What would I need to know about living in Singapore?

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Just very general information at the moment. Only a tentative enquiry since we are only at the start of considering this so have no idea about what package, money etc would be involved. It is my DH who would be working.

Would it be easy to make friends?
Would I need a car. Since I can see cars are expensive.
I would bring my dogs and am wondering about apartments and dogs etc.
Do any trailing spouses work? If so in what generally.
Millions of things really but any general info appreciated.
Older children at university so no issues with schools etc.
I am already living abroad so have some experience of this but never outside Europe.
As I said only at the very start of considering this so not even sure what questions to ask yet.
Thanks though for any info.

So lucky, lived in Singapore for about 9 years spread over 3 postings, moved to USA nearly 2 years ago but I still miss it so much.

Very very easy to make friends. Loads of associations, courses, trips, clubs, plus condo living makes it easy to make friends.
You won't need a car although taking your dogs anywhere would need some effort (most taxi drivers won't take dogs but there are dog transport companies around)
Lots of landlords don't accept big dogs, big fluffy dogs don't do well in heat and there's nowhere really to walk dogs off the leash apart from one beach (see transport above). I do know people with labradors, greyhounds, schnauzers but they have a different life in Singapore. Most people live in apartments so dogs are taken down in lifts every time they need a pee. Not ideal but depends if you want to ship (about GBP10k per dog each way) or have a great plan b for them staying where you are.
Lots of trailing spouses work. I found work with a sponsoring employer before dh and I got married. On our third posting to Singapore, I did voluntary work and them set up my own company. There are agencies with part time, contract work such as mumsatwork.net. If your dh has an EP, you would be granted a DP (dependents pass) and able to work part time.

Check your expat package over very carefully and ask about current rates for rent, utilities, food, travel etc. Work out your budget. Make sure health, relocation costs, trips home etc is covered. Singapore is super expensive (look at www.propertyguru.com.sg for an idea, we used to pay GBP 10k / month for 4 bedrooms) and make sure everything is included. The days of the super-package where everything was covered is coming to an end...

The thing that always sticks in my mind about Singapore is that if you or your spouse gets a work visa, if you lose your job and don't have another one to go to immediately you have just 30 days to leave. This happened to two sets of friends of mine and it was really horrible for them both. Not only the stress of losing the job and the family income, but having to move really quickly, leave their friends and life with hardly any warning, to pull the DC out of school so they lose their friends too, relocate, get everything shipped, find a new home and schools back in the UK, and all in 30 days. That would really put me off moving there tbh.

We transferred from an EP to a PEP (personal employment pass) as soon as we arrived in Singapore for this very reason juneau. It was the same moving to the USA, our visa was tied to dh's job so we got our green card as soon as possible. Many countries tie residency visas to jobs outside the EU.

I've seen too many families have to deal with the bereavement and grief of losing a father and husband, plus losing their home, school and friends, having to leave a country within a very short period.

Thanks both of you very useful information. Juneau that's important to ok know and will bear it in mind. Myfriends, thanks for that, dogs issue would be ok but not ideal.

Another question. Would a small house with even a small garden be very expensive or difficult? This would be best with dogs but I would worry that it would be more difficult to meet people than an an apartment block.

Not difficult, you'd need to consider pest control, proximity to jungle (and therefore risk of snakes and monkeys in the garden), garden and pool maintenance costs (less likely to have a pool as properties with can be expensive but believe it or not you can rent one, someone will dig a hole and put one in for you). Look at landed property on the property guru site. You'll still meet people if you are prepared to join stuff or take classes etc. we loved condo living because the kids had friends on tap but this wouldn't be a factor for you.

What! snakes and monkeys! Glad I asked never occurred to me - as I said early days of research!

I know people who live in a Black and White (old colonial houses rented from the government- is this the same as a "landed house?"). It is totally awesome but you rent it as a shell and everything is your responsibility (i.e. you have to buy your own air con, fence the pool etc) and then at the end, you have to rip it all out again so you ideally want to be there for a reasonably stint or the upfront costs are a lot.

I know people who live in a Black and White (old colonial houses rented from the government- is this the same as a "landed house?"). It is totally awesome but you rent it as a shell and everything is your responsibility (i.e. you have to buy your own air con, fence the pool etc) and then at the end, you have to rip it all out again so you ideally want to be there for a reasonably stint or the upfront costs are a lot.