I've said too much about Singapore. Now let's talk about the bad stuff about Australia.
Before that, I need to demonstrate that not only the Singapore government but every Singaporean is a master with acronyms. Let me show the world my awesome Singapore trait. This set of rules I've derived is nothing new. Yes - I plagarised it somewhere again. But since no one packaged it as well as me, so it's my set now. Here goes:
Reasons why Singaporeans should not migrate to Australia. For easy memory, just remember:
RATS
Racism
Affordability
Tax
Second class citizen
Racism
Nationalism and racism is the same thing. Every Singaporean has a racist in them. This is not supposed to be told, that's a national secret. I'll be damn but the hard truth has to be told. Every Singaporean has a favourite race or nationality to hate. Over the years I've learnt much from my brothers. AT, ATB, Kiao-tor, Orr Per, Jiuhu kia, Si Ang Mo, the list goes on. We have a name, not quite in endearment, for everyone. Even the dad of someone important in Singapore showed proudly how racist he was in one of his books, though he later did a *prata-flip by stating that was in the past and that was no longer his opinion. So that remains the sole soft lie in the book of hard things.
Listen to the voice of students who studied in Australia before, they'll tell you there are plenty of racism in Australia. It takes a racist to recognise racism and we make good sensitive detectors. So this must be true.
The bottomline: My favourite Minster of Parliament Mr Lim Swee Say taught us how to Upturn the Downturn, so Singaporeans can similarly Out-racist the Racists. If you are too weak, you simply level up or avoid Australia at all costs. It's not worth it to return to Singapore wounded with internal injuries.
Affordability
A sandwich costs $9.00 and a small bottle of coke costs $3.00. A meal costs more than $10.00 and you do not have affordable HDB flats here in Australia. Enough said. Don't ever think of migration. You'll either starve to death in Australia, or will be poor as a church mouse at the end of the day. Then you'll come back with tail between the legs, maybe by a floating sampan via the Indonesia smugglers because you can't afford to buy that air ticket. You don't want to that to happen. No Singaporean likes to go through this. Avoid migration.
Tax
On top of poor affordability, you get taxed 45% of your income even while you display proof you couldn't afford your last $9.00 sandwich at the counter. They don't give a damn. Ever wonder why there are blooming fruit trees growing wild on streets but no one are picking the fruits and buying them off the shelves in hypermarts? Those fruits are for you! It'll be dire if you die of hunger on the streets. There is not enough workforce to clear corpses, not even if they import Corpse Explosion Necromancers. Why be taxed? In Singapore, you get to keep much of your hard earned money. That's the way it should be!
Second class citizen
This is my favourite. We are Singapore, we are World Class. World Class citizens from a World Class country governed by a World Class government. We are not taking it lying down if someone fails to give us royal treatment. If Australia is not interested in giving us Singaporeans World Class treatment, we are staying at home.
Indeed, every Singaporean will experience RATS issues in Australia. So migration is a no-no. Our slogon is Stay, Idle, Cultivate Kids In Singapore (SICKinSG).
* a lethal self defense skill in the pugilist world of Singapore. In the past it was called 乾坤大挪移. We may have spent 3 million bucks to rename the skill, I'm not too sure.
/sarcasm
will u come back????
ReplyDelete@ah Pooh: i don't know. I havent tot about it
ReplyDeleteMUM says vegs n fruits here is more ex compared to SG. Which is surprising in her words, cos austr produces these things.
ReplyDeleteBut she level it by commenting, meat is much cheaper but cost of fish is totally way off the price chart. In SA Snapper is $29.90AUD/kg, she gets the same fish for ard $12SGD in SG.
For Norway caught Salmon in Sg it is ard $14SGD/kg, but in Australia, Alantic bred salmon is at least $21 aud/kg for the same tip-top freshness.
But the magnums are cheaper :)
ReplyDeletePat
If that is the case then why are you still in Australia? U wanna live there forever? I am very much perplexed!
ReplyDelete@Gintai: You have answered your own question my friend.
