Update: It appears it may come down to Sydney v. Singapore

[rupertpenny]

I'd go with Singapore, just because it seems like it would be a more novel experience than Sydney. Also because I am obsessed with char kway teow and Changi airport.

[origami]

I have never been to Sydney but I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. How long is the assignment? Is it 1 year or 2 (or more)? If it's only 1 year I would probably pick Sydney because I would spend every vacation exploring Australia, NZ, Fiji. If it's 2+ years I'd probably pick Singapore b/c you'd be so much closer to more options, and a bit closer to your family. Clearly travel opportunities are my top priority but other things to think about are:
-COL increases (do you get more $ for one city over the other?) Both of these cities are very expensive but I read indices that said Sydney's restaurant prices are 37% higher than Singapore's (Singapore is not cheap either) and grocery prices are about 3% higher. Rent is much higher in Singapore but you shouldn't be paying for that. I guess what I'm saying is, Singapore is usually at the top of the COL indices so you may get more to live there than in Sidney. However, of the things you'll actually pay for - like food, Sydney may be a lot more expensive. Just something to consider. Hopefully someone more familiar with Sydney will chime in.
-what kind of living arrangements you'll have in either location (i.e. does one give you a lot more space, or more rental style options than the other? Will his company provide you with the same lifestyle level in either city even though rent prices vary a lot)
-are the jobs for your DH the same in both cities or is one better for his career? will he have the same flexibility and expected hours/week at both places?
-are the holidays/vacation/PTO days different depending on the location (at my DH's company it depends. we currently get local holidays and our US number of PTO days so it benefits us a great deal to be in a country with a LOT of holidays. I have no idea what holidays are typical in Sydney or Singapore but that may be something to look into if there are local differences.)
-Maybe google some reality shows (house hunters, international food, etc) and travel videos for each city and see what appeals to you more.

[fbf2006]

Those are great options! I'm just so impressed with origami's insights!

[rupertpenny]

Origami does have very good points to consider.

I have no factual basis for this, but I'd bet that SG has a lot of holidays because it is so multicultural.

I also watched every episode of anything ever about Hong Kong before I officially decided to move here, haha.

[brainie]

They both seem like excellent options.

[CakeLover]

Personally, I would go with SYD. I'm a bit bias though. I never lived in Singapore and only visited DH once while he was there so I don't have any experience living there. I would say that Singapore was a concrete jungle lots of apartments, tall buildings and tight spaces (parking) and very little green space. But what Singapore offers you is the availability of affordable help if you would want it. Another reason why I would be oppose to Singapore is your pets, with very little green space it may be disappointing for your pets. If you lived away from the city center in Sydney you could easily find house with a yard for your pets to roam around. Most of this response is coming from DH's experience.

Other things to consider, traveling Changi will have the advantage when it comes to cheap flights to beautiful destinations. . Sydney will offer you places you can travel via car. Though in Singapore you could travel to KL via car if you would want.

I know my DH felt very 'closed in' in Singapore and it was only him there (no wife and kids). But the expat community in Singapore was great.

I don't know how long your assignment is so maybe that would influence my advice too.

I love LOVE LOVE Australia and I think your dogs would love visiting the beaches and parks and hinterland. My only downside to Australia is the freaking critters here and what they could do to your dogs. Cane toads, spiders and snakes. I don't think the state of New South Wales has the same problems with critters like Queensland does but it would be worth checking into for your pet's sake.

[Cicero]

FWIW--most of our expat friends in Sing rent single family homes with a yard. They do exist if that is what you're looking for.

Will the company provide you with a car? If not will a car be something you want? You don't need one in Singapore because public transport is so good but all of our friends who have them do so through their company. It's difficult and expensive to get one on your own. First you have to win the right to buy a car license through an annual island wide lottery. Once you win a license (however long that takes) you have to buy it. The cost starts at $90,000 for the smallest car option.

[rupertpenny]

You totally do not need a car in Singapore. The MRT is so clean and cheap, and taxis are clean and cheap! Unless you plan to transport a lot of durian there is no reason to own your own car.

[Cicero]

Mar 16, 2015 9:39:57 GMT -5 mryrcn said:

Thank you all. We are leaning towards Singapore due to the access for easy travel. We are both divers. No way in hell do I want a car. Spending $100,000 for the privilege to buy a car just seems dumb. Next week DH is meeting with a coworker who currently lives in Singapore and he offered to let me speak with his wife as well. We are waiting on the offers to come in so we can compare apples to apples and then make our decision. HR has told us what the salary would be for both positions. But that doesn't include signing bonus or other perks. This will probably be glacial.

Cicero I sent you a text last week. I will need to pick your brain.

Hmmm...I didn't get anything. Try again?

[origami]

That's awesome they spell out the money in detail before you commit! I was hoping they would for you. My DH's company wouldn't and I really dislike that.