Moving to Singapore to teach (costs)

2POSTS

4 years ago

Hi,

I鈥檝e been offered a post as a Head of Department in an independent international school in Singapore but I have no idea if the salary and housing allowance would be sufficient for us to live off. We intend for my partner not to work initially so we鈥檇 be solely relying on my income which is 90,000 SD. The housing allowance on offer is 4000 SD. We鈥檇 need at least a two bed place I imagine as we have two young children coming with us.

Our eldest girl will have a free place in the school but our youngest cannot start until he is is Reception age as nursery is not included in the package.

Would this be sufficient for us to live off of? We don鈥檛 plan to run a car or do anything too crazy and don鈥檛 mind commuting a bit for work!

Thank you!

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beppi Germany/Singapore Expert

15644POSTS

4 years ago

Questions like this are very difficult to answer: Some people happily live with very little, others spend lots and still complain. It all depends on your expectations, lifestyle and spending habits!
Also, it is unclear if the numbers you mention are per month or per year: housing S$4000 per month is good but per year not, salary S$90000 per year is mediocre, per month stellar.
You can check average cost of living on numbeo.com to get an idea.

Sprucey123 Member

2POSTS

4 years ago

Thank you, the housing allowance was monthly but salary yearly. Apologies for the confusion!

Shekhz Singapore Expert

969POSTS

4 years ago

Sprucey123 wrote:
Hi,

I鈥檝e been offered a post as a Head of Department in an independent international school in Singapore but I have no idea if the salary and housing allowance would be sufficient for us to live off. We intend for my partner not to work initially so we鈥檇 be solely relying on my income which is 90,000 SD. The housing allowance on offer is 4000 SD. We鈥檇 need at least a two bed place I imagine as we have two young children coming with us.

Our eldest girl will have a free place in the school but our youngest cannot start until he is is Reception age as nursery is not included in the package.

Would this be sufficient for us to live off of? We don鈥檛 plan to run a car or do anything too crazy and don鈥檛 mind commuting a bit for work!

Thank you!

The cost of living in Singapore has spiked many fold over the past few years. Property rentals itself are up like crazy- if you have 4K/ month as housing allowance, one kid鈥檚 education covered, you can live an average life for sure as an Expat- but with another kid鈥檚 education it will be too tight moving forward.