Where is home?

[Fortan]

OK so there is a little bit of 'missing the single life'. I think that is understandable especially when kids first arrive.

Not sure how old you are but I am going 54 in August and having a second family late in life (wife is also pregnant with our second). I think age helps, I don't miss that single life I did it in my teens and twenty's and again in my forties and just don't 'feel the itch' anymore

I share your views on raising two kids here and I have no intention of doing it but our exit plan is to the Philippines plus I have a decent private pension and have been saving for the kids education.

Europe might be an option but how about somewhere in Asia like Thailand or Phil? Likely you will have a better standard of living? I do want to retire in my wife's native country is there any reason why you don't?

I am still in my early 40's, so way to early to start thinking of retirement. Once that'll happen it will most likely be in Thailand. Going there now is not possible. I am in a niche profession and there is hardly any jobs there. At least not which pays a decent salary.

[Steve1960]

ah OK I understand. So how about moving across the border into Malaysia to live and commuting to Singapore?

[Fortan]

I would have at least two hours on the road every day. I just can't see it working

[Steve1960]

Yea I know its not fun but I did a 2+ hour a day commute in the UK for 15 years. You get used to it! I even found the journey allowed me to prepare for work in the morning and wind down after work before I got home. It's not for everyone though.

[rajagainstthemachine]

I used to do a 2-2.5hr commute to work and back in India everyday, mind you this was just 54 km round trip , in a car with manual transmission.
I had a ton of music albums, comics and cigarettes in the car all the time to keep me company.

[AngMoG]

I share your views on raising two kids here and I have no intention of doing it but our exit plan is to the Philippines plus I have a decent private pension and have been saving for the kids education.

Europe might be an option but how about somewhere in Asia like Thailand or Phil? Likely you will have a better standard of living? I do want to retire in my wife's native country is there any reason why you don't?

I moved to Phils recently, and not regretting it so far. Sure, it is less safe and all, but a least there is a possibility of having kids without breaking the bank.

If either you or ecureilx turn up around Manila, we can meet up for drinks

[Steve1960]

I share your views on raising two kids here and I have no intention of doing it but our exit plan is to the Philippines plus I have a decent private pension and have been saving for the kids education.

Europe might be an option but how about somewhere in Asia like Thailand or Phil? Likely you will have a better standard of living? I do want to retire in my wife's native country is there any reason why you don't?

I moved to Phils recently, and not regretting it so far. Sure, it is less safe and all, but a least there is a possibility of having kids without breaking the bank.

If either you or ecureilx turn up around Manila, we can meet up for drinks

Absolutely mate

We will not be travelling for a while as the wife is due October. Next trip to Manila is likely to be May next year but will definitely look you up.

[Wd40]

Looking at our life here, we are living of my salary, which is not bad by any means. However looking ahead and thinking of having both my daughters going through the expensive private schools here.... it scares me, because the way it looks now, there won't be money left for pension saving or any other savings. The cost of living is increasing and I just can't see us staying here if I have to be honest. All of sudden life in Europe with the good public schools seems attractive. Even the high tax seems to make sense having a big family as it will cover schools and health.

Why do you need to send you daughters to private schools? If you are planning to stay here for the long term, you should apply PR and ideally citizenship and then send your daughters through the local schools and also make use of the subsidized housing and then you will have enough money in savings. May be much more than what you will have in Europe. Your comparison of Europe v/s Singapore on the taxes v/s benefits is very wrong, because you are looking at a Singapore Expat v/s Europe Local. Compare Singapore local v/s Europe local.

[Steve1960]

Looking at our life here, we are living of my salary, which is not bad by any means. However looking ahead and thinking of having both my daughters going through the expensive private schools here.... it scares me, because the way it looks now, there won't be money left for pension saving or any other savings. The cost of living is increasing and I just can't see us staying here if I have to be honest. All of sudden life in Europe with the good public schools seems attractive. Even the high tax seems to make sense having a big family as it will cover schools and health.
[\quote]

Why do you need to send you daughters to private schools? If you are planning to stay here for the long term, you should apply PR and ideally citizenship and then send your daughters through the local schools and also make use of the subsidized housing and then you will have enough money in savings. May be much more than what you will have in Europe. Your comparison of Europe v/s Singapore on the taxes v/s benefits is very wrong, because you are looking at a Singapore Expat v/s Europe Local. Compare Singapore local v/s Europe local.

