r2i forum

The Countdown begins!

I will be returning to Chennai in October. I read most of the R2I diaries, especially those from Chennai, with interest. My experience is going to be a little bit different from others, for two reasons:

(1) I am returning from Singapore. Most of the members here are from US.
(2) I work in the construction industry. Most of the members here are from IT.

I take the optimism from the members here and I would like to keep my R2I expectations to the minimum. I will share my R2I experience as it unfolds...

Job/ Career

The first thing I did in the R2I process was to secure a job that was very similar in nature to what I was doing here. I had some fruitful discussions with a reputed consultancy firm. I arranged for an interaction session with them in Chennai during my last vist. We had a lon.....g discussion, about two hours. It was the longest interview I ever attended. I used to have very short interviews in Singapore, about 15 to 30 mins at the most. So, it was frustrating to sit down for two hours and facing two gentlemen. But, they were understanding and didn't throw any non-sense questions to me. The interview was mostly technical. There were few standard questions that every R2Ier have to face. "Why do you want to return?", "Will you continue with us?", "Life should be better there, then why ...?", "Will you return back?" few questions along that line of thought.

The interview went generally all right. A month later, they gave me an offer. The terms & conditions are not as attractive as what I am getting here. I was ready to compromise. But, I ensured that the project was similar and my work scope would be similar too.

Once I obtained the offer, it was easy for me to plan other things. I requested for 3 months to join and they agreed. So, I am counting down ...

My advice to all R2Iers: please secure a job while you are still overseas. Do not R2I without a job offer. You might still be able to land a job offer, but you won't get a good deal if you have already R2Ied.

Can you explain your challenges in Singapore including all the good/bad things? Why r2i from Singapore? I hear it is pretty close (like 3hr flight) to India.

a_manick, thanks for opening this diary. To begin with, I have the same question as returning_indian: why R2I and why now ? From my experience, Indians in Singapore who want to R2I, pull the trigger when one of this happens:

1) Son is due for National Service in a year or two.

2) When the daughter reaches 7th/8th std., wife says, "I dont want to bring up my daughter here". I have seen wife tell husband "you can stay here if you want to, I am off".

One more Q: Are you a PR ? If yes, what are you doing with your CPF ?

Yes returning_indian, it is about 4 hours journey from Singapore to Chennai. Sometimes, you feel that you are in Chennai here. Tamil is one of the official languages here. So, wherever you go you will see messages displayed in Tamil. Singapore also has "Little India". You can taste Indian food here in restaurants like Saravana bhavan, Anjappar, Thalappakattu, Murugan Idli and many good local Indian restaurants.

Government takes care of you most of the time. Provident fund is the bulk of the savings for many Singaporeans. But, it is difficult to use the amount for yourself even after the retirement. You have to keep a minimum sum. There are good and bad in this. If you are a spendthrift, then you at least have some money secured with the government. But, if you would like to use the money and invest in something that has more returns, you do not have the freedom to do so.

Housing market is generally controlled by the government.

But, I have my reservations in deciding Singapore as a place to settle down. I may be wrong; this is only my personal opinion.

avasanth;324195a_manick, thanks for opening this diary. To begin with, I have the same question as returning_indian: why R2I and why now ? From my experience, Indians in Singapore who want to R2I, pull the trigger when one of this happens:

1) Son is due for National Service in a year or two.

2) When the daughter reaches 7th/8th std., wife says, "I dont want to bring up my daughter here". I have seen wife tell husband "you can stay here if you want to, I am off".

One more Q: Are you a PR ? If yes, what are you doing with your CPF ?

Vasanth,

When I disclose to my friends that I am going back, the first question is "WHY?". To be honest with you, I do not have a solid reason to return. I feel that I do not belong here. That is the main reason I want to return.

I had been in Singapore for about a decade and a half. I have seen the economic boom and downturns. I am very comfortable here. I have a good flat in a decent location. My children are studying well. I have a good job, that pays me well, and does not require me to put in lot of overtime. So, it is a very difficult decision to make. But, I made it.

I have TWO sons. But, they are not due for NS soon. They are only in their primary schools.

