Watch: Single Income.. 16 Years in Singapore. Still Not Enough? | NRI

3:08 And that time actually I went for a kind of a contractor role. I mean that time actually I went for a on a business visa. That was around 6 months of period of the time and then later I came back India and then again I stayed in India for almost like 2 to 3 months and again I went back to UK in the year of 2006 I think 2006 around 2006 I went to the UK and I came back from the UK due to a personal reasons. That was around the year 2007. And in the year of 2000 8 actually I Yeah, around 2000 Sorry, not around 2008 around 2000 again I move back to the Singapore actually. Got it. And yeah, and that's all I was staying for until last year I was staying in Singapore. Yeah, that's what a very long journey I've been Great. I know we don't have a lot of

4:10 Many guests who lived in Singapore, so I

4:12 Would love to understand you know how the life was in Singapore work and you know 16 years is quite a long time. Sure, sure, sure. I mean in terms of the life in Singapore I mean as many of us know right Singapore is a very beautiful place. Definitely. I mean in whichever aspects you think about it the life is very secure over there. Comfortable. as in the beginning before marriage actually I was quite exciting honestly speaking. Because Singapore is really a kind of a new environment what I seen in a UK as well as other countries like Belgium as well. I mean because it's like it's it's like near to kind of Asian culture as well as a different environment together. What we don't see in India especially.

5:02 So and I got a very good time to learn the things as well. I mean whether it could be focusing on the work or learning a lot of other things right? I mean because so far in my career actually I was not really active in the sports as well. But Singapore is the is the time where I started exploring more on a kind of physical activities because there are a lot of a kind of activities that is involved in Singapore especially when you're employed in the organizations right? And even the from the government also they take a lot of initiatives in terms of maintaining the good health of their citizens as well. I mean not only the citizens I would say kind of a residence whoever staying in the Singapore. That's really good part. And yeah, I mean, I had a very good time before the marriage. And then slowly after marriage, things as we know that became like more settled. and life was getting more of a kind of a structure.

6:03 Where I need to think I mean I need to plan more in terms of the kind of a long term, not just about myself. And then slowly the kids came into picture. And that's where really things changed where I was more focusing on their kind of a big school, I mean, what kind of the things they needs to be grow up. All these things were they were all around around me actually. But yeah, so overall actually life in Singapore is very good. If you talk about from the work wise, right? Work wise actually is also kind of a structure, right? I mean, things are very in a process, are clear. And that really helps a lot actually whereby you can manage your work as well your lifestyle as well. but again, the kind of drawback is that again you are away from the family always. in my case specifically, most of the time actually I was traveling and I was staying abroad.

7:02 It really gives me a feeling of kind of a disconnected always. that's the reason actually I always on and off flights. That's the another advantage that you stay in Singapore because traveling from Singapore to India is like kind of a 4-hour journey. And I used to travel a lot, I mean, before marriage. But after marriage, yeah, it's the frequency has been reduced. But yeah, that's the best part also I would say in Singapore, right? If you stay in Singapore, it's very near, 4 hours. Any urgent emergency or anything that you want to be part of the any of the Indian activities, then you can be involved in it. But not every aspect we can be part of it. but there are times where I felt that I may not be part of a certain good or bad things that were part of my family as well.

7:53 That's the kind of the sad part that I used to feel and I always have a kind of a triggering that I mean, I always feel that although I got the family and the kids, somewhere there was always a kind of feelings that it was always disconnected because I come back to India, I just stay only for 1 hour 1 week more I think more than not 10 days, right? It's always like kind of a and it just finishes very fast. You just 2 weeks you come and you just go here and there at the just finishes. So, that's the reason actually I felt that yeah. I mean, I should take some break.

