Hey guys, so I am graduating law school and moving to Singapore to work at an international law firm. I don't really know many people there, but having read about the tremendous opportunities in nearby countries, thought it could serve as a good base for travel and meeting girls. I should be fine financially ($200k+ in income annually) and able to afford a decent lifestyle (I hope!)

Has anyone done this? As in, flying to Manila, BKK or KL every / every other weekend for some R&R? Is it too logistically complicated?

reading the other posts on this forum, the scene in Singapore is kinda meh.

background: 29, british (afghan ancestry), and in OK shape (couple of extra pounds)

Doesn't sound like you a choice anymore since you accepted the job.

I hear Singapore is expensive but at your income level you will be good.

Flights will be quite cheap using air Asia to fly everywhere.

BKK would have been a better base, in everything except career opportunities (and maybe hygiene).

Now that you've there though, nab every opportunity to fly out to the other cities.

Agree with Vicious, was thinking about setting a thread discussing the best "International" bases.

200k+ starting out with no post qualification experience seems to me a bit unrealistic after a cursory glance over google. I'm assuming you mean several years down the road. But now you'll have easy access throughout asia.

I don't think there is a place in the world where a single guy wouldn't have a comfortable lifestyle on 200k. It may not make you rich but you should be comfortable at the very least.

From what I understand, fresh graduates starting out at international law firms don't have a lot of free time to tour their own country-city, much less neighboring ones.
Chase the money first.

They'll probably work you like a slave but flights are cheap enough that a flight to bkk and a crazy weekend won't set you back much. You'll probably also get things like Chinese new year free so you can easily travel then.


IIRC there are a lot of migrant workers especially philipinas in Singapore so you might not even have to leave. I saw several hot chicks especially at the esplanade but sticker shock had me wanting to leave asap.

That salary seems high but cost of living especially going out can be crazy there. Even if you hate it stick around until Chinese new year for the bonus.

Quote: (12-11-2013 02:37 PM)lavidaloca Wrote:  

200k+ starting out with no post qualification experience seems to me a bit unrealistic after a cursory glance over google. I'm assuming you mean several years down the road. But now you'll have easy access throughout asia.

I don't think there is a place in the world where a single guy wouldn't have a comfortable lifestyle on 200k. It may not make you rich but you should be comfortable at the very least.

If he is getting paid on the U.S./UK Associate scale, then 200K sounds about right. Global base is 160k + anywhere between 20-80k cost of living allowance.

I'm assuming OP is a JD?

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:04 PM)DoctaWho Wrote:  

They'll probably work you like a slave but flights are cheap enough that a flight to bkk and a crazy weekend won't set you back much. You'll probably also get things like Chinese new year free so you can easily travel then.


IIRC there are a lot of migrant workers especially philipinas in Singapore so you might not even have to leave. I saw several hot chicks especially at the esplanade but sticker shock had me wanting to leave asap.

That salary seems high but cost of living especially going out can be crazy there. Even if you hate it stick around until Chinese new year for the bonus.

This may sound biased, but in your experience, do you think it is a good idea to mack on migrant workers? I've always held the assumption (perhaps unfounded and wrong) that sleeping with one will lead to her wanting marriage, or at the very least psychotic reactions to your lack of commitment (getting her cousins to beat the shit out of you and leave you in a ditch; pregnancy scares; sitting outside your apartment at 5 AM in the morning; suicide threats).

I agree with the good docta. also the population is like 80% Chinese. I know if I was pulling 200k a year over there I wouldn't have even asked the question. when is your first house party? I'll fly in from Madrid to see that one.

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Ouch lol.

No, SG is not the most expensive city in the world. Most Australian capital citiies are more expensive.

Also.... $SG 200k as a grad wage... that seems awfully high even for Singapore. You said 'income', is this just remuneration from the job?

For your question, no it's not too unrealistic, most people who live busy lives do exactly that, FIFO to nearby cities.

Quote: (12-12-2013 12:00 AM)T and A Man Wrote:  

No, SG is not the most expensive city in the world. Most Australian capital citiies are more expensive.

