Bay/London/Singapore?

Mar 15, 2021 62 Comments

I've been in this rat race for 10 years already and the pandemic WFH just made things worse. I want to take a change and experience something else. Currently having 2 offers in London and Singapore. Unfortunately they are much lower than what I expected. I like both cities though. London would give me easy access to Europe while Singapore is closer to home. London has much higher tax rate but is more culturally interesting, imho.

Current TC: 500K
London TC: 250k GBP
Singapore TC: 200k SGD

Update: final offer after negotiation for London 260k GBP. I'm packing my bags. Thanks all!

454 PARTICIPANTS SELECT ONLY ONE ANSWER
VOTE VIEW RESULT

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 62 Comments
  • I don't recommend London. UK is a 3rd world country disguised as first world.

    Taxes too high, rent/RE too high, health care is meh, infrastructure is shitty. The quality of life for your TC isn't good -- it'll go towards taxes, rent mostly

    I'd recommend staying in FB @ Bay Area
    Mar 15, 2021 9
    • Uk infra is NOT better than US from my experience. Healthcare is poor. Connectivity is total shit.

      I don't even get a decent 3G signal in prime areas.

      The country is living in the 17th century and there's plenty of casual racism for people of color.
      Jul 18, 2021
    • I never experience anything like casual racism (people of color myself) and connectivity issues. What carrier do you use? (If you use “Three” maybe consider to upgrade?) Phone plans here is like a third of the price comparing to the US.

      Healthcare system maybe not as great as US if your employed. But when you are inneed, you will never go broke because of hospital bills.
      Jul 18, 2021
  • Singtel
    bobmarle

    Go to company page Singtel

    PRE
    Lazada Group, Alibaba Group
    bobmarle
    If you are single, better move to London.
    If you are married, stay.
    If you are divorced and depressed, move to singapore
    Mar 15, 2021 4
  • Okta
    btsbts

    Go to company page Okta

    btsbts
    I would recommend figuring out what is more important for you in your life now and for the next 5-10 years. Pros and cons about every city.
    - Bay area: you’re already familiar but just in case, higher TCs, usually better job opportunities, but looks like it is far from your family. Close friends? Good weather, lots of nature around. Expensive cost of living for you and your family, that will keep getting more and more expensive with education and healthcare. Earthquake risk, fires every year, limited cultural history (compared with Europe). Vacations depends on company policy and if you actually take time off.
    - London: Mid-tier TC, high taxes, shitty weather, rather expensive cost of living, decent time off policy, more commonly used than in bay area, tons of culture/places to visit in London and Europe, limited access to nature within London
    - Singapore: smaller TC, tiny taxes, excellent standard of living (even at that TC), very good weather, excellent food from all over Asia, tiny city-need to fly out very often, tons of places to visit around South East Asia, limited job opportunities unless you work on Asian businessess/markets
    List is not exhaustive but hopefully it gives you some context to consider
    Mar 15, 2021 7
    • Singapore weather is god awful. It's not tropical paradise Hawaii weather if that's what you are thinking
      Oct 9, 2021
    • New
      m1n1m4x

      New

      m1n1m4x
      hfHH16, can you please elaborate further on why Singapore locals are not welcoming to Indians "right now"? I've heard in general that Indians aren't treated that well in Singapore, has something happened to make that even worse?
      Nov 23, 2021
  • New
    ZestyData

    New

    ZestyData
    London for PR, diversity, access to Europe, hustle & bustle, relationship, varieties of food and peace of mind.
    Mar 15, 2021 2
  • New
    IAHK22

    New

    IAHK22
    At least 5 times more stressful in SG than in London, but again it really depends on the company culture.

    (From a Singaporean seriously considering to move to London haha)
    Mar 25, 2021 1