=282

What are the good areas where I can stay? I am looking at aircon apartments (prferably furnished, 2 bed-rooms + living room). I would prefer my residence to be about 15-30 minutes commute (public transport/ MRT/bicycle) from my workplace.

What are the typical rents in areas as per the criteria mentioned above?

Unless you are prepared to pay between 3~5K/mo up to the sky's the limit, I would fix my sights a bit further away and renting an HDB Flat if possible at around 1.8~2.3K/mo. Otherwise you may find a condo in the 2.5~3.5k range if you are 30-45min out. We have very nice Aircon Buses and MRT Trains (And they run on time as well!)

On a general note, given my salary, what areas would you recommend otherwise, so that life is comfortable and savings are good? Rents??

Any area is good, it's purely a matter of distance and costs in the current economic scenario.

I will really appreciate all help as this will help me negotiate better with my employer.

Thanks,
Relocatr!

sms

[relocatr]

Hey thanks so much for your response!

BTW, if I rent out something from HDB for about 2k or so, how long is the total commute time going to be form CBD?

Can I assume that about $2000 is enough for living expenses given the following:

Household groceries
Aircon / electricity / water
Broadband
Mobiles for a couple
4 nightouts in town
MRT / bus commute fare
Lunch at hawker center on working days
Other sundry living expenses

$2000 enough? How good or bad is the estimate?

Thanks!
Relocatr

[jpatokal]

BTW, if I rent out something from HDB for about 2k or so, how long is the total commute time going to be form CBD?

No point along an MRT line in Singapore is more than 30 min from the center. Oh so much nicer than traffic in any Indian city

Can I assume that about $2000 is enough for living expenses given the following:
Household groceries Under $500
Aircon / electricity / water ~$200
Broadband <$50
Mobiles for a couple ~S$100
4 nightouts in town Depends on how hard you party...
MRT / bus commute fare <S$100
Lunch at hawker center on working days Under S$5 per meal
Other sundry living expenses

Yes, $2000 should be plenty. I've slapped some tentative figures on the above.

[rra154]

BTW, if I rent out something from HDB for about 2k or so, how long is the total commute time going to be form CBD?

No point along an MRT line in Singapore is more than 30 min from the center. Oh so much nicer than traffic in any Indian city

Can I assume that about $2000 is enough for living expenses given the following:
Household groceries Under $500
Aircon / electricity / water ~$200
Broadband <$50
Mobiles for a couple ~S$100
4 nightouts in town Depends on how hard you party...
MRT / bus commute fare <S$100
Lunch at hawker center on working days Under S$5 per meal
Other sundry living expenses

Yes, $2000 should be plenty. I've slapped some tentative figures on the above.

Hi there,

Arrived in Singapore early this year and was surprised with the cost of living. Got 3 kids all under 12 years old and just to share with you some expenses

Electricity+water = at least $500 (2 aircon units working at night)
Grocery = $1,000 if strict on the budget, otherwise may balloon easily to $2,000
Lunch= $5 to 10 per person x 20 = $100 to 200
Commute: $100 dollars per person= $200
Night outs: $150 (dinner and taxi and movie) x 4= $600
Cable tv: at least $50
broadband: at least $50 (8 mbps)
cellphone: at least $50 per person x 2 =$100
others???

Not trying to scare you but there are times that you would need to tighten your belt in an area or 2. Prices are pretty unstable.

Just wanted to prepare you mentally when you get here.

Good luck!

[quidsin]

I have to agree that it's getting more expensive to live here. Inflation is only running at 8.5%, that should give you an idea on how things are.

That said, rents are starting to come off slightly.

[durain]

I have to agree that it's getting more expensive to live here. Inflation is only running at 8.5%, that should give you an idea on how things are.

That said, rents are starting to come off slightly.

you got to haggle the price down. landlord still thinks they can demand crazy rates!

[Ebony Chic]

durain wrote:
you got to haggle the price down. landlord still thinks they can demand crazy rates!

With what sort of success rate would that work in practice? What I mean is, would there generally not be multiple applicants for a flat? Not that I mind trying...

[sierra2469alpha]

Negtotiating - It does work - we shaved close on $1000 per month, but we offerred 2 year contract, and we're in the higher end market (around 8000/mth). It also does depends on your agent and how good they are.

HTH P

[edited: spelling]

[jpatokal]

Electricity+water = at least $500 (2 aircon units working at night)

That's way above average for a two-bedroom apartment.

Lunch= $5 to 10 per person x 20 = $100 to 200

$10 for lunch is on the expensive side for Sing...

Your grocery bill will also depend wildly on where and what you shop. Organic tomatoes at Jason's go for $7/100g (!!!), Malaysian tomatoes at NTUC go for 15c/100g...