my hubbyhave got job insingapore of 5500 doll per month s well as in dubai of 18000 dharms which is better option? any suggestion plz
2006-10-18 04:12:22 · 15 answers · asked by fauzia h 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Singapore
Singapore.
A good friend of ours just moved to Dubai because her husband took a new job there...
She e-mailed and said she wished she was back!
I'm assuming you were quoting the salary amount in Singapore Dollars. $5500 Sing Dollars a month isn't a huge salary, but it's considerably above the average income, so you'll have no problem. One thing they do make very expensive here is driving. But the good news is that there's an excellent mass transit system (MRT and buses), and it's not necessary to drive. That's one of my favorite parts of living here, after having grown up in the U.S. where you basically have to have a car (unless you live right in the center of a small number of major cities). Housing costs can vary A LOT; condos can cost $1800 per month and up (albeit the farther you get from the central city the more space you get for the money). However, there are lots and lots and LOTS of things things called "HDB Flats," which are a lot more affordable. They're "public housing," but there's nothing of the negative connotation of "public housing" that you get in places like the States. HDB Flats are normally outstanding, highly sought-after, and typically very well maintained. Foreigners are allowed to rent them in most situations, and a realtor will be able to help. Keep in mind that you (the renter) will pay the realtor fees (normally 1 to 1 and 1/2 months' rent).
At the base, utilities are reasonable, but the main variable is going to be how much you use the air conditioner (called "air con" here). Most places have registers in each room, so you don't have to cool the whole flat if you just want the bedroom cool to sleep. There are two of us here, and we rarely run the air con except in the bedroom at night (set at around 24 C). Our combined water and electric bill is around $165 Sing.
If you figure out shopping in the "wet markets," your grocery bill will be a third of what it would be if you shopped strictly in the supermarkets. You can't get everything in the wet markets (mostly vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, chicken, tofu and Chinese noodles in some, and dry goods like rice, spices, and similar things), so you'll need to go elsewhere for some things, but the stuff in the wet markets is great. If you frequent the same stalls over time, the vendors will get to know you and might give you specials from time to time.
By and large, Singapore is a really excellent place to be. It's probably the healthiest city in Southeast Asia (even with this annual haze from the fires in Indoneasia), and is extremely interesting because of the range of different ethnic groups present here. It makes for a wonderful tapestry of stuff.
So there's my long-winded vote for Singapore!
Thanks!
mz
2006-10-18 19:24:07 · answer #1 · answered by mz 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Normally, I would advise Dubai, cos' it is an emerging market and there are lots of opportunities there.
However, if you have a family and young kids, then i would advise on Singapore. Cos' the environment here is ideal for young kids to be brought up.
I'm not sure what benefits is your husband's company offering him but S$5,500 should be sufficient for a family to be brought up in Singapore, comfortably.
Cheers...
2006-10-18 22:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by moonchild1808 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Singapore. Unless they change the currency of their offer in Dubai to USD. All foreign jobs should be paying in USD or British Pounds, unless your country's currency is stronger than the local currency than the former is acceptable.
Pardon my ignorance but I think dharm is Dubai's currency. No?
Cheers! :)
2006-10-19 12:42:25 · answer #3 · answered by Geo C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Singapore's the choice location. Modern city where everything works, less frustrations to deal with. Multi cultural society with the different races living harmoniously together. Good traffic and public transportation system, no traffic jams. Shopping and eating paradise, great selection of them. Good education system (if you have kids), no drugs, no guns; a perfect place to bring them up. Almost everyone speaks English and some other languages!
2006-10-19 06:45:25 · answer #4 · answered by TK 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure bout Dubai, but as for Singapore it's a really great place to live in. Great night life, shopping and pretty safe.
2006-10-18 11:17:41 · answer #5 · answered by govinjann 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lived in Singapore for three years, like Disneyland for adults, very safe and plenty of ex-pats around and great for traveling around Asia.
2006-10-18 22:09:59 · answer #6 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Singapore i guess.. Cos the city is so small & you can get everywhere easily.. Its safe even if u are out alone @ 4am.. People there are friendly & its a shopping & food haven..
I m singaporean btw..:-)
2006-10-19 11:37:44 · answer #7 · answered by Belle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Umm....Singapore?
2006-10-19 04:36:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dubai is a Islamic country , lots of restriction .eg. food, drink, clothing,entertianment ok yes wheather.
2006-10-18 23:12:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
5500 sing dollars a month is not much for a family to live on - you'll need to be frugal; sorry don't know much about dubai
2006-10-19 05:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