<![CDATA[Migration to which country?]]>I lived in the United States and Japan - and enjoyed those years I spent overseas. I am very happy to now live in Singapore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/68794/migration-to-which-countryRSS for NodeWed, 29 Apr 2026 22:23:37 GMTSat, 22 Apr 2017 15:26:26 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:48:52 GMT]]>

kitty2:
rains:

When asked if she felt like a 2nd class citizen, a friend who's migrated to Australia said that she felt 1st class, \"even more 1st class than when I was in Sg!\" She quoted a few examples of how well-treated she was by the country eg. she was given $4k of baby bonus-like sum when she gave birth to her 2nd child as a pr, on top of free or heavily subsidised medical treatment, compared to when she gave birth to her 1st child in Sg and she had to pay $10k for her baby's ncu care.


For her, her parents have passed away so there's little ties to think about. She is a success story as she's very happy there. 2 houses, 2 cars, only husband works (as opposed to both working when in sg), children go to school happy etc. She now has time to cook the meals, bake for tea and plant rose bushes in her yard.


My friend is also in Perth, her family is doing very well there too. She is a manager in a bank and there are a lot of Chinese in Perth. Her kids are graduated with a degree now. She has a landed property with a big gardern .

Depends what you are looking for really. Singapore is already one of the best places to live although it may not be the best place to retire. Perth is a lovely place to retire if you are looking for big houses and a relaxed lifestyle.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1590149https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1590149Wed, 07 Oct 2015 12:48:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:33:24 GMT]]>

rains:
When asked if she felt like a 2nd class citizen, a friend who's migrated to Australia said that she felt 1st class, \"even more 1st class than when I was in Sg!\" She quoted a few examples of how well-treated she was by the country eg. she was given $4k of baby bonus-like sum when she gave birth to her 2nd child as a pr, on top of free or heavily subsidised medical treatment, compared to when she gave birth to her 1st child in Sg and she had to pay $10k for her baby's ncu care.


For her, her parents have passed away so there's little ties to think about. She is a success story as she's very happy there. 2 houses, 2 cars, only husband works (as opposed to both working when in sg), children go to school happy etc. She now has time to cook the meals, bake for tea and plant rose bushes in her yard.

My friend is also in Perth, her family is doing very well there too. She is a manager in a bank and there are a lot of Chinese in Perth. Her kids are graduated with a degree now. She has a landed property with a big gardern .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585830https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585830Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:33:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:31:50 GMT]]>

rains:
When asked if she felt like a 2nd class citizen, a friend who's migrated to Australia said that she felt 1st class, \"even more 1st class than when I was in Sg!\" She quoted a few examples of how well-treated she was by the country eg. she was given $4k of baby bonus-like sum when she gave birth to her 2nd child as a pr, on top of free or heavily subsidised medical treatment, compared to when she gave birth to her 1st child in Sg and she had to pay $10k for her baby's ncu care.


For her, her parents have passed away so there's little ties to think about. She is a success story as she's very happy there. 2 houses, 2 cars, only husband works (as opposed to both working when in sg), children go to school happy etc. She now has time to cook the meals, bake for tea and plant rose bushes in her yard.

My friend is also in Perth, her family is doing very well there too. She is a manager in a bank and there are a lot of Chinese in Perth. Her kids are graduated with a degree now. She has a landed property with a big gardern .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585828https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585828Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:31:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:14:34 GMT]]>It’s Perth. If I remember correctly, she said she had planned for her migration since 1997? But she only became a citizen about 2 or 3 years ago after a number of years being a pr.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585447https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1585447Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:14:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:05:59 GMT]]>

rains:
When asked if she felt like a 2nd class citizen, a friend who's migrated to Australia said that she felt 1st class, \"even more 1st class than when I was in Sg!\" She quoted a few examples of how well-treated she was by the country eg. she was given $4k of baby bonus-like sum when she gave birth to her 2nd child as a pr, on top of free or heavily subsidised medical treatment, compared to when she gave birth to her 1st child in Sg and she had to pay $10k for her baby's ncu care.


For her, her parents have passed away so there's little ties to think about. She is a success story as she's very happy there. 2 houses, 2 cars, only husband works (as opposed to both working when in sg), children go to school happy etc. She now has time to cook the meals, bake for tea and plant rose bushes in her yard.

Thanks for sharing.

