potential Job Move, Hong Kong or Singapore?.
Discussion
Some pics from HK for your viewing pleasure. This is the "car scene" in HK:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1002092@N21/pool/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-icyj-/sets/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48817379@N03/collecti...
Enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1002092@N21/pool/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/-icyj-/sets/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48817379@N03/collecti...
Enjoy!
so the potential HK or Singapore job is now an offer (offer will be formalised if I express a solid interest) for a role in Singapore.
Question, how easy have people found it for their partners to get work?
I'm recently married, wife has a degree + masters in Psychology and is currently working in research for a UK university.
Question, how easy have people found it for their partners to get work?
I'm recently married, wife has a degree + masters in Psychology and is currently working in research for a UK university.
If she has that level of qualifications it will be easy for an employer to get her an employment pass, that is a plus.
Depending on exactly what she does / wants to do, but science and medical I dust dies are pretty strong here so also a good outlook.
Only catch is that a lot of well educated people in the region are also well qualified in this sector and will undercut the wages.
So, may get a good job well paid, may also get low balled! Does she want to work for income or to build her career, if the latter then some good prospects I would say!
Depending on exactly what she does / wants to do, but science and medical I dust dies are pretty strong here so also a good outlook.
Only catch is that a lot of well educated people in the region are also well qualified in this sector and will undercut the wages.
So, may get a good job well paid, may also get low balled! Does she want to work for income or to build her career, if the latter then some good prospects I would say!
Probably that but...
In the 2years 2 months I've been here, my two degree educated girlfriends (different times, obviously) have worked 6 months between them... It's tough out there at the moment, by all accounts!
I can't think of a friend/ friend's wife who has looked for a job and not found one!
In the 2years 2 months I've been here, my two degree educated girlfriends (different times, obviously) have worked 6 months between them... It's tough out there at the moment, by all accounts!
I can't think of a friend/ friend's wife who has looked for a job and not found one!
Agree it is tough, and also agree that not many mates spouses work here (that are not local)
Those few that do seem to work in either Medical / Sciences or Finance / Accountancy.
edit - although this does open another can of worms .... do they actually want to work??
quickly puts lid back on can of worms and exits stage left very fast .....
Those few that do seem to work in either Medical / Sciences or Finance / Accountancy.
edit - although this does open another can of worms .... do they actually want to work??
quickly puts lid back on can of worms and exits stage left very fast .....
Sideways Rich said:
Thanks gents, so for those that are prepared to look hard enough there are roles, good to know.
My concern is that she would be v bored if not working.
The boredom thing is very important to consider, the main reason that many people end an expat posting early is because of this.My concern is that she would be v bored if not working.
Other than her getting a job, consider where you live, Sg is small enough that it won't realy affect your commute. Locate yourself convenie t to places / clubs where she can do hobbies and sports she is interested in, do some research on expat forums etc to find out what sort of communities live in condo's. Often the international schools shape this.
XJSJohn said:
The boredom thing is very important to consider, the main reason that many people end an expat posting early is because of this.
Other than her getting a job, consider where you live, Sg is small enough that it won't realy affect your commute. Locate yourself convenie t to places / clubs where she can do hobbies and sports she is interested in, do some research on expat forums etc to find out what sort of communities live in condo's. Often the international schools shape this.
Thanks for the tip, will do some research into it. Other than her getting a job, consider where you live, Sg is small enough that it won't realy affect your commute. Locate yourself convenie t to places / clubs where she can do hobbies and sports she is interested in, do some research on expat forums etc to find out what sort of communities live in condo's. Often the international schools shape this.
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
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
To add on moving out here [have been here 18 months ]
1/ Your employer will initiate the Employment Pass process - you will need to provide original degree certificates and quals ..[took me ages to find mine ...]
2/ I bought a TV out here - it is probably 10-20% more than UK , but less hassle if it breaks ....
3/ also shipped out new kitchen appliances - no need as they are about the same price here.
4/ outdoor / sports equipment is very expensive here - if you need to replace your hiking/climbing/ diving/ camping/cycling gear or clothing do it in the UK.
5/ I bought most of my furniture locally - I reckon pretty much the same price as the UK .. with more choice IMO.
I live in an unfurnished place and have a lot of personal stuff here. In hindsight a furnished place would have been a lot easier and I should have left more stuff back in the UK .. if I move condos at the end of the 2 year lease it will be quite a bit of hassle as a result.
1/ Your employer will initiate the Employment Pass process - you will need to provide original degree certificates and quals ..[took me ages to find mine ...]
2/ I bought a TV out here - it is probably 10-20% more than UK , but less hassle if it breaks ....
3/ also shipped out new kitchen appliances - no need as they are about the same price here.
4/ outdoor / sports equipment is very expensive here - if you need to replace your hiking/climbing/ diving/ camping/cycling gear or clothing do it in the UK.
5/ I bought most of my furniture locally - I reckon pretty much the same price as the UK .. with more choice IMO.
I live in an unfurnished place and have a lot of personal stuff here. In hindsight a furnished place would have been a lot easier and I should have left more stuff back in the UK .. if I move condos at the end of the 2 year lease it will be quite a bit of hassle as a result.
alfaman said:
I live in an unfurnished place and have a lot of personal stuff here. In hindsight a furnished place would have been a lot easier and I should have left more stuff back in the UK .. if I move condos at the end of the 2 year lease it will be quite a bit of hassle as a result.
Alfaman, removal companies are easy to find and cheap should / when that happens. Give me a shout and i will put you in touch. From what i have seen, the furnature given with rentals is frankly crap! Bring your own basic requirements, buy other imediate requirements at IKEA, then let the wife loose in Dempsey Hill, Tanglin, Just Anthony's etc buying funky asian stuff. Gives her something to do
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
6 foot 3 inches, size 11 feet, I didnt quite catch the waist size there John....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
XJSJohn said:
Alfaman, removal companies are easy to find and cheap should / when that happens. Give me a shout and i will put you in touch.
From what i have seen, the furnature given with rentals is frankly crap! Bring your own basic requirements, buy other imediate requirements at IKEA, then let the wife loose in Dempsey Hill, Tanglin, Just Anthony's etc buying funky asian stuff. Gives her something to do
hmmm - some interesting stuff in Just Anthony's..From what i have seen, the furnature given with rentals is frankly crap! Bring your own basic requirements, buy other imediate requirements at IKEA, then let the wife loose in Dempsey Hill, Tanglin, Just Anthony's etc buying funky asian stuff. Gives her something to do
alfaman said:
hmmm - some interesting stuff in Just Anthony's..
Just Anthony's is the best known, but there are some good shops in Dempsey hill that do this sort of stuff (not cheap though) and if you hnt about there are others hidden away, 2 good ones over in Binjai Park for example, but I can't give away all the secrets in one go 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!
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!
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