Living in Brunei

[Salusa]

Good Day All,

I have the possibility of being offered a married accompanied position in Brunei (not RBA).

Salary is not that great but I have heard it can be a good place to live with a young family.

Anyone have any recent information/comments regarding lifestyle and living conditions?

Thanks.

[Blacksheep]

Brunei is a very good place to bring up a family. The key question for you though, is how much(if anything) are they offering for school fees allowance? Education there isn't cheap. You'll be looking at between B$1,000 to B$2,000 per child per month in school fees depending upon their ages, so how much the employer contributes is very important. Where will you be based? Bandar Seri Begawan or Seria/KB? For Bandar look up these sites:

www.isb.edu.bn/

www.jis.edu.bn/

There are others, but these web sites will give you some idea and put you in touch.

Cars are about the same price as in UK, petrol is B$0.59c a litre. Social life is whatever you make of it - whether you use the yacht club, the school PTA, work colleagues etc. If you can afford the education, go for it.

[Dixons Cider]

Got a good mate there, been for a wee visit - great place.
Take note of the above post too :E

[Clockpit]

Dixons Cider,

Certainly education is a major consideration but there are other issues both good and bad.

Education:
Only 2 international schools but both good particularly for primary. Secondary reasonably good too but you're always faced with the "expat brat" upbringing verses whatever your home country environment provides. Having said that, I can think of worse places than this for teenagers to ripen.

Health:
Does your employer offer any sort of health cover? It can be expensive but certainly necessary in this country. Mad if you don't consider this as major expense.


Social Life:
Obviously no pubs/clubs and booze only in houses and the occassional restuarant will allow you to bring a bottle or 2 of wine. Majority of socialising done at peoples houses. There are a couple of expat clubs which cost a bit but are a necessity to relieve the monotony although they can become overly familiar eventually. The biggest social adjustment is the size of the place (socially - not geographically). It's tiny. Roughly 360,000 population so you can imagine the expat community is a tiny proportion of that and it can be a bit "everybody knows everybody elses business" but the positive aspect is that it satisfies those of us who enjoy repetitive, no suprises type lifestyles. Possibly a bit like living in a small village.

Cost Of Living:
Low! Not sure where Blacksheep gets facts from but I can't agree with the car costs. UK vastly more expensive in just about every aspect. (Petrol 53cpl = 20p/lt).

Climate:
Big consideration for those who struggle with heat and humidity. 29 to 32 and humid everyday of the year. It's hot! Drinking beers outside in the wee hours of the morning is really pleasant.

There is probably lots more to write about but I couldn't be bothered. One must make allowance for the local customs and practices and often trying to get administrational jobs done can be nearly enough to make you want to top yourself or someone else! The place suits some and not others. We love it. Single guys struggle a bit. It's a quiet, safe, slow moving, very moderate muslim, interesting, mosquito infested, infuriating, strange, humid, enjoyable and peaceful existence. PM if you want more.

[Orangputi]

I echo sentiments expressed great place to live and bring up kids safe as!

However check into the school fee issue, I left Brunei and many others followed because of this expense. You are rigth salaries are not great but if these other expenses are covered it tends to go a long way.

Housing is usually great with a big house. You normally make friends and social life is what you make of it. I can reccomend Hashing it is a great laugh.

Cheers PM if you want anything more specific.

[BANANASBANANAS]

I lived in Brunei from 1996 - 2005 and agree with all the above comments. It is a great place to bring up a young family. Low crime, great weather, good social life etc.

If you can make the $ numbers add up with the job offer I would go and have a look. I think diesel is still about Brunei $ 38 cents a litre. It used to cost me less than Brunei $ 20 to top up a Mitsubishi Pajero tank from almost empty.

I think 9 years is plenty long enough but it could be a great adventure for 3 or 4 years.