Singapore or Malaysia

[John Keneth]

Hi folks,

I am having around 4+ yrs of experience in Java/J2EE technologies,working in India.
I got an offer in singapore to work with a Global IT company,salary 4k S$ per month,but the job is on one year contract,I have another offer in Malaysia,permanent position,salary 6k Malaysian Ringet.
The singapore comapny job involves websphere Portal stuffs (portlet factory ,portal server)
The malaysian comany job invovleves EJB,JSF,servlet,JSP (Insurance domain)

please provide me suggestion..
which one I can choose..what are the facts I need to consider?

Looking forward your valuable suggestions

Thanks in Advance

I

[suja sree]

Hi Kenneth,
If I am in your position, I would go for Singapore. Actually I was working in Singapore for almost 5 years before I came to US. Idid my higher studies in Singapore too..$4k is not a low income there. Malaysian 6k ringett is equivalent to 4k sing dollars. Life style in Singapore is better when compared to Malaysia. If you live in kuala lampur, then its ok. other wise you would not enjoy much in Malalysia.
In Singapore, if you go for single bedroom flat, it costs you 600$ per month. if you go for 2 bed room flat it costs you 900 to 1000$ based on your location. If you share with your colleagues, it is very cheap...If you are willing to travel for 30minutes or 45 minutes for your work place, it costs you cheaper for the apartments. Moreover public transportations are amazing in Singapore. You would not feel tired. If you spend a normal life, you can save around 2500 sing dollars per month. You spend lavshly, you can save around 1000$....Everything depends on how you want to lead life. If you go for condemenium, it costs you around 2k per month. again it would be cheaper if you share with your friends. Usually those who start their career wont go for that.
After your one year contract, normally company would extend your contract (normally) in singapore. You can demand them atleast 15% to 20% hike in salary. Moreover if you look for a new opportunity after your one year you can demand 25% increase in your next project.
Dont ever do the mistake of finding a new job after your contract is over. Try to have a job in your hand before you come to know about your contract extension...Usually they will do it in the last minute...If you have job in hand, and then search a job, you will be in safer position.. I have experienced this kind of situation. That is why I am insisting you for this...
Hope this reply helps you to make a decision.

Let me know if you need any information. If you know your work location, let me know so that I can suggest you where to look for an apartment...

Good luck for your future..

Regards,
Sujasree

[Mark Herschberg]

"Keneth",

Welcome to JavaRanch. Please look carefully at the official naming policy at JavaRanch & reregister yourself with a proper first & last name, with a space between them. Initials may be used for a first name, but not a last name. Please adhere to official naming policy & help maintain the decorum of the forum. The naming policy can be found at http://www.javaranch.com/name.jsp. You can change your name here.

--Mark

[Rajan Chinna]

I worked in Malaysia for 5 years and visited S'pore for few short visits work related. I would suggest to go with singapore offer based on my experience. Malaysia is ok for short term stay but definitely not for long term.

[John Keneth]

Hi,

Many thanks to Sujashree and Rajan Chinna.However the Singapore offer got cancelled as the project was postponed. so I have left with only one choice as "Malaysia".

In Malaysia the office is in KL only. so you guys please provide me some suggestion/idea about
Accommodation.
Cost of living & security in KL
Working culture in Malaysia.

I hope Rajan chinna can provide more information as he was in Malaysia.

Thanks in advance.

[A Bhattacharya]

This post is making me lost interest in S'pore. Salary is 4000 $ and rent is 1000 $! That's 25 %. I'm getting Rs.100000 per month in India, and I pay a rent of Rs.4000. That is mere 4%.

[Rajan Chinna]

If you are married, you can get decent semi furnished apartment for RM 1200 in KL. If bachelor you can go on sharing accommodation for RM 500. The public transport is good, you can use trains, buses & taxis services. Eating food outside is cheap, you can have good lifestyle for RM 2500 pm. The local malay people are very friendly and easy to work with.

Security wise I think its good. But you might have heard in the past there were police raids on many Indian expats who were got arrested and later released after Indian embassy intervened. Always carry your work permit & passport copy in hand, police can stop you anytime to prove your identity. I never faced any problems though. I think 6k RM is decent pay if you are single.

Good luck to you and enjoy KL.

[A Bhattacharya]

Still it doesn't even remotely beat the cost of accomodation I'm paying. I don't share my apartment and I don't have to put up with a stranger in my bedroom.

[A Bhattacharya]

Still it doesn't even remotely beat the cost of accomodation I'm paying. I don't share my apartment and I don't have to put up with a stranger in my bedroom.

[Sai Surya]

You can come to Singapore from India if you are ready to:

- Available 24/7 to company work.
- Work 20 hrs a day and should be able to reach office at 9 am next day.
- Tolerate micro management.
- Tolerate bossism.
- Take up work at 6 pm and finish it on the same day.
- Meet their extreme expectations, they expect you to do miracles from day 1.

I relocated from India to Singapore, I am getting a feeling that I committed blunder of my life.

Think twice before you act.
Good Luck.

[Pandu Rangam]

- Available 24/7 to company work.
- Work 20 hrs a day and should be able to reach office at 9 am next day.
- Tolerate micro management.
- Tolerate bossism.
- Take up work at 6 pm and finish it on the same day.
- Meet their extreme expectations, they expect you to do miracles from day 1

Hi Sai Surya,
Not all companies are like what you said.The work pressure is there in India also.

[A Bhattacharya]

I don't think many companies in India are like that. I'd say work/life balance is lot better here and you hardly ever have to work in excess of 8 hours in most companies; unless you are a workaholic or you stay late in office for downloading pirated music.
From what I hear most jobs in S'pore aren't development jobs but maintenance/support/internal operations etc. Can anyone verify this?

[Jesus Angeles]

re: Singapore

Real Estate cost increased in past few weeks, nationwide.

My company pays 3 times of the previous monthly commercial rent starting December 2007.

While you can find a 1 room flat for 800$ maybe a few months ago, now, it is probably at least 1100$.

I dont know if this sounds good; meaning higher pay, whatever.

If your negotiation is still under way, add buffer into your house cost.

Goods and services Tax, GST, increased in past few weeks. I dont think it is much of an increase, but those expensive items would feel it. I purchased a set of jewelry just in time, around 4000s$, and escaped around 200s$ of additional tax if I purchased it a month later, last august.

Great country. I just miss the Houston weather, and snow in Iowa. Weather here is tropical, but storms are not so strong, I believe, due to its geographical location.