I'm interested to hear about those last three locations Lifte. Was this for work presume? I love the Far East, but never been to Singapore. I have been to the Gold Coast back in November though (as well as other places) lovely place. I'd love to move to Aus.
I'm also going to India in Oct. A few days in Delhi then a week in the Punjab. Any advice?
SINGAPORE
Yes mate, was work orientated. I moved to Singapore with my last role with my UK employer and spent 18 months there. Personally I love Singapore and still go there regularly for short vacations etc (in fact I only came back from there last Friday after a short trip).
Its Asia for newbies. Very foreigner friendly and everyone speaks English very well. The transport network is excellent, and the facilities are second to none. IMO its far more advanced than any other city in a developed country I have been to (Tokyo comes a close second).
The nightlife is awesome as well (especially for bachelors). Although in some clubs etc alcohol is very expensive. My favourite nightspot in Singapore has a going rate or $23SD for a pint of beer/bitter etc. Even by London standards that is expensive.
You can also pop over to Malaysia for about $5SD on the Woodlands railway. The railway takes about 5 mins max! The only delay is going through immigration etc
Only downside in Singapore is the humidity with the consequent thunderstorms. The heat IMO isn't that bad, but nothing is compared to India.... Out of 365 days, it rains for about 150 to 175 of them if I recall. Not all day. but short, sharp bursts where the heavens open.
GOLD COAST
I moved my part time business to full time here, and with most of my end clients being in Australia (and still are) it made sense to move over here initially. I was out here for about two years. I did travel in Australia but as far as I am concerned nothing compares to the lifestyle that the Gold Coast has to offer. In short I would like to retire out there. The weather, the Aussie lifestyle and the environment. Second to none. I rented in Broadbeach waters. A great suburb, suitable for families.
AHMEDABAD
I also have a very large client base in India as well. My wife was born in India (but spent most of her life in the UK). I have always loved India and the ease of your life (if you have money) is better than anywhere else I have lived or experienced. The education and healthcare is also excellent.
India is a dirty country though. If you associate quality of life with clean roads and great public facilities.......don't go or live there. The culture change is also massive, but also enjoyable once you get your head around it.
But if you have money, you cant protect yourself from a lot of this, and this is the key part it doesn't take a lot of money. If I took pictures of our house and showed you, aside from the plug sockets and the cooling equipment (AC in every room and ceiling fans etc) you would think it was a house in the UK.
I do not have a mortgage on my house out here, and to privately educate my two children, to pay all our house bills, run 3 cars, all sky (yes sky is over here) channels and multiple broadband connections (excluding my lease line) costs me about 500 to 600 GBP a month max. This includes multiple servants (think at the last count the wife had 4!), and going out to eat regularly. In short I do not worry about money in India.
The only thing I dislike about India is the climate. At the moment in Ahmedabad its an unpleasant 47 degrees, and by the time summer peaks it will hit the early 50s.
In respect of Delhi or Punjab, I can only give advise on the former. Hit me up with a trust if you like with what you would like to know.
I am conscious of derailing this thread.