Which part of Australia is she living n when did she migrated?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584800https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584800Mon, 28 Sep 2015 22:05:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:03:55 GMT]]>When asked if she felt like a 2nd class citizen, a friend who’s migrated to Australia said that she felt 1st class, "even more 1st class than when I was in Sg!" She quoted a few examples of how well-treated she was by the country eg. she was given $4k of baby bonus-like sum when she gave birth to her 2nd child as a pr, on top of free or heavily subsidised medical treatment, compared to when she gave birth to her 1st child in Sg and she had to pay $10k for her baby’s ncu care.


For her, her parents have passed away so there’s little ties to think about. She is a success story as she’s very happy there. 2 houses, 2 cars, only husband works (as opposed to both working when in sg), children go to school happy etc. She now has time to cook the meals, bake for tea and plant rose bushes in her yard.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584794https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584794Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:03:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:42:53 GMT]]>My roots are here…I won’t uproot to stay in another country.

Even if there is a big house, big car and less stressful education, I won’t trade my citizenship to be a 2nd class citizen in another country.
For a 2 weeks holiday, it is still ok…but more than that, I will miss home.
I love the safety and different cuisines in this little red dot.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584767https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584767Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:42:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 28 Sep 2015 04:19:26 GMT]]>I was in Perth from young although we moved back to Singapore when I was still very young. It’s a very different life from here but it is better in Australia than the US right now. US is very unstable and also it is very far from Singapore so no option to connect back with friends and family.


But I guess it depends on your preference too. Different parts of Oz and US are different too. I think you need to narrow down what kind of things are important to you and what pace you want to live life.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584511https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1584511Mon, 28 Sep 2015 04:19:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Tue, 22 Sep 2015 03:22:22 GMT]]>Thinking of retiring in oz because I like to travel and see scenery. Dh is not very keen because he prefers the bustling city life and he wants to be close to the kids. Easy to get PR there if not working there?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581578https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581578Tue, 22 Sep 2015 03:22:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Tue, 22 Sep 2015 02:25:18 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
Call me naive or sua-gu, I think Singapore is still the best bec my families, loved ones and friends are mostly here.

It is nice to visit other countries but whenever I touch down at Changi Airport, I always feel very pleasant that I am home.
Bingo! Singapore is a Unique City Country...no other country can replace...

Yes, is super tiny, super overpopulated...but this earth there is no perfect country.

I will never trade my citizenship to be another country 2nd citizen.... :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581539https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581539Tue, 22 Sep 2015 02:25:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:49:05 GMT]]>

CatMoon:
Attolia,


Wow, 25 years in Auckland is a long time. Has the job market for Asians better there now compared to 10 years ago? Or the \"you need kiwi experience\" still the norm?

We used to live in Auckland for 4 years (Newmarket area) - my husband thought he wanted to migrate there as he thought SG was stressful and education would be easier for the kids... :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Our experience was bittersweet - lots of blood, sweat and tears! But it was a good learning experience: Living in NZ toughened us up, forced us to be humble and forget about our pride.

We learnt a lot of survival skills - My DH learnt to be humble and took up 3 jobs (taxes were 25% on a weekly salary) and lost 20kg in 6 months. I learnt to be thrifty (food was expensive when compared to NZ salary) and became smarter about budgeting to put food on the table for the four of us, even to mend and sew and be creative about clothing the kids as they grow up.

We also learnt to be grateful and thankful for what we have - even simple things like having a picnic on One Tree Hill as the highlight of our weekend when there was only $5 in our pocket. Having meals at McDonalds was a thing of the past but I made sure that my older girl had an ice cream cone there once every 2 months.

We also learnt to work as a team with our friends and neighbours - car-pooling coz different parents have to work different shifts, looking after one another's kids, cooking for another family when things are worse off for them..... I've learnt to really \"feel\" what compassion is all about.

When we left, we had to sell everything which we shipped with us from SG, so we can raise part of the money to buy 4 tickets to go home.

Even today, I've so much conflicting emotions about living and working in Auckland. I guess I've learnt to grow up there.
I don't remember our situation being as dire as that, but certainly we weren't rich when we came over. Bought a 3 bedroom house for $170K and still needed a mortgage. As for jobs, Kiwi experience is still preferred, but also I think over here, your interview makes a huge difference. I have plenty of friends who have less than stellar paper qualifications (no A's at university, just scraped passes) but who are exceptionally good at interviews and presenting themselves, and they have done very very well job-wise, so it's my impression that they will look at your qualifications but are more interested in how you will fit into the work culture there, which is something that a lot of Asians fail at. Good on paper but not so impressive at presenting themselves. Of course, i'm generalising, but generally that's what i've noticed.