8:38 Yeah. Got it. Sounds like I think you know, you started I think you know, the family, the structure, but once in a while you miss the family when you're traveling quite a bit because the proximity between India and Singapore. But why the move to India and why after

8:54 16 years? Why not early? Why not later? why where did this thought about moving to India start? Yeah, sure it was. I mean, the moving to India definitely not a single decision actually because it's more of a As I shared, I mean, kind of a gradual thought process I would say because over the time actually I started feeling as I shared I mean, away from the home quite long and since I moved abroad in earlier career itself, so kind of a missed a kind of a kind of missing feeling like being present at a lot of important moments back at home. And so I mean, it was that and that's the kind of a feeling being disconnected from the family and other aspect is more of the kids, right?

9:46 I mean, I felt they should also have the kind of a connection with the grandparents because since my kids has been grown up there there was a communication barrier between the kids and the grandparents as well because they speak English and my dad my parents cannot speak it. I mean, and I thought that they should have kind of a bonding as well, right? So, you cannot give that kind of a bonding over the phone and just talking on and off that doesn't give them the kind of a feeling. So, and especially as my mother was also getting old, I thought it's important for the both the sides to have that time together. And yeah, that's where all the things has been started and and not only this, I mean, there was some kind of practical aspects as well kind of a cost of living abroad was quite high.

10:46 Because I was the only working person in my home because my wife is a housewife and because she was taking care of my kids because the kids are 8 and 9 years old. I mean, So, she felt that I think it is important for her to be with the kids at least for this time. And yeah, it was quite becoming expensive as well. And so, I thought that sending the kids to the international schools, somehow there are kind of a different aspects of schools in Singapore as well. so, you need to match according to the cost as well. I felt that since I also have a kind of intention to take a break and take care of my mother and come back to India. So, let's take a kind of pause and that's where I taken the decision to move the family to India actually.

11:43 So, yeah. Got it. So, it's kind of

11:46 Taking a break from your career also just for the helping the parents and the grandparents and the kids, you know, can have the time. And then there is some aspect of the cost of living that kind of place also in a role. okay, let's I think talk a little bit about like when did you start thinking about this and then when you actually pulled it like you know, let's talk about some of the planning in terms of the move itself. I mean for me I didn't want to rush actually into it because I know that the back of my mind it was running on but I didn't rush on it actually because since it involves my family and also the kids as well, it's not so easy. but I did a planning on the things that we had so, what I did is actually I sent my family before ahead. I mean 1 year before I just sent them so that the kids get settled over here.

12:43 Environment, so that's where I sent them and honestly, I mean it helped me a lot actually because by the time I decided to move so they were already being things has been settled over here and which is much smoother as well. and I mean this is more this is more part of a kind of family moving back to India in terms of the planning. And in terms of the financial side also actually, I was a bit careful as well and because I was in a position where I was able to manage my expenses for some time. Actually, I planned properly ahead because I know that moving back to India keeping this kind of experience is not so easy to find a job in India as well. So, that is already in my mind and that's how I planned well that the things doesn't work properly, I should able to financially manage. So, that's how I have planned out over the period of time.

13:42 Got it. So, in terms of family moving early, is it primarily to see if things would work out, if the kids would adjust, if not then you want to move back to Singapore or is it just like more of like, okay, from a prior financial transition, let the kids send the you know, wife move early, let them settle, once you have this financial things figured out, that's when you move. It's nothing to do about like whether they settle and then move back or is it like a risk mitigation plan or is it just more to do with the financial thing? I don't see it as a motivational, but kind of a risk mitigation plan, you can say about it. the whole point of sending them earlier because from a financial aspect, I know that what could be the expenses because my whole thought process is not to stay in a kind of a tier two tier one cities actually because I'm from a tier two city actually, I'm from Visakhapatnam.

14:35 So, my thought process was probably I'm not able to find a job within a one native place itself because I already made the kids to join nearby my native place as well. And in terms of the kind of a let's say I cannot able to find a job in a one year, then that's how I thought that probably I can just move to other cities initially for myself, then probably if I can go to opportunity, then I can move back to the tier one city. So, that's my thought process actually. Makes sense.

