Working at Singapore - Experiences and Tips

[kolz]

1. Can Sing$2000 budget for housing get me a good/big place? I am looking for 2-3 bedrooms, a living room and kitchen close to East Coast. I am asking for something impossible? BTW i dont want to live in a common house/rent a room coz of my dogs and i don't want to intrude in other people's spaces and vice versa. I have read nga the farther from CBD, the cheaper...OK ra pod na nako. I will choose this option basta naa lang madaganan akong mga iro.

A $2000 housing budget is enough if you choose to live outside CBD. But East Coast is a bad choice for this budget, you'd be extremely lucky if you can get an HDB (Housing Development Board) flat on that budget from that area. I suggest you look somewhere in the North or NorthEast.

2. I have 2 small dogs who will be coming with me. It looks like i will need a sitter for them while i am at work. Can I hire our helper from mandaue or my sister who still lives in Cebu as my helper or do i have to hire from an agency?

Hiring domestic help from the Philippines is usually done via agencies here in Singapore. They are given Work Passes (not an S-Pass or E-Pass as others suggested). It would be wise to contact manpower agencies once you are here. FYI, domestic help will still need to pass some exams before they are granted passes, so you better check out what the requirements from the manpower/maid agencies.

3. Clothing stores, i heard that it is very expensive there....is it true?

Nope, it depends where you look. The branded ones tends to be a bit pricey, this is because Singapore has a knack for branded goods, when supply runs low or demand goes high, prices usually goes up. This is the reason why you'd see long queues for LV bags at the shops.

4. How many work hours per week ang standard sa Sing (here it is 40 per week) and do they pay OT? I know this depends on my employer but i just want to get an idea who has an experience working in Sing.

Normally at the offices here in CBD are working at a 40 hr. work week. It also depends on the industry you're working at.

5. I would like to travel to different parts of Asia close to Sing, do i need a travel agency? Pwede ra ba mo byahe by land? Is it generally safe?

This is the best part in being an expat in Singapore, its easy to travel outside the country - specially within Asia. Last year, I visited 10 countries - 4 asian countries (malaysia, indonesia, vietnam, thailand), 4 countries in europe (frankfurt germany, switzerland, italy, spain), usa, and egypt (middle east). The nice thing about having Singapore as the base for travels is that - the number of travel agencies are abundant (hence they're competing on the price of the travel packages), coupled with cheap airfares and you have a travel base haven. This weekend there would be a NATAS travel fair, good if you'd be here this week.

6. If it was up to me i would not want to live in a high rise apartment/condo--because i have never tried it and basin magka problema akong dogs, naa pa bay daghang 1 or 2 level housing?

You can rent a landed property if you want, but that would be very expensive. My officemate who's also from chicago was renting a 3k landed property, but had the place shared with other expats from europe.

sorry kaau nga daghan kug questions but I need this info before I sign the contract.

Thank U daan....God bless U all


No probs. Welcome to Singapore.

[pepperandhenry]

Thank u thank u thank u....I need to decide in the next few weeks. Pls keep your input coming

[kolz]

Siopao and masakiton thank U...

I will be working as an expatriate....are u familiar with the expat package?

I know they will pay 1/3 of my housing but i am not sure what else

Kung naa moy mga nahibaw an, pls let ,me know....

Thanks

In our company, it really depends on the position. Just an example, my office mate who is from Australia shared me his salary package:

Allowances per month:

Housing : $700-$1500 (1/3 of the housing cost might be the norm if you're renting a flat, you'll get the total 1500 if you'd be renting a room),
Transportation Subsidy: $150 (fixed for all employees)

Salary Package:

Senior Quant Architect : $10000 /month
Variable Bonuses : can go up to 2x the salary at end of the year (also depending on performance).
Leaves : 24 days /year (accrue rate of 2 days per month). Plus management incentive leave bonuses., 7 days sick leave.

[nielcast]

agi lang ko mga singatorianz!!!!

[pepperandhenry]

In our company, it really depends on the position. Just an example, my office mate who is from Australia shared me his salary package:

Allowances per month:

Housing : $700-$1500 (1/3 of the housing cost might be the norm if you're renting a flat, you'll get the total 1500 if you'd be renting a room),
Transportation Subsidy: $150 (fixed for all employees)

Salary Package:

Senior Quant Architect : $10000 /month
Variable Bonuses : can go up to 2x the salary at end of the year (also depending on performance).
Leaves : 24 days /year (accrue rate of 2 days per month). Plus management incentive leave bonuses., 7 days sick leave.

Thanks Kolz...at least karon naa na koy idea kung unsa akong ma negotiate

[flanker]

hi pepperandhenry looking forward to meet your dogs.


Time-sa ha. unsa naman tong atong tapok² this weekend? wala pata ka decide ug place raba.

Sponsors: Wenghan, Nielcast, EgentKakashi & seeedless


Siopao, pepponeskie, Siodenz, Kolz pls suggest mog lugar.

Mas maayo outdoor bbq & we bring some booze..

[juleskiboi]

hi pepperandhenry looking forward to meet your dogs.


Time-sa ha. unsa naman tong atong tapok² this weekend? wala pata ka decide ug place raba.

Sponsors: Wenghan, Nielcast, EgentKakashi & seeedless


Siopao, pepponeskie, Siodenz, Kolz pls suggest mog lugar.

Mas maayo outdoor bbq & we bring some booze..

SeedLess - mouli na karon Sept 3, hehehe
EgentKakashi - wa pa daw na siya sweldo...hehehehe...

reschedule beh para kuyog ko...after Sept 17...can?

[stoner0ck]

ask lng mga bordz for your honest assessments about my qualification...hehe

4 yr acctg experience including 3 yr supervisory level...

what are the chances of me landing a job there with my experience.... in demand ba accounting singapore rn?


matsalam!!!

[lyrrem]

waaaa...i wonder when will i get the courage to resign from my current job and go to Singapore.. sigh... i heard very rigid ang competition ddto..the hard thing is u r no only competing with Singaporeans and Malaysians..kay mas grabe ang competition ddto with your own kababayans..

[Venice514]

limot ko sa meaning
pero equivalent na siya sa sss, pag ibig, phil health sa ato a
gi combine na
kasagaran ana kai contribution = employer share + employee share
applicable rana siya kung permanent resident na

central provident fund-- cpf