ReplyDeletehttp://asingaporeanson.blogspot.com/2011/09/singapore.html?showComment=1323713217935#c8178226285250773981
@Fong: When we talk about bad things in one post, we are not supposed to talk about the good things :D
ReplyDelete@Seian: don't know why leh. I used to shop for fishes for my wife's pregnancy in singapore just before i came.
ReplyDeletefishes are really more expensive in singapore. a lot more in fact. not sure why your mum think otherwise.
i bought cod for $60.00/kg in sg that time. Over here it's only $20+/kg
interesting but not enough to discourage people like me. heh let me elaborate.
ReplyDeleteRacism - being malay, when i look for jobs i always see one of the job requirements as "must be able to speak Mandarin" of course this is not for ALL jobs but still i feel like i'm being punished for not being able to speak Mandarin in a country whose first language is supposed English. this, to me is still racism. in singapore.
Affordability - according to our government, the median income in singapore is $3000+. that would make me fall either in the higher end of the low income earners or the lower end of the middle income earners. but ultimately mean that alot of things are not affordable to me. my salary would be enough just to survive. given a choice whether to survive in singapore or survive in australia, i'll take australia.
Tax - i have a good idea of how the income tax system in australia works so this doesnt discourage me.
Second class citizen - my friends' favourite reason for discouraging me from migrating. i just lay out to them the class system in singapore as i see it.
1st class - the royal familee of singapore
2nd class - ministers
3rd class - the filthy rich
4th class - local chinese
5th class - local indians / malays
so if i migrate and become a 2nd class citizen, i'll be UPgrading 3 whole classes! sounds like a good deal to me.
this is just my humble personal opinion. i dont mean any offense to anybody. Australia here I come!
Ewan.
I like your post.Encourage Ewan, Go Go!!!
DeleteEwan I am glad that more and more Malays are migrating to a better country for our children future sake.
DeleteI myself just migrated 2+years already and been smiling almost everyday!
By the way I a native Malay sgrean soon no longer
All the best Ewan and good luck
Over at Singapore Club in Australia (also a Blogger blog) Facebook Group, there is a link in a recent post comment thread that links to this thoughtful article:
Deletehttp://sophiandy.blogspot.com/2011/09/warning-to-all-malaymuslim-singaporeans.html
I think its cautionary is still relevant.
Well said Ewen.
DeleteAnd as far as tax rates go..the personal tax in Aus is still very high compared to SG. But we have a huge welfare budget to pay for. Great if your a PR or citizen, not so great if your not.
Australia has a large and growing Asian population, racism is not so prevalent these days.
So Australia looks after its residents and costs outsiders more, even though everything looks expensive.
DeleteWhile Singapore looks after outsiders and costs its residents more, even though everything looks cheap.
I Totally agree with you Ewan.. Look now... Singapore will be more foreigners and will take up all the higher position job and we will work under them!! Well we have a great government who cares to earn but not care about the citizen.. I'm so concern about the future.. Living in Singapore is crazy!! Increasing population for more then 6million as for now it's already horrible going in transportation that will always be soooo packed.. We paid for the transportation not to squeeze through everyone every single days.. Looking at those foreigners nowadays try have good life.. Most condominium build are the residence are them Mostly China people.. About the job it's true Ewan why Singapore first language is English & why do most of jobs required Mandarin.. It's very frustrating to look for a job.. Why can't this Chinese speaks English?? Why is it so unfair? I'm thinking of migrating. But not sure how's the procedure..
DeleteEwan, u said the true, and i respect you by saying the true and nothing but the true......have more bad things in SG too, but i think the people already smart enough to understand it already.....
DeleteHi5 bro! coming too!
DeleteActually many jobs have the mandarin-speaking requirement because many companies deal with China. And we all know how bad their standard of English is. Don't blame the companies for being racist. Blame China for not learning English.
DeleteOn a side note, there are many jobs that requires the ability to speak Indonesian Malay. I am pretty sure SGean Chinese don't feel that it is a racist requirement. Merely just to cater to Indonesian customers too.