Also.... $SG 200k as a grad wage... that seems awfully high even for Singapore. You said 'income', is this just remuneration from the job?

For your question, no it's not too unrealistic, most people who live busy lives do exactly that, FIFO to nearby cities.

Again, if he is a U.S. JD ie. Doctorate degree, then standard base for big law is 160k + 20-80k allowance for expats in Asia. It sounds like a lot but it is on par with MBA salaries when you factor in MBA bonuses. And as with anything that sounds too good to be true, they will work him to the bone.

http://aquissearch.com/news/salarysurvey2012-13.aspx

Those salaries are pretty nuts. I'm guessing its highly competitive to get a job at a UK or US international office in Singapore.

I'd start with going to Batam, Indonesia: a 30 minute ferry ride across the straits. Not the most exciting town, but some music and club scene and some malls you might be able to pick up at. You'd best get a multiple-entry visa, as the single-entry visas on arrival take up a whole passport page. Lots of Singaporeans go there on weekends to party.

I did some data on it: http://www.rooshvforum.network/thread-24651.html

I haven't been there, but I also recommend visiting Johor Bahru soon after you get there. It's right across the river in Malaysia, so 2 hours driving from downtown Singapore. As a fairly large Malaysian city, it should have some possibilities.

If you played it well, you could have regulars in both Batam and JB.

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Ouch. Will afghan ancestry make that much of a difference? Always thought Singapore was pretty openminded

I understand it's expensive, but thought 200k should be sufficient. Salary goes up 20k a year. I talked to the team on the ground there, they all assured me it should be sufficient...

For all those wondering about compensation, this is quite standard. Everyone gets a 160k base + sign-on + year end bonus. I am at a top U.S. law school and the firm I interned for wants me in Singapore (I expressed interest in the region). I got a bit extra for expat purposes.

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:26 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

This may sound biased, but in your experience, do you think it is a good idea to mack on migrant workers? I've always held the assumption (perhaps unfounded and wrong) that sleeping with one will lead to her wanting marriage, or at the very least psychotic reactions to your lack of commitment (getting her cousins to beat the shit out of you and leave you in a ditch; pregnancy scares; sitting outside your apartment at 5 AM in the morning; suicide threats).

Curious about this as well. Are the migrant workers in Singapore good looking?

Quote: (12-12-2013 12:57 AM)neelsingh_27 Wrote:  

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Ouch. Will afghan ancestry make that much of a difference? Always thought Singapore was pretty openminded

I understand it's expensive, but thought 200k should be sufficient. Salary goes up 20k a year. I talked to the team on the ground there, they all assured me it should be sufficient...

For all those wondering about compensation, this is quite standard. Everyone gets a 160k base + sign-on + year end bonus. I am at a top U.S. law school and the firm I interned for wants me in Singapore (I expressed interest in the region). I got a bit extra for expat purposes.

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:26 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

This may sound biased, but in your experience, do you think it is a good idea to mack on migrant workers? I've always held the assumption (perhaps unfounded and wrong) that sleeping with one will lead to her wanting marriage, or at the very least psychotic reactions to your lack of commitment (getting her cousins to beat the shit out of you and leave you in a ditch; pregnancy scares; sitting outside your apartment at 5 AM in the morning; suicide threats).

Curious about this as well. Are the migrant workers in Singapore good looking?

Singaporean Chinese girls would be immensely difficult to crack. It's hard without going into a discussion into the mindset of the average Singaporean girl combined with socioeconomic factors, global perception, the Singaporean xenophobia hypocrisy, so on and so forth. But essentially yes, being of Afghan ancestry would work against you. I would very strongly suggest you emphasise that you're from the US and did law school there and downplay your ethnicity. And even then, I wish you the best of luck.

200k is a decent amount. You'll be more than fine, assuming you don't do something stupid like purchase a high end car [unnecessary] or a lavish apartment [rent should always be a quarter of your income at max]. But you won't be wanting for money, that's for sure.

