<\/p>\n
Aussies are choosing another option over Sydney\u2019s full on prices.<\/p>\n
Australians are ditching their home country in search of higher incomes and work opportunities, while also escaping the cost of living and housing crisis.<\/p>\n
Australian salaries have not kept pace with the steep rise of housing and living costs over the last five years, causing many Aussies to search elsewhere to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
Singapore has become home to an estimated 25,000 Australian expats, many of whom move for the career opportunities and the vibrant, exciting lifestyle. <\/p>\n
Vy Pham, 48, relocated to Singapore from Sydney in 2024 for a career opportunity she couldn\u2019t say no to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always wanted to live and work in another country,\u201d Ms Pham said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Vy Pham, an Australian who made the move to Singapore.<\/p>\n
MORE:33yo quits Aus for Dubai, exposes real costs<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI relocated to Singapore for work after taking on a regional role, it quickly became clear that being closer to the team and the region\u2019s business hub made sense. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter months of frequent travel from Australia, moving here in 2024 felt like the natural next step.\u201d<\/p>\n For Ms Pham cost wasn\u2019t the biggest driver to move overseas, but now she has noticed the stark comparison to Sydney\u2019s costly prices thanks to generous tax breaks on offer in Singapore.<\/p>\n \u201cI was struck by how much higher Sydney\u2019s living expenses are, and how wages don\u2019t keep up the same way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Vy Pham in Singapore. Photo: Supplied.<\/p>\n MORE:Aussies swap Sydney prices for luxury Thai villas<\/a><\/p>\n Benefits of Singapore<\/p>\n After living there for more than a year now, Ms Pham loved the lifestyle in Singapore.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I love most about Singapore is its remarkable connectivity. A weekend trip to nearby Southeast Asian destinations feels effortless with Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia being just a short flight away, often under two hours,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore\u2019s efficiency also stands out. The city is not only a global business hub but a place where you can balance work with a vibrant social scene and plenty of family-friendly activities.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd safety adds another dimension to living here. The city-state is known for its low crime rates and well-maintained public spaces, supported by comprehensive security measures that help residents feel secure as they go about daily life.\u201d<\/p>\n She said the city also felt similar to Sydney, making it an easy transition.<\/p>\n \u201cFor many Australians considering a move, Singapore feels familiar \u2014 there\u2019s a large, welcoming expat community and English is widely spoken\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Pham still owns her home in Sydney\u2019s Surry Hills \u2013 a suburb which she lived in for 20 years \u2013 but has warned other expats about still owning a property while living and working overseas long term.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you move overseas and sell your home while you\u2019re no longer a tax resident, you could face a hefty capital gains tax bill,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you might lose out on exemptions available to residents, so it\u2019s worth getting advice before you relocate.\u201d<\/p>\n Picking fruit and vegetables in Pakenham Upper in Victoria \u2013 a local staple that Singapore largely imports. Photos: Supplied<\/p>\n Singapore housing costs<\/p>\n For a one-bedroom apartment in Singapore, it was similar prices to Sydney, which Ms Pham said it would cost around $2,900-$4,600 (SGD $2500-$4,000) per month in rent.<\/p>\n Purchasing a home as a non-Singaporean citizen was expensive.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless they hold Singaporean, Swiss or US citizenship, (non-citizens) face hefty taxes that can add around 60 per cent to the purchase price, a major deterrent for many expats. Prices themselves are also significantly steeper: you\u2019ll generally pay well over double per square metre in Singapore compared with Sydney. <\/p>\n \u201cOn top of that, living space in Singapore homes tends to be smaller, so buyers are paying a premium for location and convenience rather than square footage.\u201d<\/p>\n Alcohol can add a huge tax of about 25 per cent. Photos: Supplied<\/p>\n MORE:Aussies\u2019 $52k cheap caravan horror exposed<\/a><\/p>\n Food prices<\/p>\n Dining out, she said prices sat somewhere between Australian prices.<\/p>\n \u201cOften cheaper in casual meals, but considerably pricier when you move into mid- and high-end dining. The city-state is famous for its hawker centres, where a meal without alcohol typically costs about $5-$8,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, as you step up to nicer dining, prices rise quickly, and alcohol adds another layer of cost, often about 25 per cent higher due to duty and taxes.\u201d<\/p>\n She said in Singapore there were also \u201chidden charges\u201d that Aussies weren\u2019t accustomed to.<\/p>\n \u201cA bill at a restaurant usually adds 9 per cent GST (Goods and Services Tax) and a service charge of around 10 per cent. These are not shown in the menu price, so the final total can be noticeably higher than the listed price,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Due to Singapore\u2019s small land size, much of their food is imported meaning groceries can be expensive, around $680 on average per month (SGD 600), according to Ms Pham.<\/p>\n Salaries and tax breaks<\/p>\n Despite supermarket costs being more than Australia, Ms Pham said the best part of Singapore was the salary and tax break.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the highest income bracket you are looking at 15 per cent in Singapore for a $200k salary compared to 45 per cent in Australia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cSalaries for expats are generally higher in Singapore particularly in finance which is the industry I work in and because of the low income tax rate, it works out really well.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Pham said there hasn\u2019t been any challenges that have stood out about living in Singapore, except for the tropical climate all year round, and the only downside being the transient nature of expat life.<\/p>\n Vy Pham talking at a function at Sydney Stock Exchange. Ms Pham moved to Singapore for a work opportunity. Photos: Supplied<\/p>\n \u201cThe bigger reality for many residents is the constant churn of friendships among expats. Because most social circles form with people who are here on working visas, relationships can feel temporary. <\/p>\n \u201cExpats typically stay for a minimum of about two years, since visa renewals and rental contracts are often tied to that time frame. When it\u2019s time to renew, a natural decision point emerges: renew, relocate to another country, or head home. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve met expats who\u2019ve called Singapore home for 6 to 16 years, but I\u2019ve also seen close friends move away after just a year or so. It creates a steady, almost revolving door of acquaintances, one of those unique realities of expatriate life in this city.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE:Australians abandon dream for cheaper life abroad<\/a><\/p>\n Aussies can save minimum of $320\/wk by moving to Bali<\/a><\/p>\n Dark side of living in Bali exposed<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Aussies are choosing another option over Sydney\u2019s full on prices. 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