Bizjet Expats Living In Singapore

[CLDriver]

I've got a line on a possible job flying in Singapore and would like to start a dialogue with any expats living there. This would be my first expat experience and I would like to do my research beforehand.

Housing, taxes, transportation, anything would be helpful.

Thanks

[733driver]

I would think that there are only a very limited number of people here that can help you with that specific request.

Have you tried googleing "singapore expat forum"? Lot's of websites with exactly the kind of info you are looking for, albeit non-aviation related.

Or you could try and post your question in the "S/E asia and far east" section of PPRuNE.

Good luck with your search and with the job if it materializes.

[mushroom69]

Cost of Living in Singapore, Singapore. Prices in Singapore. (http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Singapore&city=Singapore)

You can use this tool to add a comparison to another city, regarding actual prices. Singapore is not cheap........

It is not America and forget about driving. A Gold will cost you 120,000 dollars! Taxi and public transport is cheap. If you can live with that major change in lifestyle.

[cldrvr]

Housing is insanely expensive, think Central London, Manhattan. Income tax is low, 7% below 100k going up to 15% at 500k. Cars are ridiculously expensive, expect 100-150k for the permit and 2-3k per month on top of the purchase price of the car, take a taxi, everyone else does and it is really cheap as a form of transport, comparable to the bus in the City on price, not like NY or London.

I have never actually lived there, but spend quite a bit of time over there and have several friends based there. It has a very Western feel, with probably half the population in the City being Western and the rest Chinese. It has a very large percentage of millionaires flocking there for the taxes. It is extremely clean and a really pleasant place to be. Everyone speaks English and you would feel right at home.

If you are going there for a flying job and are expected to be based there you had better negotiate a good package, especially if you bring your family over, you can easily spend 10-15k a month on an apartment. Also the international schools are not cheap if you bring your children.

Edit: If you are an American, you will want to apply for a permanent residency over there or else you have to pay tax in the US for income abroad, that would negate the low taxes you enjoy over there. Well worth talking to a tax advisor for, don't take my advise please.

Singapore is probably one of the best places to live as a Westerner in Asia, in my biased view. They started a quota system, or are about to, to limit the amount of "immigrants" moving over there but your employer will take care of your visa/residency.

[ap10046]

PM Me.
I was a bizjet driver in Singapore till this month.

[Tray Surfer]

Very best for your move to Singapore...

I adore Singapore, well apart from the humidity which can be relentless. Spend most of your time in and out of malls and hotel lobbies which are all connected together through underground walkways etc...

As already mentioned, housing is prohibitively expensive and I believe within the top 5 or so most expensive places for housing in the world. However, as also pointed out, everyone speaks English, it is clean, orderly, easy to get around and a very, very pleasant place.

I was just there 2 weeks ago on a trip and was sad to leave again.

[CLDriver]

Sorry for the late reply, I had a bit of time off and did a little hiking in New Mexico. Wonderful.

Thanks everyone for their input and ideas, it gives me some great places to start thinking/working from rather than just flailing around and trying to fake it.

I have flown trips to Singapore and am somewhat familiar, although not in a sense of living there.

Again, I appreciate everyone that took the time to answer this request.

Cheers

CL