[YaeJay]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Thanks for the response mate, much appreciated. Dual citizenship and all comes after we get a chance to move abroad. Right now, we are simply considering the best way to move abroad, at the earliest. Once we get that sorted out, and we actually make it to the other country, can we actually think about settling down there and other stuff.

Oops and I was thinking you folks want to immigrate! It was directed at certain friends that want to leave India in a hurry and once they reach their dream destination, want to have a backup plan.

While deciding on places to work please also consider the lesser known but with fulfilling life, Scandinavia, Spain, Peru, South Africa, Jamaica, Madagascar etc. All the very best!

And NO I am not for Dual citizenships at all.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

But, meesa prefers to not get tanned in the coastal sun

Indians dont get tanned. They get sunburnt

Anyway, first you need to decide on what country you want to emigrate to. Don't club USA and Canada together. They are as different as chalk and cheese.

Also, how determined are you to emigrate? As a software professional, there are not too many countries you'll find welcoming you. But as a businessman with money to invest, you'll be greeted with open arms. But this could be too big and risky a transition for someone who does not have enough grounding in running a business.

Alternately, you or your wife can go for higher studies in a foreign university and the spouse accompanies on dependent visa. You can not work on a dependent visa but you can look for work. Once you get an offer, you can apply for a change/transfer to work visa. With this option, you need to have enough cash/resources to sustain yourself for 4 to 6 months without any income.

Cheers
Amitoj

[Wheeliej]

My thoughts
1. Your best bet is your current companies. Keep an eye open for intra company openings. Network.
2. At first if one of you get a job abroad, the other can pressure their company to provide a transfer.....
3. Maybe if you land in one of the low tax countries, one salary will suffice for some time until the other can find an employer who will spring for a work visa.
4. Please don't sound desperate to move abroad, you will get stuck to a very low paying job.
All the best
Cheers.

[adits]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Thanks for the reply mate. Much appreciated. You've hit the nail on the head! The wife sometimes gets emotional when she comes to know that Joe-Somebody from so-&-so services limited, has got an onsite opportunity. I have such a hard time consoling her that it's not the end of the world. But sometimes she just doesn't understand. Women, can't live with them, can't live without 'em :P. Well, we will be speaking with a few consultancies, hopefully over the weekend and hammer things out in the maximum possible detail and see what is the best possible scenario.

The other fact that you need to remember is that winters are not only cold but also the days are short. i.e. Sunrise at 8 a.m. and sunset at 3:30 pm or earlier. (See pic to see what the major highway looks like at 4:31 pm. as seen in the car clock)


This leads to 2 things -
1. For the person at home (pending work authorization), it does tend to get very depressing.
2. Given these timings, you will be going to work and coming home in the dark (same as in India)

You may say -10/-20 C in winter but remember summers will be equally cold. My colleagues in the Scandinavian countries, say that 7-8 C in summer is too warm Even the colder states in the US tend to stay in the 20s in the summer.

When I was in London, the first comment my wife made when she cam into the house (she cam 3 months after me) was that there was no fan (and no AC either). These are the kind of small shocks you will experience.

So I would support everyone else and say that this is not an easy decision and you need to take your time with it.

[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

My brother has got a resident visa for W.Australia and he is moving on 3rd week of Oct. Presently he is working as a civil engineer in Dubai. Please continue your updates so that many will be gaining from it. Thanks

An update - He landed in Perth in last week of Oct. Air Asia offered the cheapest rate at 17K, Cochin-Perth. He stayed in a dormatry for 3 days @30AUD per day and shifted to a shared room for 155AUD per week. Now hunting for a job through various websites and agencies.

[faustus77]

Hi everybody.
Here is a list of the best places to be born in.
Top of the list is Switzerland and India ranks 66th.
The Economic Times(28/11/12)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defau...&ViewMode=HTML

Regards
PS:If you believe in reincarnation please hope for the best.

[S_U_N]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

An update - He landed in Perth in last week of Oct. Air Asia offered the cheapest rate at 17K, Cochin-Perth. He stayed in a dormatry for 3 days @30AUD per day and shifted to a shared room for 155AUD per week. Now hunting for a job through various websites and agencies.

Can you share some cost details please? I am referring to cost till landing in Australia (visa/ agents/ tests etc.)