I am a PR. I am not cancelling my PR at this stage. I just would like to keep it as a safety net. In case my R2I experience fails, I still have an option B.

returning_indian;324177Can you explain your challenges in Singapore including all the good/bad things? Why r2i from Singapore? I hear it is pretty close (like 3hr flight) to India.

This is my opinion , so may be not 100% correct. With that said...

Good things in SG (say, compared to US):

SG is a 24x7 city. One can go out at any time, roam anythere, return home even at 3am. No fear of robbery, mugging etc. It is quite common to see single women returning from work or partying late in the night (11pm) or even early AM (3am) I have seen many US cities (downtown?) turn into ghost towns past 6pm. Even SFO???

I believe Indian professionals are well respected

Very little (overt) racism, I have heard rumours but never seen or experienced.

Quite close to India.

SG warming up to Indians and India (8-9% growth and they can see $$$)

Though Indians constitute a tiny minority in the single digits, I think we have disproportionate influence. eg: President is Indian (but local born), one would never think of even a small country such as Belgium having an Indian president, right? There are many Singapore Indians in ministries, heading prestigious orgs (eg: Singapore Airlines head used to be an Indian)

SGD is getting stronger. When I arrived in SG, it was like S$1 = INR18 or so. Now it is 1:34 (let's ignore inflation etc)

Reasonably good income levels. SG is financially very sound. But too small to withstand any major shocks.

General cleanliness and focus on efficient service - especially government agencies.

No bribes.

Low taxes - corporate as well as personal. One of the lowest in the world.

Easiest to start, run and own a business

returning_indian;324177Can you explain your challenges in Singapore including all the good/bad things? Why r2i from Singapore? I hear it is pretty close (like 3hr flight) to India.

Now the bad (This is my opinion , so may be not 100% correct. With that said...)

Cars are super expensive to buy and maintain. A 2L car could top S$100k (~USD70K)

Too many rules.

Too many surcharges

Very small land area means - almost Impossible to live in a landed property. Forced into (tiny) flats - whether gov provided or condominiums... So those who wish to maintain large gardens, bigger breeds of dogs. Tough luck

Recently, property prices have been rising too fast -so many are finding it unaffordable to rent or buy.

Somewhat arbitrary decisions by the gov - not much consulting happening either with parliament or people

Food - getting veg food could be tough sometimes. The locals like meat , meat and more meat

Many feel the school system places tremendous pressure on kids but does not result in creative individuals - inspite of the excellent facilities and tons of money spent by gov. International schools are expensive. We think, it is the parents who pressure children...

Recently, visa durations for parents have been restricted. No more 1-year visas for parents.

Service quality could improve - lacking in service with a (genuine) smile and warmth. The difference is so obvious in Immigration counters, forget the hotel/hospitality staff. (Even) the Immigration officers in US are quite friendly and warm, tend to chit chat. Where as the SIR folks just want to stamp your passport and get rid of you. You may get a plastic smile if you are lucky

Compulsary conscription for PR (GC eqvt) kids

Well written Anuma. I could not have said in a better way. For those of you who are interested in the positives and negatives of the Lion City, please read Anuma's two posts above. I would add my views on some of the issues highlighted above in my subsequent posts.

Generally, the schools in Singapore are very organized and are closely monitored and controlled by Ministry of Education. So, the procedure of getting admission to schools is well documented and clearly understood. Priority in primary school admission is given to siblings if their elder brother/ sister is currently studying in the school. Then, the distance of the home to school is considered as the second criteria. If you are within 1km, you get the preference. If more applicants are there, then balloting is carried out. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents used to get the same treatment in admission to primary schools. But, that changed from this year. This year PRs have only 1/2 the chance compared to citizens in the balloting system.

Secondary school admissions are purely based on your merit and performance in the primary schools. Once again, very well documented and efficiently communicated to the parents/ students. No bias here (as of now) for PRs to citizens. But, the PRs have to pay a higher fees. And the difference is going up soon.

Having tried admission to schools in Chennai, I know how painful it is. Here, my son is treated like a king and schools are after him. I have attended a few presentation in schools and every school is trying to attract the pupils. In Chennai, every school is throwing us out even though I showed them the pretty impressive record of my son. Any way, I expected this. So, no disappointments and complaints. But, of course, I would love to see such an efficient system in Chennai one day (may be for my grand children or grand-grand children)