@Jun Daz: nice try. The reality is that Singapore Chinese hate the Singaporeans of other races, so try to avoid employing them as much as possible :-p
DeleteCahmin Morikawa. You're generalising. Not all are racist and you will know that. Perhaps you should say that when employing, use guidelines which do not favour one race over another. Two wrongs do not make a right.
DeleteHahahahahaaa.....@Ewan! That's a good one. Which part of Aussie are you relocating to?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how exactly does the Australian tax system work?
If we want to leave SG because of the bad of SG, we have to make do with the bad of OZ after relocating. As for now, I can't tolerate the bad of SG (perhaps "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome). Too crowded, humid & lack of nature...
ReplyDeleteI am a nature lover & enjoys spacious environment & dry weather! It really depends on what you (& your spouse) prefer. Please note that preferences change as we progress in life. Personal preference really...
@Ewan!! I salute you!!!
ReplyDelete@Ewan: Hi bro.
ReplyDeleteI like your Class Chart but you miss one Foreign Talents. They are very valued indeed.
1st class - the royal familee of singapore
2nd class - ministers
3rd class - the filthy rich
4th class - the foreign talent
5th class - local chinese
6th class - local indians / malays
You're jumping FOUR classes up. Come on onboard!
@Paul_Paul: im surprised no one find me sarcastic :P
ReplyDeleteHi guys if anyone want to migrate to Australia or New Zealand i can introduce a migration agent who does my application and my cousin but located in Kuala Lumpur . I happily settled in Perth now. Good news that they have open branch office in Singapore cause i received update mail from them time to time. I can share with you guys. Never try never know.
DeleteAgent name Rayford Migration . Tel no.66312871
We don't because sadly there is a lot of truth to your statement. Lol.
Delete@asingaporeanson
ReplyDeleteHi bro, I hope everyone is well.
And you're right! i forgot the foreign talent class. lol
4 classes up! woohoo!
wahahahaha...u love it there...we here so ke lian hahaha....so tired and no $$$$
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents worth... No country is perfect. While we have something Singapore does not have, you also have something that we don't have.
ReplyDeleteIn the consideration of migration, the push factor is what makes you put words into action and move, but it is the pull factor that will make you happy.
For those who are considering moving, do look hard into what we have, our simple lifestyle, our culture and our inexpensive alternative. If you can match that to your expectation,or set your expectation to match that, you will be a happy camper.
@Ah Pooh, I know. I've been on the trains like u, scrimped and saved like u. I may not be there in sg now but i understand.
ReplyDelete@Alvin : I was pushed over the cliff even before I can look into the pull factors. There is no way I could live happily with 5.18million people in a 700+ sq km land. Positive thinking or whatever.
I was uncomfortable and very unhappy too often because of that. People will undoubtedly wonder why this alone can make someone migrate. On my side, I don't understand why people can stand it and wondered why I can't.
Well, to conclude, I love Singapore, I just don't like the people running it. :P So Australia, here I come!
ReplyDelete@thomas: Quitter. lol
ReplyDelete@asingaporeanson: So bad! LOL!!!
ReplyDeletelol I'm still chuckling 10 mins after reading ur post... :)
ReplyDeleteFr Sydneylibrarian
@Sydney Librarian: You're officially my favourite person from Sydney(you're the only one) now :)
ReplyDeleteHihi! chanced upon your blog and im a singapore living in sydney. cant help but agree with you, the RATS symptoms is much worse here in sydney unfortunately...
ReplyDeleteWow, -asingaporeanson-, your ironic post was so well done, when I skimmed through all those dead-serious comments in response, I didn't know whether to rotflmao, or cringe in horror.
ReplyDeleteThat's the tragedy of growing up in a tunnel-vision society.
But I also got your other message, that:
Racism also exists, but is denied.
Affordable living? Not here either!
Taxation is in everything you have to pay for.
Second-class is what we have become, strangers in our own homeland.
Rats!
