Hi Nix,
I am pretty certain we HAVE to move.
If you don't mind me asking..
How much $$ did you have to prepare in TOTAL to move your family over? (Taking into account, moving boxes, air tickets, rental, transport and a sum to last you some time there... )
How much is a SAFE amount of $$ to start us of?
How much on average will a small family spend in terms of food and utility a month? (Assuming we do not just eat bread and butter of course.)
Would it be better to rent a house? or buy one? It does seem like rental is really high from the way i see it.
Are there some areas you would recommend for children? (If i were to go over, it would be based on the school my son can get into.. at least thats what I think)
Cheers!
******
Another email from Singaporean mom, M, about migration. I thought I would answer her questions here because there might be others who want to know. Hope you don't mind, Singaporean mom.
Singaporean Mom: If you don't mind me asking..
asingaporeanson: Yes I do, but since you already asked, here are the answers.
Singaporean Mom: How much $$ did you have to prepare in TOTAL to move your family over? (Taking into account, moving boxes, air tickets, rental, transport and a sum to last you some time there... )
asingaporeanson: SGD$10,000 excluding air tickets for everything mentioned plus Albany in Jen's tummy.
Singaporean Mom: How much is a SAFE amount of $$ to start us of?
asingaporeanson: A$1,000,000 or any nearest amount.
Singaporean Mom: How much on average will a small family spend in terms of food and utility a month? (Assuming we do not just eat bread and butter of course.)
asingaporeanson: Do you want three meals in the hawker centres, food court or restaurant? Forget about any of these. From Day 1, there was not a single day we had 3 meals outside. We cook. Initially we did that because Jen was pregnant and I wanted her to eat home-cooked food. We still do that now except the occasional eat-out. I dare say no Singaporeans here eat their 3 meals out. Sad to say, we can't even afford 3 meals in a hawker centre here. Are you sure you want to come over? After all,
"If you were a poor person, anywhere on this planet, Singapore is the one place where you will have a roof over your head, where you will have food on the table...Even if you can't afford it, we will have meals delivered to you." - Vivian Balakrishnan, 2010.
Singapore is the best.
To answer your question, take whatever food and utility you spend in Singapore a month. That's the amount you can make do with IF you are willing to cook your own meals.
Singaporean Mom: Would it be better to rent a house? or buy one? It does seem like rental is really high from the way i see it.
asingaporeanson: Buy, if you can afford it. As in, pay lump sum. I'm surprise you feel rental is really high here. From your profession, I'm sure you are more informed than any of us. You may be looking at the eastern cities. I don't comment on that. If you are looking at Perth, I'll use my rental as an illustration.
I have 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets, 1 entertainment room, 1 living room. Think this internal area of a 4-room flat in Singapore, but a signifcantly bigger one. Outside, I have a garage with an automatic shutter that can house 2 cars and have enough space at the sides to stall toolboxes and have and have nots (有的沒的), if that space is full taken up, there is a storeroom outside about the same size as our bomb shelter but with a much higher ceiling. Other than that, I have about 100 sqm of paved yard for laundry or bbq and a L-shaped patch of about 10 metres for planting.
I am paying A$360 a week, AS1,560 a month (360 x 52 / 12). Not taking currency exchange into consideration obviously, if you could find me similar conditions for the above in Singapore for a grand and a half, I'll move back.
Singaporean Mom: Are there some areas you would recommend for children? (If i were to go over, it would be based on the school my son can get into.. at least thats what I think)
asingaporeanson: This is a question I can't answer but I believe some readers here with kids can. Privately I'll introduce you someone who will really (i think) be a great help to you. Please check your email.
I hope you are pleased with my answers. Have a nice day M!
Singaporean Mom: How much is a SAFE amount of $$ to start us of?
ReplyDeleteasingaporeanson: A$1,000,000 or any nearest amount.
can't help but laugh when I read this... haha
Likewise, LOL. A$1M is the mark for business migration. Not sure what the current one is. As to whether to rent or buys being new to a city or country, it's better to rent first and know your bearings. In particular, locations. When you are ready to buy, you would want o buy a reasonably good location, and most importantly, within the catchment area of the schools you want to enrol your kid(s) in. Even if you want to buy, with lump sum payment is best. Otherwise, the mortgage interest rate is a killer. I think it's around 6%, not sure what it is now that the Oz Reserve Bank has just decreased it yesterday.
DeleteThe author is absolutely on the right track about having home cooked meals. The closest thing to hawker centre here is food court, a plate of char Kway Teow is $10.50 on average. But it's a generous portion compared to Sg. Perhaps, the cheapest meal you could get here is chicken rice from Chilliz at $4.50 per serve. I know of a retired couple, ex Singaporeans, who have their 3 meals outside. The husband works in a factory but they drive Audi. Work, for them, is for killing time.
As for utilities, install solar panels. They definitely bring down the electrical bill. I haven't paid anything yet since I had them installed since last year. Instead, Western Power has to pay me credits 'cos of sellback of energy. In winter, use gas heaters instead of electrical ones.
1mil A$ is too much la... ;)
DeleteBut basically you meant bring all assets possible?
I've had hawker food in Aus before they are in huge servings.. like a portion for 2. But of coz, cooking is definitely cheaper i reckon.
I read there are various utility saving ways.. but not sure whats worth the while, besides the solar panels, what else is worth it?
Also have you any recommended websites to plaster resumes for jobs? ;) Appreciate lots!
M
Save water: use water tanks to collect rain; underground water bore for garden reticulation (or take out the garden); use grey water to water garden.
DeleteBesides solar panel, you can use solar water heater. Insulate house roof to cut down energy used for cooling or heating house. Check electricity tariffs and low cost usage time. E.g. Cheapest to use electricity between 9pm to 6am. So, turn on washing machine then.
Websites: www.seek.com.au. OR www.mycareer.com.au
I thought you're a school teacher. It should be easy finding teaching job here.
if i were the mom, it was a little bit uncalled for to write that although i dun think tats what nix meant.
Deletenot everyone is good with sums especially one has no experience staying in australia to estimate the living expenses. $10k might work for nix & Jen, but may not for others. if one ended up in hosp ambul will cost at least $400 up front.
when one is not familiar with the buy food from mkt cost of living, "mom" was trying to prepare a good amount for the 1st few months.
sei
I feel like an orange is being squeezed of all its juice.
ReplyDeleteI also feel my hair standing on end.
I will come back and update you on my COST. ;) M
ReplyDeleteAustralians treasure their home. House price is mainly dictated by its location followed by size and location. www.realestate.com.au will give you all information concerning the property that you are going to purchase and where they are. Good public school zone is an important deciding factor of the pricing. This is because private schools are very expensive. something like 20k per year per kid.
ReplyDelete