Let's continue our discussion here. I'm trying my best to pull out information from the first thread and summarize it here for easy reference. If you wish your posts to be added, you can PM me so I can insert here. Hopefully this thread can also be used to organize gatherings, makan/drinking sessions and sports meet-ups.

FAQs

Employments:
Job opportunities are still good. Those with higher education level/experience stand a better chance and command a higher starting pay. Good command of English in resume writing or interview is a huge benefit. The following are the list of available online job sites:
1. Jobstreet
2. Contact Singapore
3. Jobs Central
4. JobsDB

The most effective but expensive method is to do it the old fashion way. Come over to Singapore, and then extend your visa to long term. During your stay in SG, flip through the recruitment newspaper and apply for your job through the company itself. This way, you're almost guaranteed to be in front of the queue from those who applied through Jobstreet. You can also attend their interviews without any delays while you're here in SG.

Various employment passes are available to enable you to work in Singapore depending on your skills and pay. Employers will help you in the application of passes. Your job is however pending on the approval of the pass. Information of types of passes are available through MOM's website. Do not worry of what passes you get. Eventually all will allow you to work in SG. Some do fuss about it due to "status" and extra benefits (i.e: credit card and contract phone applications). Just be hardworking and move up the passes or apply directly for PR few years down the road.

All you need to know about PR application and requirements are available here: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151&secid=150

Please take note that ex Singaporean PRs who renounced their status without serving the National Service will have their job and employment pass applications greatly degraded.

<Need more information on salary bracket and range in different industries to expand. Contributions greatly appreciated>

CPF and Taxes:
Malaysians working under employment/work passes are exempted from paying CPF. Singapore PRs have to contribute to CPF according to the rates found here: http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Gen-Info/C...es/ContriRa.htm

As for the complicated tax returns, i'll just provide the website so everyone can search under their own categories. http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page01.aspx?id=88

Accomodations:
HDBs everywhere! Prime and new areas should cost around SGD450-600 per room (with or without utilities). You can still find sub SGD400 per room in remote or rundown areas. If you can afford the luxury, apartments and condos are the way to go. SGD800-1200 per room is the current market price. Normally comes with swimming pool and gym facilities.

Below are some useful sites:
http://www.flatsdb.com/
http://www.hdbflat.blogspot.com/
http://singapore.roomsdb.net/
http://easyroommate.com.sg/ (looks more like a dating site )
http://www.sg-house.com/

Transportation:
No need to describe any further. Been compared and discussed too many times between SG and MY. In SG, you can be anywhere in the island just by using public transport. The all too convenient EZ link card can be used in both MRT and bus (even McD yeah!). For places out of reach, taxi is the answer. Don't worry, you won't get touted with expensive fares. They are a bunch of professionals with accurate meters. First entry onto cab is SGD2.80 or SGD3.00. The rest runs on meter plus any surcharges from tolls, airport surcharge or stopping period. If you are travelling in group of 4, taxi is the cheaper option on certain routes compared to others.

SBS bus maps: http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/iris3/nextbus.aspx
MRT maps: http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/images/tn_networkmap_big.jpg

Malaysians can drive in cars/bikes to work in SG. For SG PRs, you have to drive singapore registered vehicles. More info here: http://www.lta.gov.sg/motoring_matters/ind...oring_guide.htm

Expenses:
This is very subjective depending on the spending power of different individuals. But here are the basic breakdowns on rough estimates:
1. Accoms SGD600 (varies)
2. Food SGD500 (varies)
3. Transport SGD60
4. Entertainment SGD300 (strip it off if wanna save)
5. Shopping $$$

Forummers in SG:
1. nick (nicvoo) - work at jurong/bt merah (till end of august) bugis/lavender (beginning sept); live in tampines
2. wen (wyy) - work at outram; live in outram/tiong bahru
3. Louis (louismhc) - work at Tampines; live in Tampines
4. Daniel (yrh0413) - work at Jurong East, live in Marine Parade Rd
5. saintcute - work at harbourfront, live in serangoon
6. nameless - work at NYP Ang Mo Kio/Tanjong Pagar, live in Commonwealth
7. jeremy (ilikehandphones) - work at clementi, live in admiralty drive
8. sukhoi37 - work at Changi/Paya Lebar, live in Pasir Ris
9. tiny - work, live in Ang Mo Kio
10. ferdinand (washabushi) - live in clementi, work at toh guan(jurong east)
11. gld998 - live in Tiong Baru
12. mONSTers - work at Ayer Rajah Crescent, live in Kembangan
13. smuldge - work at Toa Payoh, live in Ang Mo Kio
14. ahwai_83 - work at raffles place/robinson rd, live in toa payoh
15. Joshua_0718 - work at Toh Guan Road (Jurong East), live in Kallang
16. wu ming - work, live in jurong west
17. aicescko - work at Tanjong Pagar, live in Woodlands




Feel free to contribute and ammend any inaccuracies. THX! Let's roll.

This post has been edited by hoongji: Apr 21 2009, 01:36 PM

hey all, appreciate all the participation. let's keep it up. hopefully we can form a small community in here. great if we can hang out sometimes.

i have the slot up there reserved for all kinds of gatherings. let's get creative.

if your sons are the 2nd generation PR, then they have the decision on either serving the NS (granted citizenship automatically afterwards) or renounce the PR without serving NS.

LOL, this is a clear case of mistaken identity. i'm not string

anyway, all names updated

it's equal opportunity here, and if you can live with meritocracy.

join you guys next time

this weekend balaclava for me

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Added on November 13, 2008, 9:38 amstarhub had implemented "internet shaping" long time ago. you can only surf certain websites at advertised speed, while most downloads will be capped to slow speed at peak hours. you can bypass by using encryptions and hit 300kbps; but bear in mind you're also sharing the 8mbps tube with thousands of other ppl. so during peak hours, most likely your donwloads will be limited to half the speed.

*i'm using starhub 8mbps and facing the same situation. encryption is the way to go.

This post has been edited by hoongji: Nov 13 2008, 09:38 AM

SG is in a recession now. Certain sectors are hit badly and are retrenching instead of hiring. But as you flip through the recruitment newspaper, there are still many other job vacancies. You just have to be less choosy and pray for your luck.


Check the first post for updates.

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Added on November 17, 2008, 10:21 amencryption is only for BT. i suggest you opt for VPN for your HTTP dl needs.

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Added on November 17, 2008, 10:23 amDBS already retrenched ppl. In the news.

This post has been edited by hoongji: Nov 17 2008, 10:23 AM

they're all part of the "experience"...ain't it?

my friend just got 2 job offers. and another one coming down for interview this week. there are still opportunities out there at times like this

only have very limited Q ticket; say 10 per day. and you have to be really really early lining up to be the first few to get in and get that ticket. just go for e-appointment. but at the moment, 2 months backlog.

no interview at all

that was a risky but lucky move. best not to do it again in the future. if get caught, the consequences could be dire

that is not the case in reality. first hand experience of salary lower than 2500 yet still on Q1 pass

very good explanation there. actually it's designed in a way to rid those already not working and staying in singapore anymore. sounds cruel, seems like it's gaining steam. even australia has got tough with their PR rules

the queue is getting worse man. i've heard pppl saying they queue there as early as 3 or 4am.

not sure if the "2500 posts per thread" rule is still being enforced, but this thread is nearing the end of V2. someone can take over and start a new V3 by copying the info on the first page and other relevant info in other pages to the new thread.

enjoy and stay healthy.