Now I'm going on to have another bitter laugh! :-)
Thanks Alan, I always thought no one quite reads this one properly. I'm glad someone did finally
Delete@Alan. "Strangers in our own homeland" Awesome. I miss my old Singapore.
Deletesarcasm... sharp like a sword cut... swish! You could have been Jack Sparrow himself!
ReplyDeletethat was very racist
ReplyDeletehave you ever thought why the Australian tax are high?
maybe because they have social programs to reduce distance between the rich and the poor. this also applies to the affordability. the more tax government place on goods and housing, they more they will return when there is a recession and unemployment. Singapore is one of the richest city in the world, holding at least 1 billion people with only 3 universities. ever wonder where all these high school students go when the finish? In order to be rich and powerful, someone has to be the looser. maybe the poor is not in Australia but somewhere else.
human nature is racist in general. we tend to blame others for faults that we mostly did ourselves. there are racism between the muslims and the jews, iran and israel.but it is the ability to change and look from a different perspective. and that is what matters
No country suits everyone. Hows your life/what are you going through presently? Do you qualify to migrate? If not forget it? If can, what do you expect going forward? My take on all this is when your expectations are not met, discontentment will arise. At the end, what is God's will for you? To go or to stay? May God's peace envelope the decisions you take...
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more
Deletehi guys amran and i am a native sgrean malay guy who almost 3 years migrated to Australia :)
ReplyDeletewhat i can tell u is before i left singapore in my posb got less then $500 and i was 37year old :(
here in Australia the quality of life if much better u have more time to spent time with family :)
yes the tax is high but also the our salary is high also so there is balance can survive :)
some people say things in Australia expensive yes its true but there also things are very cheap as well :)
the only thing is missing in my life here in australia is parent and realtive and friends. when we arrived here we dont know anyone no friends and relative just me and my wife but now slowly we get to know more sgrean who live here :)
if u say i am happy here i would say i just glad i made the right dicision to leave :)
cheers!
Thanks for your comments abang. Hope you can share your story with me one day, I'm sure I'll be inspired
DeleteHi Amran,
DeleteI like the way to put things and make decision to Australia.. I'm amazed with that balance amount how could you survive? You get a job there before migrating?
I totally need the time spend together.. In Singapore it's just so difficult.. Working around the clock and not enough time spend. Singapore every day living is wake up to work at the end of the day tired of working and have dinner.. Off to bed.. Almost everyday. On off day is not rest day it's house cleaning etc.. Tired to even cook.. As for couples living together not all couples who work same timing.. Not all have 5days work.. Not all have same off day to spend with.. Very stressful at the end of the month getting pay because that's the part all the bills come.. How I wish I get the time to spend with love ones.. =)
hi guys I am back!
Deletejust to update u my dear wife is 5 month preggy and just went to scan last week and its a baby girl!!
so looking forward for her to come to this wonderful world :)
cheers!
Congrats brother. You will love it. Fatherhood is the greatest experience of my life.
Deletethanks asingaporeanson :)
DeleteI also very looking for it heheheeee :)
thanks again :)
Hi Amransan,
DeleteIf you don't mind sharing, could you give some tips and advise? I wish to migrate when I finish my postgraduate diploma. I've a family with two young boys and want to bring my parents along. Any suggestions/advises is much appreciated. Do you engage migration agent?
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deletehi amran here again!
Deletejust sharing with u guys that my dear wife just gave birth to a baby girl :) . mother and baby is healthy and doing fine :)
next stop is for me to apply my Australian citizenship this May and will sit for the test :)
after that if everything goes to my plan I will go back to visit sg to collect my CPF next year!
thank you for reading :)
True life in Australia much better and less hassle. Quality time with family here unlike in Singapore. So hectic in Singapore and costly in all aspect. Hmmmm i am so relax in Australia.
Deletehi guys Amransan here!
Deleteits been a good year for me and my family in Australia and I am grateful to god for that :)
now my baby girl is 4 month old she a very cheerful
and on the 16th of june I be sitting for my citizenship test and it is the most important test in my life!
if everything goes to plan I be getting my hard earn CPF by next year and can pay off my house in down under :)
so those who planning to migrate don't give up!
cheers!
