Offered Singapore role

Offered Singapore role

Author
Discussion

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
XJSJohn said:
yet ironically locals queue up to send their kids to local schools that have a high percentage of expat / eurasian kids studding there ... confused

wouldn't surprise me on the PR thing ...
Re local schools - my take on it from gf is that the best schools (Nanyang Girls or Raffles ) are super competitive and select on local address and exams. ( I know someone with large detached house near Nanyang - rents a room out to a family with a $20m house elsewhere in SG so they have the right mailing address to send their girl to Nanyang hehe. Doubt that is strictly by the rules )

I think expats who are not PR just get whatever school places are left over in local schools. ( won't be at nanyang ).

Also hear that 'rote learning ' teaching style to just cram info in to pass exams does not sit well with some expats ( arguably Int'l schools have more enlightened techniques ...)

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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There is no way I'd put my kids into a Chinese school, I know the stats look good but they are not taught to think, I know a few expats in KL who have even pulled their kids from certain international schools because they are to chinese oriantated, my daughters first school in KL even got rid of Korean teachers when I complained that all they taught was memory.
As a point of principle if you are going expat I would not be looking at jobs that required a comprimise on eduacation, I do accept Alfaman's point that many Sing schools may be better that UK state schools, but that is not a given there are some good schools in the UK.

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Agree with Berw point on memory teaching in Chinese schools.

Probably explains lack of real critical business thinking at most levels in business here. very little challenge of the status quo- and too much deference.

Byteme

450 posts

141 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
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tom5678 said:
An option for you would be to live in Malaysia and commute across the Tuas bridge everyday. The border is a bit unpredictable but the payoff in lifestyle is, in my opinion, worth it. We rent a huge 5 bedroomed house overlooking a golf course on a gated community for 4000MYR (just less than 800GBP) a month. Cars are cheaper (still expensive) to buy but cost next to nothing to run. The Johor area is expanding at an alarming rate and it is quite an exciting place to be at the moment. There are numerous schools and the space and freedom compared to Singapore is refreshing. You'd certainly be able to live a comfortable lifestyle rather than watching every dollar. Plus, Malaysia isn't quite the bandit country Singaporeans would lead you to believe.
Most murders and violent crimes in and around JB go unreported so the perception of safety is very much different to the reality.

Add to that the fact that statistically Malaysia has recently (2012 I think) had the highest road death toll per capita in the entire world, very poor ambulance services, variable accident and emergency care, corrupt police and every local government officer you'll have to deal with and you'll realise why Singaporeans regard it as bandit country. A trip to KL, for them, is still regarded as an adventure.

If you want an indication of how many serious road accidents occur, take a trip on the NS highway and see just how many sections of the central barriers have been changed. If you drive around Malaysia you'll quickly lose count of the dead bodies you see beside wrecked cars.

Gated communities and other secure condos may give the impression of safety but a random check, or returning home late at night often shows they're all (gate and patrol staff) asleep. Tip: A can powered air horn wakes them up and the expression on their faces is priceless but be warned, you'll be held at fault the next day. When a burglary does occur security are almost always in on it and the police wont give any assistance whatsoever. As an expat, you need to be very aware of your personal safety and train your family to know how to take care of themselves as well.

Personally I always liked JB and accepted the risks that go with it but it's in no way safe when judged against Singapore, or the UK, for so many reasons.

crazy about cars

4,454 posts

168 months

Tuesday 21st October 2014
quotequote all
Byteme said:
Most murders and violent crimes in and around JB go unreported so the perception of safety is very much different to the reality.

Add to that the fact that statistically Malaysia has recently (2012 I think) had the highest road death toll per capita in the entire world, very poor ambulance services, variable accident and emergency care, corrupt police and every local government officer you'll have to deal with and you'll realise why Singaporeans regard it as bandit country. A trip to KL, for them, is still regarded as an adventure.

If you want an indication of how many serious road accidents occur, take a trip on the NS highway and see just how many sections of the central barriers have been changed. If you drive around Malaysia you'll quickly lose count of the dead bodies you see beside wrecked cars.

