Singapore - encouragement and advice

[AnotherMotherNomad]

Hello!

I've read a few posts on here about Singapore and I am looking for some advice. DH has been offered a role out there and very much wants to move. I'm not so keen, but am trying to remain open to it.

I have been there a few times, and we lived in Hong Kong for a while before DD was born, so I have some idea of what overseas life would be like there.

We live in London now, and I'm one of those people who love it. My concern is that Singapore is going to be a bit too small & sleepy for my tastes. We live in artsy, edgy East London now, and I'm reluctant to say goodbye to eclectic markets, trendy boutiques, going to galleries.. that sort of thing. This aside, I recognise that there are many positives to Singapore: weather, child friendly, safer, good travel opportunities.

I'm not from the UK anyway, so I'm not so much worried about missing English things.. or even about schooling (DD is only 18 months, and I don't think we'd stay longer than 2 years).

Anyway, if any of the very helpful Singapore-based mumsnetters are about, I'd love to say hi, get some ideas from you (especially on housing), and any words of encouragement would be kindly welcome!

Hi everyone! Slim22 thanks again for all your helpful information and links. we are in Singapore now for the week on our go-see visit, (is that what it is called)? We are supposed to be looking around at areas, housing and so on, but so far I'm finding it difficult to tear away from the swimming pool! that is definitely one major advantage over London living. I think being here has helped me get a positive image in my mind regarding the move. I'm going to venture out to some of the areas suggested over the next few days to see what we think... getting around on the MRT seems easy, and if all else fails taxi are very cheap!

Hey all,
So, it looks like DH has definitely got the job, and all being well, should go out to Sg mid-Feb, with us to follow later.

A question for those with property in the UK, what have you all done with it? Are you all renting out your properties, seeing that maybe it'll just be a year or two overseas, or not doing anything to it at all?

I'm dreading being without DH when he does go out.....all the cleaning the house up, talking to my employer about potentially having a career break (or resigning!), my head's about to explode just thinking about it!

Tootsie we kept our house in London and it is being rented out. Initially we were only coming for 2 years but have now been here 3. Also if/when we go back to the UK we don't plan on living there (if we can help it) as it is a bit too small/impractical now we have DS! I suppose if you know when you are going back and intend living there and can afford not to rent out then might be worth considering.

You have my sympathies about being without DH. Mine was in the US for 4 months and in Singapore for one month before I got here so left me to do all the packing, finding tenants for the house etc on my own - was not much fun. All I can say is lists, lists, lists and more lists!

Springaporesling: Thanks for the lovely insight. DH has now got firm dates.....he's basically off from 1 Feb for training away from home, and expected to start in Singapore on 1 March, subject to EP approval. I can't apply for my career break until I know he actually likes it enough to stay (the first month should be telling), so like you, it'll be about 4 months being a single working mother of 2 typically hyper munchkins before I slump into the seat of the A380 for another 12 hours of hell . I suddenly have much increased respect and admiration to the single mother of 4 kids in the council estate, not having the luxury of being to afford online grocery deliveries!

Can I ask how you managed your property away from home? Did you just let matters be taken care off by the letting agency, and whether you rented it out furnished/part/unfurnished?

Yes pretty much all looked after by the agent. They get in contact usually by e-mail if there's anything that needs doing and get quotes and things. We've been very lucky and have had the same tenants throughout so not sure how it will work when they decide to move on. You should also get approval from HM Revenue & Customs to be a Non-resident landlord so no tax is deducted from the rent.

We let it furnished as well as we didn't have any decent stuff and anything we did we gave to my brother (who was just buying his first house) or my SIL on a kind of long term loan as we didn't want to pay for storage as well. Consequently now have loads of lovely asian furniture that doesn't stand a hope of fitting into a 2 bed terrace in SW London .

Well, things are moving, sorta, for us. The reality is starting to sink in further. Various people have been informed, and house clearing has begun. How have I managed to accumulate so much junk in a house I've only lived in for 3.5 years?! Gawd, these people on Freecycle are going to love me!

Hi there!
We're finally here - staying in Newton for the next few weeks biding our time till we can get into the house.

Found one yesterday and all systems go at the moment! Gosh the market runs quick!!! Busy working out bus routes to schools from here and working out what to do next!!

All very bizarre having moved from Wimbledon to here in the space of a week!!

Do get in touch if anyone wants to meet up - would be nice to talk to another adult other than dh and parents via skype!!!

Hi Louisejp! Congratulations on the move.

We have our dates set too... dh starts work the last week of April, so we will be out there sometime beforehand. I don't know yet where we will be staying, but we start off in a serviced apartment.

How did you find your house?

Congrats Louisejp! I'll be there for 3 weeks in March, so will love to meet up!