Nice! Fan-ta-bulous :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading this blog because everyone of you contributed your personal experiences and views about moving to Australia, living in Australia and sharing the cons and pros. It is very real, can't fake it.
Seriously, I value your views because I believe migration is a big decision cos it isn't a joke.
Seriously again, I am also a Singaporean holding an Aust PR VISA 175 since Aug 2011 and I am planning to migrate, just not decided which city to settle in.
I visited Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. In the opinion of my wife and I, we like Brisbane and Perth.
Tough luck, I haven't got any luck getting an interview or a job in Australia. I'm an Electronic Engineer with 9 years of experience. Due to job security, I have been working in the government sector for the past 2 years. Prior to that, I have worked in the private sector for 7 years but I resigned as I needed job security to finance my humble 4-rm HDB flat in Punggol.
I got a Class 3 licence and I drive company car to travel to sites. I'm not a rich person and I do not own a car. Like many Singaporeans, I travel to and fro work in buses and MRT.
Any advice how I should go about improving my chance of getting employed in Australia and which city is advisable to move to?
Someones told me this, "Sydney is the easiest place to get a job because it has 5 times more jobs than any Australia city and 2 times more jobs than Melbourne, but it is the most horrible city to live in."
@Jeremy,
Deleteplease have a look at the jobs website like www.careerone.com.au and www.seek.com.au and see which cities will have the highest number of jobs in your field.
you need to write a really good resume and covering letter. Look up on the net for tips on this.
As for the interview, same as above, look for tips. For most interview in Australia, they are interested in how you do your job and your knowledge in your profession. Very little on your academic and you have to dress well for the occassion; suit and tie.
Oh.. well.. now you know how some of us non-Singaporeans feel in Singapore ;)
ReplyDeleteI hate both S'pore & Austr.
ReplyDeleteThey are full of rubbish and jerks.
Nicaragua, Vietnam or Sao Tome Principe far better.
this is so not true, its more like you don't know how to adapt here in australia, even in sydney, the city with the highest housing cost, you could buy a decent house with garden for the price of a small condo in singapore, and if u know where to eat u can get a mealaround 6 dollars. and groupon sites! the rest u said is true though.
ReplyDeletethis is so not true, its more like you don't know how to adapt here in australia, even in sydney, the city with the highest housing cost, you could buy a decent house with garden for the price of a small condo in singapore, and if u know where to eat u can get a mealaround 6 dollars. and groupon sites! the rest u said is true though.
ReplyDeleteim a singaporean here that have completed my studies in Australia migration law and in the process of applying to be a registered migration agent. So if you have any question about Australia visa and/or migration, please post here and i will try to answer them.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteI have the intention to study there and work part time. But cant decide what to work as.
I hope to buy a property there. for my children future.
Australia, i can buy house/property and own it for the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteAustralia, i can buy car and own it for the rest of my life.
Australia, i can open affordable business and no objections for the rest of my life.
Australia, is bigger country mean more opportunities and better choices.
Australia, high in tax, doesn't matter, why? Free education, Free medication and healthcare as a citizen, even if you don't work government helps paying you a standard monthly amount to survive.
Australia, children grew up more healthier free of life stress.
Australia, fresh food, fresh meat fresh chicken, i don't care if its slightly expensive but i care about myself, children and wife health.
Australia,speak English, are they raciest ? every country in this world have some percent in discrimination, why only Australia,??
Australia, Most parts of Australia have 4 seasons, but in the tropical far north of Australia there are just two.Still but than having one season and in other word you will enjoy the healthy weather in Australia.
Australia, protect their nation worldwide, being right or wrong will still be siding you all the way.
Australia, have more time to set down my family and enjoy life.
Australia, slow based in work, which is relaxed, healthier and less stress or even free stress.
