R2I through Singapore

[ana]

Thanks avasanth for a very useful post again.

The verbal offer came along. We are getting the same US salary over there. its coming to about 15K sgd per month ( The bonus is extra ).
Does that seem to be a good offer?

If we live in good condo and send 2 kids to NPS ( Indian school ), what can be our total expenses per month approximately? Are the Nannies good for household work and taking care of kids?

What is a good area to live near Airport ( East ) for Indian families or American families.

[avasanth]

I think thats a pretty good offer - my guess is thats the top end for the IT industry.

If you dont own a car, I think expenses should be in the 8-9k range (depends on your lifestyle)- assuming around 3.5k rent. Like elsewhere on the earth, there are both good and bad nannies here. My wife has had no complaints - we have had Philipino nannies- several times better than any in India. Philipino's are expensive (350-400 sgd) compared to the Indonesians, Indians and the Sri Lankans (250-350), but lot more professional in their work. Anyway, you get to chose your full time help - make sure ur condo (most do) has a helpers room.

Its best if your DH's company books you in a service apartment for a month, and you use the time to see various options available and decide. Broadly, you can focus on two areas - in the East Coast (Mandarin Garden is one of the biggest condos - though slightly old but highly preferred by Indians) and in the Changi/Tampines area (I am not familiar really). East Coast will be more pricey - 3 to 4 k for a 1500 sft apt. Changi/Tampines are likely to be more like 2.5-3.5k. Between singaporeexpats.com and streetdirectory.com, you can get a good feel of the location and description of all the condos in the East Coast area/ around the changi airport. Rental market operates through agents - you can use the websites of strait times singapore and propertyguru.com.sg to find rental ads.

[ana]

Hi avasanth,
Thanks so much for taking time to answer the questions. Do your kids goto local/Indian/International school? I am considering either NPS or local school. Do middle class people or one salaried people keep maid over there? It's one of the thing that I'm looking forward to :-) or is it more common when both spouses work?

Anybody else, suggestions are welcome. I think Cyberabadi ( pardon me for spell mistake, i just want to call you cyber ) wanted me to write a diary about move to singapore. Maybe.... But my son start banging on keyboard and therefore, can not post as often as I'd like. Today both brats went to library with Dad so have some time...

We are on verge of saying yes to the offer. We are getting the shipping and service apartment for a month. I am considering whether to ship stuff or not as I see lots of condos are furnished in Singapore. Do they cost more? I have all the furniture here but can be sold as it can be relapced. Only a leather couch and LCD TV are brand new. I'm not sure if we can get amount for shipping but we can try.

[cyberabadi]

If you dont own a car, I think expenses should be in the 8-9k range (depends on your lifestyle)- assuming around 3.5k rent. Like elsewhere on the earth, there are both good and bad nannies here. My wife has had no complaints - we have had Philipino nannies- several times better than any in India. Philipino's are expensive (350-400 sgd) compared to the Indonesians, Indians and the Sri Lankans (250-350), but lot more professional in their work. Anyway, you get to chose your full time help - make sure ur condo (most do) has a helpers room.

avasanth, Thanks for taking the time to give a Singapore Resident POV.

When you mention the salary for the nannies.. Is that Monthly or Weekly? If its monthly - Is it so low? Would they be living at home in a servant/nanny/helper quarter or would they come everydayto work (from their home) - If so would it be like 8Hours/day?

Anybody else, suggestions are welcome. I think Cyberabadi ( pardon me for spell mistake, i just want to call you cyber ) wanted me to write a diary about move to singapore. Maybe.... But my son start banging on keyboard and therefore, can not post as often as I'd like. Today both brats went to library with Dad so have some time...

Ana, Pl. use 'Cyber'.. Most do. Your chat with vasant is by itself a trailer to the upcoming dairy. :)) Pl. take your time and post whenever you are ready (pre or post move).

[avasanth]

Cyber, Nannies live in the maid's room and all their living expenses including food are borne by the employer. These are full time maids legally sponsored by the employer - cannot take up any other job. Singapore allows only Singaporeans to work on a part-time basis and there are very few Singaporean maids. So they get to save the entire salary.

Ana, I think most people living in condos keep a full time maid. Its difficult and expensive (15sgd per hour) to find a part-time maid. On furnishings, most condos are partially furnished - white goods and cots & mattresses mainly. Some are fully furnished - TV, Sofa, dining etc also included. Obviously, fully furnished is more expensive, particularly if the furnishing is of good quality.