Yes, we spent a lot of our weekends picnicking at Cornwall Park or One Tree Hill. It was 6 years before we could afford to go back to Singapore for a holiday. But that's ok. I was a kid when we came over, but I can honestly say my parents never once thought of going back to Singapore. Our lives were better here. Migration is not for everyone but it worked out for us.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581460https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581460Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:49:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 14:55:59 GMT]]>

sleepy:
CatMoon:

My DH learnt to be humble and took up 3 jobs (taxes were 25% on a weekly salary) and lost 20kg in 6 months.


Is it very very difficult to find full time employment in NZ? :nailbite:



sleepy:
The issue with migration is always finding employment. His friend stayed on Singapore payroll, considered as offshore employee, for many years before being retrenched officially.
At least can ease into new environment without concern over income during the initial years.
sleepy:
Another friend gave up his PR in Canada. Can't find employment.


It was difficult for Asians to find full-time employment. Many of the Singaporeans I met (even those from the Singapore-Auckland Club) had more than 1 job to make ends meet. I guess one of the first big shock when applying for jobs is that your SG degree and job experiences in MNCs means nothing to a Kiwi employer.

Also, many jobs are contractual because of \"job-sharing\" - e.g. it is either a 20-hour week contract, 35-hour week (very lucky) or usually four-hourly daily contract. Employees are paid on a weekly basis with taxes (25%- 34%) automatically deducted upfront.

So, for example, in Singapore terms, you earn approx $2,000 a month.
Divide that by 4 weeks, you should get $500 a week but you are only paid $375 since taxes (at 25%) = $500 divide by 4 weeks = $125 a week that will be deducted off your paycheck.
It is the employer who pays your taxes for you. There is no such thing as personal or wife relief. You earn $1, you pay 25 cents.

If you hit beyond $2,000 a month (if I remember correctly), your taxes go up to 34%.
I remembered my poor husband working an extra 14 hours that week, not knowing that our taxes jumped so high that we ended up earning only extra $50 that week.

Thankfully, his other helpful colleagues (many from India, Samoa, Fiji and Maori) taught us how to get a 2nd job so to maintain the 25% tax bracket. We really learnt a lot from them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581340https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581340Mon, 21 Sep 2015 14:55:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:41:16 GMT]]>

CatMoon:
My DH learnt to be humble and took up 3 jobs (taxes were 25% on a weekly salary) and lost 20kg in 6 months.

Is it very very difficult to find full time employment in NZ? :nailbite:



sleepy:
The issue with migration is always finding employment. His friend stayed on Singapore payroll, considered as offshore employee, for many years before being retrenched officially.
At least can ease into new environment without concern over income during the initial years.
sleepy:
Another friend gave up his PR in Canada. Can't find employment.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581280https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581280Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:41:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:23:08 GMT]]>Attolia,


Wow, 25 years in Auckland is a long time. Has the job market for Asians better there now compared to 10 years ago? Or the \"you need kiwi experience\" still the norm?

We used to live in Auckland for 4 years (Newmarket area) - my husband thought he wanted to migrate there as he thought SG was stressful and education would be easier for the kids... :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Our experience was bittersweet - lots of blood, sweat and tears! But it was a good learning experience: Living in NZ toughened us up, forced us to be humble and forget about our pride.

We learnt a lot of survival skills - My DH learnt to be humble and took up 3 jobs (taxes were 25% on a weekly salary) and lost 20kg in 6 months. I learnt to be thrifty (food was expensive when compared to NZ salary) and became smarter about budgeting to put food on the table for the four of us, even to mend and sew and be creative about clothing the kids as they grow up.

We also learnt to be grateful and thankful for what we have - even simple things like having a picnic on One Tree Hill as the highlight of our weekend when there was only $5 in our pocket. Having meals at McDonalds was a thing of the past but I made sure that my older girl had an ice cream cone there once every 2 months.

We also learnt to work as a team with our friends and neighbours - car-pooling coz different parents have to work different shifts, looking after one another's kids, cooking for another family when things are worse off for them..... I've learnt to really \"feel\" what compassion is all about.

When we left, we had to sell everything which we shipped with us from SG, so we can raise part of the money to buy 4 tickets to go home.

Even today, I've so much conflicting emotions about living and working in Auckland. I guess I've learnt to grow up there.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581274https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581274Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:23:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:07:29 GMT]]>

sleepy:
If my kids can start Uni slightly earlier (in any developed country) hmm...maybe that could be a pull factor for me


Very inspired by 2ppaamm's success story 😄
A friend of mine went to uni at 16. Skipped a couple of levels here and there. She's not gifted, and it depends largely on the principal and the school (and possibly how insistent the parents are)but generally skipping levels is not a huge issue if the kids are above the curve. I'm not sure if things have changed since I was at high school 12 or so years ago, though.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581264https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581264Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:07:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:03:31 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Attolia:


I think university was only free a long time ago! I've been in Auckland for 25 years, and university education is certainly not free. There are interest-free student loans, but they still have to be paid back.