Australia, i love you and here i come.... ;)
I really love reading your blog, u are humorous =)
ReplyDeleteBIAS, ONE-SIDED POST. ONLY KNOW HOW TO TALK BAD THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA. SINGAPORE ALSO GOT BAD THINGS DON'T WANT TO SAY. SAY LIKE ALL OTHER COUNTRIES OTHER THAN SINGAPORE BAD LIKE THAT. IF YOU SIT DOWN, ANALYSE AND THINK FOR YOURSELF, THERE'RE TONNES OF BAD THINGS YOU CAN TALK ABOUT SINGAPORE. IT'S ALL UP TO PEOPLE'S CHOICE DUDE.
ReplyDeleteBIAS, ONE-SIDED POST. ONLY KNOW HOW TO TALK BAD THINGS ABOUT AUSTRALIA. SINGAPORE ALSO GOT BAD THINGS DON'T WANT TO SAY. SAY LIKE ALL OTHER COUNTRIES OTHER THAN SINGAPORE BAD LIKE THAT. IF YOU SIT DOWN, ANALYSE AND THINK FOR YOURSELF, THERE'RE TONNES OF BAD THINGS YOU CAN TALK ABOUT SINGAPORE. IT'S ALL UP TO PEOPLE'S CHOICE DUDE.
ReplyDeleteSingapore got bad things meh? like what?
DeleteDidn't see the comments on this post till now. Ever considered filtering? ;)
DeleteI read the last sentence and laughed
Deletei heard that it is not as easy to migrate to Oz as before. If one is over 40s, surely no chance?
ReplyDeletebut i heard the bullying in schools in australia are really really bad.. like way worse than whats happening in singapore
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that you haven't seen some in Singapore yet. You should keep yourself updated by using Facebook and Youtube more often. Or maybe read the newspaper..... OH WAIT A MINUTE, I think the government have CENSORED them so that you can't see the negative side of Singapore, so that Locals and Foreigners can have a good impression of Singapore.
DeleteWell, our mainstream media is 150 out of 180 in the world freedom of press index, with 1 being good. Lol.
Delete@ASINGAPORESON It is OBVIOUS that you haven't seen some in Singapore yet. You should keep yourself updated by using Facebook and Youtube more often. Or maybe read the newspaper..... But sadly, I think the government have CENSORED them so that you can't see the NEGATIVE side of Singapore, so that Locals and Foreigners can have a GOOD IMPRESSION of Singapore. You are like a frog in a well, not know what's going around you now. You can go to The Real Singapore Facebook page and see what are the VIEWS of other average Singaporeans towards Singapore. "Singapore got bad things meh?" Utter childishness and arrogance.
ReplyDeleteoh really? Why don't you share with us the truths?
Deletetax rates
ReplyDeleteAustralian residents
If you're an Australian resident for the full income year and are entitled to the $18,200 tax-free threshold, these are your tax rates for the 2013-14 income year:
Taxable income Tax on this income
0-$18,200
Nil
$18,201-$37,000
19c for each $1 over $18,200
$37,001-$80,000
$3,572 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $37,000
$80,001-$180,000
$17,547 plus 37c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over
$54,547 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000
These rates do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5% or the Medicare levy surcharge. The Medicare levy will increase to 2.0% from 1 July 2014.
If you're under 18 and you receive investment or other income you haven't earned through your own efforts (by working for wages, for example) it is taxed at higher rates. This is to discourage adults from diverting their income to their children.
I'm migrating to Australia next week. I've always thought of living there since I was young. Now it's my time. Yays! :)
ReplyDeleteHi All,
DeleteI planning to migrate after finish my postgraduate diploma in Feb. So, currently I'm gathering research and info. If possible, i want to do it concurrently if there's any paperwork involve so that time is not wasted.
Could you advise whether its better to engage migration consultants to help us process the visa and other paperworks or is it something we could manage to do DIY? I've a family with two young boys and if it's possible to do away with the agent, it would be great bcoz I could save more money.
Hello, just chanced upon your blog and I must say it brings a smile to my face reading about your experiences, especially since me and the wife did our uni in Perth. We now live and work in Alice Springs and it's amazing how Australia isn't homogeneous, and how opportunities abound even in the most unlikely places. Alice is a small town and is in the middle of the scorching desert, but jobs are easy to find, there's heaps of overtime available, tend to pay more, and offer more benefits.
