UK Physio 27 F moving to sg

[tesh86]

Hi everyone

I'm currently waiting for job replies from hospitals but have been told to prepare for relocation within the next 3 months (max) by my agency. I was wondering if any physios out there can give me a rough idea of salary expecation for someone with 2 yrs of experience. I have experience from both UK and Australia over the past 2 yrs. I have been quoted $3800 per month - this includes $600 accomodation allowance + $1000 relocation allowance on top - a one off. Is this a reasonable amount per month or should I be asking for more?

I guess I can only start looking at accomodation once I know which hospital I will be working at.

Any physios out there who can also give me an idea of what it's been like for you to work, is it easy to work on weekends at the private clinics? I am so used to having 2-3 jobs here in Australia (was the same in London) and have been working 6 -7 days a week across all 3 jobs.

Thanks so much for any feedback!
Tesh

[beppi]

I have no idea about the job market and salary levels for therapists, but:
- You are not (under any circumstances) allowed to have another job while in Singapore, only the one which your visa was approved for.
- S$600/month will not get you any accommodation - even sublet rooms cost S$800-1000/month nowadays.
- Renting a private place (apartment, flat, studio) will cost minimum S$2000-2500/month and is thus not possible at that salary.
- If you're o.k. with a sublet room in a shared flat, you can have an o.k. (but by no means lavish) lifestyle, as long as you're single.
- You can only start with accommodation search when you're in Singapore, so arrange for a 2-4 weeks temporary place after arrival.

[tesh86]

I have no idea about the job market and salary levels for therapists, but:
- You are not (under any circumstances) allowed to have another job while in Singapore, only the one which your visa was approved for.
- S$600/month will not get you any accommodation - even sublet rooms cost S$800-1000/month nowadays.
- Renting a private place (apartment, flat, studio) will cost minimum S$2000-2500/month and is thus not possible at that salary.
- If you're o.k. with a sublet room in a shared flat, you can have an o.k. (but by no means lavish) lifestyle, as long as you're single.
- You can only start with accommodation search when you're in Singapore, so arrange for a 2-4 weeks temporary place after arrival.

Wow, that's quite shocking!

[the lynx]

$600 per month is still do-able. Rent a HDB room in say, Khatib, Bukit Panjang or Jurong West and you will be able to meet that mark.

[bgd]

The only upside is that if you are already used to working 6-7 days a week then you will fit right in here.

Do use the search function on this forum. My understanding is that many medical jobs (but not all) aren't paid that well here and certainly the working culture will be quite different from either the UK or Oz. Searching will give you a better idea.

[iloverice]

I know someone who worked as physios before and from what she told me, the working hours is standard (I assumed 8 hrs a day) and 5.5 days a week. So, my concern is, how OP will maintain her 2 - 3 jobs a week?

Since you're single, the salary your getting is manageable, as long as you keep your expectation in moderate level, oh, it will affect your saving target as well. To make it clear, your salary will be $2800 a month plus a housing allowance $600, am I correct?

I agree with Lynx, with $600 you still can get a room (HDB) in some areas.

[tesh86]

I know someone who worked as physios before and from what she told me, the working hours is standard (I assumed 8 hrs a day) and 5.5 days a week. So, my concern is, how OP will maintain her 2 - 3 jobs a week?

Since you're single, the salary your getting is manageable, as long as you keep your expectation in moderate level, oh, it will affect your saving target as well. To make it clear, your salary will be $2800 a month plus a housing allowance $600, am I correct?

I agree with Lynx, with $600 you still can get a room (HDB) in some areas.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!

Salary will be $3200 - $3300 PLUS $600 allowance on top of that so a Total of $3800 per month all up.

I really thought you could get a 1 bedroom apt NON shared for atleast $1000 per month? and then survive on $2800. I am not looking to save much as I am only in singapore for 1 yr to complete registration requirements in Australia. I am moving back to melbourne after the 1 yr..

[beppi]

Sorry to disappoint you, but since very few 1-bedroom apartments exist in Singapore they cost the same or more than (larger, but more plentiful) 2-bedroom units. You'd be hard pressed to find any below S$2000/month - and those would be (like the S$600 sublet rooms) in inconvenient locations.

[tesh86]

Sorry to disappoint you, but since very few 1-bedroom apartments exist in Singapore they cost the same or more than (larger, but more plentiful) 2-bedroom units. You'd be hard pressed to find any below S$2000/month - and those would be (like the S$600 sublet rooms) in inconvenient locations.

Almost sounds like im better off getting a 2 bedroom apt at perhaps $1200 per month all up?

Or will just have to suck it up and share with someone for a year!

[beppi]

Where did you get the S$1200 for a 2-bedder from? They cost from S$2000/month, as I wrote twice already.

[tesh86]

Where did you get the S$1200 for a 2-bedder from? They cost from S$2000/month, as I wrote twice already.

Should have said it properly - I can look into renting x2 common rooms if one is at $600, so $1200 all up for 2 bedrooms. that way i can have some extra space to myself.

either way - looks like its gonna have to be a compromise for 1 yr.

Thanks all for your feedback!

[beppi]

It makes more sense to rent one (bigger) room for S$1200/month - at that price it's more likely to have an attached bathroom (called "Master Bedroom" in Singlish) and be nearer to your work, public transport or other useful places.
For S$600/month you'll really only find damp closets in the boonies!

[tesh86]

It makes more sense to rent one (bigger) room for S$1200/month - at that price it's more likely to have an attached bathroom (called "Master Bedroom" in Singlish) and be nearer to your work, public transport or other useful places.
For S$600/month you'll really only find damp closets in the boonies!

Cheers beppi
will look into that.