Good things about Singapore?

[CeliaChettam]

There is a small chance I might be offered what looks like a rather munificent expat package in Singapore and we're all tempted by the idea of an adventure, though mostly by the money in my case. Can anyone with experience of the place make me believe it would be fun as well as lucrative? And has anyone else done two international moves in two years? (Regular poster namechanging)

[slim22]

look up some recent threads on here.

I did London to another european city and back to london and then on to Singapore within 20 months, with a toddler in tow, renting out our place in London, then eventually selling it.

No problem. Singapore is really expatriation for dummies, all nice and easy, esp with the right package.

It can feel a bit provincial if you are used the rush of a place like london, but still plenty to do and lots of easy options for tropical of city weekend breaks.

[snotexpectingsnow]

Ditto what Slim said tis a very easy place to live and great if you have kids IMHO - clean, safe etc.

Expensive but then if you're on a great package should be no problem.

Slim have mailed you!

[slim22]

yes, yes, have received your mail

caught redhanded on mumsnet whilst I should be working!!!

[CeliaChettam]

Thanks, Slim. I've been going through the recent threads and mostly being encouraged, though can see that finding the right school for ds2 (HFA) might be complicated. DH is sahd at the moment, which is fairly normal where we are - I guess some of the 'trailing spouses' must be men?

[slim22]

not sure what HFA stands for???

Well , have to say men trailing spouses not the norm but certainly a lot of self employed who work from home /free lancing/ or garden leave dads.

On which planet are you then?

[CeliaChettam]

High Functioning Autism. He's fine in mainstream with sensitive support and flexibility.

We're on Planet Scandinavia. I suspect Singapore might be about as different as you can get...

[slim22]

YES Singapore quite "patrician" but most (singaporean) women work though.

Actually, there are now some options for schooling. Up until very recently it was a real problem getting shadow teachers in mainstream schools.
And by mainstream schools I mean International schools. Be prepared to pay extortionate fees + all support (ie speech therapy, occupational therapy etc... is done privately)
There are a lot of charlatans out there too. In Line with the craze about "child enhancement activities" , there is a lot of stuff for SN kids too. I'm sure a lot of these places mean well but they usually have no adequate qualifications.

There is a one stop shop for info.
here

Read the above for info then you want to start by contacting
SSNAP
It's a parent support group set up by expats and it keeps very up to date info on all options available. It is also a forum if you need to get further info.
send them an email and say a friend recommended you speak to Lydia.

all the best.

Don't hesitate to shout if you need me to point you in any direction, have a few friends who've gone down this route and can find out about feedback on a particular school if you need.

x

[CeliaChettam]

Thanks, Slim, that's all really, really useful. And so sorry for the long absence - I'd forgotten that we'd have no internet while visiting the in-laws for Christmas and NY. I should hear about the job towards the end of this month and if it's good news I'll definitely be back on here bleating for more support.

Ds is in the International School here and doing well, so he doesn't need huge amounts of formal support, just the right attitude and some knowledge from the teaching staff, so your insider info about schools would be exactly what we need. Thanks again!

[slim22]

x Fingers crossed x

[AsiaMajor]

Giving birth in Singapore...

would appreciate some advice from someone who has given birth in Singapore. DH & I made the decision a few month ago to move to Singapore by the end of the year. Low and behold I am now pregnant (expecting mid Jan 2011)Should I delay the move and have baby in the UK OR speed up the move and have baby in Singapore??

pros & cons I can see:

medical care - I understand it's good in Singapore, but I am hoping for a midwife led birth as is offered in the UK, rather than a heavily medicated version. What is common practice there?

Cost - as I am pregnant already there won't be any medical insurance willing to accept me for birth. We are happy paying for the birth, but what if - God forbid- baby needs expensive neo-natal care? Is it any good in Singapore?

Help - obviously much easier to get help in Singapore and the thought of not having to worry about housework with a small baby is appealing.

Any other thoughts anyone??? Which hospitals are good? I am due to go to Singapore soon and will try to visit some places if I can to get first hand impression before I decide.

Thanks,
AsiaMajor

[ZZZenAgain]

are you going Celia? Dh has been offered a very good position in Singapore and is tempted.

I am wondering whether I would be able to work there, presumably not in my field directly but I am not really keen to be 100% SAHM again really, especially since dd is already 9 and would be at school.

Have you found out anything interesting about schools? That would be a major factor for me really, whether I liked the school set-up.