ReplyDeleteYou have choice in Australia. You also aren't shackled to one path in life - study, do NS, go uni, find a job, get married, work until retirement bullsh!t we have in SG. My neighbour - a Thai lady - bought her first house when she was 19 y/o after working three jobs to raise enough money for the downpayment. She's got no degree or trade qualification. Now at 23, she's looking to buy her third home with her husband, and looking to have her second child. Others choose to live their lives travelling and working in casual jobs (which pay pretty decently).
Regarding racism, I have experienced a little in Perth while studying, nothing overt. When I started my current job in Alice, I was one of two black-haired Asians amongst Caucasians, Islanders (maoris, fijians etc), Americans etc and haven't had any problems working with these people. As long as you work hard and don't get a negative reputation, most people seem to respect and work alongside you. I haven't been treated like a second class citizen yet, but maybe if I had an alcohol tolerance like a camel my colleagues may invite me to more parties! That's just my experience, but then again each city may be different.
Taxes are high, but my take home is still higher. I haven't delved into the tax system much, and I have changed jobs completely since Singapore. I earn approximately 2-2.5 times more than what I take home in SG. When I did my first job in Aus (salesman at Dick Smith's) I already earned the same amount as what I did in my job (after 5 years) in Singapore. The high tax offers many benefits: My wife's pregnancy was completely paid for - hospital stays and midwife appointments both before and after the pregnancy.
Affordability - food costs more in OZ but even before the sky-high HDB prices, you get more bang-for-your-buck with a house in Australia IMO. Now I can afford to work while the wife stays home with bub - something impossible to achieve in SG. We have an SUV, a ute and a motorcycle plus the mortgage to upkeep, and we're comfortable. I know of a colleague who own 9 cars, 4 properties in different states and he's not living on instant noodles either.
So yes, life is better here. But try telling this to Singaporeans and you'll get labelled a traitor :)
I just came across this blog. I agree with Hoey. Take home pay may be lower but the access to Medicare benefits is one good thing about paying higher taxes.
DeleteHoey, I was in Alice Springs for about ten years! Make sure you say hello to the our Singaporean (ex-Singaporean) compatriots at the Tea Shrine. If you haven't already!!
Enjoy
Maybe its time to change it to BRATS. B= boring and no building. Australia is BORING because everything stop after 5pm and we don't have BUILDING like Takashimaya or Vivocity to satisfy Singaporean's shopping thirst. S can be sienz also when you don't enjoy the outdoor. So, please avoid Australia!
ReplyDeleteThis post is super biased and has a very narrow and unfair perspective. Firstly, you're so stuck up. Please look at how most singaporeans treat foreigners and PRs here before you demand royal treatment. I've been discriminated by teachers just because I'm australian and so have many of my friends who are not singaporeans. If you're not going to treat foreigners and PRs in singapore well, then why should we give you royal treatment, you stuck up asshole? Who the hell do you think you are? If you're gonna be so stuck up and arrogant, then please go back to singapore. Disgusting. Also, homes in australia are usually cheaper. My family's house there (a decent 2 story townhouse with a backyard) only cost $400000 while a condo here is over $1 mil. Being a chinese, the racism I experienced in australia was very minimal and the people there are extremely warm, friendly and helpful. I definitely wouldn't say all singaporeans are unfriendly and unhelpful, but there are just so many people who are so nasty to strangers. Please think about your own behaviour before you criticize others, thankyou.
ReplyDeleteI dont think you read the whole post. Super biased? Very narrow? Unfair perspective?
DeleteDid you think first before you typed? These are views of the people. Not all says migrating to OZ is bad..and not all says migrating to OZ is good. There are PROS and CONS! Seriously, READ THE WHOLE DAMN BLOG BEFORE COMMENTING ON SUCH IRRELEVANT TOPICS.