Gated communities and other secure condos may give the impression of safety but a random check, or returning home late at night often shows they're all (gate and patrol staff) asleep. Tip: A can powered air horn wakes them up and the expression on their faces is priceless but be warned, you'll be held at fault the next day. When a burglary does occur security are almost always in on it and the police wont give any assistance whatsoever. As an expat, you need to be very aware of your personal safety and train your family to know how to take care of themselves as well.

Personally I always liked JB and accepted the risks that go with it but it's in no way safe when judged against Singapore, or the UK, for so many reasons.
That's a bit biased and this is coming from someone being born in Malaysia. Yes its rough in some areas but it's no rougher than a night out in Brixton.

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Byteme said:
tom5678 said:
An option for you would be to live in Malaysia and commute across the Tuas bridge everyday. The border is a bit unpredictable but the payoff in lifestyle is, in my opinion, worth it. We rent a huge 5 bedroomed house overlooking a golf course on a gated community for 4000MYR (just less than 800GBP) a month. Cars are cheaper (still expensive) to buy but cost next to nothing to run. The Johor area is expanding at an alarming rate and it is quite an exciting place to be at the moment. There are numerous schools and the space and freedom compared to Singapore is refreshing. You'd certainly be able to live a comfortable lifestyle rather than watching every dollar. Plus, Malaysia isn't quite the bandit country Singaporeans would lead you to believe.
Most murders and violent crimes in and around JB go unreported so the perception of safety is very much different to the reality.

Add to that the fact that statistically Malaysia has recently (2012 I think) had the highest road death toll per capita in the entire world, very poor ambulance services, variable accident and emergency care, corrupt police and every local government officer you'll have to deal with and you'll realise why Singaporeans regard it as bandit country. A trip to KL, for them, is still regarded as an adventure.

If you want an indication of how many serious road accidents occur, take a trip on the NS highway and see just how many sections of the central barriers have been changed. If you drive around Malaysia you'll quickly lose count of the dead bodies you see beside wrecked cars.

Gated communities and other secure condos may give the impression of safety but a random check, or returning home late at night often shows they're all (gate and patrol staff) asleep. Tip: A can powered air horn wakes them up and the expression on their faces is priceless but be warned, you'll be held at fault the next day. When a burglary does occur security are almost always in on it and the police wont give any assistance whatsoever. As an expat, you need to be very aware of your personal safety and train your family to know how to take care of themselves as well.

Personally I always liked JB and accepted the risks that go with it but it's in no way safe when judged against Singapore, or the UK, for so many reasons.
which century are you writing from ?????

RE JB being such a bandit town, again certain areas of the town center yes, same as any large city. I won't go into the politics of the nationalities / races of the crime gangs as that's far too political and i only have one side of the story ... but staying in places like Iskander you are far removed from these elements, and with plenty of development security around you there are very few issues.

Yes 10 - 15 years ago the NS highway was not the safest route, especially at night, but its a fantastic road now. Yes you do get accidents, and you do have to watch out for large slow moving commercial vehicles, but that is all of asia, including Singapore.

Interesting on your Statistics, because here in Thailand i keep hearing people banging on about how Thailand is statistically the most dangerous place to drive, then when in Jakarta i hear the same, then again when in the Philippines .... I drive regularly in Thailand and Malaysia (around 40,000km / year) and ... (reaches for wood to touch) find that it is not that bad, you just have to learn the local style .... Personally i find the worst driving in SE Asia to be in Singapore....

I would however agree with you on the poor ambulance services ......

Singaporeans thing of Malaysia as Bandit country from years of government indoctrination to keep them in the little red dot spending their Singapore dollars in Singapore etc etc .....

anyway ... my $0.02 worth, only been out here a few decades now ....

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
crazy about cars, thought the opinion was biased, I'd say its rubbish.