Migrant workers in Singapore are divided into two categories. One is the international expat [much like yourself] and the second category for females are the domestic workers. I would sincerely advise against going for the domestic workers for a multitude of reasons. It's a case of worst case scenario and risk versus pay off. Just to get your rocks off, even a couple of times, is not worth the implications and worst case scenario that may occur.

These female migrant domestic workers chiefly work for families that grant them one day off a week. These families/individuals are also responsible for these workers and there are innumerable stories of these maids running off, theft and causing general havoc. Their employers are responsible for every aspect of their lives and it is just... Not worth arguing against it. Not to say that they aren't allowed to have relationships and I can keep going on and on, but in summary, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

Quote: (12-12-2013 12:57 AM)neelsingh_27 Wrote:  

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Ouch. Will afghan ancestry make that much of a difference? Always thought Singapore was pretty openminded

I understand it's expensive, but thought 200k should be sufficient. Salary goes up 20k a year. I talked to the team on the ground there, they all assured me it should be sufficient...

For all those wondering about compensation, this is quite standard. Everyone gets a 160k base + sign-on + year end bonus. I am at a top U.S. law school and the firm I interned for wants me in Singapore (I expressed interest in the region). I got a bit extra for expat purposes.

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:26 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  

This may sound biased, but in your experience, do you think it is a good idea to mack on migrant workers? I've always held the assumption (perhaps unfounded and wrong) that sleeping with one will lead to her wanting marriage, or at the very least psychotic reactions to your lack of commitment (getting her cousins to beat the shit out of you and leave you in a ditch; pregnancy scares; sitting outside your apartment at 5 AM in the morning; suicide threats).

Curious about this as well. Are the migrant workers in Singapore good looking?

My opinion regarding the race thing is that while nobody will be physically assaulting you, being West Asian isn't really doing you any favors either - particularly in the dating space. Like many former UK colonies and Anglo cultures, there is a clear racial hierarchy in Singapore that goes approximately like this:

First - White/Western - Chinese Singaporean - HalfWhite/HalfAsian
Second - Light Skinned East Asian, Non Singaporean (Japanese/Taiwanese/Korean)
Third - Light Skinned ASEAN (Chinese Thai, Chinese Indonesian, Chinese Malay)
Fourth - Indians - Malays - Dark Skinned ASEAN

You should go after western chicks, there are a lot of them and they are pretty dateless. Western dudes are all banging locals.

My suggestion - two weekends a month chill at home and save money from boozing and catch up on sleep and maybe some reading or side entrepreneurial projects.

Then two weekends a month hop over to Bintan, JB, or even take a flight to BKK/Phuket and party up.

If you book on AirAsia in advance, live in relatively cheap hotels, and eat local food, you can do round trip Phuket weekends for 300-500 bucks. If you are doing serious in Singapore that will end up being about the same price, give or take.

Simultaneously, if you working at a law job they are def going to be working you hard. Probably weekends too fairly often.

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Yeah and Roosh should have listened to guys that say being Iranian/middle eastern is a pussy repellent and not to bother learning game - he'll only be able to pick up domestic laborers and pros in a place like SG anyway

OP, you'll do fine in SG. Sure, YMG's hierarchy has some truth to it. But the South Asian guys (thrown in the same category as West Asians to most dudes) I see doing well with any race there separate themselves from the migrant manual laborer stereotype - they spoke clear non-accented English, went to good schools, weren't cheapskates and were extroverted. You have a load of advantages for a couple of reasons. You'll have your own centrally located place, which won't be a shitty HDB government flat where 80% of Singaporeans live with their parents. You can abuse the let's come up for a bottle of Dom Perignon at my balcony overlooking the Singapore River line. That would be a first for the girls as most of their past boyfriends are broke dudes earning 30k and can only take them to dingy motels for a bang. Remember, you're earning more than 90% of 20-something guys in SG or on RVF.

