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I figure I will find suite mates to save money, and just eat the local hawker center food. I think I can squeeze out maybe $8000 savings per month. Attractive for me.
Money isn't everything and should not come before your family.
Lol, there are numerous people who would do it for a fraction of that amount, and not even see their family one time a year. Hell, there are plenty in the military that go on deployments for much less money and not see their family.
That would depend on how badly I needed a good job. I'd do what it takes to feed my family and not be on government assistance. Or if it was a temporary transfer, say a year, that would ultimately lead to a much bigger role and paycheck, yes - short-term sacrifice for long-term benefit. I am in no way a fan of Asia but if I was having trouble finding employment that paid a decent salary, I'd certainly take the offer!
OK let me make this a little more challenging -- let's say you have toddler kids and you love them.
you
Well...if you're in the military...you'll do it and not make $150K.
Ex-Pat jobs are getting harder overseas as the competition has increased. You have to look at the whole package. Generally you're getting your housing paid at a minimum. Moreover, some you can bring your family and the company will pay for expat school.
The problem with expats is that they lose both worlds. You're not part of the new world as you're too busy to do anything but your job. Your most likely friends outside of work are other ex-pats, so you get used to having them there and then suddenly they're gone. You lose touch with the old world as it learns to move on without you. You miss moments and the time zone difference is maddening at times.
I spoke with a band that played western songs in an ex-pat bar. They weren't very good, but that was because they'd had 50 people rotate through the band since it's beginning. Still, it was something to do to keep them out of trouble. Others weren't so good and would succumb to various vices. I recall a translator from LA who was a totally cool lady, but she wanted to go out, just because even the cool stuff she'd learned she had nobody to share it with.
Nothing makes you feel isolated like living in a foreign land for a long time, when you know you aren't going to stay there and can overly adopt. Lost in Translation was a nice movie that gave a hint of it. Two people in the same boat that otherwise would have never hung out.
So it's tough. It can be lonely. However, on the other hand, if you have a family that can withstand it. Someone at home that can keep the homefires burning....essentially a Superman or Wonder Woman....and you are the same, you can save a ton of cash. You can have a ton of fun overseas....and chances are your salary is higher than the norm. It's a tough call.
When you consider most of America is making a medium income of maybe 80k together I would say 150k is “not common”. Sure in places like San Fran or NY that’s more of the norm but it’s to be expected in places like the Bay Area
Most people will never see 100k in a year. Especially with gross underemployment and lack of meangingful employment in America now
It depends on the line of work. $100k+ is pretty standard for technology jobs in big metros outside of NYC and San Francisco.
I am in DFW. I was offered $110k plus 10% bonus for the lowest paid position in my team. Our senior software engineers make anywhere from $120-130k. They are in the same salary band but a higher level title.
@OP... I'm assuming this is 150,000 USD? Not Yen, nor RMB, nor whatever Korea uses (SDK)?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jobaba
No.
However, I would consider taking a job making considerably less, doing something like building water supply systems in Africa, etc.
But you saying 150K a year, you pretty much imply it's going to be either some sh@t-show job that nobody else wants where death is a possibility or some corporate, managerial overseas contract where you have to push people around.
In some cases, it's not so much the job is awful, but the place is awful. No bars, no nightlife, no social situations, the dating pool is really a "dating puddle", 'no life', very little food options, the decent places are far away (ie. a 1 to 4 hour drive), and/or weather is lousy (ie. really hot, cold, snows all the time, you get high winds).
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If the CoL is good, and the job is exciting, that may be yet another tradeoff to consider.
Me, I only see my family 1 to 3 times per year anyways. I'm assuming I'd have to pay for my own airfare, and still use my own PTO, so that would get much more expensive and time consuming than flying domestically though.
Last edited by ackmondual; 02-22-2018 at 05:41 PM..
OK let me make this a little more challenging -- let's say you have toddler kids and you love them.
No, not for 150k.
But how long are you talking about. How many months?
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