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Living overseas

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Original poster

Advice on housing in Singapore pls

139 replies

oxocube · 17/02/2007 09:21

I've read the previous threads on moving to Singapore but could anyone help with more specific advice regarding housing. It looks like we may be moving there later this year and DH's office will be based in the Jurong district which I understand is v industrial. We have a max of about 3,500 Sing dollars per month for housing and I'm interested in what you could get for this kind of money. We're not bothered about fashionable areas (just as well with our budget!) and ideally would like somewhere with a garden (cluster house?) as we have a dog and a cat as well as 3 kids. Ideally looking for somewhere with 4 bedrooms.

Are we being unrealistic? Does anyone have any insider knowledge about areas in the Southwest. Thanks so much to anyone who can help

OP posts:
Egypt · 30/03/2007 13:23

mostly everywhere here is unfurnished. dont know about furniture in malaysia. not bad pricewise here though

laksa · 30/03/2007 13:54

quokka, furniture in singapore is not expensive. They even have an ikea, although not sure of their prices as suppose they are imports

sorry to butt in on your thread, ladies

quokka · 30/03/2007 14:01

was just reading a blog and they said you can pick up some really nice stuff there and delivery is quick and its cheap as well. Thanks for all the advice egypt .

I'm starting to think of all the things I'm really going to miss here. What am I'm going to do without Ocado - haven't been to the supermarket in months !

quokka · 30/03/2007 14:02

hmm laksa is one of my fav dishes!

laksa · 30/03/2007 15:16

yep, I am pretty tasty

You will have so much fun, taking nice short breaks to Bali, Thailand, Malaysia etc.

If you have a live in maid then she could do all the shopping. Not sure I'd like a stranger living in my home though but most ppl have them as so cheap!

xx

quokka · 30/03/2007 15:34

I'm not sure about a live in maid either but happy to have someone help me clean after the lo's a couple of days a week

Where are you from laksa?

laksa · 30/03/2007 15:53

my mum is singaporean, she met and married my dad(english) and has lived in the UK for the last 30 yrs. However her entire family still live in singapore and they own a house out there...I am in southeast london Any room in your suitcase for one more?
I was hoping to visit at the end of this year on our way to New Zealand (holiday) but got more than a hangover at New Years and am now expecting a baby in September so will probably not make it till the baby is about 6 months old now.

I am craving singaporean food so badly right now

quokka · 30/03/2007 15:59

the earlier you go the better I traveled to Oz when ds2 was 5 weeks and it was a breeze. As soon as they can move and sit up the harder it is. I was a NYs creation as well - born 6th Sept

laksa · 30/03/2007 16:09

thing is I want to campervan around New Zealand and thought it would be easier if the baby was between 6 months and a year. Its my first so was a bit nervous as to how quickly I would feel human again IYSWIM? Would I be up to it 6 weeks after the birth?

I like the idea of roughing it a bit but maybe with a baby it is a little ambitious

My mums family in singapore wanted me to come out earlier...first great grandchild and they love babies. Its hard when you have family dotted around the world (my dh is south african) as everyone wants you to visit them.

xx

laksa · 30/03/2007 16:14

I think I'd like my next baby to be born in march/april, it seems like such a hopeful time with new life springing up everywhere...did I just say my next, perhaps I should wait till I have this one first

Don't mind a september baby (due 26th) but don't like the idea of winter being just around the corner...guess your mum didn't have that problem in OZ!

quokka · 30/03/2007 16:20

well the first 6 months are really easy travelling, especially if you are bf exclusively. Then you don't need to worry about sterilizing stuff etc. I say all of this because I've done it twice mind you. The first time round with baby I thought it was tough but then when I had the second baby I realised how easy the first 6 months are. Everyones different so only you will know whats right for you

Egypt · 31/03/2007 00:57

travelling back to the uk with a 6 week old (if it ever arrives) in May. i agree, bf is so easy and the baby should sleep most of the way!! if not plenty of nice sing airways air stewardesses to hold it!

no prob with shopping. I hardly ever go to the supermarket. You'll get a grocer introduce himself when you move in - god knows how they find you - and he ring everyday to see if i need any shopping!!! fab. brings it same day. also cold storage do online shopping, not q tescos or ocado but good enough.

we have a part time maid. essential imo in this country! so cheap. wouldnt want a live in either

quokka · 31/03/2007 13:23

I like the sound of the man calling everyday for groceries he better find me!

laksa · 31/03/2007 16:46

wow, didn't know grocers called, maybe its in the expat areas only? My family live at sixth avenue but have never had this. I will let them know the service exists

On the advice of quokka, I am now considering flying to New Zealand, South Africa and Singapore all before the baby reaches 6 months

Am feeling very optimistic today as have just come from a hypnobirthing class which has made me feel like I can do anything...

