Relocating from Hong Kong to Singapore

[maex]

Hi everyone,

I’m from Austria and I’m living and working in Hong Kong for almost 2 years. The head quater of my company made me the offer to move over to Singapore to face some new challenges.
I enjoy staying in Hong Kong a lot, but I’ve got to admit that the polution is quite a burden for me.

I really would be thankful to get some information out of the hands of singapore experts.

* what about the daily living expenses comparing to Hong Kong (food, MTR, taxis, laundry, accomodation – resp. monthly apartment rates (90sq.meters) electric and water expenses, ….
* taxes? What is the percentage which should be calculated
* is a car usually required, what are the cost (taxes, insurance, parking space,….)
* how easy is it to get a working permit
* what languages beside english should be known ...
* what else is crucial to know about singapore

thanks for your help ;-)

cheers
Maex

[azfong]

Hi Maex,

Hope this helps.

Accommodation - a 90+ sq meter place will cost around $3500-4000.
Taxis are considered quite cheap - $10 for a 10 min journey
Single trips on the Bus cost about $1-1.50 and MRT about $1.50 (Public Transport is more than adequate in Singapore so try to get an appartment near a MRT station)
Utilities - $100-200 per month
Owning a Car - don't even bother thinking about buying a car in Singapore unless you have kids and need to send them to school or other activites. A normal Japanese car costs about $70000
Employment Pass - your company will arrange for one for you as they will have to sponsor your application, generally applications are accepted.
Languages - English is commonly used, if you have managed to pick up some Mandarin whilst in HK it might come in handy and will generally put a smile on locals faces
Other things to know about Singapore, well there's only two seasons here... it's either hot or it's raining


Andrew

[ScoobyDoes]

Maex, accomodation here is cheaper than HK, size-for-size and spot-for-spot but everything is else is cheaper in HK.

Taxes are similar and again, pay once a year not every month.

If you do a lot of flying for holidays then i always find ex-HK is still far cheaper than ex-SG.

I believe your overall quality of life, re the size of apartment, living space, pace of life and general environment is better in Singapore but it does come at a cost.

[Strong Eagle]

Taxis are considered quite cheap - $10 for a 10 min journey

Taxis can actually be very expensive if taking at peak periods in and out of the central business district. You get a flat extra charge for rush hour time, a flat extra charge for the CBD, an extra 35 percent on the meter and all ERP charges. That $10 taxi ride can quickly turn into a $22 job, especially with bad traffic.

[patsy_sg]

yep, specially if you need call a cab (going to the aiport for example).

i stay in bukit timah and my trip from the airport last tuesday cost me $33! peak period surcharge, calling surchage, airport surcharge...

[ScoobyDoes]

i stay in bukit timah and my trip from the airport last tuesday cost me $33! peak period surcharge, calling surchage, airport surcharge...

At peak time if i get a taxi from the airport to my home it can cost over $50, which is over HKD250 and it's even worse if i get the red eye and land during the 50% surcharge........ but even at this price i get further in Singapore than i would in HK for the same rate.

Generally then, if i work out my timings right then i pre-book a Chrysler for $80 round trip, all inclusive.

There's not a lot in it, but taxis in HK are not as cheap as they used to be either

[winger7]

I'm from Hong Kong and live in Hong Kong, been to Singpaore a good number of times and Hong Kong overall is more expensive than Singapore. Nightlife is more expensive, food is more expensive, transportation is more expensive... Hong Kong is one of the most expensive places for rent, just next to Tokyo I believe. But yes, Singapore is not as densely population, you can actually breathe in Singapore and English is more commonly used there.