15:07 I I think I know, I want to understand this a little bit. I know you kind of gave an indication the cost of living in Singapore is high, but I would assume the pay is also going to be high. I mean, you know, if you can talk a little bit on average, right? Hey, somebody in this you know, IT professional, this is how much they make, but the cost of living is so high. In reality, the savings are this. Just so that we I think you know some of the viewers can understand it and also how it compares to India like you know right now, right? I think you know if you can talk that that would be very helpful. Sure, definitely honest. >> [clears throat] >> So basically on an average if you take right I mean Singapore before COVID was quite different. And Specifically the rentals has gone very So you can think about like before COVID it was Let's say that on an average two-bedroom house

16:08 If you can say it's again around 2,000 and that houses has been rent around 2,800 some like 3,000 as well. It's again depends on the specific area that you're living and and also the education wise also the cost has been increased. so if and if I share with you like a person who has I mean it's again depends on the experience. Let's say consider that the person who was drawing around 10,000 Singapore dollars per month. Right? I mean I mean one person working I let's say that you just as you have given example if you just take a rental, right? On the average because there are two different kind of rental options over there in Singapore. One we call as an housing development board. That's more from a government buildings actually and other is a private. So it's more of the choices of the people how much they're drawing they can afford on it. So let's say that my my case actually I was staying in an housing development board where I was

17:10 Renting for around 2,500 dollars per month actually. Because for my case it's quite different, but now that's 2,500 might have become as of 3,500. I don't know. Because actually I was continuing staying for a longer years in the same house. I said 2,500 and you have a kids over there. And the kids' education is almost like for a tuition fees itself on an average you can take for a kid around 2,500. That's an I'm I'm giving kind of a very lower part as well, like a kind of a 2,500 dollars for a kid. >> Pardon? Per month? >> Yes. Per month, yes. That's 2,500 dollars per month. So it's almost you're talking about 5,000 dollars for two kids, like if you are sending them >> Yes, if you have two kids. If you have two kids. Which includes tuition fees and you have the bus, everything is 2,500. That also I'm considering the school that is which is a lower part as well. Because there's based on the school and the standards, the fees also may go higher as well.

18:06 So that's how it is. I mean they can again the other burden will be the health care, right? And the health care is also I mean you might have the you can take the insurances all the things. Let's say that you will take a family insurance, you may also need to pay higher as well. I mean so again depends on the your age factor as well. How much the coverage will be, how much you may need to pay as well. And yeah, especially the health care is also not so cheap. Un- unless you are a kind of citizen or unless you are a permanent resident, being a foreigner is may not be for not for every organization they cover for a whole family, but most of the scenario what I know is 80 to 80 percent of the companies they cover only for your yourself, not for your family. So there is something covered when unforeseen situations comes, it could be a kind of a huge burden on you as well.

18:57 But in my case actually was lucky that there was some kind of a unforeseen situation happened before I came back to India as well for my kid he met with an accident, so but luckily actually my company was covering for my family as well. So, I was bit lucky in that scenario. Yeah. And yeah, and another thing I just I missed to add on before, right? I mean, that was another factor because my kid was met with some unforeseen situation. I so also thought that I think maybe I need to take I need to bring them to back India at least for some time to take care of the kind of the health issues as well. So, that another aspect actually. Sorry, I missed it before conversation as well. >> No, no worries. No worries.

19:42 >> Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, overall the cost of living will be definitely higher. so, what I see is that when you have a two wife and husband working, then the life will be very good, very comfortable, very secure. I mean, I mean, you can get everything there. I mean, sometimes you may not feel that you are away from your country as well. because the culture is there itself is kind of a multinational culture over there. Right? So, yeah, life is good Got it. >> Definitely, if you ask me compared to other countries, for me I will always choose a Singapore. Got it. Understood.

20:19 So, I think you mentioned that you moved to Visakhapatnam. so, I also understand I think you took a break from your career, right? and like so, you Was it intentional or like did you try to find some job or opportunities in Visakhapatnam and you couldn't find it or it's just that you want to take a break? okay. So, the thing is I had the intention to take the break, but not for a longer period of time. I thought that probably after coming back from Singapore, I may take some break for almost like three to four months. That was my plan initially. And that's how I did it. And after the three to four months, and I slowly started exploring as well, but not so actively. but yes, I was exploring the opportunities, but definitely in Visakhapatnam may not be the right place as well, especially for the IT industry.

