Today we would like to feature a story from James (not real name), a loyal reader of our blog about his experience working in a so called land of opportunities, Singapore. No doubt that the grass is always greener in on the other side but James, through his experience has a different view of working abroad.
Why Come Back to Malaysia, money there good what???!!
This is the first question my new colleague would ask whenever I share my Singapore working experience with them.
After I spent my 5 years in Singapore, working in the advertising industry, I finally decided to come back to Malaysia for good in 2011. Working in Singapore is really good money, my last drawn salary was SGD3200 as an Art Director ( about RM7500 after convert).
As compared to my peers in Singapore who earn SGD1800-SGD2300, I consider myself very lucky. I even got a PR too.
So why I choose to leave Singapore if the money is good?
To be honest, I don’t like the life there, no matter how hard you work, you still feel you are the second class citizen. You can’t buy a car because driving a car in Singapore is so expensive, don’t even think about buying a condo, not qualified at all.
So my 5 years in Singapore only gets me some little savings, no car, no property. No life.
So when I was back in Malaysia in 2011, I got my first job at a starting salary of RM5000. I kept telling myself, the figure may not as high as my previous salary in SGD, but I believe in the long run, I’m able to own more than what I have back in Singapore.
After 5 years in Malaysia, I’m now earning 5 figures monthly, higher than what I used to earn in SGD. I have a car to drive around, bought a decent landed property that I can call home, and also bought another property for investment. What a good life and feel good to work at our own country.
The are more opportunity in KL as compared to Singapore as I see it.
When I look back, I really glad that, I’ve made the right decision to return home. From owning zero to live a comfortable life. While some of my friend who still work in Singapore, still struggling to make a living, no life, no car and no property portfolio at all.
At the end of the day, is you are the one who only can decide what to do with your life and future. Even now, there are so many job offer from China ( RMB45k per month ) I still think, Malaysia, is the country of possibilities. The more people go out from the country, less competition, the more chances I have in my deep thought.
As conclusion, Singapore is not the country for the long run if you looking for a work life balance, grow a family. Still, I love Malaysia. Yes!
I am sure that is what James is feeling right now, and probably a few would agree or like to differ. Please share your thoughts and experience if you have worked in Singapore or any other countries that will help other fellow Malaysians consider before making that big step of working abroad.
2 replies to "Why I Ran Away from Singapore? Money there good what???!!"
Well,as l am and was raised in Spore for more than 2 decades,yet there is no satisfaction and way forward for long term direction….Life begins,when l was offered by NOC here in Malaysia…Who says who can’t be the best of his talent…I was bought and brought by NOC from one of the world renowned gigantic Oil company after being there for more than 2 decades ever since l left Spore for good…You WILL NEVER DREAM what you can be away from home…Perhaps,l can afford to purchase few villas,saving and income of 6 figures salary,indeed!Life got to move on ahead to greater frontier no matters what keep you hindrance or show stopper!
In Johor, most of my friends will opt for work in SG and send the hard earned money back to invest in MY. Their main concern are the well paid, benefit, security, opportunity, etc. They can achieve their “first pail of gold” in a shorter time compare to peer in MY. No doubt no life time in SG but still a lot will work for at least 10 years only consider back to MY for their retirement.