Shipping vs buying in Singapore

[Mummy583]

I am moving with my family to Singapore for two years and am considering what to pack, what to store and what to buy when I get there. I thought I'd try to make a quick comparison of the cost of things in Singapore like kitchen appliances/utensils, bed sheets, towels, toddler toys, etc by looking it all up in IKEA, mainly because it stocks most things and quality is usually good enough. Then I can work out how much it would cost to ship the equivalent by air/sea and figure out if its worth bothering.

Whether we send or buy, we are going to try to get by with a minimal amount of stuff because we'll be there for a relatively short period.

Is this a sound strategy? I also wanted to ask if IKEA might be overpriced in Singapore and of anyone can recommend alternatives that do home delivery!

Thanks!

Ikea prices in Singapore
m2.ikea.com/sg/en/

Exchange rate is approx $1.80 to the £ currently.

More 'local' stores are Giant which is like an Aldi/Tesco Extra which sells kitchenware (Tefal frying pans etc) and other household items with groceries or if you go more upmarket, Robinsons or Tangs or Takashimaya.

You can get delivery from Ikea Singapore by the way. You do your shopping in person, and then take it to the delivery counter and they will take your trolley away ready to be packed up and delivered to you.

When I left Singapore nearly 5 years ago I sold most of my stuff as it would cost me more to ship it back. Also, I got a very good price for it all. i literally spent 6 months selling everything from kitchenware to children's books, toys and clothes. I made S$5K out of it.

There are lots of preloved Singapore websites mainly frequented by expats. I used to be in East Coast Mums and sold all my stuff via a for sale, affiliated group. I also bought and sold a lot of things on club notice boards, outside the Tanglin baby centre on the first floor and on Gumtree.

The only things I brought back to the UK were things I had collected (teak, paintings, ornaments) that I will keep forever.

Also OP, you will find that Singaporean kitchens are pretty tiny so you won't want loads of kitchen stuff.

I cant comment on Singapore, but consider if things are in transit for 2 months, what will you sleep on / cook with etc.
You still need towels, sheets (although beds around the world are different sizes), a decent knife before the shipment arrives. You can manage without cake tins, many of the toys, mixing bowls (use a pan.... been there, done that!) etc. If you ship everything like that, you will end up buying it all as well.

So, I'd be thinking in terms of "what would we like in Singapore, that we can live without for a while" that is the stuff to ship.

To the middle East, we shipped kids bikes, carseats (brought travel ones for interim), DHs computer, but laptop was in luggage, all the toys that weren't in the "one suitcase of books and toys kids, pack what you want" case, nice to have kitchen stuff - rice cooker, cake tins etc. Sewing machine, winter clothes, books.

Hand carried: towels, sheets (bought duvet middles pillows here), clothes, electronics, some toys, the only knife DH will cook with.

Thanks, that's all super helpful! I will have more questions I'm sure!

Have you sorted out what you are going to do about clothes and shoes? Take with you or buy there?

I'll bring a minimal amount of summery clothes for DH and me. We have clothes for DS that we planned to bring too - hopefully they won't take up much room. I read that good shoes are expensive? So we're taking those and might buy a couple sizes up for DS. We'll bring towels and swimsuits too.

I, as a 5'6 size 14, struggle to buy clothes in Hong Kong. I would guess Singapore is similar - caters mainly for a more petite Asian frame rather than an European one. Check with done Expats out there, but if you are anything other than petite, I'd suggest packing some summer clothes in the shipment.

That's a good point re clothes!

The other thing I want sure whether to bring was a car seat for my 2yo. We thought we could use it on the plane but I actually don't think I've ever seen a parent use them, I want sure if it wasn't worth just letting them lie on the seat next to you.

But I would prefer to get a taxi from the airport - I'm guessing I wouldn't get a car seat from them?

When mine where riding in taxis I (and most mums I knew) bought and used a Joey Ride/Freedom Harness. On flights I used a flight vest for my toddlers. If you are getting a car then bring a seat, otherwise I would get a harness like I've mentioned for taxis.

Re clothes. I fluctuated between a 10-14 whilst over there and was OK with clothes but any bigger and you are a bit stuffed. Anything over a 39 euro shoe and you'll struggle too. I personally wouldn't bring any if my size wasn't an issue out there. Once you live in the sun you become more adventurous with colour and fabrics. What is summery in the UK may seem drab over there. Yes to bargain flip flops, sandals, shorts, M&S underwear. Personally I spent most of my time in chino shorts, cotton or linen tops and sundresses. Bring nice swim suits and cover ups and a hat as they are expensive there. My DS's lived in boardies (Quicksilver/ Billabong), T shirts, flip flops and Crocs. Also, you may want to buy your DC a couple of rash vests (UV factor 50) as all the DC wear them as the sun is strong. I sometimes wore one too. Possibly also take some factor 30/ 50 with you.

What else. I always took Brillo pads back with me and M&S bras. If you have big boobs you won't find any bras.

You say 2 years. I went out for 2 when I was 29 and came back when I was 46.

Let him lie across you and use a flight vest when taking off etc. Then use it on any flight you do and sell it to other expats when he's outgrown it. Bring a small pillow for him.

Sorry, I'm hogging your thread. Some expat travelling tips. Get him a trunkie or pull a long bag. Pack it with stuff to do, change if clothes, small pillow/ blanket. The bag and him taking responsibility stops them running off and keeps them busy.

