Renting in Singapore

[BellaMummy]

Advice please Singapore people!

DH flies out tonight and I am following in October. Saying goodbye to him when I left for work this morning was very surreal - feel a bit wobbly and nervous that I'm going to get through the next few months on my own with the DDs and no DH to help. The sorting/organsing/packing/endless list making is well underway though, so it's just a matter of getting on with it. I will have many questions, I'm sure (although hopefully DH will be able to get answers from colleagues etc.), but mumsnet always has the answers , so here goes......

Stupid relocation question #1 - Is it worth shipping the things we have hanging on the walls of our house here? I'm a landlord myself here in the UK so I know how it works with the agents who manage our properties here, but obviously Singapore is a whole new ballgame for us! Is it likely they will provide hanging hooks already, or would we have to put them up and risk the landlord charging us a fortune at the end of the tenancy to redecorate? I don't want to ship loads of things that then sit in a cupboard.

Stupid relocation question #2 - I have been to Singapore before several times, but I didn't really do any shopping when I was there, so I have no concept of what I should stock up on before I go. Are clothes expensive to buy? Should I stock up on stuff for me and the kids before I go, or it is easy and affordable to get most things?

S

Hi I would bring pictures/photos and things from your walls. It helps you feel more at home I think. You won't be given hooks etc and it is very difficult to hang things here as the the walls are very solid - no chance of getting anything in with just a hammer like in my house in London! But your movers will generally provide you with a handyman (included in the package for a couple of hours generally) who will hang mirrors and pictures for you or you can hire a handyman when you are here just wait till you have a few jobs to do and then you can get it done in one go as generally they charge by the hour. They will provide the nails/fixtures too.

There is often something in your rental contract regarding affixing things to the wall about asking permission before you do so. Normally before you leave you can patch the walls so as long as you haven't made huge holes in the walls it is ok. The landlord will generally re-paint before the next tenant moves in but check what is in your contract. You will generally be responsible for having curtains dry cleaned (keep the receipts).

Beware though Singaporean landlords really like to try and deduct the smallest thing from your initial deposit. Not really like my experience of landlords in the UK (myself included). Make sure when you do move in and go through the inventory you get them to note down any exisiting defects so that they can't try and charge you for these when you move out.

I would stock up on underwear for yourself and clothes for the kids too. As the summer sales are on in the UK I would buy a lot I think! DH was back in London a couple of weeks ago and had a huge shopping list from me . Yes everything is readily available but it is much more expensive. Also for the kids if you have shipping space left and depending on how long you are going to be here I would have a think about any 'big ticket' items you might want to get them that are likely to be much cheaper in the UK. We have friends who are moving here in the next month or so and they are bringing a bike for ds and a dollshouse for dd in their container for us as these things are so much more expensive here.

Sorry you've probably gone to sleep now but hth.

Thanks Merlion - that is really helpful. Someone else had mentioned to DH about checking the contract and inventory really closely so we'll definitely do that. My preference is to have our pictures with us, and the things from the girls' bedroom wall etc., so I'm going to go ahead and ship them.

Great tip on the underwear and clothing - good excuse to hit the shops! I've been stocking up on cheap summer dresses for the girls from Tesco etc. so will get some more stuff along those lines.

I might give some thought to Christmas presents and ship those too - being so organised so far in advance will be a big first for me

While you are in Tesco stock up on sunsuits and swimming costumes! They are very expensive here.

The shops here will be stocking winter clothes when you arrive, even though it never really gets below 32 degrees, so get as much as you can in the sales!

And school shoes if you want leather ones. Trainers/plimsolls too as the range and sizes (esp for wide feet) is a bit limited.

Finally ibuprofen requires a prescription here, so I always stock up in the UK, along with favourite medicines (Calpol, Day Nurse) and beauty/sanitary products.

I bought lightweight duvets and bedding and shipped them, too, as they are much more expensive here (I wanted goose down) although there is an IKEA so you can get all the basics, and have a look at what John Lewis will ship to Singapore, as that's a recent (and welcome) innovation.

You can buy pretty much anything here (other than the branded medicines), just the things I've listed above tend to be very expensive or in short supply.

Very good summary above.
I would also suggest stocking on fitted sheets. Linens are expensive but you'll find some very nice vietnam cotton/ embroidered sheets here through the expt fair circuit. Fitted sheets are always in short supply though and only high end at robinsons and takashimaya.

Do pack a few warm clothes to see you through a possible flight back home in winter.

Thanks expatwife - I have just gone on and snapped up some swimsuits in the sale from John Lewis, and I'll have a look at Tesco and BhS etc as well. I hate shopping with the children in tow and I'm at work 4 days of the week, so it limits my time to search and the sales are now drying up.

Have added the medicines to my 'to do/buy' list. I would be lost without Calpol!

thanks for the tips on duvets and linen - all added to my list.

Dh just phoned to say that having looked at a couple of places he is concerned we are shipping too much (what I've been saying all along, but I managed to refrain from saying 'I told you so!'....just.). He is the hoarder and I am happy to throw/give away just about everything other than photos and clothes, so I'm happy to arrive with some swimsuits and the kids' toys.

thank you - feeling all at sea today about what I need to do!