Confused Brit Family looking to come to Singapore

[sundaymorningstaple]

First I saw the topic starter mentioning 7.5k take home after tax for 100 to 120k per year. I'm sure that is based on calculations but when I check http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190
I get to 7.8k after tax for 100k and 9.3k after tax for 120k. Can someone advise these numbers are correct?

Your tax calculations are correct for the YE 2011. Actually, on 100K salary a net tax rate of 5.68% is pretty damn low. What would the taxes on that be in your country?

[E-CBS]

SMS... you really want to know? F**king 52%!!

The tax in Singapore is very low, other things such as cars is much more expensive. Give and take.. they are getting it from somewhere anyway/
Although not buying a car because the cost and pay only 6% tax... yes please!

Anyone can comment on the public school costs? Is it really nearly 500 dollars for public secondary school students per month?

[sundaymorningstaple]

That's what I figured. As far as the other taxes, aside from Sales Tax (GST) at 7% and taxes on utilities, you set your own tax pain threshold, You want to own/drive a car - in Singapore it's a definite luxury, not a necessity - so the taxes are heavy as it contributes to congestion. The more luxurious you want to live, the higher your tax bill is. It's your choice.

[boffenl]

Yes, my daughter is PR. Looks like your $341 is correct. When I shared this amount with friends they were horrified--locals think it's crazy expensive (it is) and expats think it's a deal. Guess you'll have to decide. Makes me glad we got PR in 2008!

http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/mis/faq01.htm


The school fees payable by IS and SPR will be increased in 2011 and 2012 as shown in the table below.


Level


Nationality
2011 2012

School Fee
Miscellaneous Fee*
Total
School Fee
Miscellaneous Fee*
Total
$ $ $ $ $ $

Pri SPR 22.00 11.00 33.00 40.00 11.00 51.00
IS (Non-ASEAN) 245.00 11.00 256.00 345.00 11.00 356.00
IS (ASEAN) 185.00 11.00 196.00 235.00 11.00 246.00
IS (First 2 years)# 170.00 11.00 181.00 All IS pay respective Asean/non-Asean rates

Sec SPR 30.00 16.00 46.00 55.00 16.00 71.00
IS (Non-ASEAN) 340.00 16.00 356.00 470.00 16.00 486.00
IS (ASEAN) 260.00 16.00 276.00 325.00 16.00 341.00
IS (First 2 years)# 235.00 16.00 251.00 All IS pay respective Asean/non-Asean rates

JC/CI

SPR 43.00 22.00 65.00 80.00 22.00 102.00
IS (Non-ASEAN) 550.00 22.00 572.00 750.00 22.00 772.00
IS (ASEAN) 430.00 22.00 452.00 530.00 22.00 552.00
IS (First 2 years)# 380.00 22.00 402.00 All IS pay respective Asean/non-Asean rates
*Subject to review
# All new IS admitted in 2010 or 2011 will have to pay the respective Asean/non-Asean rates from Jan 2012.

Students studying in Autonomous Schools are also required to pay additional miscellaneous fees. Please check directly with the schools on the actual amount of miscellaneous fees payable.

The rates of school and miscellaneous fees payable are reviewed by the Ministry of Education and individual schools from time to time.

For Independent Schools, the school fees payable varies from school to school. Please check directly with the schools concerned for the fees payable.

[E-CBS]

I'm not a local and I certainly don't think it's a deal.. for NON ASEAN it is $486 per month. This is more than what I currently pay for 3 children in a year!

Having 3 children, (say 1500/month for school) with a 4 bed nothing special condo ($3-3500 a month), earning the 100-120k as the scenario outlined above... I don't even see it as possible.

It leaves 2 to 3k a month, IMO not enough for food, utilities, clothing, insurance, phone costs, travel etc..

A bit of a dissappointment

[boffenl]

Yep, I was just discussing this with Singaporean colleagues in the cab back from lunch. They were shocked at the nearly $500 price tag per month. Some families get by on less than $500 income per month! It's a huge sum for most local SG families and an incentive for non-Asean families to become PR (I'm sure that's one rational--besides, non-Asean families are seen as wealthy).

I'm thankful once again for becoming a PR when I did. Another colleague took me aside just now and said she thinks the pricing is right since the whole Singaporean's First movement (and everyone else last). Everyone else should have to pay to have access to the resources--top teachers, curricula and facilities. I'm not sure which side of the fence I'm on. They were shocked to learn student in the US don't have to even buy their books. The PLUS (+++) adds up so quickly; uniforms, books, supplies, food, CCA "stuff" (shoes, outfits, outings).