21:13 So, I was exploring the opportunities in Hyderabad, Bangalore, these kind of the cities. But, the call rate was very low, frankly speaking, and the expectations are also, I mean I mean my expectations of for the salary in point of thing is actually it was a not able to meet as well sometimes. sometimes the calls were I wasn't even receiving the call and they just give you some interviews and all these things, but nothing was kind of formal in terms of going to the next calls, all these things would happen actually. In the first Yeah. Got it. So, let's talk a little bit on the career side, right? Because you worked in Singapore for 16 years, you worked in India for some time, and so on. how is the work culture?

22:02 That's one aspect. And also the pay scale, right? I mean, because again, the cost of living is so high in in in Singapore. And you know, there's this difference, you know, purchase power parity and all that stuff. Like, if you have to give a range, like how much is the band here in India compared to what it is in Singapore? you know, in terms of someone making, let's say, $100,000 or maybe $200,000, and then how it will be compared here. that's Those are two things that you we can talk a little bit about it. in terms of the comparison, I mean, what I see in the India market is that, right? I mean, I think people are getting the good salary as well. I mean, when I compare with Singapore with in India, the only the thing that you can see the difference is that the savings will be more. Let's say that if you are in India and you have your own house, when you get a good pay around, then you can have a good savings in India.

23:01 But, specifically when you stay abroad in Singapore, you may not able to have much savings compared to India. That's the one aspect what I see. but I didn't experience it, so I cannot tell firmly on that. But based on what I see is that how much of my some of the friends are withdrawing, it's like more or less I think it's in the kind of similar range, and it's again for a I mean there are few people who are similar to my experience on a lower band as well, but most of the people I see here, they are on same same kind of a salary ranges as well. So, Singapore and India, same salary range? There are few people. I mean in a way what I say is that I met few of my friends. They are at that level because again depends on the the position they are holding in India.

23:57 Okay, got it. So, let's talk about the

24:00 Kids. I think at the time of transition, they are in the primary school, right? Like how did they transition? how did you choose the curriculum of the schools? Like anything that you can share on that? Yeah, sure. I mean kids honestly initial phase were not that easy actually. because specifically on the environment wise, because I know that I was staying in Visakhapatnam and the place where I was staying she's kind of mostly pollution is a lot actually because of some of the industries areas and all, so, after they came down here, it was not easy for them because almost like they six months they need to go to the hospitals all and off. Every every month, I think my wife she needs to go to the hospital and take it. And it took it took almost like a 1 year I could say say kind of 1 year.

24:54 It's mostly from the health aspect, but not from my kind of the adjusting to the school environment. And the way I selected the curriculum as well, right? Because they were studying the IGCSE over there in Singapore. My thought process was that I don't know because maybe later if I don't find the things doesn't work well here, my thought process is that probably it is maybe I can take them back to the Singapore if So, initially my thought was that and so I made them to join the same IGCSE curriculum as well. Luckily, I was able to find a school over here in near my place as well. I mean that is international school and they are kind of affiliated to IGCSE as well.

25:40 And that's how I admitted them to that particular school as well. And in terms of the education wise, the standards wise may not be so you cannot compare with what you have outside. Although they say IGCSE frankly speaking. I mean because this could be a kind of information for the rest of the audience as well. you cannot expect the same standards. I mean I don't know about the Hyderabad, Bangalore. Personally, what I see in Secunderabad, although they say IGCSE goes international curriculum and all, but it's not up to the par as well. >> Yeah.

26:19 Yeah. So, how is the life in India? Like you know, how is your mom doing? Life in India, you know, the reasons why you came and all that stuff. Yeah. I mean yeah, I mean in India, I'm very happy actually after coming down here. Initially, it was everything okay because my mother, she's also happy because she because I came after 1 year, so she already settled with the my kids and everything. It was working fine as well. But again, for me initially for a few of the months, it was okay, but after a few of the months, I mean things may not be the same standard all the way. Yeah. Got it. I know I think So, just to confirm, like I think from your immigration status, you can go back to Singapore anytime you you you prefer.

