how r the schools? is there a muslim community? are there any websites i can learn more abt singapore?
Schools are not issue, as local schools are good, A bit stressful education though, just example my 16 year old doing O level leave home around 7am (although her school is only 5 min walk) but only returns 5pm because students need to stay back for ECA, or some time need extra help from teachers.
Muslims are about 20% of population, Majority are Malay Muslims but we have around 300-400 Pakistani families here. Most of them professional (Bankers, Engineers, IT professionals, there are few doctors as well but I believe Singapore does not recognise Pakistani medical qualification so they have got their from oversea). Only AKUH is recognised here.
Most important is you need to find relivent organisation who want to hire you, if you can secure job here then rest is no problem at all.
Schools are not issue, as local schools are good, A bit stressful education though, just example my 16 year old doing O level leave home around 7am (although her school is only 5 min walk) but only returns 5pm because students need to stay back for ECA, or some time need extra help from teachers.
Muslims are about 20% of population, Majority are Malay Muslims but we have around 300-400 Pakistani families here. Most of them professional (Bankers, Engineers, IT professionals, there are few doctors as well but I believe Singapore does not recognise Pakistani medical qualification so they have got their from oversea). Only AKUH is recognised here.
Most important is you need to find relivent organisation who want to hire you, if you can secure job here then rest is no problem at all.
it should also be highlighted that housing is very expensive in singapore as well. a gvt apartment can be 500k upwards if you want to buy (only can buy if citizen or permanent resident). condos are 1million up. rent for condo that has 3 bedroom is abv 3000 dollars. in order to have comfortable lifestyle in singapore, you have to be earning pretty well. that is what i have observed.
owning a car is also extremely expensive, with a regular sedan (toyota camry for example) costing 160 000 ++ dollars including heavy government taxation.
it should also be highlighted that housing is very expensive in singapore as well. a gvt apartment can be 500k upwards if you want to buy (only can buy if citizen or permanent resident). condos are 1million up. rent for condo that has 3 bedroom is abv 3000 dollars. in order to have comfortable lifestyle in singapore, you have to be earning pretty well. that is what i have observed.
owning a car is also extremely expensive, with a regular sedan (toyota camry for example) costing 160 000 ++ dollars including heavy government taxation.
I agree with you about housing prices, if fact they would not qualify to purchase (HDB) governmental housing as it is strictly for Citizens or PRs. (the privet condominium could cost more then minimum 700K) however not sure level of qualification if the person. If they are highly qualified Doctors. Bankers or Engineers they might not have problem securing good job which can pay well.
Do not forget all you need to pay 20% as deposit, can take 80% of loan which interest as low as 2%. So it is not a major issue. Car ownership is also expensive but you are aware of that Singapore has excellent public transport system that one could afford to have decent life without owning the car.
I am sure you are aware of weekend car system, if one purchase cars with weekend licence plate, their a substantial discount on taxes and these cars are relatively cheaper. The only catch that these cars only allow on the road weekdays 7pm - 7am, there is no restriction on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Most of my friends who are not required to drive for work, usually take to public transport to commuting to work, drive only at evening or weekends for family purpose.
There is actually an official ranking on best cities to live in (not from a Muslim/Pakistan point of view, but general quality of life). In the last 10 years it has been mainly the same 3 cities in the Top 3, exchanging positions with each other: Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland) and Vancouver (Canada). On the most recent one Vienna was on top, while Vancouver fell behind a bit. (Source: 2011 Quality of Living survey)
What I find interesting about this list is the fact that in 29th position Honolulu is the best ranked US-city.
Dallas, Texas :D Amazing muslim community centers/school , restaurants, desi shopping ! One of the top 7 cities in U.S is located 15 minutes from there, so if you want to locate, its close by!
Dallas, Texas :D Amazing muslim community centers/school , restaurants, desi shopping ! One of the top 7 cities in U.S is located 15 minutes from there, so if you want to locate, its close by!
I would say Central coast, Australia because of the peace and laid back attitude. It only takes an hour and half or so to commute to Sydney and its pretty nice area to raise a family.
Education wise though I would want to live in Japan because of the education system and the competitive attitude but of course there would be more problems in Japan then there would be in Australia.
I've lived in six countries and to be honest I don't really mind living anywhere as long as I can eat the food and won't sweat to death. (Funnily enough out of six, four of them are south asian countries...)
Oh and I like singaporean education system but I would be horrified if my kid started saying "lah" at the end of his/her sentence and spoke with a singaporean accent. People would question us even more if my kid is really mine and not kidnapped!
Also singapore is really expensive (regarding rent/housing etc) and have really really strict laws. Although a beautiful place to visit I wouldn't want to permanently live there.
Frankfurt, Germany ..... Being the 7th on List ..... In the city accomodation is quite expensive like 2 Bedroom Apartment for Rent roughly 1500USD/month but i guess it still is far from what u would have to pay in other EU Cities of this class/size/quality
Weather is from April to October quite pleasent ..... only the 2-3 Winter Months can be quite harsh but that's ok ..... Good Public transportation system ..... A green surrounding ..... A huge Muslim (also Desi) community and Halal Food Available almost everywhere ..... a tolerant society ..... many sport facilities + Cricket grounds :D
Oh and I like singaporean education system but I would be horrified if my kid started saying "lah" at the end of his/her sentence and spoke with a singaporean accent. People would question us even more if my kid is really mine and not kidnapped!
Also singapore is really expensive (regarding rent/housing etc) and have really really strict laws. Although a beautiful place to visit I wouldn't want to permanently live there.
Agree.... Lah there are many better places to live in Singapore, but when come how comfortable we are practicing our religion masjids everywhere, in fact here you find more halal food then non halal. Do not forget holidays on Eid (here they call Hari Raya), believe there is no other 1st country offer that.
there are masjids everywhere in any country as well as halal/non halal meat. uh Saudi is a first world country they offer that? I thought Singapore was more Taoism/Buddhism/Christianity rather then Islam/Judaism but then again since Malaysia is so close I could be wrong.
Oh and I like singaporean education system but I would be horrified if my kid started saying "lah" at the end of his/her sentence
haha I have been to singapore and was so confsed by this at first, but then started saying it all the time as well to the locals, more just for jokes to myself :D
there are masjids everywhere in any country as well as halal/non halal meat. uh Saudi is a first world country they offer that? I thought Singapore was more Taoism/Buddhism/Christianity rather then Islam/Judaism but then again since Malaysia is so close I could be wrong.
There are 4 main religions in Singapore, Chinese are mix Buddhists, Taoists and some Christianity (70%), Muslim (Majority are Malay Muslims, follow by Indian Pakistani (20%). Hindus mostly Tamils 5%. And others (including Sikhs, Parsi and Jews) 5%.
Officially we two public holidays on Eids, same two Christmas and Easter, one Hindu and 3 on Chinese festivals. There are more then 70 Masjids all over Singapore, plus unofficial prayer place in the major office buildings we call it Surau.
Now come to Halal Food, all major chains like McDonald, KFC, BurgerKing and many others only serve Halal foods, when come to buying meat, you couldn't find any non halal mutton and beaf in Singapore. Checken also halal (may be some non halal chicken available).
There are many better countries, in term of what we are getting, I do not believe we could have same thing in somewhere else.
Sri lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Thailand and Australia.
I went to doctors visits etc in singapore while I was living in Indonesia and Philippines so if you combine all the trips I think it'll amount to about a year.
Bangkok is ok, its too hot and the traffic jam sucks! I used to walk to The Emporium it was fun hanging out with friends there.