Planning in advance

[winger7]

Hey guys,

I think I will almost certainly be moving by next summer, providing I do get a job offer. I am in charge of this project at work which I intend to complete in Hong Kong. The question I want to ask is how far would one have to start planning in advance to move there? Some of you might already know that I plan to find a job in Singapore from Hong Kong. Personal experiences...anyone?

[littlegreenman]

Hey bud,

well, a year in advance is a good timeframe. First of all you get cheap air fares a year in advance. So that is definitely a thing to consider. The earlier you book the cheaper you get it. Then what you will have to do is start what I call your "soft preparation", ie. look where you want to live, which area, keep track of the rental prices over the next year, have a look around how much your cost of living will be, check prices on mobile contracts, water and phone bills, do some virtual shopping at cold storage online, to get a feel for prices.

Half a year beforehand you should start monitoring job boards and agencies if they have any postings on their sites. Get your CV up to date. Start looking for a decent real estate agent (send some emails, see how well they respond to queries). Start preparing everything for your EPEC, PEP or whatever immigration visa you want to get.

Then 3 months beforehand it is time to apply for your EPEC, get your CV updated again and start contacting job agencies. It is also time to tell the estate agent to start having a look for you. Keep in touch with him, have him send you possible solutions, so you know what you can get. Also arrange for your temporary accommodation. Also make arrangements with your current HK accommodation (keep in mind though you might have to give notice earlier). Give notice to your employer within the contractual timeframe.

Then it is just a matter of waiting and flying off.

[winger7]

Thanks for the advice. I'm sure it's not as simple as it's made to sound by you and actually, just to let you know, I'm not very well established financially. I did look into the EPEC passes and passes of that nature, but I figure it would be easier for me just to look for a job while I am in Hong Kong, otherwise with the EPEC pass, which allows me a certain timespan to look for a job while residing in Singapore, I do not think I have enough savings to live for more than 3 months at most before having to head back home.

I do have a good number of friends there that can help me settle in. By the time next summer though, I will have had 2 years of solid work experience, I currently organize this conference and I worked at the reception at a hotel before this job. I do have a university degree and I speak 3 languages, English Cantonese and Mandarin which I feel will be very useful there.

I've been to Singapore a few times though so I don't think anything will surprise me too much, and I know expenses there are roughly the same as in Hong Kong. The concern I have is really looking for a job abroad, because I will not have enough savings to sustain myself over there and not work. Thanks for your help