Migrate or Stay in Singapore?

[mayaray]

Both my husband and I are PRs and we have a baby boy, we've been here for 5-7 years. We are at crossroads- buy our own place in SG or migrate. Husband is considering a career switch and might want to do a masters or MBA.

We were initially thinking of getting our own place in SG as were tired of paying high rent. But the property prices here are crazy. So this led to discussion on whether or not we should just pack our bags and leave.

My mom lives in Malaysia and I am somewhat reluctant to move too far away. Australia seemed OK, but it's hard to get a visa there. An online check showed that I qualified but my husband didnt. So second option is Canada? No specific concrete reason for selecting this as second option.

What questions or considerations should I be thinking of? I dont know where to start. Should my husband do his MBA/masters here or in the new country?

thanks...

[nakatago]

Stay here for a while and get your boy's NS out of the way. He's legally obligated already and might as well make it worth his while.

[sundaymorningstaple]

As long as the boy's under 11 and the parents give up the PR he's not obligated.

[Koalabear]

Both my husband and I are PRs and we have a baby boy, we've been here for 5-7 years. We are at crossroads- buy our own place in SG or migrate. Husband is considering a career switch and might want to do a masters or MBA.

We were initially thinking of getting our own place in SG as were tired of paying high rent. But the property prices here are crazy. So this led to discussion on whether or not we should just pack our bags and leave.

My mom lives in Malaysia and I am somewhat reluctant to move too far away. Australia seemed OK, but it's hard to get a visa there. An online check showed that I qualified but my husband didnt. So second option is Canada? No specific concrete reason for selecting this as second option.

What questions or considerations should I be thinking of? I dont know where to start. Should my husband do his MBA/masters here or in the new country?

thanks...

Your husband doesnt qualify for Australia and yet qualifies for Canada? Are you serious? I have yet to remember one year in which Canadian immigration standards are more lax than Australian one.

[irvine]

Moving countries is a big move and there are many things to consider. One of it is your means of life, i.e. job, when you get there. What will you be doing and what would your husband like to do?

Can you move to Malaysia? Or can you buy a cheaper flat here in Singapore? Or what other countries might you consider?

[mayaray]

Both my husband and I are PRs and we have a baby boy, we've been here for 5-7 years. We are at crossroads- buy our own place in SG or migrate. Husband is considering a career switch and might want to do a masters or MBA.

We were initially thinking of getting our own place in SG as were tired of paying high rent. But the property prices here are crazy. So this led to discussion on whether or not we should just pack our bags and leave.

My mom lives in Malaysia and I am somewhat reluctant to move too far away. Australia seemed OK, but it's hard to get a visa there. An online check showed that I qualified but my husband didnt. So second option is Canada? No specific concrete reason for selecting this as second option.

What questions or considerations should I be thinking of? I dont know where to start. Should my husband do his MBA/masters here or in the new country?

thanks...

Your husband doesnt qualify for Australia and yet qualifies for Canada? Are you serious? I have yet to remember one year in which Canadian immigration standards are more lax than Australian one.

Hi- yes he did the online check for canada and he qualified. I think he missed by a few points for AUstralia. Possibly due to his age (late 30s') and he doesnt speak a second language (equivalent to o levels cert)

[mayaray]

Moving countries is a big move and there are many things to consider. One of it is your means of life, i.e. job, when you get there. What will you be doing and what would your husband like to do?

Can you move to Malaysia? Or can you buy a cheaper flat here in Singapore? Or what other countries might you consider?

*sigh* so many worries and uncertainties, still we have to make that leap of faith. I can prob find a job. I'm in pharmaceuticals specializing in research. Hubby in finance IT. He likes sports, esp triathlons, environmental stuff, I think he'd be interested in things related to clean energy. I think there is a future in the latter and if he goes for the former I have to be prepared to be the breadwinner! haha.

Our son is a year old. He's on long term social visit pass. yes he's just visiting his mom and dad for now.

parents separated, dad has own family, mom lives alone in KL. She'd be sad if i were too far away i think. But what can be worse than a depressed hubby right.

