Wife wants to move to Singapore, I need a job ;-)
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Don’t have 3 kids, public school, no condos with pool. Makes you wonder who’d move half way across the world for this though.
I think the basic problem is that we tend to look at what USED to be great places for expats with the same expectations. Thing is Singapore and HK are not Britain anymore, this world is very different from our parents’.
I think the basic problem is that we tend to look at what USED to be great places for expats with the same expectations. Thing is Singapore and HK are not Britain anymore, this world is very different from our parents’.
Last edited by bringbackthe80s; 25th Aug 2019 at 06:23.
Singapore isn't a hardship posting anymore, and the days of the extravagant expat packages are largely over, unless you're a high level banker.
The way to make it work is to live like a local, government schools are fine and S$4000 a month gets a nice condo outside the prime areas, forget a car they're the most expensive in the world, public transport and ride sharing is the way to go.
Countries in the middle East need to offer the expat deal or no one would go there.
The way to make it work is to live like a local, government schools are fine and S$4000 a month gets a nice condo outside the prime areas, forget a car they're the most expensive in the world, public transport and ride sharing is the way to go.
Countries in the middle East need to offer the expat deal or no one would go there.
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I think the point of leaving home is to find a BETTER higher paying job, with more money left in the bank. Otherwise why leave friends, family, and your own countries medical/retirement security etc.. Singapore and Hong Kong used to provide. It still exists in some cases, but rarely for new residents.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
I think the point of leaving home is to find a BETTER higher paying job, with more money left in the bank. Otherwise why leave friends, family, and your own countries medical/retirement security etc.. Singapore and Hong Kong used to provide. It still exists in some cases, but rarely for new residents.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
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I think the point of leaving home is to find a BETTER higher paying job, with more money left in the bank. Otherwise why leave friends, family, and your own countries medical/retirement security etc.. Singapore and Hong Kong used to provide. It still exists in some cases, but rarely for new residents.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
If anyone wants to save lots of money then Singapore is not for you. If you want a safe plus dynamic atmosphere then yes.
I think the point of leaving home is to find a BETTER higher paying job, with more money left in the bank. Otherwise why leave friends, family, and your own countries medical/retirement security etc.. Singapore and Hong Kong used to provide. It still exists in some cases, but rarely for new residents.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
I am a HUGE Singapore fan, but I left the Scoot 2 Day Interview in the first 10 minutes after it became clear that it wasn't financially viable.
If so how does your airline of choice allow you to save with Honky living expenses?
Or are you a B scale CX

The best years to do Singapore would have been back when SQ was offering expat terms. Retire from BA at 55 years old as a B744 Captain, rent out the house in the UK and send the money along with the pension income to a competent financial manager in the Channel Islands/Isle of Man. Come to Singapore for 5 years on the full package and enjoy the expat lifestyle while stashing away the surplus income. Retire at 60 and return to home country well cashed up and enjoy life.
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No Singapore based airline offers an expat package anymore, all contracts are on local terms.
You will have to live a lifestyle similar to a local. A Captain’s salary is already way above the average what the locals are getting.
Cars are way too expensive, but given the public transport setup here, you can easily get by without one.
Housing is expensive too, but we don’t have the amount of land like most of where you guys come from. The general population live in apartments and people get by just fine.
If you’re looking for a big house, a car and still be able to put your kids through international schools, I’m afraid you might have to look elsewhere, if you can find any place that can offer you these and yet enjoy what Singapore offers - safety, corruption free society etc.
You will have to live a lifestyle similar to a local. A Captain’s salary is already way above the average what the locals are getting.
Cars are way too expensive, but given the public transport setup here, you can easily get by without one.
Housing is expensive too, but we don’t have the amount of land like most of where you guys come from. The general population live in apartments and people get by just fine.
If you’re looking for a big house, a car and still be able to put your kids through international schools, I’m afraid you might have to look elsewhere, if you can find any place that can offer you these and yet enjoy what Singapore offers - safety, corruption free society etc.
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Kids are not longer in school. (But Cathay did pay for most of it for us)
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The best years to do Singapore would have been back when SQ was offering expat terms. Retire from BA at 55 years old as a B744 Captain, rent out the house in the UK and send the money along with the pension income to a competent financial manager in the Channel Islands/Isle of Man. Come to Singapore for 5 years on the full package and enjoy the expat lifestyle while stashing away the surplus income. Retire at 60 and return to home country well cashed up and enjoy life.
That is exactly what brought me. Family friend, retired B747 skipper joined SQ; came back cashed up with stories of adventure.
My time at CX wasn't as good as his, but it was ok do the expat benefits. Anyone joining now is in for a world of financial pain.
DIRECTOR
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krismiler
I only came across on ex BA 55er who was Singapore based. All the rest were London based after their initial 6 months in Singapore. This kind of deal no longer around of course
I only came across on ex BA 55er who was Singapore based. All the rest were London based after their initial 6 months in Singapore. This kind of deal no longer around of course
The good old days when you could retire at 55 on a full pension with less than 20 000 hours in your logbook and easily take a contract job with Gulf Air or Air Lanka on the L1011, or SQ on the B747 for 5-10 years until it was time to tend the garden in your country cottage. Expat terms were the way to go as you didn't need to worry about the upgrade and were only looking at possibly one renewal which wouldn't be a disaster if you didn't get it.
As you say, no longer around anymore.
As you say, no longer around anymore.
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Is your wife Singaporean or Asian ? If yes I could understand the attraction. It is a pleasant place to visit, a form of soft Asia but it is very small, humid
very competitive in the jobs market and rather boring (only my personal opinion)
Why not take 2 mts off every Winter and move to a warmer environment which is affordable or emigrate to OZ like most young Singaporeans want to.
very competitive in the jobs market and rather boring (only my personal opinion)
Why not take 2 mts off every Winter and move to a warmer environment which is affordable or emigrate to OZ like most young Singaporeans want to.