Job Discussion Forums

[lacsap]

Well done Javagall
OK. I'll try and answer your questions. Mobiles: no problem. There are two networks, DST which most people use and B-Mobile which is not quite so popular. There is a prepaid scheme with both, where you buy scratchcards for credit, called Easi for DST, can't remember for B-Mobile, or there is a monthly post-paid system. Depends how much you use your phone. Most people, if you just text all the time are quite happy with the scratchcards, but if you use it more and intend to roam to other countries, then get the postpaid system. Coverage is good in most places. If you have a phone from the UK, you will have to make sure it is not locked into your UK provider. Otherwise just buy a cheap one here. Check www.qqestore.com for prices. All models available, depends on your level of geekiness which to buy. Musical instruments: several music schools offering tuition in most instruments, the schools JIS and ISB also offer tuition, instruments available to buy in shops, limited range, depends what you want. Not a musician myself but plenty of people are so they might be better able to advise. Broadband is simple. You do it through TelBru. Works fine, installed quickly, they'll even set up your wireless network.Service prompt and efficient (not all Brunei is like that, believe me). Cost $68 a month.
Baggage, you'll find it will arrive just as you are moving into your house, otherwise the shipping company will keep it for a while.
Anything else you need to know, just ask.

[jsteventon]

Many children here learn an instrument and the two or three specialist shops in BSB meet the needs of the majority. The student can also hire an instrument from JIS (maybe ISB too)

Think lacsap has answered all the other queries! Mobile phone and broadband efficient and easy to organise here...

JS

[Javaggall]

THANK YOU - I can't imagine what people did before forums like this were set up! Every little anxiety or wonder we have, someone reassures us! I have no more questions at present but will certainly post them if any more arise. Will wait to buy mobiles out there - thanks for the link - and will look into music later. Cheers everyone - see you in September!

[Javaggall]

Just a thought - we aim to send some money to the UK each month to keep things ticking over here - and hopefully save a little!!! Are there any laws/limits to how much you can send home/take out of the country - and bring into the country for that matter? We will probably bring some dollars with us - is there a limit?
Also, is the hotel where we will be staying at first well equipped - I believe it will be self catering?
Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me.

[jsteventon]

Hi,

As far as I am aware there is no limit on bringing in or sending out money. very easy to send to a home bank account each month...

The hotel is fine - living room/kitchenette plus bedroom and bathroom. A good way to do things as you can then set about finding exactly the home you want at the price you want - if under the rent allowance you can keep the difference, which is a great option. CfBT used to put people straight into their house, but have changed this due to popular demand. The hotel is in a good location near the arport and main highway...

JS

[gajackson1]

When I first came, I thought there was a higher limit on exiting/entering Brunei - but yep, there seems to be NO limits. I think where you will find the issue is in getting to/leaving from Brunei with X amount in currency, for whatever the limits are in relation to the OTHER country.

I don't know who you bank with there - but if it is Standard & Chartered, HSBC, or CitiBank, you're gold! Because those 3 are already well established here. (I wish I had set up a S&C or HSBC account before arriving from Korea; I have an S&C account now, though).

I wish I could comment more on Islamic banking and the banks/services offered here (it is currently a VERY hot topic on some of the international boards - the Korean on`s, as well), but I honestly can't. If you are serious about saving & investment, though, you may really want to take a good look at those opportunities, or other wealth management options.

The savings potentials ARE here, but with a plan & smart management, you can do a lot, lot better, making those savings work smarter & harder for you. The power of interest & all that.

Cheers!

Glen

[lacsap]

Transferring money from Brunei is very easy nowadays. Most people tend to have an account with HSBC here. If your account in the UK is also with them, or with their internet arm First Direct, then it is simple to transfer as much as you like via internet and it only costs $10 per transfer. If you transfer via internet to a non-HSBC bank in the UK then it's $15. The maximum you can send is actually $5000 a day. At least that's what it is for me. See http://www.hsbc.com.bn/1/PA_1_1_S5/content/brunei_51/download_centre/forms/gtariffapr09.pdf for full details.
HSBC in Brunei have been a bit difficult to deal with recently, largely because a couple of CFBT teachers have done runners owing them a lot of money. They therefore make us jump through a lot of hoops to get any loans or credit from them. Standard Chartered are OK, they have internet banking as well, but you are unlikely to have an account with them in the UK, which makes transfers more expensive.
Islamic banks such as the TAIB here in Brunei are OK, but limited in the services they offer. They have savings accounts, but they do not offer a guaranteed interest rate, rather they pay a "dividend" every year, and you don't know what that is until they announce it. Last year it was 2.25%.
Don't worry about the whole money transfer issue however, it is very easy once you know what to do. Indeed once you have set up a regular payment every month, you don't need to think about it again.
One absolute rule regarding money is, do not have anything to do with any of the "financial advisors" who infect the place, companies such as Finesco. Stay well away. They are not your friends. I am sure everyone else will back me up on that.
Good luck.

[celtica]

With HSBC I believe the limit depends on what you request when you open the account/the internet banking

...Some I know have a $10,000 daily limit. Whether it goes higher than this I don't know.

[Javaggall]

Thanks again - we have a UK account with HSBC so that seems encouraging.
More questions I'm afraid....
We have been told that you shouldn't swim in the sea unless in a wetsuit as they are "nasties" in there. Can anyone clarify? What nasties? Sharks, jellyfish etc or sewage/pollution??!! How can a wetsuit help?!?!?
Also, is there the opportunity to rent a house with a pool? Is this do-able? Are we living in cloud cuckoo land? If it is do-able, how much more expensive is it? Maintainence easy to organise? Affrordable?
Thanks again - I appreciate everything you are telling me and feel almost organised