LAST EDITED ON 11-Aug-10 AT 03:33 AM (PST)
Before you discuss anything, my thoughts would be the package you can negotiate. Are you going to be paid on a local contract or as expat? Are you talking your current salary and a bonus of 20-25k or are you saying that you will live on 25k total (gross before taxes) for all expenses over the course of a year?
FYI: That salary for a long term assignment seems extremely low especially with the tax benefits (I've never had the opportunity to stay overseas long term and partake in the offshore benefits.)
• Home (Are they willing to pay for retention of your local housing be it rent/mortgage/storage? and how does get computed into the moderate weekly salary of $500)
• Housing allowance (you say it's paid -- but what kind of housing??? What utilities are included, a/c, hydro, electric, phone, satellite, internet if needed?)
• Transport allowance (are you getting a car and expenses including CBD fees and parking? Can you opt out of car and use cabs and MRT?)
• Fly backs??? How many and does it include family and friend visits?
• Medical & Dental
• Biz Travel and Accident insurance
• Expenses and Reimbursement (if applicable)???
• I suppose some of this is determined on the industry as well, right? (working for a hotel chain and offered a suite and food is different than a tech company where you may be required to entertain vs publishing or media where you might go on a freelance basis)As for the rest, it depends on your lifestyle preferences and what you're doing. (well that and whether you have the option to go in the red for an offshore opportunity)
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I don't have much experience with either KL or the PI. There is an expat population in both and you can find a friendly GF. Costs are cheaper than HK and Singapore and KL has more infrastructure.
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Thailand
If on Phuket, you will probably get island fever and you're not that close to anywhere. If you think you could live on Kauai for a year on a more lazy pace, then Phuket might be a good option. You can get cheap food and getting around should be pretty good if you negotiate a transport allowance to avoid bhat bus mafia. Another upside is that you can do the TG and Farang vacation girls. I guess the biggest issue might be the housing allowance. Housing is cheaper on the south end of the island and perhaps you have choices in Phuket Town.
Bangkok is Bangkok. It's fun, expensive (or cheap depending on how you roll) and has a lot of expats. However, it's filthy without a major sewage system and the rats are more populace than the stray cats. You also have that issue with peoples' nerves being on edge until a new PM and "that other issue" (HRH's health). GFs are going to be expensive. Negotiate a car to go along with Skytrain/MRT. There is culture and places to go however how much culture in foreign language can you handle? How many Muay Thai tourneys and LB cabarets can you attend? How many trips to Pattaya?
*Another thought for LOS is the fact that internet is hit/miss periodically throughout the day.
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There is no way I'd do Hong Kong on 25k USD per year. It's far too congested and expensive.
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My next comment is completely contradictory to my last.
Singapore is fun, clean, with a HUGE expat population. English is primary language. There is a plethora of cultural options from symphony to museums, galleries, and cheap eats. Logistically it's roughly . . .
• 5 hours to Mumbai/Delhi
• 6 to Inchon
• 7 to Tokyo
• 8 to Sydney
• 4 to HK
• and 2 to BKK.
The home airline and airport are arguably the best in the world. Transport is prevalent, cheap and prompt. IMO the most trustworthy cab drivers in the world. Also obtaining a work permit in Singapore is relatively easy, especially if you can start a small business. The problems with such a low salary in Singapore are simple . . .
• While hawker stalls are prevalent, clean and the food is amazing--you're not going to eat in a 'real' restaurant for that kind of money.
• You can't afford Jumbo for Chili/Pepper Crab and XO Prawns on that allowance.
• Clubs are also out of reach.
• While I know you prefer civilians, your p4p options have just been reduced to Chinatown, Geylang, perhaps some 141 shops and Bintan. IOWs no OT, no Brix, no Chijmes.
• Beer-expensive
• Wine-more expensive
• Liquor-extremely expensive
**As a bonus, you can connect with female expats and SPGs.
Also, you might be able to find a friendly Filipina maid/nanny on a Sunday afternoon at Lucky Plaza and that other mall (don't know name and haven't been).
The re-development and expansion of Sentosa might afford some other options in terms of entertainment and cheap drinks in the casinos.
(Highly doubt you'll see much p4p in the casinos in Singapore.)
Given the length of my replies, I'm pretty sure you can guess that Singapore would be a preferred option (if money were no problem). That 25k is tough almost anywhere. Maybe if you can pick BKK and actually live in Rayong, East Pattaya, Sattahip or Na Jomtien. (Commuting to BKK would be an issue if your job requires being in an office but if doing the telecommute thing--no issue other than phone and internet which as I understand can be an absolute pain.)
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a year? I don't get the "modest" salary here. Either 120K/yr. to enable one to live like a king in a 3rd world country OR 20K/yr. which is still pretty miserable EVEN in a 3rd world country...
Be the change
