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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Moving to Singapore with 2 young children-am I crazy?

31 replies

Tigerlily1985 · 03/03/2022 09:11

My husband and I are thinking about moving abroad and looking at Singapore. We have 2 young children (2 and 6).

Ive always wanted to move abroad as I think life is too short to have any regrets but I worry about the impact it will have on the kids and my career. I am currently completing a masters and potentially going into headship in the next few years.

I'd love to know people's experiences of moving to Singapore, what it is like on a day to day basis (particularly working and having kids) and if you found career opportunities better or worse than the UK.
I am dedicated to working hard but do you get to spend evenings and weekends with your family? Is the pay worth it?

I am so excited at the prospect of it but I don't know if I'm kidding myself into believing its better than it is!

OP posts:

Lunificent · 03/03/2022 09:13

There’s a good international school there called Tanglin. I think you and the family would have a great experience. Might be a good time to get away from Europe.

unidentia · 03/03/2022 09:27

Don't have specific information on jobs, but for me the advantages were:

amazing cheap street food, tropical fruit etc.
loads of amazing destinations on your doorstep - you can do a weekend tropical beach break to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia etc
maids for the cleaning/kids

Theres loads of info online on schools etc., google "british expats singapore"

Original poster

Tigerlily1985 · 03/03/2022 09:33

Thanks for your responses.

I have seen a job online that looks really good. It is a primary that uses the British curriculum and only opened a few years ago.

Do you have experience of having young kids there? What is the work life balance like?

OP posts:

Nelliephant1 · 03/03/2022 09:37

Sounds wonderful.

Can you take at least three or four weeks off, rent a house in an area you're thinking of and go live there to experience the day to day?

Bangkok is one of my favourite cities in the world but I don't think that I could live there permanently. There's a city in southern california where we've stayed numerous times and I've always thought that I could retire there but during all of the Trump fiasco, we learned that there's a huge problem with white supremacists there so we'll never be back.

Don't rush, holiday as much as you can. Wee ones are wee enough to go with the flow. Good luck!

PrisonerofZeroCovid · 04/03/2022 18:59

Are you both teachers? My sister is a teacher and I know quite a lot of her friends. We both live in HK. The general consensus is that teaching in international schools in Asia is a good gig compared to UK due to less contact time (so less unpaid overtime), better pay, higher behavioural standards and a broader culture of achievement (in general but can depend on the school- go for one with waiting lists rather than one that's desperate to get bums on seats). Basically, on a work-life balance basis, teaching in international school in Asia is better than UK state sector. One thing to be aware of is that (broadly speaking) Singaporeans can't attend the international schools, so it's purely an expat demographic (as opposed to HK where a lot of local parents send their DC to international schools). Singapore job market likely to become a bit more competitive due to waning attraction of Hong Kong.

Re Singapore, it is a fun place but it is expensive. You'd hopefully get a free or heavily discounted school place for the 6 year old and you could employ a helper/amah to look after the 2 year old. But compared to many expats you'd be living a fairly modest lifestyle. There's definitely no cost of living advantage. For example, cars are extortionate because of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) requirement.

Also be aware that most of Asia still has fairly onerous travel restrictions due to covid. The days of jetting off to Thailand for the weekend are past tense for the foreseeable, and costs are likely to be elevated for some years. Domestically, Singapore still has some pretty heavy covid restrictions.

Mumofgirls123 · 04/03/2022 19:26

My husband and I are moving to Thailand this summer! We have two children that are younger than yours. Are you both teachers?

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/03/2022 20:23

I hated Singapore. But I've lived in a couple of other countries and loved them. Have you spent time there?

Namenic · 04/03/2022 20:45

Singapore is nice for kids - safe, good public transport. Good food - if you like Asian.

Namenic · 04/03/2022 20:47

Don’t go there if u are anti establishment or anti mask though. Govt v strict

Original poster

Tigerlily1985 · 05/03/2022 17:36

Thanks for all your replies!

No, my husband isn't a teacher but he's pretty confident he could find a job in his industry there.

I'm really torn as I would love to live abroad for a few years and I know the benefits for the kids would be amazing to experience a new culture, food etc.....however, I am so half way through a masters and would ideally want to finish that before living abroad and then focusing on going into headship if/when we return.

My husband has been to Singapore and has lived in South Korea. I have travelled on Asia but haven't been to Singapore before.

I think I have this idea that it would be a great place to work, eat out, go to lots of kids entertainment places and travel in the holidays. It appeals to me as its so safe as well. Ideally we would save some money also.

I hadn't thought about the current covid restrictions there at the moment but I do understand that it's an expensive place to live.

A part of me thinks...why not? You only live once! But I then think about the children and if I'm being selfish!

@Mumsofgirls123 how old are your children? Are you a teacher?

OP posts:

vagmons · 05/03/2022 17:57

I have lived overseas for over a decade with kids - the majority in SE Asia, spending a lot of time in Singapore (as a long term stayer rather than resident).

