Car = independence

It might be expensive to own a car in Singapore but it definitely gives you the freedom to roam around. A lot msian that came to singapore keep complaining about how boring singapore is, truth is that they only hang around place reachable by MRT/Bus.

There are a lot place to explore once you have a car, but of course depending on your budget. You might not be able to afford it now, perhaps 5 years later. I have been in singapore for past 6 years, only managed to get an OPC car last year as a reward of completing my ACCA. Definitely heavy on the pocket but if you are planning to stay here long term, it is worth the money.

But the downside are
1) Jam
2) ERP
3) Summon (get it every month, coupon expired, illegal parking)
4) Expensive parking fee (HDB Parking 70-90 per month, condo free)
5) Maintenance - need to send car for some road worthiness test every other year
6) Liability
7) Road tax (depending on car CC, OPC car gets 500 discount)

Upside
1) Convenient & Freedom
2) Pay extra SGD20 only if need to drive OPC during peak hours.

I used to think I wont need a car, but saw some car adverts last year, price too good to miss, ichy backside and bought one. No regrets!

If you buy new car, current COE is hovering around 60K i heard.

http://www.st701.com/cars/coe/

Try to look at second hand car at sgcarmart.com

Someone told me, if you are EP holder, can drive Msia car, pay VEP but need to be out of singapore for 6 hours? something like that

Stopby lowyat to look for website designer.

Sean, still active huh? When I joined this thread I was just 21 years old, new in Singapore. 6 years have passed and I think am definitely qualified to be an aunty! Btw Sean, you ffk me last time at Orchard, I was auditing around there, then you said you have got a date or something and couldnt make it.

Btw, am looking for 2 person to take over my rooms (1 Master + 1 common room). Location Punggol (Cove LRT - 1 stop from Punggol MRT) Very nice environment. am getting keys to my condo in Nov so need someone to take over the tenancy. A little too early to advertise but if anyone needs room let me know. SGD570 (master) + 515 (Common). not sure if the landlord would increase the rent in Nov, but definitely the cheapest in the market.

One lady housemate residing in the other common room, i think she prefer ladies.

Cheers

My budget pretty limited, only looking at SGD1k-1.2k psf.

My preferred location was initially Pasir Ris/Tampines cause I have wanted freehold, but friend suggested Boon Keng and POtong Pasir, pretty decent buy around that place.

A lot freehold around that place too. Check out Beacon Heights, Airstream recently TOP. Location wise, not very ideal if you dont drive, gotta walk pretty far from MRT, 800m away. But once you get to the bus stop only 2 stops away. Near Potong Pasir & Boon Keng MRT. City fringe, and rental is decent. Mine is currently tenanted to an ang mo couple. But not planning to renew their contract as I wanna move in.

Simei is a good area but somehow the HDB around that place are pretty old. I went to see Melville Park, super old condo! But decent size. Hovering around SGD800 psf. Some might not like it cause a lot Indian resident, like a Little India (cause Tech park at Changi, nearby, a lot Indian expat). My Manhattan, I saw the brochure but didnt check it out cause it was new launch (gotta wait) and I prefer resale.

Katong is good and lively! I like the eateries around that place. Lotsa good food! Yum! Katong Regency is freehold, so definitely the price would be very steep. A colleague almost wanted to get a studio there, we just spoke this morning but at $2k psf, you got lotsa choice! stay orchard pun boleh!

Then you have to prove yourself in your next job evaluation to command a higher salary. Just be a little humble and stop comparing about starting point. You have a long way to go. If you want to save up more money, spend less and get a second income. Start a part time business, invest or do freelance.

When I first started, I too was paid peanuts. Hardly survived in Singapore, was staying with my ex-bf in a small common room. I couldnt event afford to pay $400 for a subsidised company trip cause pay was deferred by 1 month for new joiners. It doesnt matter at which point you start, as long as you can perform and deliver, your boss got eyes to see.

My younger sister too take up a job at a smaller company that offers a lot of travelling opportunity but lower pay vs an MNC that pays well. She took the former, now she is a jetsetter. Be humble at the beginning, once you perform, your sky is your limit.

Judging from your writing, I think you stand a fair chance of getting hired in Singapore, while grades are equally important but ability to speak/write fluent English determines whether or not you are fit for the job.

Perhaps try to get someone to go through your resume that emphasize your strength and play down your weaknesses. And I like your attitude, humble. Hard to see it in fresh grads nowadays.

No, you earn your income in Singapore, therefore you declare your income in Singapore. Malaysian authority would not come after you. If you have more rental income >$20k per annum, then perhaps you need to declare, then again, small amount. A lot investors I know declare the property they own as owner occupied, so no declaration needed.

But just to caution you on your borrowing, if you have no credit history in Malaysia (incoem tax, car loan, credit card), they may only grant you 80% MOF only as opposed to 90% loan (for first 2 property loan). Hence before you buy, try to leave a credit history in Malaysia, even PTPTN loan counts. Once you have a clean CCRIS, you shouldnt have problem to apply for a loan.

I think a lot of Msian working in Sg do buy properties back home.

Better salary, better career advancement. Singapore is one of the fastest growing country hence would like to be part of the growth. Security here is way better, you can see yourself raising a family here hahaha.

Be frank, everyone knows why you apply to Singapore. You can indicate your current salary +20% increment. But also depends on your experience, if you are confident just put a price and say negotiable. Just google for singapore salary wage.

Try to apply for a Malaysia credit card. I made a terrible mistake of cancelling my msia credit card (due to audit, conflict of interest) and paying off my car loan when I came to Singapore. And when I try to apply for one now, credit card company always rejects me despite my salary and my housing loan I took in Malaysia. I heard if you apply in Johor branch, you may get one, but I have yet to try.

My first loan was approved at only 80% but after much appeal and showing that I do have a credit record (car loan redemption) only did I get a 90% loan. After that, every loan is pretty easy to get.

Did you put in the option to purchase the clause of subject to 90% loan? you will still get a loan but only at reduced margin. recently I also applied for a commercial loan, everyone get 80%, I only get 70% cause all income from singapore . no choice but to top up.

Just get a JPJ transcript (dont get from JB else they sort of black list you or extort money from you), sit for theory and you are done.

I hv both Msia & Singapore driving license. Sg driving license is an international license hence evem if they treaten not to renew your license you can still drive any car.

Is it? Somehow I got the impression that Sg is an international license.

yeap.

By right, if you convert your license to Sg license, JPJ would cancel your Msia license, then you will not be able to renew your road tax (if i remember correctly), so JPJ Johor is notorious in asking for more "processing fee" if you want to maintain 2 license.



But if you travel a little further. say to KL, JPJ in KL wont cancel your license unless you openly declare you wanna get a Sg license.

Arent you in audit?

Your resume needs some polishing to do then. Usually pretty easy to get into audit singapore with your kind of experience.

Should put this in the first thread. Useful info.

Thats what they told me too when I first came to SIngapore. As long as you mention that the salary is slightly negotiable it should okay. They will come back to you if they are serious. But once you past that one step, subsequent job interviews should be okay. You have to justify why 20% increment (after your first job in Singapore) is reasonable. For myself, I said that I am relatively comfortable with my current position and company and my application is to evaluate what's my market value and if the opportunity arises, I would take the plunge to do something different. Therefore 20% is what I am looking for to forgo the comfort and nice environment.

You can also justify using your current increment %, eg annual increment 10% + promotion increment (increase of job load) 10% = 20%.

Good luck