Singapore Expats

My company actually terminated me from the US division, and I began under the asian division. I kept my tenure though.

As for flights home, if I was on temp assignment, the would cover one trip a year for the family. But since i'm permanent, it's nothing.
So I negociated a much higher salary.

No car needed. I enjoy not having one. I'm spending about $1.11 SGD a day riding the MRT. My morning commute is usually free because I tap out before 7:45. I'll bet we're spending < $200 a month on transportation for the whole family. That would've covered gas for 1 month for 1 car back in states.

So far I'm really enjoying Singapore!

On the "having a car" thing. Unless you get a house/flat which is out of the way (which is your own choice as well!), you should not need one. You can also choose to live not-too-far from work. It is very expensive to buy and to maintain a car, and add to that that it can be difficult to find parking in many malls on weekends, I have always found it no more than a status symbol.

I pay $2.30 or so every day for my commute (my morning one not being free). If I choose to, I can always take a cab for $12-15 one way. Even if I took a cab every day, it would still be a lot cheaper than owning a car. There is the occasional hassle when it is difficult to get a cab sometimes on weekends, but that has never been a big deal to me. Singapore is safe, and children should be able to take a few stops by public transport on their own, or take the school bus. I did that since primary school (back in Europe, of course).

The only place you can go by car from here anyway is Malaysia... and not sure whether it's worth having a car for that

Thank you for all your tips and advice. All very valuable.
We've decided to aim high so plenty of room for negotiation!
Visa- any tips on that front? or should I start a new thread?

LillyP1 wrote: Visa- any tips on that front? or should I start a new thread?

Your husband will get an EP P1 pass, and you and the kids will all get DPs

EP = Employment Pass
DP = Dependant Pass

Almost everything you need to know is on MOM's website about it. They have a pretty good website: http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/ ... fault.aspx

Your husband's employer will apply for and handle all of the passes. Theres nothing for you to do except provide the information they ask for. You can probably read over the application form and requirements on MOM's site to get an idea of what they'll request.

I am pretty sure, the OP, by mistake posted using her FB login, instead of her forum account.

This FB login at the bottom can sometimes be very confusing. I wish there was a way to just disable it.

Wd40 wrote:I am pretty sure, the OP, by mistake posted using her FB login, instead of her forum account.

This FB login at the bottom can sometimes be very confusing. I wish there was a way to just disable it.

Yes I did, very confusing. I had to block it on Fb as our movements are under wraps at the moment. Hopefully that error has disappeared!

LillyP1 wrote:

Wd40 wrote:I am pretty sure, the OP, by mistake posted using her FB login, instead of her forum account.

This FB login at the bottom can sometimes be very confusing. I wish there was a way to just disable it.

Yes I did, very confusing. I had to block it on Fb as our movements are under wraps at the moment. Hopefully that error has disappeared!

It still appears at the bottom of this page. See if you can contact one of the mods or admin to delete. Your photo and name is exposed for everyone to see.

Maybe, instead of blocking it on FB, you must delete it altogether.

Wd40 wrote:

LillyP1 wrote:

Wd40 wrote:I am pretty sure, the OP, by mistake posted using her FB login, instead of her forum account.

This FB login at the bottom can sometimes be very confusing. I wish there was a way to just disable it.

Yes I did, very confusing. I had to block it on Fb as our movements are under wraps at the moment. Hopefully that error has disappeared!

It still appears at the bottom of this page. See if you can contact one of the mods or admin to delete. Your photo and name is exposed for everyone to see.

Maybe, instead of blocking it on FB, you must delete it altogether.

If you use Chrome or Firefox, install Disconnect: http://disconnect.me/
It blocks all of that stuff.

Another question-
we need to compile and WISH LIST. We are aiming high so we have plenty of room for neg.
Ideas and what are normal requests please.

1. Schooling
2. Housing assist
3. Flights 'home" to UK
4. Car allowance or driver allowance
5. Health insurance- is that normally included in salary?
6. Equity?

What else do you think? The chap before us was on an extortionate expenses- first class tickets, $20k housing assist etc, so we know the cash is there not that we are that greedy, but don't want to have missed an opportunity.

Thanks so much

All utilities and home stuff like ac cleaning
Children's school bus
Tax relief
Petrol and insurance
One month's salary for electricals

15months salary pa

I don't understand. Same salary with 3 month raise or 3 month bonus or 15 pay days?

Hannieroo wrote:I don't understand. Same salary with 3 month raise or 3 month bonus or 15 pay days?

I think she's saying guaranteed 25% bonus.

LillyP1 wrote:Another question-
The chap before us was on an extortionate expenses- first class tickets, $20k housing assist etc,

What kind of a job is this?

noskich wrote:

LillyP1 wrote:Another question-
The chap before us was on an extortionate expenses- first class tickets, $20k housing assist etc,

What kind of a job is this?

The kind that absolutely needs someone with a specific skill set from a western country where he is at the point in his life he has multiple children and needs space for them.