There are other factors to consider if going this route. cpf contributions for financial calculations and for citizenship the loss of your current passport / nationality.

[Wd40]

I am not sure about Europe, but in case of India, we are allowed to renounce our citizenship and still continue to live in India, buy property also, just that you cannot vote, which is why you see so many Indians so keen to give up citizenship. They have nothing to lose from India side of things. But I would be more worried that after taking SG citizenship my CPF is locked until retirement and even after that only partial withdrawal.

Otherwise SG passport is not that far behind a UK passport in terms of previledges.

[rajagainstthemachine]

I am not sure about Europe, but in case of India, we are allowed to renounce our citizenship and still continue to live in India, buy property also, just that you cannot vote, which is why you see so many Indians so keen to give up citizenship. They have nothing to lose from India side of things. But I would be more worried that after taking SG citizenship my CPF is locked until retirement and even after that only partial withdrawal.

It's also because our Indian passport is worth shit! you need a visa to get to just about any other country, until this is the case I don't doubt for a moment the hordes of people who just want to renounce Indian citizenship.

[Wd40]

I am not sure about Europe, but in case of India, we are allowed to renounce our citizenship and still continue to live in India, buy property also, just that you cannot vote, which is why you see so many Indians so keen to give up citizenship. They have nothing to lose from India side of things. But I would be more worried that after taking SG citizenship my CPF is locked until retirement and even after that only partial withdrawal.

It's also because our Indian passport is worth shit! you need a visa to get to just about any other country, until this is the case I don't doubt for a moment the hordes of people who just want to renounce Indian citizenship.

I understand, but my point was about how some countries create hell for you if you renounce citizenship. But in case of India, losing Indian citizenship, you dont lose your right to come back and live in India. Which is a big priviledge.

[Fortan]

Looking at our life here, we are living of my salary, which is not bad by any means. However looking ahead and thinking of having both my daughters going through the expensive private schools here.... it scares me, because the way it looks now, there won't be money left for pension saving or any other savings. The cost of living is increasing and I just can't see us staying here if I have to be honest. All of sudden life in Europe with the good public schools seems attractive. Even the high tax seems to make sense having a big family as it will cover schools and health.

Why do you need to send you daughters to private schools? If you are planning to stay here for the long term, you should apply PR and ideally citizenship and then send your daughters through the local schools and also make use of the subsidized housing and then you will have enough money in savings. May be much more than what you will have in Europe. Your comparison of Europe v/s Singapore on the taxes v/s benefits is very wrong, because you are looking at a Singapore Expat v/s Europe Local. Compare Singapore local v/s Europe local.

Guess I am a little ahead on the comparison. I am on a local contract, so am already comparing local vs local.

I've never had any intention of sending my kids to a local school. I want the best for them, not the cheapest option.

I don't want to be a PR or apply for citizenship here. I never wanted to. The pension you are naturally provided almost by law in most European countries are far superior to the CPF scheme.

I want to be able to live in a great home (even in Europe). We can always debate on whether an HDB can be as great as a condo. In my personal opinion it can't.

I guess I already made my mind up about leaving, after reading back through that???

[bgd]

The older I get the less settled I am. I left NZ for 1 year 26 years ago. Still haven't made it back, but at least Sg is closer than Europe. Asia doesn't help. There is so much to explore and I guess so many alternative lives available if you want a change. Just crossing the 2nd link opens up a whole new world for me. Makes it difficult to finally head home and reading some of the comments here does validate that view. I really think I'd have trouble getting back into the local mindset after all this time.

I sympathise with those who still have the education thing ahead of them. At least that is behind me now which gives me more choice. More choice doesn't really make any of this any easier though.

[sundaymorningstaple]

The older I get the less settled I am. I left NZ for 1 year 26 years ago. Still haven't made it back, but at least Sg is closer than Europe. Asia doesn't help. There is so much to explore and I guess so many alternative lives available if you want a change. Just crossing the 2nd link opens up a whole new world for me. Makes it difficult to finally head home and reading some of the comments here does validate that view. I really think I'd have trouble getting back into the local mindset after all this time.

I sympathise with those who still have the education thing ahead of them. At least that is behind me now which gives me more choice. More choice doesn't really make any of this any easier though.

I hear that. I did the same thing. in '82. Came here on a 12 month contract. Now, 32 years later......