Please help answer some questions

[Iamnuts]

Hi all,

Am I glad I found this forum! There is so much useful information to go through. A few months ago I was approached at an international academic conference and was encouraged to consider Singapore as a place of employment. So, I am considering. I have done my research and have found most of the information I am interested in, but I still have some questions.

First, a bit of background, so you have an idea who you are dealing with. My husband and I are in our forties and have a 17 year old daughter, who will not be joining us, as she will at College at the time of move. We are originally from Greece but have lived in Canada for 14 years (13 of them in Ontario and the last year in Atlantic Canada).
Currently, we collectively make CDN4800. We are not into shopping, expensive clothing or smoking. We do, however, LOVE to eat out and experience different tastes. We abhor high end restaurants and much rather prefer holes in the wall as they offer delicious, yummy food. We are past the clubbing scene and nightlife. We are very physical and outdoorsy and love outdoor activities.

In terms of jobs; I am an academic. My husband has a highschool education but is brilliant with computers (both software and hardware) but has no degree to show this. He works as a supervisor in heavy manufacturing.

So here come the questions; 1) are there trails for hiking in Singapore? What about outside of Singapore e.g Malaysia, are there any wild nature reserves?
2) How much vacation time do you get in Singapore? I know that it differs from place to place, but can you negotiate that? Do you have to take all the vacation time at once or can you break it down?
3) We will initially be staying at the subsidized housing that the university offers. We would like to get a feeling for the place and then make decisions as to where we would like to move. We are considering renting a house in Woodlands as it seems reasonably priced (for Singapore standards) and naturally beautiful. What do you guys think of that particular district? How much for a house there? Say a 2-3 bedroom? I have seen a wide range of prices…
4) Is it very expensive to eat out in Singapore in local places rather than high end restaurants? How much for a couple? 20, 30, 100 dollars?
5) Aside from work permits, will my husband be able to find a job? In Greece, for example, you can get a job based on your skills not your degree, but in Canada you have to have that piece of paper (Degree) that will allow you to get a job. What is it like in Singapore?
6) I know that this question will likely not be answered but what is the academic environment like in Singapore? In Canada, for example, the graduate students are groomed to be independent thinkers and scientists, but I read that in Singapore they are treated “no better than Phillipino maids”

[x9200]

You clearly didn't even bother to look around and read some threads. There is also a search function on the top of the page and tons of info with practically all your questions covered. Are you really an academic?
Secondly, CDN4.8k of combined income does not tell much of your Singapore budget. Assuming you included this info as you expect similar earnings over here (for both of you) you will not live a luxury life but its doable. If your husband remains unemployed what with his education is rather likely it will be obviously only worse.
As of the students, IMHO what you've heard is to some extent correct: I am not aware they are treated as the maids but many of them definitely lack the independent thinking.

[Iamnuts]

Actually I have been watching and reading this and other forums for about four months now, thus, I was expecting that I will get a snippy reply like that.
I do know that 4800 will not cut it in Singapore, but I did not ask anything about this. I will be making 12000/month in Singapore which is more than enough for two people.
Thanks for the student info though...That puts things into perspective... I have lots of thinking to do.

[JR8]

Funny how you'll get a newbie here about every two weeks who will ask pretty much all the usual questions about moving and the cost of living (but often missing out vital stuff like their expected salary).

Then when it is helpfully suggested they use the search function to answer their 'Oh no not those questions again' questions, they get snippy and indignant.

[x9200]

Actually I have been watching and reading this and other forums for about four months now, thus, I was expecting that I will get a snippy reply like that.

And? No conclusions beyond personal insult level? Nobody likes snippy replies but they are normally fully deserved and saying you are from academia one would expect searching for information should be among your top level skills unless something has changed since last week.

I do know that 4800 will not cut it in Singapore, but I did not ask anything about this. I will be making 12000/month in Singapore which is more than enough for two people.
Thanks for the student info though...That puts things into perspective... I have lots of thinking to do.

They are knowledgeable but they tend to act within this pool of knowledge only so you may encounter situations (just an imaginary example) where somebody completed his PhD on frictional behaviour of ZS22 vehicle on concrete based substrates and has no idea what is the ZS22 vehicle used for but otherwise is a champion expert in the said subject. If you work closely with a student and give her/him proper attention in few months it should be ok and they will start to ask the question "why" and not only is it or is not.

[Iamnuts]

Huh! Interesting reply! Don't worry I made my conclusions but I am not going to start a barrage of insults here...(unlike some). One of my skills is dealing with immature responses as well. I did indeed use the search function abundantly and did find A LOT of info, these questions needed a bit of clarifying that is all. But no worries, I will use my limited, PhD, narrow minded, non independent, minimal skills to find the rest, it will simply take a bit longer...
Cheers everyone

[x9200]

Oh, you needed to mention your PhD to support your arguments, charming and very mature Don't worry, there will be people helping you.

[Girl_Next_Door]

Here are my response for those I can answer...

1) are there trails for hiking in Singapore? What about outside of Singapore e.g Malaysia, are there any wild nature reserves?

Yes, you can go to Bukit Timah Reserve, Macritchie Reservoir & Dairy Farm for some trails for hiking.

Here are all the nature reserve in Singapore: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/

The neighbouring countries are known for wild nature reserves, so if you google, you should be able to find a few.

2) How much vacation time do you get in Singapore? I know that it differs from place to place, but can you negotiate that? Do you have to take all the vacation time at once or can you break it down?

I am not sure how academy works, so you need to investigate a bit more. I would imagine that their vacation time is largely linked to school holidays?

3) We will initially be staying at the subsidized housing that the university offers. We would like to get a feeling for the place and then make decisions as to where we would like to move. We are considering renting a house in Woodlands as it seems reasonably priced (for Singapore standards) and naturally beautiful. What do you guys think of that particular district? How much for a house there? Say a 2-3 bedroom? I have seen a wide range of prices…

This is like asking how long is a piece of string. Rental varies on the condition of the house as well. I would suggest for you to google . singapore, and do a search for indicative property prices.

4) Is it very expensive to eat out in Singapore in local places rather than high end restaurants? How much for a couple? 20, 30, 100 dollars?

Eating in local places (i.e. hawker centre/food court) is very cheap. It ranges from $3-$10 a meal per pax, depending on what you are eating. High end restaurants, are naturally more expensive. There are a lot of mid-range restaurant, and a meal will cost between $20-$30 (excluding alcohol) per pax. High end restaurant will cost between $50-$100 (excluding alcohol) per pax. If you are looking at degustation menu, it will cost between $100 - $200 in most high end restaurants.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Here are my response for those I can answer...

1) are there trails for hiking in Singapore? What about outside of Singapore e.g Malaysia, are there any wild nature reserves?

Yes, you can go to Bukit Timah Reserve, Macritchie Reservoir & Dairy Farm for some trails for hiking.

or Google could have answered it in .12 seconds and pulled up that information and more. Ah well, you're nice to help, G_N_D.