Talking about numbers, here is a nice site with lots of informative content.
It shows cost of living, quality of life and other things.

An example: http://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-lif...e&city2=Mumbai

[MotoNanu]

Hi Guys,
What do you guys think about Singapore?
Would be interesting and helpful to hear experiences from people already having the idea.

TIA!

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by MotoNanu

Hi Guys,
What do you guys think about Singapore?
Would be interesting and helpful to hear experiences from people already having the idea.

What you want to know exactly? It will be good if you can list down the details you are looking for, and I can try to answer

[MotoNanu]

Originally Posted by vb-san

What you want to know exactly? It will be good if you can list down the details you are looking for, and I can try to answer

I was interested in knowing the cost of living, career prospects (am in embedded SW), future prospects, culture, acceptance and in general about the country.
I have done some R&D, and I see it as a very cosmopolitan city with no bounds to nationality. Looks promising, but need assurance.
Am planning for 3-5 years and then return back, so with that in mind how would you rate the place and growth.

[ontheroad]

Originally Posted by S_U_N

Can you share some cost details please? I am referring to cost till landing in Australia (visa/ agents/ tests etc.)

He told that total cost is around Rs5.6l including attending IELTS 4 times. Will ask him about details and share.

[noopster]

Originally Posted by MotoNanu

I was interested in knowing the cost of living, career prospects (am in embedded SW), future prospects, culture, acceptance and in general about the country.

Cost of living= high. You will need to really keep a watch on the expenses. Some conscious lifestyle choices: living in an HDB instead of condo, eating out only a few times a month, shopping smart etc. will go a long way.
Career prospects= Reasonably good in banking, financial services,telecom & IT. There are several very good employers in these areas based in Singapore. As an employee with an IT services major I found opportunities limited but stable (you can be doing
the same work at the same client for years).
Future prospects=Good education system at least till graduate level. Lots of people born and bred here get bored and look to the West for opportunities. You can live decently after saving up a bit and acquiring a PR.
Culture= Very cosmopolitan and accomodating. Chinese influence is high but the work ethic even in public sector is fantastic. Crime is low and authorities are responsive and effective. For a family man, there is really nothing better if comfort, convenience and peace of mind is what you are after day to day.
Acceptance= I have visited Singapore since 1999-2000, and lived there for a couple of years between 2007-09. There is a sea change in the way Indians are perceived now. Earlier we were at the bottom of the food chain and I remmber being taken aback when a taxi driver on my first visit accused 'my people' of dirtying up their beautiful city. Thanks to the IT and banking influx, the impression seems to have changed a lot. We never had any issues of xenophobia when we lived there. In fact often felt more "at home" there than in some non-native state in India!
In General=
Small country, gets rather claustrophobic. But you can connect to anywhere in the region or indeed the world since it is a transport hub.
Extremely high quality of life. Public transport and taxi services are awe inspiring. You never waste time in needless commuting.
Though Singapore is painfully small, open spaces and parks/recreation areas are plentiful. Entertainment options (malls, cinemas, restaurants in all budget ranges, a casino & Universal Studios) are everywhere.

For a 3-5 year horizon as you have mentioned, I would rate it very highly.

[MotoNanu]

Originally Posted by noopster

Cost of living= high. You will need to really keep a watch on the expenses. Some conscious lifestyle choices: living in an HDB instead of condo, eating out only a few times a month, shopping smart etc. will go a long way.
Career prospects= Reasonably good in banking, financial services,telecom & IT. There are several very good employers in these areas based in Singapore. As an employee with an IT services major I found opportunities limited but stable (you can be doing
the same work at the same client for years).
Future prospects=Good education system at least till graduate level. Lots of people born and bred here get bored and look to the West for opportunities. You can live decently after saving up a bit and acquiring a PR.
Culture= Very cosmopolitan and accomodating. Chinese influence is high but the work ethic even in public sector is fantastic. Crime is low and authorities are responsive and effective. For a family man, there is really nothing better if comfort, convenience and peace of mind is what you are after day to day.
Acceptance= I have visited Singapore since 1999-2000, and lived there for a couple of years between 2007-09. There is a sea change in the way Indians are perceived now. Earlier we were at the bottom of the food chain and I remmber being taken aback when a taxi driver on my first visit accused 'my people' of dirtying up their beautiful city. Thanks to the IT and banking influx, the impression seems to have changed a lot. We never had any issues of xenophobia when we lived there. In fact often felt more "at home" there than in some non-native state in India!
In General=
Small country, gets rather claustrophobic. But you can connect to anywhere in the region or indeed the world since it is a transport hub.
Extremely high quality of life. Public transport and taxi services are awe inspiring. You never waste time in needless commuting.
Though Singapore is painfully small, open spaces and parks/recreation areas are plentiful. Entertainment options (malls, cinemas, restaurants in all budget ranges, a casino & Universal Studios) are everywhere.