Good luck in your decision. It's a tough choice. You can do it (getting by on $10k per month) but it'll take some getting used to. It took us about a year (with no trips home).

[boffenl]

Hi E-CBS, I guess by non-locals (expats) I meant folks spending $30k per year to send their kids to primary school. For them $500 per month VS $2,500 at an International School IS a deal.

[JayCee]

with a 4 bed nothing special condo ($3-3500 a month),

Sorry to pile on the disappointment, but you'll be lucky to find a 4 bedroom place in that price range (unless you go for HDB)

[boffenl]

I agree JayCee, but you could find an amazing HDB place for between $2-2.5k. It's all about what you can afford and "live" with. Do come for a visit and see what is "on offer" with regards to housing and schools. Only then can you make a decision.

[E-CBS]

Hi JayCee

Agree, not much choice but they can be found on this site and at ... for example
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/housing- ... ETARIS.htm

I'm conservative but also like the adventure.. my main challenge is to create an environment for my kids where they are happy and we can support them as much as needed.

The thing with an HDB is that for going to a pool, fitness, play tennis etc you need to go out and pay for as well. Those costs aren't required when going for a condo.

I was hoping we could get away with 1 income for at least the first year, but it looks as if my wife will have to work from the very beginning. With her background it should't be too difficult to find a job and with a second income we will be able to live a decent life..

And before we decide I will certainly have paid a visit to Singapore.

[nakatago]

The thing with an HDB is that for going to a pool, fitness, play tennis etc you need to go out and pay for as well. Those costs aren't required when going for a condo.

Not by much. Community pools for example are a dollar, a dollar 20, depending on when you go and if you use a locker. Surely community facilities cost don't add up such that it's worth more than the difference between a condo and an HDB.

Moreover, locals, not-so-rich foreigners, immigrants and even expats on moderate expat packages don't seem to have a problem with HDB living and looking for facilities.

This is Singapore; where a lot of things are convenient.

That said; if you can find a condo that fits your needs, within budget, of a a reasonable distance either by driving or public transport to schools, shops and work, why not?

[sundaymorningstaple]

The thing with an HDB is that for going to a pool, fitness, play tennis etc you need to go out and pay for as well. Those costs aren't required when going for a condo.

Sure they are. You pay 3.5~6K for a 4 bedroom condo way out from the centre of town (closer in will start at the 4.5~5K up range) or you pay 2~2.5K for a 4 BR HDB. At a dollar per entry for the swimming pool (full sized pools by the way)times 5 people x 30 days = $750 a month. added to the 2.5 K for the HDB and then look at what you are paying for in the condo. Car parking free at the condo? Add the Season Parking Fee for the HDB (another $70/mo) still a heck of a difference. AND the HDB will likely have more useable floor space than a 4 BR condo to boot. My 4 BR HDB resale Flat will be paid for in 12 months. I don't regret it for a moment. You would be surprised at the numbers of Beemers & Mercs in HDB parking lots!

[devilsadvocate]

SMS... you really want to know? F**king 52%!!

The tax in Singapore is very low, other things such as cars is much more expensive. Give and take.. they are getting it from somewhere anyway/
Although not buying a car because the cost and pay only 6% tax... yes please!

Anyone can comment on the public school costs? Is it really nearly 500 dollars for public secondary school students per month?

Yes it is for Non-ASEAN foreigners/Non PR's.

I called the MOE yesterday to confirm the school fees.

Cheers,
DA

[x9200]

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissi ... chool-fees

[UnexpectedAdventurer]

Hi Dan,
Making the decision to relocate is tough, especially sight-unseen.
We've been in Singapore for 14 months and we're planning to leave. The rent is so high here that we're not saving. We love our tiny little house but the commute is killing me. It's only an hour each way, but the waiting around time and the rudeness of the local commuters is just too much for me. Plus, it's only 12 minutes to get to work in a taxi, so the inefficiency of it all is grating.
HDB flats look horrible. They're concrete dog boxes and the lifts smell like toilets. I didn't even consider them.
I would strongly suggest you jump on a plane and come to Singapore to have a look at the housing options, feel the heat here (I HATE it) and go visit some schools. I would NOT expect a child to commute one hour to school, that's outrageous. Nor could I afford to shell out for an International School. Our daughter isn't 2 yet, so we didn't have to make schooling choices.
I have found working and living in Singapore to be hot, sweaty and soul destroying. You really need to love your job or be paid a lot to work here. And have a company car.
I'll probably get a lot of flak for posting this. But that's my advice from our year and a bit of living here. We'd visited Singapore many times as tourists, and relied on advice from colleagues and online forums. But only you know what you can put up with/enjoy.
Best of luck!