I've just accepted a company transfer to Singapore from March 2015. Are there any Ags out there who wouldn't mind giving me some advice on places to live, relocation advice, etc?



TIA

I assume this is with an oil company or drilling contractor?

I liked living near Clarke Quay; because it's close to the main "city" (though the whole island is practically a city). And it's only 15-20 minutes drive to most of the main shipyards. We were in a high-rise apartment near Great World City.

It's such a small little island/country that it really doesn't matter where you live... everything is no more than 45 minutes away...

I would say that if you are bringing your family, to live somewhat within walking distance of the subway because renting a car there is EXPENSIVE. Your company will probably pay for your car, but probaqbly not for your family a second vehicle. Taxi's are cheap, the subway (MRT) is cheaper. It's left hand driving as well - which my wife did NOT like. Yo buy a car there is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE - your talking $50-70K just to buy a "Permit to Drive a Vehicle" then about another $50-100K for a "decent" car.

We had some friends that had a decent sized house in Commonwealth. And a Coworker of mine lived in Holland Village.

If I were to move back to Singapore, I would probably move to Holland Village. Plenty of expats live there, there are some good restaurants and markets, it's away from the seediness of Orchard, and there are international schools there, and it's not far from the Shipyards.

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I assume this is with an oil company or drilling contractor?

I liked living near Clarke Quay; because it's close to the main "city" (though the whole island is practically a city). And it's only 15-20 minutes drive to most of the main shipyards. We were in a high-rise apartment near Great World City.

It's such a small little island/country that it really doesn't matter where you live... everything is no more than 45 minutes away...

I would say that if you are bringing your family, to live somewhat within walking distance of the subway because renting a car there is EXPENSIVE. Your company will probably pay for your car, but probaqbly not for your family a second vehicle. Taxi's are cheap, the subway (MRT) is cheaper. It's left hand driving as well - which my wife did NOT like. Yo buy a car there is WAY TOO EXPENSIVE - your talking $50-70K just to buy a "Permit to Drive a Vehicle" then about another $50-100K for a "decent" car.

We had some friends that had a decent sized house in Commonwealth. And a Coworker of mine lived in Holland Village.

If I were to move back to Singapore, I would probably move to Holland Village. Plenty of expats live there, there are some good restaurants and markets, it's away from the seediness of Orchard, and there are international schools there, and it's not far from the Shipyards.

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Thanks for that.

I'm in sales in the oil industry, but unfortunately this won't be an expat deal, so I will have to pay for my own housing and don't plan on having a car.

I read about Holland Village - which sounds pretty nice. I am in my mid-20s and moving with my fiance. I'd prefer somewhere quiet, but walking distance to a lively area (bars, restaurants, etc). Any areas where there may be more youth as opposed to families?

My office will be downtown next-door to the Westin, so a short commute would also be great. I currently live in London with a 30 minute public transport journey to work, which is about as long as I can handle.

Thanks again

Whoa.... I hope you. Ale a lot of money, because housing in Singapore is NOT cheap... It's the most expensive place I've ever lived... Including Australia, Korea, and Houston. I think our 2 bedroom condo was in the range of $2,500 PER WEEK in Singapore.... And that place was built in the 1980s

Your work location is GREAT!, look around the Chinatown area, or Clarke Quay... There are MRT (subway) stations there that offer about 3-4 stops to your downtown work location... 10-15 minutes riding tops... The subways there fast and the time at each stop is like 10-15 seconds for on/off boarding.

Your work site is around ALOT of neat stuff... Chinatown is walking distance. Marina Bay Sands is AWESOME. It's essentially a huge mall, casino, hotel.... There is an infinity pool on top of the hotel for guests only, but you can go to the top for a date (good food. And bar, but EXPENSIVE)... It's open top and you can see the whole city and ocean from up there.

I would avoid Dhobi Ghout and Little India... It's okay to visit, but the Indians there have bad hygiene and there food is not so aromatic... You don't want to ride the subway with that smell everyday.

If you love your fiance (I assume you do) stay away from Orchard Towers and Aljuneid / Geyling area... Nothing but trouble out there ... So if friends want to drag you out, just avoid those locations, in my opinion.

