Singapore Expats

I'm Indonesian currently working in Sydney. I like my job and theres no doubt it's the best place to work (for my field) but I find the life here a bit boring. I need a change and to meet new people. My questions are:

1. Is Singapore a good place to work and live? My job will require me to have 3 yrs commitment, is that too risky??? in case i don't like it.

2. Hows the lifestyle there compared to Sydney?

3. Is it easy for me to make new friends there? I'm 28, f.

4. Can I support myself with $2500/mth?

Thanks....

Looking at the length of commitment needed and the salary you would be getting here I woudl advise you to stay in Sydney...

But your welcome to visit

If you're bored in Sydney, I'd say Singapore is not the place for you unless you plan on doing a lot of travelling...

Hi Clie,
Let me try to answer your qs:

To work yes its good to be in Singapore - if you can perform you climb the ladder. But here you work a lot - till late and your boss might be naggy.
So really it depends - do you want to work hard and climb the ladder - or do you want a relaxed environment? I heard Sydney is quite relaxed.

After office - there's always clubbing - safest place in the world, though so far I am still looking for friends. Apparently this website is good for meeting people. Lets see how it works.

Long term - Personally I think its foolish. You'd end up in a tiny appartment, if you can afford: a car, but you'll pay for it for the rest of your life. btw $2500 is just enough for a decent living (without car or other investments)

BTW - I want to move to Sydney - how is it there?
Having said all this - Neighbour's grass is always greener.

Hi there!
I live and work in Sydney, and am wanting to move to Singapore as well. What type of employment is common in Singapore (in what field is it easier to get ajob!)?

For crying out loud ... why would you want to leave the most beautiful city on God's earth for Singapore?????

Sydney is wonderful - no comparison there ....

if given a chance...ill choose sydney over singapore...

as Soul said: Neighbour's grass is always greener.

what attracts me abt singapore is the convenience and the safety. would love to live there one day! who wants to move to syd? lets swap place then

Sydney rocks but can be quite an arrogant place like alot of big Western cities.

Singapore becomes quite dull after a while as its small. Having said that Sing is great for seeing Asia and cause its small you meet loads of people. Not for the long term though.

Hm, This reply might be a bit late, but maybe it can support others to make a decision.

Singapore is great! Here are so many things to do in such a small place. Something new to do everyday. If you prefer to leave the island there are many interesting places to visit in the region.

One thing why I always prefer Singapore over Sidney is the low crime rate here and that you don't need a car, which is great. I heard recently that transport in Sidney is getting worse, and so is the pollution from vehicles.

For $2500 a month you can make a decent living. I just earn slightly more and I have a better quality of life here compared with Sweden, which is known for its high rank in quality of life listings. I really love every day here in Singapore and could not ask for more.

zikke wrote:Singapore is great! Here are so many things to do in such a small place. Something new to do everyday.

Welcome to Singapore. Let's see how you feel next year

zikke wrote:Hm, This reply might be a bit late, but maybe it can support others to make a decision.

Singapore is great! Here are so many things to do in such a small place. Something new to do everyday. If you prefer to leave the island there are many interesting places to visit in the region.

One thing why I always prefer Singapore over Sidney is the low crime rate here and that you don't need a car, which is great. I heard recently that transport in Sidney is getting worse, and so is the pollution from vehicles.

For $2500 a month you can make a decent living. I just earn slightly more and I have a better quality of life here compared with Sweden, which is known for its high rank in quality of life listings. I really love every day here in Singapore and could not ask for more.

For $2500 a month you can make a decent living. I just earn slightly more and I have a better quality of life here compared with Sweden, which is known for its high rank in quality of life listings. I really love every day here in Singapore and could not ask for more

Interesting statement, just wondering how you come to this conclusion?

What are your working hours in Singapore?

Personally I feel the quality of life is crap for myself, if the spouse is working 12 hrs a day 6 days a week! and you have children to look after, its not an easy life, unless you have the money, to make it easy, so it is a matter of opinion.

On the other hand if I were single, I would say the quality of life would be more tempting to enjoy, like 30 to 37 hrs a week is better than 72 hrs a week. and 10,000$ a month is better than 2500$.

Singapore is a fantastic place but one must have time and money to enjoy it, It all comes down to what one makes of it, one must make the effort to enjoy and get involved, like any other place in the world.

But I do find the quality of life not better than Scandinavia, but different.

$2,500 SGD or AUD

slightly different!

well also depends on what type of friends you are looking for?

out door?

drinking?

clubbing?

I'm indifferent between the two cities...I like them both, and pros and cons for both cities...

you probably need to be more specific as what you're looking for, and list out the options for each city hahahaahah

clie78 wrote:as Soul said: Neighbour's grass is always greener.

what attracts me abt singapore is the convenience and the safety. would love to live there one day! who wants to move to syd? lets swap place then

Hi clie78, are your parents/family/relatives staying in Indonesia?
Well at least, by staying in Sg, you can visit them often..
With budget airlines and those promo, you can visit jkt for S$100++
This is one plus point..
Plus u can get to travel to neighbouring countries for cheap/reasonable rates..

Will the job scope of your new job in sg same as in sydney's? Then we can rule out the possibility of disliking your job here right? So what you meant by do not like it.. is refering to the environment here?

How long have been working in Sydney?? You have car?? If you r used to having car in Sydney for moving around, you may need to know that with $2500/mth, you will probably be moving around here via bus/mrt/taxi.. If this is ok with you?

At least for meeting new people, i think you can meet new people everywhere, even in Sydney.

Like what you commented: Singapore is quite safe, low crime. But whether Sg is a good place to work and live, will depends on your job-nature-lifestyle and your own lifestyle..

Lifestyle here in sg is more hectic i will say..

What i like here compared to Sydney..
At least there are many mandarin tv channels...
DVDs easily obtained here for cheaper cost..
Shopping till 9/10pm every day including (especially) public holidays..

Friends.. u can make everywhere..
At least, we have the IGC (Indonesian Group Club) in the forum.. welcome you to join whenever u r in sg..

I think S$2500/mth is ok. Above average, i will say for your age.
But it also all depends in your lifestyle and spending..
I can comment more on this if you r keen..

My inputs
Above all, good luck!

"It does not matter which side of the fence you get off sometimes,
what matters most is getting off!
You cannot make progress without making decisions."
- Jim Rohn

As a foreigner staying in Singapore, I think S$2500 is just nice if you don't do any shopping and etc. dunno the price of clubbing.... never go....

And for those who prefer to stay alone, studio appartment is already 1000 to 1500.

Is transport covered by your company?

How about relocation fee and accomodation?

If you are taking the expatrait contract, usually on top of your pay, you are given relocation fee, appartment and transport. if this is the case then S$2500 is an average.