Buy cheap stuff even second hand as shipping is astronomical (unless company is footing the bill). When living temporarily overseas I suspect you will cook very little, just basics really. Ikea or supermarkets sell what you need, and also check which airline will give you the best luggage allowance. We shipped nothing outbound, and inbound we only sea freighted stuff with sentimental value really.

Ps we took the car seat for dd2 on the plane and my parents bought a booster for dd1 to meet us, do check airline requirements because they are ultra fussy

anniehm I actually cook more out here (middle east, not Singapore). I've made mixed peal in order to make hot cross buns sort of additional cooking. The kids want seasonal things, which just aren't available out here, so you go without, or make!

We are past harnessed seats, but a friend swears by this as a taxi and post plane carseat. Guess it depends on how much taxi travel you think you will do in Singapore.

I, as a 5'6 size 14, struggle to buy clothes in Hong Kong. I would guess Singapore is similar - caters mainly for a more petite Asian frame rather than an European one. Check with done Expats out there, but if you are anything other than petite, I'd suggest packing some summer clothes in the shipment.

Singapore is better for clothing than Hong Kong in terms of shapes and sizes as it's a more ethnically diverse country. I wouldn't worry too much buying clothes there unless you are very tall or plus sized or have very large feet.

The company paid for our shipping and we took everything except furniture. We ended up selling loads secondhand after we realized we didn't want or need all of it, but given we didn't bear the shipping cost I don't have any regrets about that.

Are you staying in a serviced apartment when you first arrive? We did that while our items were in transit so that we didn't have to worry about bedding, towels etc. while we waited.

I was thinking that we would get a serviced apartment for a month and use that time to look for more permanent accommodation, probably a condo. Last time I visited I looked at condos and it seemed like the were many that were available right away, so it wasn't too risky as long as you weren't extremely picky.

When you find a condo you like you always bargain them down at least 10%. They expect it. There are loads of condos on the East Coast that are not expensive. I don't remember the buses being unreliable and there are millions of them so if you miss one, another will be along in a minute. Also a bus to an MTR is not a big issue.

Have a look at Siglap. I lived there for a few years and there is a nice expat community, lots of shops and hawker centres and you are very close to the mall Parkway Parade. There are quite a lot of expat groups and playgroups there. Also have a look at some of the older condos on Tanjong Rhu at the start of the east coast. The EC is a good place to live because you have the East Coast Parkway which is great for walking, biking and going to the beach. Most mums I knew bought a bike with a baby seat on the back and rode down to the EC Parkway with them.

I miss Singapore. Been back in the UK for nearly 5 years and I hate it.

@PositiveDiscipline thanks so much for your input. The view of buses was so negative from my office, it's nice to hear another view. It does add to my commute though - it's already about 40 mins to the condo I had in mind, and I expect to work long hours, so I worry about losing time with my toddler.

Are there any Facebook groups or websites for where I can find playgroups? We tried to search online but didn't get very far, I guess because the search wasn't very localised.

Some places for you to look at are:

Mother and Child in Tanglin Shopping Centre (run by expat midwives and other mum-friendly professionals)

My children went to Rosemount playgroup which is the playground at the school.

Are you on Facebook? I was in East Coast Mums but I also see there are websites for Working or SAHM's and Part Time Mums. Join a few groups and get info before you get there to save time.

Who is moaning about the buses? Is it the Singaporeans? No offence, but their tolerance threshold for travelling and how much it costs is a lot lower than ours. When I was there a few years back there was uproar because the government wanted to put up the prices by less than 10p for the first time since the wheel was invented.

Where are you looking? I've lived all over the place as I lived in SP twice. Novena, Robertson Quay, Siglap (twice), Tanjong Rhu, near Yishun and in Sentosa (lucky me). I know you are looking at cost and commute but I would go East Coast and have a slightly bigger commute for better quality of life and better value for money.

Haha, yes spot on with the buses. I suppose you develop a higher tolerance for rubbish bus services in the UK 🙄

My friends suggested that living near an MRT was ideal, but it seems to go with living next to a fast main road and lots of noise and pollution. All the condos I visited near MRTs involved a 5-10 min walk alongside a fast or bus main road, with no side streets or alternative routes. It was a bit disheartening because I'd like the option of a stroll around the block.

I liked Tanah Merah - the neighborhood is beautiful - but the construction of the new line is a bit off-putting. Seems like there's construction so over Singapore though, I think I have to expect a bit of noise. I'll have to take care to choose a condo that minimises noise.

On the other side, Holland Village is probably the most attractive because of the amenities and proximity.

Question about buses from the east coast line to the beach - do the buses go right up to the beach or do they stop short of the East Coast Parkway so you have to cross it yourself?

Also, are the mum baby groups dad friendly at all? Or is DH going to stick out or feel unwelcome?

How did you find Robertson Quay? I wanted to visit flats there and the condos were surprisingly affordable but they didn't have a gym or pool.

I had a look around Novena but I wasn't too sure - it looked quite busy.

Did you like Siglap? I visited the residences directly above Bedok and they were lovely, just a bit small. I wish I'd ventured further out.

Tanjong Rhu - is that near Pebble Bay? Really wanted to see a property there but the estate agent said there was construction going on and I couldn't get an appointment anyway.