Moving to Singapore - any advice on packing and living?

[Mummy53757857]

We are moving to Singapore for three years with just our suitcases - may consider shipping a box with our toddler's toys if necessary.

Any tips on making the most of our packing?

How do you dress a toddler? I worry a lot about UV if - is it high all year around? So then long thin sleeves and trousers rather than shorts and t-shirts? How expensive are children's clothes and shoes, swimming things etc? I think I've read that there a Mothercare there - any other recommended stores? I also belong to an amazing FB group that passes on baby and kids things for free - is there much of a second hand culture there? I've found a number of charity shops in Singapore online but are they any good?

Do I stock up on anything - suncream, Calpol etc? I know I can get it all out there, just thought some things might be more expensive than others. Should I bring anything that I won't easily find there?

Online advice says don't bother with jeans or warm clothes. But when I went out there last year, it's not like everyone was dressed as if they were on holiday - plenty of people were dressed in jeans, for work, for air conditioned places.

I would take your toddler's toys, it will help them settle in and have things to do in the first few weeks.

packing cubes are great as they help compress the size of your clothes, giving you more room to pack

I don't think you need to bother with winter clothes, perhaps take a few pairs of jeans with you just in case everyone in your office is wearing them, and one thin hoodie each as sometimes the air-con in public places is on so high that it's chilly.

for your toddler, perhaps look at getting some swimwear like this, which offers sun protection whilst they are playing in water. For during the day, personally I would just apply lots of suncream, unless you know that you will be outside all day (and even then, you can still go out in shorts and t-shirt). badger suncream contains details here about how it protects completely from UVA, UVB and UVC rays. if he wears a swim vest, or will when he learns to swim, i would bring that too

I would recommend stocking up on:

Shoes (larger mens/womens sizes can be hard to find, as can youth sizes. It is a good idea to bring velcro sandals for the toddler, such as these as it is the custom to remove shoes before entering homes)
Underwear (because sometimes british sizes are hard to find)
vitamins and makeup (they are available but expensive)

Someone suggested bringing mosquito nets for your beds to save getting bitten during the night, and if your dc uses a pram then one like this might be helpful. I would also spray yourself with mosquito repellent before going out for the day.

all the best x

Thank you so much for your advice and your links.

Especially interested in mosquito nets - I would have thought I could buy them in Singapore but is this not the case? I'm guessing there isn't a good equivalent to Amazon there?

Especially interested in mosquito nets - I would have thought I could buy them in Singapore but is this not the case? I'm guessing there isn't a good equivalent to Amazon there?

I'm not 100% certain that there is an amazon equivalent, you might want to check that out ( a quick google will most likely tell you). I personally would buy them here, just in case they aren't readily available across there. You could always just buy the one for the pushchair here and then take a chance that you can buy one straight away over there x

I'd suggest one warm set of clothes (or a coat) each. We need them everytime we land back in the UK, because it's always about 20C cooler in the UK than here (not SE Asia)!

I don't know if it disappeared, but there was a thread on here a while ago about what expats put in their cases when traveling back and forth. If you can find a couple of people going to Singapore on something like that, it would provide a starting point.

I hazard a guess at: shoes for everyone, bras if you are anything other than petite, calpol (because it will be some different brand, not because paracetamol suspension isnt available) plus any other drugs you are particularly attached to, some of your toddlers toys.

Good luck. I am in awe of people with kids who move on just suitcases. DH has about100kg of stuff he wont part with before we start on clothes, and you know, essentials!

There is an Amazon, try looking on angloinfo singapore
Here

Didn't see Singapore mentioned, but several SE Asia (and I've not read carefully) but this thread may give you some thoughts.

Mummy53757857 I see you have visited Singapore before so I am sure you already have an idea how modern and international the country is. There is absolutely no need to stockpile calpol as this is readily available in all pharmacies! Major pharmacies are Guardian and Watson - they are literally everywhere - have a look at their websites to search for your frequently used drugs. Obviously prescriptions will still need to be prescribed.
www.guardian.com.sg/
www.watsons.com.sg/

No one I know sleeps under a mosquito net. Most people sleep in air con rooms, with windows and doors shut. Worst times for mosquitos are dawn and dusk. If going outdoors, just wear a citronella patch (sticks on clothes) to ward off.