Cool good to meet up with some new expats!!!!

We found the house through an agent recommended by a friend who is just moving here too. Things move quick here - I liked one I saw then that pm but letter of intent (quite like the Scottish system) and now on the Tenancy Agreement stage.

Rent is very pricey here - things in general seem pretty expensive but we are currently living in Newton so bound to be! I have had a few tips of where things are from people I've met living in this block.

Good luck with your moves - packers work fast ! so pack a bag of clothes you are going to need for the week before you go and paperwork so they dont pack it!!! Very stress full time I empathise with you both tootsieroll and anothermothernomad!

Hi Louise and welcome to Singapore! Where are you going to be living - are you staying in Newton area?

Happy to meet up - maybe after Chinese New Year as we are away for that? DH has to go to Mumbai for a bit after that for work so would definitely welcome some company then!

Hi there Springaporesling - that would be great to meet up!

We are in Newton for the rest of the month then hopefully move to rental off Whitely Road. Give me a shout when you are free. My eldest starts school on 22 Feb so will have 4yr and 2 yr with me!!! Where are you based?

LouiseJP :Have you put your stuff in storage and are you renting your property out?

So, to set the ball rolling re. meetup: What about mid-March (only because I'll be there )? How does week beginning 15th March sound to everyone?

Hey there tootsieroll - we are renting out in UK and all our stuff is currently bobbing up and down on the sea! We are renting unfurnished - hopefully moving in wk 15 march.
A meet up during that week would be good!!! How about tues or wed? My parents coming for few weeks on 19th so need to get the house in order but always up for a coffee!!!!

16th March (tuesday) is good for me - is that alright for everyone?
Venue and time next Can someone suggest a place that's relatively central and childfriendly? I'm a little rusty regarding coffee places

16 March good this end. Central and child friendly good - I'll leave it to the pros! I have no clue!!!! only been to Sentosa, on a boat trip, turf city, newton and novena so far!!!

Helloooooo!

March 16 good for me too (morning only)

We could do Jacob Ballas children's garden if not raining ( and you can cope with running after the children in the heat) or Go Go Bambini/fidgets (indoor playscapes - cafe for the mummies)?

Hey there slim22! Gather you might be off to HK? not been to Jacob Ballas - have been to Fidgets yesterday was quite good! Kids had a ball and I had nice cup of tea!!!!
Anyone else out there coming to join us for the morning?

Hello peeps

Count me in on Tuesday 16th, with younger DC, anytime after 9.30, don't mind where (if Jacob Ballas garden, then better earlier than later, as Slim says, it can get hot).

Welcome to Singapore Louise, and hope your moves go well Tootsie and Nomad. If you've got any more questions, do ask. We're just planning our first visit back to the UK (June).

I vote for indoor soft play with airconditioning (I can feel myself melting just thinking about having to run after the children in the heat, or just running!). Around 10am sounds good. Where are GoGoBambini/Fidgets?

Hi ladies!

I wish I could join - but we won't be there until April. I'll happily come along after that!

BTW does anyone have any thoughts on serviced apartments? We've been sent a long list to chose from and I don't know where to start.

Indoor sounds good! Mine are 4.5yrs and 2.5 yrs so whichever place is best - only been to fidgets - nice cafe! whats Gogo bambini like?

Anothermothernomad - we'er in Orchard Scotts - quite nice - v corporate - great pools small gym, breakfast weekdays, walking distance to Newton MRT & food centre. One stop to Orchard Road and one stop to Novena - cold storage. Friends will be staying at treetops but dont know much about it at the moment.

Hi Ladies - sorry can't join you in the mornings as will be at work.

GoGo Bambini is at Dempsey Rd - it was closed for refurbishment recently but assume will be open again by March if not already. Fidgets is at Turf City.

Treetops is nice. DH stayed there when he first moved over. We had to stay in Fraser Suites though as it was one of the few places that would let the cats stay - it was ok but tiny. Their other place Fraser Place is much nicer.

GoGo Bambini is at Dempsey Road, near Orchard, Fidgets is at Turf City off Dunearn Rd towards Bukit Timah (never been there but just checked their website). Both equally far from me, just about - think Fidgets is bigger, someone else decide!

btw www.google.com.sg is invaluable!

Nomad, re serviced apartments, we spent ages trying to choose ours last year, eventually decided on Fraser Place (not Fraser Suites, though that's nearby and similar), and I would recommend it. Central location right next to the river (good for walks), all-day cafe with breakfast included, indoor playroom for littlies which was good for meeting other mums, pool and wading pool with playground. I know other people have liked Tree Tops (a friend has just booked in there on her way out of Singapore). It cost us a small fortune, but none of them are cheap.

ha ha, cross post!