Possible move to Singapore - advice and positive stories

[Gurraun]

Dh has been offered an amazing promotion - but it's in Singapore. Details unclear at this stage but looks like it would mean a move next June/July although we get a recce visit before then.

I have 2 dc 4.5 and 15 months. Ds1 has just started the local school and loves it. I have a close knit family, ageing parents, a great job and a horse (and a cat) so not feeling too wonderful about a prospective move.

About the only thing that could come is the cat so crazy though it sounds, which areas should i look at that may allow us to live somewhere cat friendly (he'd go crazy as an indoor cat) and based on area what schools should i start looking at?

Also, does anyone living in Singapore ride - it looks expensive!

Dh keeps telling me me how we'll cheaply be able to go on weekend breaks in Asia etc - does anyone do that?

Basically I'm clueless how to start researching a move and keen to hear stories of any homebirds that made a similar move and didn't hate it! Finally, how do you (can you) make sure dcs maintain close family relationships. Adored Aunt is very worried they will forget her - especially the little one :-(

Would it be a forever move?

No, only 2 years. I really want to look on it as a huge exciting adventure but the reality is i want to chain myself to my front gate!

I haven't lived there, only visited, but a friend was out there for 4 years and loved it. She had both her children out there. From what I understand there is a big expat community out there and lots of 'trailing spouses' so it's pretty easy to make friends, especially as you have kids already. I did hear it is expensive though and can get unbearable heat wise in the summer. If it is only for two years I would grab the opportunity with both hands. My friend did a reasonable amount of travelling within Asia from their Singapore base. Just as you would explore Europe if you were living there.

Your front gate will be there when you get back, as will the school. I have been there once just a visit and loved it. Its very different living somewhere and holidaying..... So do loads of homework...be prepared to throw yourself in when you get there. Go there if possible when its cooler...and get acclimatized to the weather.

I moved to Singapore 3 times and lived there for about 9 years. It's an amazing place to live, very clean, very safe, great access to the rest of Asia (weekends in Phuket / Bali etc) and a longer hop to Australia. You can have live in help if you want, schools are great (look at Dover Court, Dulwich, Tanglin, UWC for international schools with good infant departments), healthcare is among the best on the planet and there is a great and very welcoming expat scene plus a gazillion opportunities for kids to do / experience stuff. Make sure you have a good expat package (rent, medical, dental, car, relocation costs including air and sea freight, schooling, annual flights home etc). The downsides are the distance from the UK, the heat / humidity and the fact that it's a small island so you can get island fever a bit - just hop on a plane for stunning beaches, mountains etc. Btw, you don't get outside cats in Singapore. There are lots of strays and feline leukemia / HIV are rife so all cats are house cats, do some research with your vet in the UK.

Do a search, there is lots of information on this forum about Singapore, it's an amazing opportunity.

We came from Australia last year and don't regret it. I did find the first few months hard, but once I met some people and started to get the lay of the land things got easier. Much easier once I got DS into preschool.

It's very easy to travel and next year there is a long weekend every month!

I wouldn't have an outside cat here, for the reasons butterfliesinmytummy mentioned, but also because of snakes and monkeys. The vet also warned me that crazy cat ladies like to steal other people's cats! I don't know if this is true or not, but there are lots of ladies who come out in the evenings to feed strays. If you can't keep him inside, I would leave him with a family member or friend in the UK.

There's no summer as such. Weather is pretty much hot and humid all year round. The heat varies by a few degrees (usually maximum between 31 and 34), the humidity and rain varies more. When the humidity is lower and there's a nice breeze blowing, it's actually quite pleasant.

Cars, housing, health insurance and international schools are very expensive. If you can get a package to cover at least part of these things, you will be doing well. Most of us do without a car. Public transport is cheap and easy. Taxis are too. You can get just about anything delivered. Bear in mind with any analysis of finances, taxes are quite low.

As for the family relationships, that's what Skype, FaceTime and planes are for.

Good luck with your decision.

We're just coming to the end of a 2+ year stint in Singapore. I'm a real homebird and, although we don't have DCs, it was a real wrench to move away from everyone I knew.

The first couple of months were difficult getting into a routine and knowing my way around. I was working, so didn't really have the time either to explore. After that, I have loved it.

We have travelled to Australia three times, Japan, Hong Kong, Bali countless times, Thailand, other parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam - most of those just for a long weekend.

From speaking with my boss and friends who have kids, it's a great place for them to live and pretty easy to make friends - I can imagine even more so with kids to break the ice! Most friends I know with children live on the East Coast.

We're coming to the end of our time here and while we are ready to leave, we wouldn't have changed it for the world. We're now about to start our next expat assignment, so I have definitely been converted.

Best of luck in your decision.

Thanks all, lots of useful advice. I need to start researching prices as I guess it will come down to economics ultimately as although it's a great job, it is a job in the region as opposed to transfer so no great ex pat package.

Just to add we took our 2 cats from London and left Singapore recently after close to 8 years and 2 dc later. The cats adapted well and were indoor cats for around half the time we were there. We lived in a small condo complex on a ground floor unit when they were able to go out and that worked well for them and us. Most landlords are ok with cats but it is usually a clause in your contract. They are now 13 and we've moved to Europe - they're becoming quite well travelled.