Singapore Expats

taxico wrote: ↑

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:30 pm

had somewhat of a talk with the baby mommy while we had some free time in the hospital.

seems like we both agree to a separation. so we’re proceeding with that in mind.

i’m not sure what the future holds but i think i’m going to have to take steps to protect my interest from hereon out.

this like a few appointments are in order before i head back to malaysia. i believe my stay there will be cut short.

(i’m ok.)

It’s important to be ok.

Have you spent any time in the Philippines? There are heaps of ex-US military living there, and other (primarily anglophone) expat retirees, from middle aged on up. Men flock there primarily for the social life, but also ease of communicating, staying without a visa, the tropical weather and dirt cheap cost of living.

I'm sorry to hear you've decided to separate. I know it's a cliche but I did find counseling helpful in my first marriage.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:12 pm

Have you spent any time in the Philippines? There are heaps of ex-US military living there, and other (primarily anglophone) expat retirees, from middle aged on up. Men flock there primarily for the social life, but also ease of communicating, staying without a visa, the tropical weather and dirt cheap cost of living.

no. but i spent a little while in a village in Laos up in the mountains where they had their own river. it was great. they lived in raised wooden huts and it was dirt and sand and pigs and chickens and kids everywhere.

PH never appealed to me. it may be because there are too many ex military there. i also don’t fit in with a stereotypical drunk or passport bro. but gosh, i’m middle aged now. maybe it’s time to try to fit in?

if i had to do it, i may go to thailand on some expat visa. it’s not too far from my child and the cost of living is reasonable.

but i have to first be sure that my child can’t get an alternative passport or travel without my knowledge or approval.

it’s likely i’ll think about where to go and what to do after i figure out what paper work needs to be amended or filed. and where from.

my child’s mom used to come on here and may still do so from time to time so i’ll be keeping things close to my chest.

yeah, so an update:

it’s rough when for the first time you and your estranged wife and <2yo toddler get covid-19 and we’re all still in the same household while in the midst of moving into a new apartment.

but thankfully health care is cheap in malaysia. same dollar amount as in sg except it’s in ringgit.

i think i’m in for a rough time with covid. i almost feel my lungs getting expelled through my mouth.

Stay strong Taxico, I just read the entire thread.

I am curious, Is your wife Malaysian? If not which immigration visa are you on, while living in Malaysia?

Was the Covid19 you caught the new 'Eris' strain or? I hardly think of Covid19 except I see a small uptick income counties data.

Wd40 wrote: ↑

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 9:21 pm

Stay strong Taxico, I just read the entire thread.

I am curious, Is your wife Malaysian? If not which immigration visa are you on, while living in Malaysia?

no. she’s not malaysian.

my wife is from east asia.

we’re on mm2h visas.

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 7:46 am

Was the Covid19 you caught the new 'Eris' strain or? I hardly think of Covid19 except I see a small uptick income counties data.

i have no clue what i caught except to call it a bad case of covid.

my blood oxygen levels were really low for a few days. my child and his mom are both ok some days after their initial symptoms but i’ve got some bad after effects going on.

i feel cold all the time and i’m always tired and my blood pressure doesn’t go down.

i’ve still got a bad coughand runny nose. i cant smell much of at all and i cant taste much either.

but i’m still hanging on! i think.

taxico wrote: ↑

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 5:43 pm

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 7:46 am

Was the Covid19 you caught the new 'Eris' strain or? I hardly think of Covid19 except I see a small uptick income counties data.

i have no clue what i caught except to call it a bad case of covid.

my blood oxygen levels were really low for a few days. my child and his mom are both ok some days after their initial symptoms but i’ve got some bad after effects going on.

i feel cold all the time and i’m always tired and my blood pressure doesn’t go down.

i’ve still got a bad coughand runny nose. i cant smell much of at all and i cant taste much either.

but i’m still hanging on! i think.

My brother recently got something similar, I guess it’s still going around. My wife told me the amount of coughing she hears in public has gone up significantly in recent days.

Hope you have a speedy recovery. My brother said his was rough but didn’t last too long.

BTW, do you have the legacy MM2H? What are your plans after it expires? I think the competition for digital nomads and retirees is heating up. Thailand’s new LTR can be interesting if you apply pre-retirement while still earning over USD80k. Vietnam just extended their eVisa to 3 months instead of 1 month. Indonesia is planning to reopen visa exemptions again, along with some other new nomad options. I believe Malaysia is also going to review the current MM2H nonsense requirements. If you have a DD-214 you can get an uber-cheap SRRV in the PI.

taxico wrote: ↑

Wed, 31 May 2023 5:54 pm

Lisafuller wrote: ↑

Wed, 31 May 2023 5:15 pm

Forgive me for asking, if things were so bad, why have a kid together? Or did these problems only emerge after your child was born?

our child was unplanned. we are in our 40s. married for 10. dated for as long. known each other since middle school.

you are right. a lot of problems emerged after the child was born.

Unfortunately, this is all too common...

At least in terms of bang for buck, you're in the right country, on the right visa. If you can swing it such that you can remit your income from overseas, it's 100% tax-exempt under MM2H.

Better yet, if the double-tax agreement applies, then your income isn't taxed anywhere.

Of course, the current federal MM2H is dead as a doornail, though, yes, it does appear Putrajaya is about to ease the requirements back to pre-Covid levels.

malcontent wrote: ↑

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:03 am

taxico wrote: ↑

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:04 pm

military discounts are still good to have though!

Especially if you can get access to the Navy Exchange store in Sembawang. One guy in my office who was in the reserves (now fully retired military, living in Florida) brought me in there a few times. It’s like a miniature Walmart, with US prices. Alcohol in particular was dirt cheap. They have awesome beer selections too, from Jamaican Red Stripe to Yuengling. I spent US$400-500 on each visit!

Never heard of it, now I want to get in to see what's in there! Would probably be a nice reminder of home to most American expats.

taxico wrote: ↑

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:30 pm

had somewhat of a talk with the baby mommy while we had some free time in the hospital.

seems like we both agree to a separation. so we’re proceeding with that in mind.

i’m not sure what the future holds but i think i’m going to have to take steps to protect my interest from hereon out.

this like a few appointments are in order before i head back to malaysia. i believe my stay there will be cut short.

(i’m ok.)

Very sorry to hear that, what's in store for baby?

malcontent wrote: ↑

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:12 pm

taxico wrote: ↑

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:30 pm

had somewhat of a talk with the baby mommy while we had some free time in the hospital.

seems like we both agree to a separation. so we’re proceeding with that in mind.

i’m not sure what the future holds but i think i’m going to have to take steps to protect my interest from hereon out.

this like a few appointments are in order before i head back to malaysia. i believe my stay there will be cut short.

(i’m ok.)

It’s important to be ok.

Have you spent any time in the Philippines? There are heaps of ex-US military living there, and other (primarily anglophone) expat retirees, from middle aged on up. Men flock there primarily for the social life, but also ease of communicating, staying without a visa, the tropical weather and dirt cheap cost of living.

Read today, that Palawan is now considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, would probably be nice to live in the area.

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:16 pm

I'm sorry to hear you've decided to separate. I know it's a cliche but I did find counseling helpful in my first marriage.

Clearly not that helpful since you used the word first

In all seriousness, I completely agree. Counseling was really important for me and hubby some 15 years ago. Really worked for us.

That being said, counseling only works if both parties are open minded and serious about repairing the relationship.