Huh not free :yikes:
That was his main reason for migrating. He has 4 kids so he said he can save a lot on education.
Is high school free then? His kids were still in primary school at time of migration.

Attolia:
And you have to go into the regions to find houses for $300K now!
He lives in Wellington. And he bought his house some years ago.
So there's property boom in NZ in recent years?

Uni is definitely not free. Public Secondary school - 'free' to a certain extent. There's something called a 'donation' which technically you don't have to pay, but there have been reports of children who have been denied certain trips and stuff for not paying the donation. It's not much, though, maybe a couple of hundred a year? I can't remember.

Housing is Wellington is definitely cheaper than Auckland. Auckland is crazy at the moment. I think you can still get three or four bedders in welly for 500k, although I'm not familiar with the city so not sure about what areas and whether or not they are desirable. 500k in Auckland will get you a three bedroom place in the worst area of town. It's a supply problem, apparently. Lots of kiwis are returning from Australia, as the 'lucky country' is not so lucky anymore. So they are returning and want to buy houses, so demand is outstripping supply, hence the prices. It will correct itself, just not sure when.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581261https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581261Mon, 21 Sep 2015 12:03:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:43:12 GMT]]>If my kids can start Uni slightly earlier (in any developed country) hmm...maybe that could be a pull factor for me


Very inspired by 2ppaamm's success story 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581251https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581251Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:43:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:33:00 GMT]]>Another friend gave up his PR in Canada. Can’t find employment. So he decided to stay put in Singapore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581245https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581245Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:33:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:31:21 GMT]]>Most of my friends migrated to perth.Sole reason education in spore is stress n also car and houses are much cheaper over there.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581244https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581244Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:31:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:28:15 GMT]]>

MrsKiasu:
I somehow find living in bigger countries can be quite lonely. Singapore is cozy to me.

I can live anywhere with wifi :rotflmao:

Okay, maybe not anywhere. Developed countries only.
I need clean water and fresh air.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581240https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581240Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:28:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:18:04 GMT]]>

Attolia:

I think university was only free a long time ago! I've been in Auckland for 25 years, and university education is certainly not free. There are interest-free student loans, but they still have to be paid back.
Huh not free :yikes:
That was his main reason for migrating. He has 4 kids so he said he can save a lot on education.
Is high school free then? His kids were still in primary school at time of migration.

Attolia:
And you have to go into the regions to find houses for $300K now!
He lives in Wellington. And he bought his house some years ago.
So there's property boom in NZ in recent years?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581236https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581236Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:18:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:11:32 GMT]]>Me feeling is the same too..I somehow find living in bigger countries can be quite lonely. Singapore is cozy to me. Feel lonely can just get out from the house, and there will be many people around 😉 If eating outside is more expensive, we can learn to cook it at home..we have cheaper housing and also more expensive one..got pvt got HDB...private got big and small to choose from and HDB also got many options..so safe to go out at night. At least feel safer to consume China produce than in China itself..good network of transport....I can't ask for more lor..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581234https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581234Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:11:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Migration to which country? on Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:58:05 GMT]]>

sleepy:
elenang:

Hi hi, I would like to re-visit this issue again..


Recently, read an article that New Zealand government inviting Singaporeans to stay...

Any one have any thoughts on that?

Dh's friend migrated to NZ some years ago. Big family with 4 kids. He migrated because University education is FREE!

The issue with migration is always finding employment. His friend stayed on Singapore payroll, considered as offshore employee, for many years before being retrenched officially. That friend cash out CPF and sold his flat, bought a house for around $300K in NZ. Shiok right

if can find this sort of employment arrangement, I don't mind migrating too :rahrah:
At least can ease into new environment without concern over income during the initial years.

Not sure what job he is doing now though.

I think university was only free a long time ago! I've been in Auckland for 25 years, and university education is certainly not free. There are interest-free student loans, but they still have to be paid back. And you have to go into the regions to find houses for $300K now! House prices, especially in Auckland, are rising fast and are far outstripping income. Last I read, the median house price in Auckland was around the $730K mark, although it depends where you want to buy. You'd be hard pressed to find anything good (safe area, relatively nice house) under 600. It's more likely you would have to spend upwards of 750 for something decent at the moment, although some said prices might fall soon. Who knows!

But don't get me wrong. We love NZ and have never looked back.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581230https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1581230Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:58:05 GMT