[avasanth]

Hi Ana, I missed your question on school.My elder one goes to GIIS - younger one is too young. There was no NPS when we came to Singapore- its only about 2 years old. We put her in GIIS and continued there - its also closer to my residence. Some think NPS is better. My wife thinks NPS is about the same - parents anyway need to spend time with their kid on education. The fact that we have a full time maid, enables my wife to spend lot of her time with the kid. GIIS fees is about 800 sgd inclusive of bus pick-up. NPS is about 250 sgd more.

[prasads]

Thanks avasanth for a very useful post again.

The verbal offer came along. We are getting the same US salary over there. its coming to about 15K sgd per month ( The bonus is extra ).
Does that seem to be a good offer?

If we live in good condo and send 2 kids to NPS ( Indian school ), what can be our total expenses per month approximately? Are the Nannies good for household work and taking care of kids?

What is a good area to live near Airport ( East ) for Indian families or American families.

Hi Ana - we recieved similar offer i.e. 17.7K (inclusive of all allowances), bonus extra (not counting on it for planning purpose). Company is providing one way tickets and one month service apartment. Here is what we came up with after researching singapore expat forum site.

[TABLE="width: 363"]
[TR]
[TD]3 bed condo $5000
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]School (1 child) $2500 - we will go back to US after 2 years, so need to put son in a school that he can assimilate back
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Car $1500 - Mostly for wife
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Utilities, TV, internet etc $1000
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Groceries$1500
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eating out - 4 times a month $ 500
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]MRT (for commuting for me)$ 100
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Health Insurance for all $500
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]India Trips (4), US trips (1) entertainment $1200
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Childrens activities $ 400
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Taxes - Singapore Taxes - 1708 (20,500 per year)
Taxes - US Taxes - 1844 - we all are USC
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TOTAL: $17,700
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

This leaves us with savings of $0,which scares me. Our package includes amount in lieu of CPF, so there are no retirement savings. Would you mind providing your input on expenses. Not sure where to cut, we compiled above based on online research so need some reality check

[Chakraan]

You are a expensive man! Replied in blue.

Hi Ana - we recieved similar offer i.e. 17.7K (inclusive of all allowances), bonus extra (not counting on it for planning purpose). Company is providing one way tickets and one month service apartment. Here is what we came up with after researching singapore expat forum site.

[TABLE="width: 363"]
[TR]
[TD]3 bed condo $5000

You can get condo for 4k, save 1K here. (Try Bayshore park condo)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]School (1 child) $2500 - we will go back to US after 2 years, so need to put son in a school that he can assimilate back

Are you sure? School should be 1k[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Car $1500 - Mostly for wife
Not needed. Taxis are available easily with flag down. She will learn and love to use MRT. MRT is fast, no traffic light and no jam.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Utilities, TV, internet etc $1000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Groceries$1500

It is high, I can't comment on it though for your life style.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Eating out - 4 times a month $ 500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]MRT (for commuting for me)$ 100[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Health Insurance for all $500
Your company should reimburse the medical fees. No need to buy Health insurance personally.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]India Trips (4), US trips (1) entertainment $1200

4 trips to India per year to India?! SIN-India fare is very cheap. you can save lot of money here.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Childrens activities $ 400

For what ?[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Taxes - Singapore Taxes - 1708 (20,500 per year)
Taxes - US Taxes - 1844 - we all are USC

I think they have tax treaty, you pay tax for only one country.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]TOTAL: $17,700,
Average Indian spends 6-8k per month there. Salary is very low in Singapore for the locals.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

This leaves us with savings of $0,which scares me. Our package includes amount in lieu of CPF, so there are no retirement savings. Would you mind providing your input on expenses. Not sure where to cut, we compiled above based on online research so need some reality check

[prasads]

You are a expensive man! Replied in blue.

Thanks a lot..makes me feel much better now..Also, what are typical salaries for a senior .NET developer with about 10 years of experience? (this is for my wife who is interested to continue working)

[Chakraan]

Thanks a lot..makes me feel much better now..Also, what are typical salaries for a senior .NET developer with about 10 years of experience? (this is for my wife who is interested to continue working)

6-7k SGD

http://www.salary.sg/