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Original poster

Moving to Singapore

72 replies

Louisejp · 09/11/2009 15:03

Hi there has anyone recently moved to Singapore? Planning a move there from UK in the New Year so just wanted to make contact with anyone out there already or planning to move. I have 3 kids (6,4 and 2) so lots of burning questions to ask the pros!! thanks in anticipation Louisejp

OP posts:
tootsieroll · 10/12/2009 20:21

Does anyone know if the local housing HDB is available to non-Singaporeans to rent as well?

Lyrebird · 10/12/2009 22:38

Guys, you have no idea how useful that info is - invaluable! I'm going to research your tips so I can instruct the agent with some background knowledge when we get there! Brilliant. Thanks again.

slim22 · 10/12/2009 22:52

You can apply for HDB if you are a permanent resident.

tootsieroll · 11/12/2009 00:16

Thanks for that - what is the average cost of a 3-bed apartment (condo)?
Nothing concrete for us yet, but DH is undergoing interviews for a job in SG at the moment, and if successful, we're talking about moving as early as Jan/Feb 2010! Getting panicky, even though he hasn't got the job yet!

slim22 · 11/12/2009 01:36

Prices vary A LOT according to location and age of property.

I'd say for the standard "expat" condo you'd be looking at a minimum of $4,500 to $5000 in central areas.

tootsieroll · 11/12/2009 09:49

Most of the school discussion has centred round the international schools - has anyone got experience sending their children to the local schools? My DS is only 3.5y but he attends nursery/preschool in the UK and thoroughly enjoys it, and it would be a waste if he stopped that until he was ready for primary school, which I believe starts at 6?? in Sg?

tootsieroll · 11/12/2009 09:54

Slim22: Thanks! Wow, that certainly sounds like quite a bit of money! If we did go, I'd probably be looking into perhaps the East/NorthEast areas. Not sure if these areas will be cheaper? We have 2 children, DS is 3.5y and DD is 21 months, so somewhere with a bit of open space/surburbia would be good, rather than the hustle and bustle of being in a central area. Is the local housing e.g. HDB only available to citizens and residents to rent? It does not necessarily be an 'expat' area where we live - I think I'd like to mix in with the locals too....or is that a bad idea?
So many things to think about....pretty mind boggling.

slim22 · 11/12/2009 11:25

Tootsie, there are plenty of options if you are happy being in a "less caucasian" area.
And very good ones too.

As for schools, local schools are for locals just like HDBs.
Singaporeans are protecting their own from inflation and rightfully so.

Nurseries are private (even for singaporeans).

Formal schooling is pricey. That is definitely - with housing- your main concern.

From reception, (that is next year if you want to follow UK system International schools - or K1) It will set you back a minimum of $3500 per term ( 3 in a year).

You have to bear in mind that depending on where you live you have to add about $450 / term for bus service.

AND, you should think about putting your name down on a waiting list as soon as you know that you are coming.

Don't mean to scare you but be warned.

All is not nice and rosy in singapore if you do not have the right package.

greenday · 11/12/2009 11:30

Yes, HDB flats can be rented out to foreigners as well. HDB areas are well designed in that you have a few clusters of shops around, a decent playgroung, eating places and sheltered walkways to the bus-stops.

A foreigner can live comfortably in HDB areas.

slim22 · 11/12/2009 11:51

well technically yes:

here:

www.jtc.gov.sg/Products/ReadyBuilt/Housing/Apt/Eligibility/Pages/index.aspx

have yet to meet someone who had a successful application and/or a good experience.

You would typically get a bare flat ( in some cases the floors and walls are not even finished) completely unfurnished (no white goods in the kitchen) and with no air cons. That means you have to kit it all on your own. When you leave you are expected to remove all this stuff too including the air cons, which can be costly and burdensome, esp if you are leaving the country.
So remember it may turn out be a real bad idea as the set up costs are high.

This is in line with the chinese feng shui mentality of "starting fresh". And also the fact that locals and new asian immigrants will usually take up a place and live in it for many years.
If you do not have visibility on the length of stay (ie, you are not a potential immigrant with a long term perspective of getting PR and settling), then I would say it is a pointless exercise.

Greenday, please come and prove me wrong. Would love to hear some positive feedback here.

greenday · 11/12/2009 12:17

Terms and conditions for subletting whole flat www.hdb.gov.sg/br12/br12001p.nsf/SubletTerms&Conditions?OpenPage

I've cut and pasted this little bit ...