Hubby is from UK. Going back may be the 3rd option but in some ways we think it's better off we remain in SG than go to UK for now, at least not until our son is much older. Malaysia- not exactly the best place to live in view of crime rate and other intrinsic factors

[Mad Scientist]

*sigh* so many worries and uncertainties, still we have to make that leap of faith. I can prob find a job. I'm in pharmaceuticals specializing in research. Hubby in finance IT. He likes sports, esp triathlons, environmental stuff, I think he'd be interested in things related to clean energy. I think there is a future in the latter and if he goes for the former I have to be prepared to be the breadwinner! haha.

Our son is a year old. He's on long term social visit pass. yes he's just visiting his mom and dad for now.
Hubby is from UK. Going back may be the 3rd option but in some ways we think it's better off we remain in SG than go to UK for now, at least not until our son is much older. Malaysia- not exactly the best place to live in view of crime rate and other intrinsic factors[/quote]

First of all, you worry too much for such a young family. Relax !!
If your hubby from UK and both of you have tertiary education , I do not think you have problem applying for OZ PR . Job opportunity is quite abundant here.
Yes, kinship is important, so when you apply for OZ include your mum name too just in case she wants to follow you. If not OZ is definitely nearer compare to UK to go and visit your mum in KL. Right ??
House price here will equate to the standard of living in that country. The only different is you have more land and space and more rights !!
Everywhere you go there will be crime. It is important to know which part of town you are going to live is the key.
Your child is still young ... so to make that switch before he starts schooling will be easier.
These are my thoughts and good luck !!!

MS

[mayaray]

speaking of property- a place to live and as an investment (initially) condominiums do not seem to be very good investments, not many are near public transport (we dont have a car) and new ones are rather small . So HDB resale was considered-with more saddening findings. esp due to the disparity in the valuation and the COVs required. We were interested in a unit near our current place and it was asking for 100K cash over valuation $%^&*

[utopia]

Australia seemed OK, but it's hard to get a visa there. An online check showed that I qualified but my husband didnt.

I believe if you actually get the Australia PR, your husbands status doesn't matter, and he'll get one for being a partner.

I believe for the Australia PR :- from getting validated as a skilled candidate to to actually getting the visa stamped on your passport is easily an 18 month process if you haven't started gathering your paperwork.

Since your child is 1 year old, you have a couple of years to decide, preferably before he starts schooling, in which case it only makes sense to complete the higher qualification here while you are executing your options, and then decide when you actually have the visas.
Things could have changed in SG/ MY / AU / CA in this time, and you can review or have other options at that stage.

[taxico]

...So this led to discussion on whether or not we should just pack our bags and leave...

pack your bags, leave, immediately.

housing won't get much cheaper as singapore's not about to sprout extra land.

i hope you adapt well wherever you end up and hopefully, can sow some roots.

or you'll end up having to move. again.

[road.not.taken]

singapore's not about to sprout extra land.

Well.... not exactly true. By some estimates there have been 70 sq km added since 1960!

To move or not to move? List out the positive and negatives, look at big picture stuff ~

Is this society in sync with family your values for raising a son?

Do you believe in the core values of the government? how they are executed?

Education? Healthcare? Safety? Where do you rank them?

Does the climate suit you?

Sustained job opportunities elsewhere?

My advice would be to define what is most important to you as a family, educate yourselves about different possibilities, and then choose one.

Good luck!

[ScoobyDoes]

...So this led to discussion on whether or not we should just pack our bags and leave...

housing won't get much cheaper as singapore's not about to sprout extra land.

On that note...... have a look into Google Earth and just see how much land is not used at the moment. Okay, you might have to look a bit North or a bit West but don't believe the government spin doctors and RE Agents about "lack of space."

There is still a lot of pockets of land even in districts 9 and 10.

It is, for want of better words, a crock of sh!t.

[Splatted]

Hubby is from UK.

I have a couple friends from UK who got their Australian PR's in only a few weeks. It was extremely fast. Perhaps find a registered immigration consultant that offers free advice on initial contact.

[mayaray]

Dear friends

thank you all for your kind response and input. We're still discussing this. My husband (for now) has decided to focus on his present career and we might just stay for the time being...

he's been wanting to do MBA or further studies for years and always managed to convince himself otherwise so this time it's not an exception. I think he should just do it, but do a local one, e.g NUS or NTU. Any thoughts, does it matter if it's local or as long as it's respectably ranked it's fine?