27:06 Is that right? Or like yeah. I mean, it's it's again depends on the situation I need to act upon. But my preference is actually in India India mostly. but let's say that I find any opportunity, but that could be kind of a temporary opportunity, I would say. And but mostly yeah, mostly I need to think about it. I again, it's based on the situation, frankly I'm not yeah, because nothing Sometimes we plan the things, but of course, planning is very important. I don't deny on that. But something things may change. Yes. >> Whatever the deal is, actually. Got it. And how did Desi Return

27:50 Platform help with your move back to India, if it has yeah? Yeah, exactly. I mean, the thing is As I mentioned, my always I have on top of my mind that I need to go back to India and take some break. That was my thought process always running in my mind, right? And then and in between when I see the Desi Returns, because I think I saw your videos in the YouTube initially. And then I started following because there are a lot of videos ongoing then. Then I think my thought process became very strong enough that pushed me that oh, I think then I need to. Because I I'm not the person who have this kind of thought process. I mean, there are people around the world, right? Who really have this kind of situations and who have been abroad for a couple of years, and they feel that their roots are in India. I mean, they should have some kind of family bond. I mean, all these things also really pushed me and firmly helped me to take the decision as well. Yeah. Yeah,

28:52 Okay. Great. Thanks. is there any topic that we haven't

28:56 Covered or any advice that you would give you know, for people who are listening to us? I think what I really want to emphasize or share with the rest of the people, right? when you are taking any kind of a decision, especially moving back from the abroad to India, right? don't just take the experience of your of the other people because >> every individual has their own experience. but you you should take the inputs from them, but in terms of the taking the decision should be depends on your environment. Let's say that in your India, how your family roots are, how is your family bonding, and where you need to This planning should be should be I mean, planned well. And and what I really say is that you should be in a position to take whether it's good or bad.

29:52 I mean, that is really very important, actually. Yeah, agree. everybody's journey is different, and you have to consider your own decision and make an informed decision and whether it's good or bad, and you don't want to have it. Yeah, because I seen couple of people, I mean, who has been detained and it could be a base because of their family pressure or whatever other reasons. They felt that, "Oh, I shouldn't have taken this kind of a decision." I mean, because it may not be straightforward. I mean, when you are outside, right? The things that you listen and hear maybe good, but when you when you when you be in that situation, when you really face that, then your perspective may change.

30:45 Right, so yeah. Yeah, I agree. I know there is one topic that we haven't covered. Just want to make sure, especially for folks who are moving back from Singapore, right? Because you lived there for 16 years. You know, anything that you can share on the financial aspect, especially for example, the pension funds or like retirement funds or anything like that, if there is something that exists. You know, some of these stocks or like equities like you know, how did you manage or how did you plan or anything that you wanted to share on that? Okay, from a financial aspect, right? I mean, I'm not a kind of a stocks person. I mean, especially in Singapore, I didn't invest in any of the stocks, frankly speaking. But as I was planning to move back to India, so 2 years before actually I started investing in India stocks, mostly on the mutual funds, not on the kind of a stocks kind of a mutual funds.

31:41 But in Singapore, you have a you have options on the kind of a savings because I mean, unless you have a plan from a long-term point of view, let's say that you want to get a PR over here, you want to have a kid, then there are kind of accounts that you can open where you can have a park your funds which kind of a kind retirement scheme kind of the accounts that you can open. That will be beneficial as well. The second difference, but there are a lot of options. I don't deny that, but I didn't explore much, frankly speaking, in terms of the financial aspect because my investments are mostly in India actually. Got it. Yeah, so yeah. Cool. Yeah, so thank you very much, Shiva, for taking the time, sharing your story in terms of the thought process and you know, how you made the move. So really appreciate and good luck with everything. Thank you.

32:38 Thank you very much. Have a nice Thank you very much for the time. Yeah. Great. Thanks, sir.