Singapore - What to expect and where to live?

[Hamburgo De Janeiro]

Hi All,

I just got offered a job in Singapore for a German company. While the job and the perspective are lined out pretty well, the salary still needs to be negotiated.

Therefore I got a couple of questions now, that I need some advise for:

First of all I am looking for a nice one or two bedroom appartment in an area with great living value (meaning I want to actually enjoy getting home, and i'd rather drive a little longer for it ). Do you have any recommendations for a good area or even compound to stay in?

Furthermore what budget would I have to calculate for such a place?

Another question is, if I consider getting a car, what budget would I have to calculate for buying/renting a mid-sized sedan or SUV (for example Hyundai Santa Fee or VW Passat)?

And finally the question everybody asks: how much money do I need for living costs per month if I want to have a decent live (meaning I don't want to be living like a millionaire, but probably be able to take out my girlfriend to a nice restaurant once in a while or to go out on a good night drinking (no not with my girlfriend )?

Thanks for the help...

Hamburgo

PS: By the way, for the drinking part, I'll arrive in September so maybe some of you guys are up for a nice night out then?

[sierra2469alpha]

Hi Hamburgo and congratulations on your new job!

They're pretty broad questions, and there are lots of variables!!

As a starting point, have you had a look through the various boards here? You'll probably get a lot of info (as most of us did), and then with that info, post back any specifics or particular queries.

You'll find we're all a helpful bunch!

Take care - P & C!

[Saint]

First of all I am looking for a nice one or two bedroom appartment in an area with great living value (meaning I want to actually enjoy getting home, and i'd rather drive a little longer for it ). Do you have any recommendations for a good area or even compound to stay in?

Furthermore what budget would I have to calculate for such a place?

It might help if you tell us where your office will be

[durain]

we defo need a little bit more info. married? single? kids? budget? party animal?

[Saint]

we defo need a little bit more info. married? single? kids? budget? party animal?

I think the mention of a Girlfriend might give it away

[durain]

we defo need a little bit more info. married? single? kids? budget? party animal?

I think the mention of a Girlfriend might give it away

oh yeah... specsavers it is then.

[sierra2469alpha]

Didn't pick that up Saint and Durain -

Still just trying to be the helpful soles we have tried to be

P&C

[HappyD]

Wine and dining experience are plentiful in Singapore though it is more expensive than the other asian countries like Thailand.

If you're into Asian fare, lunch could range from SGD5 to 10. Sandwich fare goes about SGD 8 to 10+

And any mid class restaurants for dinner (asian or not) can be SGD 20+ to 30+. But with wine, would be SGD40+ and up. Per head i meant.

I've tried one of the fine dining, like Senso, an italian restaurant close by town... which is really the high end like SGD 80 - 100 onwards per pax.

It is quite an easy place to live and get around as most locals speak english.

Cheers

[ScoobyDoes]

Another question is, if I consider getting a car, what budget would I have to calculate for buying/renting a mid-sized sedan or SUV (for example Hyundai Santa Fee or VW Passat)?

Fix your mind first on getting an Asian made car, either Korean or Japanese. There is a Free Trade Agreement between Singapore and these countries that doesn't exist with Europe so European cars are taxed so much higher and are more expensive, like-for-like than even they would be in Europe.

You can buy a family car and have repayments ~S$500-1000 per month.

[Jeppo]

According to http://www.oneshift.com the hyundai costs between $68,000 and $94,399 and the vw costs between $113,300 and $160,800

[ScoobyDoes]

Actually for the two samples given, the Santa Fe is $78-80k depending on with or without sunroof and the Passat ~$113k for the 1.8L. The entry level Jetta is about the same price as the better Santa Fe.

Let's say you buy the Santa Fe new, repayments are about S$750/month.

Personally i don't buy any car new, always a year or two old. A one year old car can easily save you 10-20%, (for example one 07 unit is up for sale now at S$66k). My friend has one and likes it though fuel consumption is <cough> not the best.

[Hamburgo De Janeiro]

Hi Everybody,

first of all thanks very much for all your answers.

Concerning the location of my office, to be honest there is not much of an office yet (it will be one of my tasks to establish it)...

Just wanted to get a basic idea of what figure I would have to keep in mind by getting into the negotiations about salary, housing etc...

But maybe it was a little to early to ask since most of the major points have not been fixed yet?

Anyway just had a long conversation with my new boss this weekend and it seems like they will offer me a pretty fair deal.

So thanks again for all the help so far and maybe some of you would like to help me again getting around when I actually arrive in Singapore (will pay beer for answers )...?

Cheers,
Hamburgo

[Saint]

Concerning the location of my office, to be honest there is not much of an office yet (it will be one of my tasks to establish it)...

Just wanted to get a basic idea of what figure I would have to keep in mind by getting into the negotiations about salary, housing etc...

Everyone has their own opinion on the best places to live in Singapore so here's my 2 pence worth.

I would definitely recommend the East Coast area (Districts 15/16) only 30 minutes at the most by public transport to the CBD or Bugis area. A massive choice of place to eat, some decent bars, close to the beach. With a bit of negotiating and a decent agent you can get a very nice 2 bed condo for 3k.

[sierra2469alpha]

Hamburg - you say you're setting up your company's office here? We did the same thing - happy to share intel and info with you. Cheers, P