SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

My two cents: Based on $150k Sing which is $96K (US), after you deduct the ~15% Singapore tax, you will net $82k (US) per year. Based on housing costs here, it would be very hard not to qualify for getting at least a portion of the foreign housing exclusion/deduction. I believe you would probably co...

No worries Psheep; I have SSI open water and YMCA divemaster and over the past 22 years have NEVER had any PADI center give me an ounce of trouble; not even a snide glance. I generally use my SSI card if asked for credentials, so it's not a matter of the level. During the initial dive of every new t...

Thanks for the responses. Tilly, just so I am clear, when you arrived in Singapore, you did not need to submit original copies? I have also submitted copies and have successfully obtained my 'in principle approval,' but I am being told that I need to have originals on me when I get to Singapore "in ...

Thanks for the response. It is not a matter of paying for the copy or not; as I said in the original post, the problem is that they are requiring me to physically be present to request the certified copy. I am in the China, they are in the U.S.; I really don't want to have to take a detour to the U....

Hi, I just received my "in-principle approval letter" for my EP, but it states that I will need to bring original documentation of my educational certifications as that may be requested upon arrival in Singapore. I have a problem with that as I am currently located in Asia and would need to return t...

Thanks Murat; that's the info I needed.
cd

Does anyone have an opinion about the complex called Blue Horizons? Specifically, how long will it take to get to Harbourfront by a. bus b. taxi/private car? Also, do they provide any shuttles to somewhere/anywhere (i.e. mrt, etc...)? In general, are most of the condos as nice as the photos that thi...

Researcher, I will add my two cents regarding U.S. credit card usage in Singapore (or any country outside the U.S. for that matter). If you use either a U.S. issued Visa and Mastercard outside of the U.S., they will tack an additional 3% onto the purchase and call it a 'foreign purchase charge.' So,...

Addadude, Thanks for all of the specific information; I really appreciate the rundown of each place, the price and the pros/cons. That definitely gives me a good idea of what my 'nearby Sentosa' options are and will save me a good bit of time when I arrive in a couple of weeks for the short scouting...

Perfect; thanks LT.

LT, Thanks for the response. I understand that I need to have income to support the loan before the bank will consider me; that is pretty universal around the world as far as I know. I am covered there (hence the comment about working for a large company in Singapore). My specific question is whethe...

Okay; I am seemingly moving to Singapore in about two months. The housing issue seems to be getting clearer and clearer, so now for the car issue. I would like to buy a new or slightly used car, (Nissan Murano or Toyota Harrier, or something along those lines) but I would like to finance a good port...

Awesome info Pinkcow and Nicman. I believe I am at least pointed in the right direction now, so thanks so much for the tips.
cd

Pinkcow, Thanks for the info. To answer your question; for now, I am planning to stick to renting so I can spend a little time (probably a year as that will hopefully be how long the lease is) figuring out which part of the island I really want to call home. That is good to know about Holland Villag...

Mic and Nick, Thanks for your responses. I saw the ad for Caribbean at Keppel Bay and some of those do look really nice. But on Google Earth, it looked like there was absolutely NOTHING around that area other than the really nicely located condos on the waterfront (which that in itself may be enough...