Downside atm for Sg is Covid and domestic restrictions - although speaking to a friend today, things are easing (in practice if not by law). Putting that to one side…and you’d need to research…

As a white westerner - Singapore is very easy. It is clean, safe, tons to do, super outdoorsy, culture, amazing food and restaurants, great shopping, English language, super public transport.

It IS expensive. It might not be the place to save lots of money (unlike other Asian cities). But you will have a high standard of living, and work life balance by hiring an experienced domestic worker.

I disagree with the need to really KNOW a place before moving (I have moved without visiting before and it is very common among my friends to do the same). Research. If you think it sounds good - go! You can always leave. You will not damage your children…they will have a blast living in an apartment with a pool, trips to the botanic gardens, sunshine 24/7. And again - you can always leave!

loobylou10 · 05/03/2022 18:01

Give Lydias leyton life a follow on Instagram.
She has 2 small children and lived there last year.

loobylou10 · 05/03/2022 18:01

Moved there not lived there

TakeYourFinalPosition · 05/03/2022 18:09

I love Singapore and I’d move there with baby DS, I think. Would you and DH find jobs before you go? It is expensive. Fun and I found the quality of life to be great, but I wouldn’t be sure that you’d be able to save much if you want to immerse yourself.

I’d probably be cautious about going “in a few years” if your children are 2 and 6, though, I expect it’d be easier for them to settle into schooling now? But that might be a personal call!

Mumofgirls123 · 05/03/2022 19:25

They are 1 and 2.. we have wanted to move for a few years now and thought it is a good idea to go while they are still so little. Yes, I am a teacher so will be working in an international school.
I have visited Singapore when i travelled South East Asia and it was a lovely, clean country. However, the current restrictions would put me off (although they seem to be easing). How long have you been teaching for?
I don't think there will ever be a 'perfect' time to go, maybe when you finish your masters there will be something else stopping you. If it is something you really want to do just go for it!! Worst case scenario is you don't enjoy it and come back after your contract ends.

Millyc86 · 05/03/2022 19:36

Thank you so much for all your responses! It has really helped me!

We would both find jobs before we go so would be able to calculate costs and have a realistic view of what we could/couldn't afford to do.

I have been teaching for about 13 years. Ive been a senco previously and a assistant head for about 6 years.

I think we would have to look at the travel/other covid restrictions carefully but I would hope that they would be steadily starting to ease and not going backwards.

For those who have lived there, what would you say is a good combined wage to live on and be able to enjoy life? We aren't the types of people to eat out in expensive places all the time but would like to eat put a few times a week, take the kids out at the weekends and afford a couple of holidays a year.

Millyc86 · 06/03/2022 09:44

Thank you so much for all your responses! It has really helped me!

We would both find jobs before we go so would be able to calculate costs and have a realistic view of what we could/couldn't afford to do.

I have been teaching for about 13 years. Ive been a senco previously and a assistant head for about 6 years.

I think we would have to look at the travel/other covid restrictions carefully but I would hope that they would be steadily starting to ease and not going backwards.

Asiama · 06/03/2022 18:52

Hi OP, I think it's hard to judge without knowing, for example, what type of places you would go to eat (McDonalds or a nice restaurant) or the type of holiday you would want to do (eg one week in Butlins or 2 weeks in the South of France).

If it's any help, I had a colleague 7 year ago who moved to Singapore with 2 children, and they had an income of SGD 120,000. If you asked a local they would say that's a lot of money. He however felt it was enough for an average life.

YingMei · 13/03/2022 21:03

I taught there for several years with young kids. Nothing crazy about it, we all had a blast. Welcome to PM me

YingMei · 13/03/2022 21:32

Oh also op although I taught my DH didn't - he found another job really quickly in his field. We saved loads - our combined income was 15.5k per month and we saved a whole salary because my school paid the accommodation and the schools fees. Had to put a bit back for tax .

Millyc86 · 14/03/2022 09:14

Thanks @Yingmei- I will pm you

D0lphine · 14/03/2022 09:20

Singapore would be easy to live but it's v expensive to live there so just make sure you'll have enough money for the life you want there. Maybe take some proper advice on this.

Re the masters yes I'd finish it first. Use the time to let your husband get a job there.

Just go! You only live once!

If it doesn't work then ... come back! 😂

Roxie99 · 02/09/2022 19:31

Hi @Tigerlily1985 and @Millyc86 wondering if you made the move as we are thinking about it now? With 2 kids but one is 8 and one is 6. Thanks!

Millyc86 · 03/09/2022 11:06

Hi @Roxie99

We haven't moved as yet. We are still seriously considering it though but looking at job options.
What do you both do for work? When are you thinking about moving?

Roxie99 · 04/09/2022 18:43

Hi @Millyc86 thank you for your response! So it's early days as my DH hasn't even gone for an interview as yet! He's in finance. I am in healthcare so I'm not sure about my role there but it's mainly about his so unsure when etc. Also high school isn't for a another few years for the eldest but something we wanted to consider i.e. grammar school etc. I have read a lot about it and it seems like a good QOL compared to UK. The only thing is my parents are in the UK and I am there for them nearly every day so may be something to consider.

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