Sorry to latch onto this thread but I miss singapore and like to read about people's experiences etc.

quokka · 31/03/2007 17:09

thats fine laksa you have the right name for the thread!

So are you planning on having a natural birth? I managed it with both of mine, and think recovery time is very quick. I expect you will find the first 3 months tough - just due to lack of sleep, I call it the "babyhaze"

laksa · 31/03/2007 17:21

I am hopefully having a home waterbirth. I'm not anti pain relief but just don't trust the hospitals over here, especially since Sept is the busiest month for babies to arrive (if you look at my antenatal thread it has about 60 ladies on it compared to about 30 on the oct/august threads) and I just don't trust the hospital not to leave me in a corridor...Also I really want a waterbirth and you can't guarantee that someone else won't be using the pool when you want it.

So maybe I'll do the trips when the baby is 3-6months old

Are you slowly getting sorted for the move. What do you think you will do with your house (if you own), rent it out?

xx

quokka · 31/03/2007 17:26

deffo renting it out, just getting dh to sort out all the odd jobs!

I had a water birth for ds1 but did have to get out right at the end due to waters breaking with merconian, they thought that he was in distress - which he wasn't, he was fine. Somebody sneaked in the birthing pool 2 min before me so ds2 was born on a bean bag

slim22 · 01/04/2007 20:41

hello,

Exhausted after a loooooong weekend of toddler birthday parties!!!!!

Had a message from Egypt today. Baby girl born Saturday evening. Congratulations!
Mummy and baby are fine.

Laksa, U more than welcome. How courageous of you to go for natural births!
I requested a mobile epidural. Came too late but still, it helped. They gave me gas and air which I absolutely hated and stopped after 2 gulps.

Agree travelling with baby up 2 six months very easy.And breastfeeding makes life so easy.
Don't miss out on those long trips, cause they get more difficult afterwards.

Quokka, whereabouts are you. I'm near regent's park. we can meet and stress out about the move together if you want.
We plan to be in Singapore on the 1st June. How about you??

quokka · 01/04/2007 20:52

well done egypt and congratulations !

I now what you mean about toddler parties slim. I'm a sucker and make most of the food and the cake. Trying to get my head around how to make a fire truck cake - ds1 is fireman sam mad atm.

Would love to meetup at some stage, I look after a little girl 3 arvos a weeks so am limited on venturing into town. I'm just near chiswick in Gunnersbury park.

laksa · 02/04/2007 10:43

Quokka, wow, a beanbag...you hippy, you!

Umm, the word courageous is making me nervous. I figure if I end up being a wuss and can't handle the pain I can just get my midwife to hail me an ambulance to the hospital and can demand an epidural when I get there

Have been thinking might make it to singapore sometime in Jan so I could turn out to be a useful pack horse for any items of food you guys find you can't live without

Good luck with getting organised xx.

laksa · 02/04/2007 10:45

congratulations on the baby egypt, hope everyone is making a fuss of the two of you

quokka · 05/04/2007 13:58

I hope your doing well Egypt and getting lots of rest and attention.

Looks like we maybe over in a couple of weeks for a reccy. If anyone is around maybe we could meet for a coffee? Don't worry Egypt I'm sure you will be busy looking after buba . I think it should be either 20th - 24th but it hasn't been confirmed yet!

Egypt · 08/04/2007 07:43

well i can alwats fit in a coffee!

quokka · 08/04/2007 08:37

oohh that sounds lovely Egypt. How are you? Have all memories of the labour been wiped yet? This is you second isn't it?

Egypt · 09/04/2007 13:47

yes 2nd. memories of pain slowly fading....... !
we're fine. dd2 is an incredibly chilled baby. so far!