potential Job Move, Hong Kong or Singapore?.

[Sideways Rich]

dom9 said:

Cats are easy from the UK if their vaccinations are up to date and they have a passport...

Ours weren't in quarantine and they are coming to the US without quarantine.

Basically, SG are just scared of rabies (as is the UK) so have the same standards. If yours are clean, they'll be fine.

It's very, very expensive to ship them though.... Trust me, I've paid thousands, this week!

Thanks for the info all, in terms of cost how much are we talking about to ship a cat from Uk to Sing, £1500 ish?

[dom9]

Sideways Rich said:

Thanks for the info all, in terms of cost how much are we talking about to ship a cat from Uk to Sing, £1500 ish?

Yeah, about that - I was talking dollars (in reference to thousands, plural) and we have two of them... So, I would say that is about right but you have to factor in that they need the special 'boxes' that are certified to go on an airplane (we already had them) and they were expensive when they were bought (though that was 5 years ago, for us).

We have used a guy called KC Tan at the Pet Hotel in Singapore to sort ours and he was the cheapest, by far, and I think they are flying KLM to The US. However, it was cheaper when ours were sent from the UK, so it may be better you looking into it at your end. Just pop down the vets and ask them if they are up to date and what they need for a passport, if your cat doesn't have one already.

Depending on how long you will be in SG and how much you love the cats, I'd genuinely ask yourself whether it is worth it (bloody millions of the things in Singapore) depending on how much you earn etc. Would a relative take them? Put it this way; for me... they are not my cats (though I do like our ones) but to Rachael - They are her children...

[Sideways Rich]

dom9 said:

Yeah, about that - I was talking dollars (in reference to thousands, plural) and we have two of them... So, I would say that is about right but you have to factor in that they need the special 'boxes' that are certified to go on an airplane (we already had them) and they were expensive when they were bought (though that was 5 years ago, for us).

We have used a guy called KC Tan at the Pet Hotel in Singapore to sort ours and he was the cheapest, by far, and I think they are flying KLM to The US. However, it was cheaper when ours were sent from the UK, so it may be better you looking into it at your end. Just pop down the vets and ask them if they are up to date and what they need for a passport, if your cat doesn't have one already.

Depending on how long you will be in SG and how much you love the cats, I'd genuinely ask yourself whether it is worth it (bloody millions of the things in Singapore) depending on how much you earn etc. Would a relative take them? Put it this way; for me... they are not my cats (though I do like our ones) but to Rachael - They are her children...

Thanks Dom much appreciated, the cost isn't a problem work a paying it, it's the wifes cat so I'd be for the high jump if I even suggested leaving it with a relative!

Another question, is it necessary to have a car in Sing, given the cost etc I was planning not to bother.

[dom9]

Sideways Rich said:

Thanks Dom much appreciated, the cost isn't a problem work a paying it, it's the wifes cat so I'd be for the high jump if I even suggested leaving it with a relative!

Another question, is it necessary to have a car in Sing, given the cost etc I was planning not to bother.

Put simply... No.

Most of the boys replying here had them (I think), including me but it was a luxury paid for by my work.

The MRT (tube) is very good and taxis are cheap relative to London and lots of places are walkable.

In reality, we only took the car to work and for the weekly shop. Anywhere else we wanted to go we were generally drinking, so got a cab.

The buses are also very good but this is PH and we shy away from public transport (I only took the MRT once and never went on a bus).

I genuinely believe my company would have saved money paying for all my cabs, as opposed to paying for a car lease!

There will be a dependancy on where you live and what you like doing but I really can't see it being worth your while until you've learned the 'system' over there!

[XJSJohn]

A car is not a necessity when you first arrive, but it's a nice to have if it's part of the offer.

I run 2 cars, but then I choose to live as far out of the city as you can (relatively) and have very limited public transport, this is reflected in what I pay for accommodation, so in the end I pay the same for house and 2 card as Dom was probably paying for an apartment in central.

However for the first 2 years you will want to be Central so that you can get out and exploring I would have thought, and taxi's / public transport is readily available.

Which part of town will you be working in?

[Sideways Rich]

XJSJohn said:

A car is not a necessity when you first arrive, but it's a nice to have if it's part of the offer.

I run 2 cars, but then I choose to live as far out of the city as you can (relatively) and have very limited public transport, this is reflected in what I pay for accommodation, so in the end I pay the same for house and 2 card as Dom was probably paying for an apartment in central.

However for the first 2 years you will want to be Central so that you can get out and exploring I would have thought, and taxi's / public transport is readily available.

Which part of town will you be working in?

Our office is on Science Park Drive.
Thanks guys, confirms what I was thinking I'll bank the car allowance dosh and put it in the GT3 fund I've promised myself when we get back! :-)

[Sideways Rich]

Thanks XJS John, very helpful information. No worries on the clothes front, at a strapping 5ft 8" I should fit right in with the locals.

XJSJohn said:

Sideways Rich, Congratulations!!

Cat - Singapore operates the same quarentine policies as UK.

Details here http://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSector/ImportExpor...

Been too long since i did the move to remember everything on a checklist bit sure some of teh recent movers will be able to help.

some tips i would say -

Passports - get secondary ones if you can, and if you are even half full on current ones also change them - its $500 a pop and takes several weeks via hong kong.

Clothes, if you are tall (6ft plus) or a bit bigger on the waist etc stock up on Jeans and shoes - I am 6ft 3 and size 11 shoe and those are the things i ca never find to fit!!

If you are thinking of new electrical goods (TV, Sterio, Fridge etc), you will probably find it is cheaper to buy in the UK at the moment and you may even be able to claim the VAT back.

Car insurance, talk to your insurer, they should be able to give you some sort of documentation / reciept that you can use to transfer your NCB internationally - i think thi sis valid for 1 year.

will revert back if i think of more!

Crazy about cars- just by factoring in Exchange rate devaluations a GBP100k job here should be the equivalent of a GBP65 - 70k job in the UK

Edited by XJSJohn on Thursday 20th September 01:36