I've lived in Malaysia for 20 years, I actually was acquainted with a few people who were murdered, all of them had become involved in dodge business, e.g money lending, car jockey, or land. I know of a few robberies, including my daughter, but where they handed over items there was no violence. Personally I feel safer in kl than London, no gangs walking round, go to the wrong place and you get in trouble. Like the two boys in Kuching, do not go in drinking dens.
Road deaths? I have a few fast cars and two bikes, the big problem is bike deaths, most of which are 'self inflicted', I actually like driving here better than looking for cameras in the UK.

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
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Berw said:
I actually like driving here better than looking for cameras in the UK.
yes

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2014
quotequote all
Yen John, you know me I'm the driver they complain about, remember what I told you about no speed traps on the mex?

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Berw said:
Yen John, you know me I'm the driver they complain about, remember what I told you about no speed traps on the mex?
i am quite enjoying the relaxed approach to speed here in thailand also.

V41LEY

2,889 posts

237 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
Apologies - very late to the party. We have just returned to Blighty after a 3 year tour in Sing. Loved every minute not least the ability to travel somewhere amazing just for the weekend. Re the OP - would have been very tight on $200kSG without an expat package unless the job has real potential to take off. Shame !

MadDog1962

890 posts

161 months

Friday 9th January 2015
quotequote all
Always ask for housing, school fees, and car to be provided separately from your salary. Likewise medical and flights home once a year and the tribe. EXPAT package lah! Then you'll be fine. You need all that and about SGD 160,000. Then you'll be OK.

I became a permanent resident and married a local. You can get "Island fever" if you don't get away regularly, but overall it's one of the best places I have ever lived and worked.

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Friday 9th January 2015
quotequote all
MadDog1962 said:
You can get "Island fever" if you don't get away regularly, .
I can relate to that !!

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 9th January 2015
quotequote all
Interesting now we are all different I've been an expat for years, and after my first job, the last thing I ever want is company supplied house and car, the car is nearly always rubbish and the hr 'guy' makes a fortune on the house from his mate. I always cost them into the salary. When I came to Malaysia I was paying 50%of what I coated in for the apartment, in the building xjsjohn latter bought in, so high end, but the discount for a private rent was huge.

shawnabc77

2 posts

102 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
tom5678 said:
An option for you would be to live in Malaysia and commute across the Tuas bridge everyday. The border is a bit unpredictable but the payoff in lifestyle is, in my opinion, worth it. We rent a huge 5 bedroomed house overlooking a golf course on a gated community for 4000MYR (just less than 800GBP) a month. Cars are cheaper (still expensive) to buy but cost next to nothing to run. The Johor area is expanding at an alarming rate and it is quite an exciting place to be at the moment. There are numerous schools and the space and freedom compared to Singapore is refreshing. You'd certainly be able to live a comfortable lifestyle rather than watching every dollar. Plus, Malaysia isn't quite the bandit country Singaporeans would lead you to believe.
johor definitely nice place to stay with good food.. just don't jam with 2 hours it will be awesome.. lol

XJSJohn

15,959 posts

218 months

Tuesday 6th October 2015
quotequote all
shawnabc77 said:
tom5678 said:
An option for you would be to live in Malaysia and commute across the Tuas bridge everyday. The border is a bit unpredictable but the payoff in lifestyle is, in my opinion, worth it. We rent a huge 5 bedroomed house overlooking a golf course on a gated community for 4000MYR (just less than 800GBP) a month. Cars are cheaper (still expensive) to buy but cost next to nothing to run. The Johor area is expanding at an alarming rate and it is quite an exciting place to be at the moment. There are numerous schools and the space and freedom compared to Singapore is refreshing. You'd certainly be able to live a comfortable lifestyle rather than watching every dollar. Plus, Malaysia isn't quite the bandit country Singaporeans would lead you to believe.
johor definitely nice place to stay with good food.. just don't jam with 2 hours it will be awesome.. lol
Indeed, but as i mentioned previously if commuting into Singapore to work (and therefore will have a Singapore work permit)

1 - as you mentioned - can get very congested
2 - the toll's are getting more and more expensive (i think its almost a $25 / RM50) charge each day
3 - If on a SG work permit you CANNOT drive a Malaysian registered car into Singapore (Although i believe motorbike is acceptable)