For a 3-5 year horizon as you have mentioned, I would rate it very highly.

Thanks a lot noopster!
I was mainly worried about cost of living, but as you said some smart moves/ adaptations and I guess it should not be such a big problem.
In fact, I was very impressed when I learnt that Singapore can provide very rich experience due to amalgamation of so many cultures and working class. I feel it's a great exposure for long term career prospects.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by noopster

...
...
For a 3-5 year horizon as you have mentioned, I would rate it very highly.

Anoop, very well summarized indeed! I really miss the Thanks button on this thread

Originally Posted by MotoNanu

Thanks a lot noopster!
I was mainly worried about cost of living, but as you said some smart moves/ adaptations and I guess it should not be such a big problem.
In fact, I was very impressed when I learnt that Singapore can provide very rich experience due to amalgamation of so many cultures and working class. I feel it's a great exposure for long term career prospects.

Noopster has provided a good detail of what you are looking for. The cultural mix is indeed wonderful, and there is a sense of equality and harmony, irrespective of the job, position, social status etc.

Another point to add-on; if you are someone moving with family/kids, education in local schools, though of high standards, can get really competitive and at times stressful. But over the years is huge increase in International schools, or so called Indian International schools here. Just that it is a bit more expensive compared to local schools.

[S_U_N]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

He told that total cost is around Rs5.6l including attending IELTS 4 times. Will ask him about details and share.

Here is the breakup of information that I have obtained through some reading up.
1. Visa fees: 1.75 lac
2. IELTS : 10K
3. Skill verification: 30K
4. Police and medical: 10K

Total: 2.5 lac (approx).
Next comes airfare for a family of 3. One way: Rs. 1 lac.

So, expect total 3.5 lac if you are going together with wife + kid.

Now for costs (again based on study and some inputs from my Australian friend).
Location: Sydney
Rent: 1400
Food: 600
Transport: 200
School: Free
Medical: Mostly free
Internet/Communication: don't know.
Approx. max: 3000 AUD (couple + kid)

Salary for someone with 10 years exp. in IT: 70-80K AUD.
This is low compared to salary for local citizens. Initially you start 20% low.
Taxation is high. So, expect 48-50K in hand annual.
So, monthly saving is 1000 AUD initially - which is really bad.



Please note that this is not first hand, but based on research/ reading up.

Others can correct me if I am wrong.
From July, a new system has been put in place by Australia govt. Hopefully visa is granted in 6-8 months.
==================================================

Similarly for Canada, the visa + landing fee should be about 2000 CAD $ which is much cheaper.

Similarly for Germany Blue Card, the visa is less than Rs. 10000.

Someone should help with cost for Singapore and Malaysia as well.

Originally Posted by noopster

Cost of living= high. You will need to really keep a watch on the expenses. Some conscious lifestyle choices: living in an HDB instead of condo, eating out only a few times a month, shopping smart etc. will go a long way.

Originally Posted by vb-san

... if you are someone moving with family/kids, education in local schools, though of high standards, can get really competitive and at times stressful. But over the years is huge increase in International schools, or so called Indian International schools here. Just that it is a bit more expensive compared to local schools.

That sounds like a dampner.
Can you share some average/ approx numbers for the following?
1. Avg. salary for someone with 10 years of IT experience
2. In hand income after tax
3. 2BHK apartment somewhere close to the IT parks (so as to reduce commute time)
4. Transport
5. Internet/ Mobile/ Phone
6. Food (eating home mostly)
7. Schooling
8. Insurance + Medical charges
9. Anything else relevant to Singapore.

BTW: I hear that all Indians use public transport. Is it because vehicle tax is too much or because public transport is efficient.

Lastly any good sites to start a job search?