I struggle to believe that anyone would wish to leave Singapore for Australia or anywhere. First class education, same goes for health, excellent Universities, lower crime rate, no graffiti, a beautiful clean modern and green City, people friendly and great weather. Admittedly house prices are a concern but you do have a system that ensures people can own their own property if they plan well from their youth. I'd live there in a heart-beat if I were allowed to. Don't emigrate, be proud of a great country.
ReplyDeleteSingapore does a lot of things right. However land is a requisite which is scarce. Universitites are excellent but many MNCs still originate from the west and still prefer to employ graduates from their home countries. The system promotes elitism and places for universities are limited. Many who do not get into a choice stream of study do very well in overseas universities. Unlike in other countries where you own the house and land for 999years, you only own a piece of "land" in the sky for 99 years as most Singaporeans can only afford a flat. You can't rear chickens or plant vegetables to supplement your income or in your old age. This means that your grandchildren start again from the very beginning. There is no age discrimination legislation or minimum wage legislation which means that you can be replaced in your senior years by someone willing to work for less or a new graduate. There is no age pension which means that you could go hungry in your old age. Please take up Singapore citizenship and give up your own citizenship so that there is no chance of you returning to your own country. Hope you don't like driving a car either. Please check the prices of vehicles. Most Singaporeans prefer to use a BMW to get around (Bus, MRT and Walk) Lol.
DeleteYou make some very good points, and I admit that at 67y/o my comments do come from a different perspective. I think my generation has seen far greater change than any previous age band. From the birth of TV via the magic of jet engines and moon landings to the internet and beyond I find myself a little bewildered at the speed of change, yet still invigorated by it.
DeleteSo I find Singapore a very attractive proposition because you combine and embrace all the modern world has to offer yet retain the values of family and the need for an organized society that live (in relative terms) in harmony with your neighbours you’re your surroundings. Yes, I would give up my citizenship to live out my life in Singapore as it would suit my life-style brilliantly, yet I am still aware I come to that opinion from a very different perspective and background.
So to bring it back on topic and to stay faithful to the original blog, yes on the surface Australians do appear racist, but time and time again I have seen Australians run to the help and aid of any one in trouble regardless of race, creed, or colour. Admittedly racist comments are used to ‘haze’ new arrivals, but as soon as you demonstrate that you are willing to take part in Australian culture without giving up your own everything changes. Then you will experience far less ‘perceived racism’ in Australia than many other countries around the world.
High Taxes, oh yes, can not argue that one as we don’t really get value back for our ‘tax-buck’ either.
Housing is cheap and you will get a back yard, but keeping chickens isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, trust me ‘been there done that’. As far as growing your own vegetables goes you toil for 3 months planting, weeding, pest control, watering etc etc then when they are ready to eat they are cheap to buy in the supermarket as Australia experiences four seasons.
I could go on explaining the differences between our two countries but I fear I would only be coming up with a cure for insomniacs. Different strokes for different folks seems to be the rule here, so lets admit that the world is an interesting place and thank god that we are all different because if not we would all be bored to death, and have nothing to blog about…………………
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ReplyDeleteSome of the worst people I have met in Australia are Singaporeans.
ReplyDeleteto my owned personal experienced meeting singaporean in Melbourne most of them are very proud people they think they are the 1st class they think they were still in sg lol. i many of them very sombong and rude.
Deleteonly a very small numbers of sgrean in Melbourne are very nice people and i still keep in contact with them.
Amransan here :)
ReplyDeletewell after almost 10 years (next few months) living in Australia all i can say is again everyday is a blessing i get to see my daughter grow up and she going to be 6 year old another 2 months.
so far so good the life i have here in Australia i can never get in singapore.
we just bought another landed property and rent it out.
and i have a new hobby learning how to cook and gardening :)
last few months my brother came to Australia for holiday and he got a shock how affordable Australia as to compare to singapore! and the life style here in Australia is so relax there no stress at all that is what he told me.
now planning to go for 2 weeks cruise if no relatives of sibbling come and visit us next year :)
i wish all of u merry Chrismas and a happy new year! :)
cheers!