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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Please come and talk to me about Singapore

36 replies

imopop · 20/03/2011 11:09

Hi Have three DC 7,2 and 8 months. Am thinking about possible relocation with DH's job. Need info on healthcare, schools, housing and cost of living. Also things to do
with the kids. Anything and everything really do to with Singapore.
Many thanks

OP posts:

empirestateofmind · 25/03/2011 01:55

Think carefully about which bank you use. We are HSBC which is a pain as it is the only bank not on the Nets scheme.

This means that I can't top up my InCarUnit (ICU) at the carpark top-up stations as my bank card is not recognised. I have to find a 7Eleven (I have got around this by keeping a spare Nets ICU card in the car and rotating them topping up the empty one though)

Also there are not many HSBC cashpoints.

UOB, DBS and OCBC seem to have far more outlets.

PS the ICU is a box all the cars have in which records as you go through ERP gantries or in/out of car parks. It deducts money from the card you keep inserted. It means the carparks are cashless.

fastedwina · 25/03/2011 08:45

Agree about the HSBC - had an account but had the same problems as empire.

laptopwieldingharpy · 25/03/2011 08:52

Yep, same pb here.

Merlion · 25/03/2011 11:54

All accounts also with HSBC - far easier to do initial move as accounts there in the UK. However I also have an OCBC account for nets only.

empirestateofmind · 25/03/2011 12:04

That's interesting Merlion. I have noticed that sometimes on Sistic you get priority booking for shows/concerts if you have an OCBC card too.

tootsieroll · 26/03/2011 12:17

Has anyone here leased or got a second hand car in Singapore - which company have you found reliable? (No way we're getting a brand new one, total rip off)

fastedwina · 26/03/2011 13:17

Used Komoko on Alexandria Rd for leasing and never had a problem. Guy even rushed out with spare keys when our little one got locked in. No problem when we eventually handed it back even with a few dents and scrapes.

empirestateofmind · 26/03/2011 15:35

We use Hawk, no problems with them either.

Merlion · 27/03/2011 06:59

We bought a second hand car from Presto Expat Motoring. Good service - bought cars round for us to test drive and price and package reasonable - worked out a little less than leasing and now COE has sky-rocketed again we might actually make a bit if we were to sell!

Merlion · 27/03/2011 07:02

Empire you'll find that most of the banks have discounts for various things with their credit cards - seems to be part of life here! If I ever go for dinner with a bunch of Singaporean friends or colleagues one of them will always ask if there is a discount and one of them always seems to have the right card!!

We tend to put everything on credit card and I mean everything to get air-miles. Then just settle every month.

tootsieroll · 27/03/2011 15:13

Thanks for the car tips peeps. Rang Komoco - got quoted $1350 for brand new 1.6 Hyundai Avante (to lease).

Merlion: Is your secondhand car an 'all time' usage one or a weekend plate?

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