We lived in Treetops right off of Orchard Ave, but my company picked up the full tab of our living expenses. We loved it there.

i don't have much advice since I'm on an expat gig here. But if you want an apartment within walking distance (within 10 min walk) to MRT, supermarket, etc. then the price will skyrocket. Especially if it's by a major MRT stop like Holland V. If your crunching pennies then I suggest east or west coast near an MRT. The good news for you is the market is down right now.

I live near Newton MRT and like it ok. If I could go back in time I'd prob choose Holland V or Robertson Quay area since would be an easy bus ride to work when my wife has the car. I work in Alexandra Technopark.

Good luck! Other than beer being too expensive Singapore's a great place to live... And raise a family

BrownBear,

what part of town did you decide on? I just moved away from Singapore after being there for 6 years, this past December. Are you in commodities? Don't know of too many engineering type offices near Asia Square / that neck of the woods.

I got offered a potential 3yr expat deal last week and we are currently mulling over the decision on whether to make the move to Singapore.

I would be working on the west side of the island (O&G). We will have a housing allowance around 15k sing per month and membership to American Club so I was thinking somewhere around Holland V but would love to hear your thoughts. We have two kids who are 2.5yr and 5 months.

My wife is also trying to decide if she would want to continue working over there or spend more time with the kiddos, is it difficult for spouses to find work if there are on someone's else's EP?

Tormentos, Easy decision in my opinion--say YES and don't look back! Sounds like you will have a great package with the option to live in any area. I would suggest thinking about what kind of transportation both you and your wife will be using daily when choosing where to live. Will you have a car? Will you take it to work or use a taxi and leave the car for your wife? Taxis are pretty easy to get, clean and friendly for the most part, but traveling in them w/a baby and toddler with car seats and stroller would be difficult.

Is there a specific reason you're hesitating making the move? I'd suggest your wife move over and get settled before making a decision about working here or not. There is plenty to do to keep busy if she decides not to

I will be provided a car so I am sure there are days when I would take bus/taxi/mrt and let her have the car, I doubt this would be am everyday occurrence though.

Biggest decision for us really boils down to finances and her career. We both have good jobs in Houston, she would be walking away from a 10+ year career with steady promotions in her company. She also works in a completely different industry which is a great falllback for me especially with the current srate of the O&G industry. Her company does have a division in Singapore but we haven't broached the question if her company would consider a transfer.

Bottom line if she doesn't work over there we are essentially making out the same maybe slightly less than our current financial situation in Houston. If she works it is just gravy on top and this becomes a no brainer to make the move.

Texas

So, I'm now potentially joining this club. My company has an office there so it's not an expat gig.

• Single male
• 32
• Office would be at 1 Raffles Place
• Haven't seen the financials of the offer yet so I don't know what to budget for housing. I would really love having a 2 bedroom unit for myself because of my photography stuff I do on the side. What should I budget for decent accommodations per month, USD$3000?
• I'm not hugely into the party scene there and am as interested in being somewhat close to a church and a CrossFit gym as I am close to bars and restaurants

Download the app Singapore Property Guru...it has been very beneficial in looking at places and rental rates by district/proximity to MRT. I have found it extremely helpful to help get a better idea on what is available in my housing allowance range.

Be careful with Property Guru, lots of agents put images that are not of the actual units and the prices can be off the mark. Using it for building location is good though. Keep in mind that a ten minute uncovered walk in torrential rain is not something you want to do often

Well I signed the agreement last week, I will be moving the family over to Singapore next summer

May be there to welcome you. Company's putting some financials in front of me and, if everything makes sense, looking at early March.

Good luck to you both. I am leaving Q1 (I wish it was before year end but no dice). Six years when all is said and done, so you'll have to pick up the torch 'cause I am not coming back.

You guys feel free to pop over and visit lovely Qingdao China anytime.....

What if you pop down to Singapore instead?

Well it's official. Mid-March I'll be heading to Singapore.

You have a set amount of time you will be here or is it open ended?

I fly out the 8th April all going according to plan.

Open ended right now, initial period will be 12-14 months I think.

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What if you pop down to Singapore instead?

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I may do that!

Beer factory is close to the apartment in case you do decide to come up!

Would love to fly up but my time left in Singapore is two months and some change with a six day trip to Oz over CNY and potentially a work trip to London in there as well for up to two weeks. That doesn't leave a lot of time for more shenanigans seeing as how I need to close out tax matters with the IRAS, terminal employment pass with the government, finalize apartment handover, finalize work handover, and so on.