Singapore to Hong Kong - Cost Of Living?

[SingaRich]

Hi there. Seems like a new place for SG folks here. Nice.

I am currently in Singapore and am earning 190k + 80k bonus (SGD) a year. No other benefits are included though. I am thinking about a new option that has arisen to go to Hong Kong but I know nothing about the cost of living in HK compared to SG. Are they similar?

How much do you think I need to be earning in Hong Kong to maintain the same standard of living my current salary package gives me in Singapore???

[sling]

You could start by looking at a cost of living index. Since you have an executive job, it might give you a fairly accurate idea of what you would need. They are constructed on the assumption that a family of four would require a four-bedroom house with two baths, and two cars, for instance.

They don't work so well for non-executive people, becaue we usually have to adjust somewhat to the local standard of living. We do this even within the same country. I know that if I work in Columbus, Ohio, at the same job, with a market-level salary, I can get a much nicer place to live than if I took the same job, at a market-level salary, in Silicon Valley.

[Nivanm]

Hi Sling, pls can you assist....

I might be relocating to Singapore, on a snr management / executive level. I have been requested to provide my salary expectations. I am not too clued up on the salary and cost of living in Singapore but my ideal will be the ff:

• 3-4 bdrm house
• 2 cars
• domestic / nanny live-in
• groceries
• entertainment
• etc
  
  if you can, your assistance will be appreciated.
  
  Thanks alot.
  
  Nivan

Originally Posted by sling

You could start by looking at a cost of living index. Since you have an executive job, it might give you a fairly accurate idea of what you would need. They are constructed on the assumption that a family of four would require a four-bedroom house with two baths, and two cars, for instance.

They don't work so well for non-executive people, becaue we usually have to adjust somewhat to the local standard of living. We do this even within the same country. I know that if I work in Columbus, Ohio, at the same job, with a market-level salary, I can get a much nicer place to live than if I took the same job, at a market-level salary, in Silicon Valley.

[synthia]

Please note the date on the posts. Sling hasn't been around for a while.

But I can tell you that unless you are very rich, a house is probably out of the question. Singapore is a city-state, and essentially everyone lives in apartments. Most apartments come with quarters for a live-in.

[novelltie]

Hi Nivan,

welcome to Singapore (if you decide to relocate here, that is). You can purchase private properties with 3-4 bedrooms, maybe like condos or private apartments but you can't apply for HDB. You can also rent instead of buying if you are just staying here for a short period of time.

The cost of living isn't very high and transportation is excellent, thus 2 cars may not be needed... the MRT service is highly efficient. For domestic help, you will be pleased to know that there are many, i mean really many maid agencies over here and monthly cost is definately below $1K. Groceries wise, we have multiple supermarkets within any area so you can be stocked up anytime.

Entertainment scene; we have major tourists' attractions like the Formula One Night Race in Singapore this month and the Singapore Flyer or even the Zoo is great... You won't really feel bored cos' entertainment is 24 hours. Singapore is well known to be very safe and a trip to the 7 Eleven even at 3 am won't get you into trouble.

Hope i gave you a hint of Singapore... Cheers!

[squidy]

Hi

I am looking for an apartment to rent in Singapore, have been told I can look for 1200sq/ft, would like outside space and gym, also newer properties. Need to be accessible to district 10 area.

Any suggestions please?

[synthia]

Other good points: The food is wonderful, and cheap. Even the little hole-in-the-wall chicken places are good. The newspapers actually review these places, just as they do upscale restaurants. And it's all pretty cheap. You can get any kind of food you want, too.

[novelltie]

Originally Posted by squidy

Hi

I am looking for an apartment to rent in Singapore, have been told I can look for 1200sq/ft, would like outside space and gym, also newer properties. Need to be accessible to district 10 area.

Any suggestions please?

Hi Squidy,

welcome to Singapore! i presumed you are looking for place with 2 bedrooms? i think there are about 3 with the kind of facilities that you are looking for...

1. Kimsia Court
2. Ewe Boon Regent
3. Tanglin Regency.

but of course rental will be quite high. if i'm not wrong, it's about 3.5K and above... if your budget is lower, you can look at district 9 and 11 too. i think it's better to have an agent to assist you in your search. they know the place better.

[anthonyjeremiel]

Hi Singa,

From what I know, Singapore is slightly cheaper in regards to living cost.

So maybe 5-10% more for your annual income when you go over to HK?

Not very sure on this, so yeah.

Originally Posted by SingaRich

Hi there. Seems like a new place for SG folks here. Nice.

I am currently in Singapore and am earning 190k + 80k bonus (SGD) a year. No other benefits are included though. I am thinking about a new option that has arisen to go to Hong Kong but I know nothing about the cost of living in HK compared to SG. Are they similar?

How much do you think I need to be earning in Hong Kong to maintain the same standard of living my current salary package gives me in Singapore???

[James R]

Hi,

I'm a Realtor and work with relocation, move management companies like KC DAT, etc. to help expatriates in Singapore locate their home away from home.

Depending on your taste, location of work place, mode of transport, lease starting date and budget, you should be able to find an apartment of your optimum choice in the list.

[EDITED BY MODERATOR - Advertising removed - please see forum rules]

Originally Posted by squidy

Hi

I am looking for an apartment to rent in Singapore, have been told I can look for 1200sq/ft, would like outside space and gym, also newer properties. Need to be accessible to district 10 area.

Any suggestions please?