The eligibility of subtenants is as follows :

  1. Permitted Subtenants :-
a. Singapore citizens; b. Non citizens legally residing in Singapore (e.g. holders of Singapore blue identity cards, work permits, employment passes and student passes)

Based on this, I as a Singaporean but residing elsewhere, have leased my flat out to foreigners for many many years now.

slim22 · 11/12/2009 13:09

there you go tootsie, first hand info a lot of people would pay for.

But you still have to actually find a place worth the money.

tootsieroll · 11/12/2009 22:26

Thank you. Can I just ask what sort of 'package' we should be looking out for, if offered the job? We've never worked overseas before, so have no clue what we should be looking for. We have 2 young children, so I suppose some sort of education allowance would be important?

slim22 · 12/12/2009 01:20

housing allowance
schooling allowance
medical insurance

tootsieroll · 12/12/2009 09:36

Thanks slim22, you've been most helpful

slim22 · 12/12/2009 15:17

pleasure! hope things work out for the best.
x

tootsieroll · 12/12/2009 15:24

Thanks, have been reading SingaporeExpats forum as well - rather mindblowing.

slim22 · 12/12/2009 15:28

are you scared yet!

Beware there is a lot of negativity on expat forums in general, a lot of moaning trailing spouses bitching about....

tootsieroll · 12/12/2009 18:13

Yea, trailing spouses threads What concerns me most is that DH will be paid as a contractor in UK pounds. Hasn't been told about benefits etc (haven't had 2nd interview yet to be fair), though I doubt there will be much, as he will be contracting.

So my main questions are:

  1. How will taxation work in this instance?
  2. Since it is a contractor's role, will he have to apply for his own employement pass or whatever work permit criteria he's eligible for?

The company seems keen for someone to start ASAP.

Should I now say that I'm actually a SG citizen, but I've been away from the country since my teens so have no clue regarding red tape, so am looking at this from as good as 'expat' eyes

snotexpectingsnow · 14/12/2009 03:33

You might want to try looking at the mom website www.mom.gov.sg for work permit/employment pass advice but if the company are keen then they should assist with the application process.

I'm guessing things will be easier as you are an SG Citizen - what about your DCs? Do they need to have dependants passes?

Don't post on the forums re size of package (sorry am childishly laughing at that) because you will just get loads of negative comments and just the general depends on how much you need really!

slim22 · 14/12/2009 08:19

As far as I understand EP is tied to the employer so he'd have to be sponsored by the company who'll employ him and they'd do the application on his behalf.
It's all pretty straightforward.

taxation depends on the amount of time ou effectively be out of the UK. Do take advice on this.

considering you are singaporean and could argue that you want to move back here, I guess you spouse would find it easier than most people to apply for a PEP if he qualifies.

www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/work_pass/PEP/about_the_pass.html

Re size of package, agree with snotexpectingsnow, think about what YOU need.
A lot of long term expats happily "downgrade" their way of consuming when they switch to local packages and stay on. You obviously have an edge since you have lived here before and already know better.

Original poster
Louisejp · 14/12/2009 13:45

Flights booked for 30 Jan so here we come!!!
Been offline for a while so good to catch up with all the new postings.

Thanks for the pet company recommendations guys - all going full steam ahead - poor cat wont know what's hit him!!

Hey Lyrebird when are you going out? Suzxie thanks for the heads up about SJI!

Post it notes everywhere now!!! Apparently husbands's employers trying to get us into TreeTops Suites - bit full so have forwarded some recommendations - thank you guys!

OP posts:
slim22 · 14/12/2009 14:28

Treetops! great, you come in style.

Good luck with the move!

Lyrebird · 14/12/2009 21:25

Wow, congrats on the flights booked Louisejp! We are awaiting finalisation of logistics but it looks like it might be late Feb or late March (depending on whether they want DH to work for a month here with the company before heading over). Sounds like ages off but so much to do in the meantime

snotexpectingsnow · 15/12/2009 04:48

Louise great news! DH stayed in Treetops for a month till I joined him (they wouldn't accept the cats so I couldn't stay there too ). He liked it there though.

Cat will be fine. We put a t-shirt that we had slept in at the bottom of their crates so they could smell us (Pet Air UK were quite happy to do this). May sound a bit strange but hopefully of some comfort !

Slim are you able to assit with agent recommendations? I know it's a bit early but our lease is up at the end of April and last agent a bit unreliable plus it's 3 years ago now...