And in that part of the world career prestige counts for a lot. Girls get wide eyed at prestigious names. Not all girls there are looking to hop on meathead badboy alpha cock. Get your other shit together and you're good to go. British accented, top tier US law school educated, well dressed and muscular guy with game? Forget the Filipino maids, they're not in your league. Your biggest problem would probably be balancing your career so you actually have enough time to get them bitches.

Quote: (12-12-2013 06:43 AM)the_conductor Wrote:  

Quote: (12-11-2013 07:43 PM)ChrisGambi Wrote:  

Sing is the most expensive city in the world and nightlife is crap, 200 k there is like 100k in ny. Also you acestry is the least desirale imagenable both in and all the surounding countries. If u drop some cash you may be able to pick up a domestic helper or A pro

Yeah and Roosh should have listened to guys that say being Iranian/middle eastern is a pussy repellent and not to bother learning game - he'll only be able to pick up domestic laborers and pros in a place like SG anyway

OP, you'll do fine in SG. Sure, YMG's hierarchy has some truth to it. But the South Asian guys (thrown in the same category as West Asians to most dudes) I see doing well with any race there separate themselves from the migrant manual laborer stereotype - they spoke clear non-accented English, went to good schools, weren't cheapskates and were extroverted. You have a load of advantages for a couple of reasons. You'll have your own centrally located place, which won't be a shitty HDB government flat where 80% of Singaporeans live with their parents. You can abuse the let's come up for a bottle of Dom Perignon at my balcony overlooking the Singapore River line. That would be a first for the girls as most of their past boyfriends are broke dudes earning 30k and can only take them to dingy motels for a bang. Remember, you're earning more than 90% of 20-something guys in SG or on RVF.

And in that part of the world career prestige counts for a lot. Girls get wide eyed at prestigious names. Not all girls there are looking to hop on meathead badboy alpha cock. Get your other shit together and you're good to go. British accented, top tier US law school educated, well dressed and muscular guy with game? Forget the Filipino maids, they're not in your league. Your biggest problem would probably be balancing your career so you actually have enough time to get them bitches.

Yes, I agree

Congrats on the great job offer and moving to Singapore!!!!!

You'll be fine bro, just have to work a little harder than them white boyz. =).

You'll likely get less ONS and more a dragged out type relationship (3+ dates, etc) but that doesnt mean you can't juggle the girls and get a harem of chicks.

Couple things to accentuate your "higher class", which isn't something that really exists in the anglo-sphere.
1) Clothes indicate your station in life. Make sure you look sharp and well-groomed at all times. At minimum, you should wear a dress shirt/jeans/dress shoes combo
2) Speak english. If you have a brit accent, you'll stand out.
3) Use your brit status to leverage past "tough door guys" and into higher social circles

Are you a light skinned Pashtun? If being West Asian is such a big deal why not just tell the broads that you're Argentinian or Italian, tell them to call you 'Giovanni' hehe.

Quote: (12-12-2013 06:57 PM)PoosyWrecker Wrote:  

Are you a light skinned Pashtun? If being West Asian is such a big deal why not just tell the broads that you're Argentinian or Italian, tell them to call you 'Giovanni' hehe.

Bit more dark-skinned actually..

I am kind of surprised by all this race focus honestly. I am a decent looking guy, I dress well, born and raised in the UK, most people in the U.S. don't even ask where I am from / guess it might be South America or Southern Europe.


Question for the sing cats, are girls that focused on pedigree / money? I've never had to lean on that in London and here in the U.S... but I guess if it works, I should flash it? I went to Oxbridge and have an ivy league law degree, but leaning on that in the U.S. is pretty much a faux pas..

OP

Forget what these guys are saying about race. Your bankroll will be tight, I'm sure your location and bachelor pad will be on lock (as this is one of the forums main rules in swooping) , English is widely spoken it seems (language...check) so that leaves your game as the last component.

I don't know what "level of game" you're at but with all the things going for you it sounds like anything above a herb will get you laid.

Just remember to appear wealthy as others have said. It's not like your walking around with a neon sign saying Rich Lawyer.

I'm sure you will meet hot girls through social circle at work or through clients if all else fails.

I ask you to drop in once in a while and let us know how things are going.