Singapore Expats

Hi there - I (including beautiful wife and 8mth son) have tentatively been offered a contract in Singapore for 3 years and want to know a few things:

Suggestions on where to rent a house and how much should we expect to pay. Company will pay 3,000 per month

Tax for expats

Moving companies

Furnished or unfurnished homes?

Thanks for your help people!

The rent your company is paying should get you a great place - we pay half that for a three bed condo.

Probably not worth buying furniture at this stage - "furnished" includes whiteware, beds, couches, TV - no small appliances or cooking stuff generally (things will differ obviously, worth checking out)...

Tax will depend on how much you earn - your company should give you this in writing. We were pleasantly surprised by the tax dro coming here - less than NZ, which isn't hard...

We have two little kids and have been here nearly six months, and we're loving it. It's a great place for a young family.

Best of luck with your move!

Oh, we used Allied Movers (we're from ChCh - but they have branches in other parts too) to get our stuff shippped out here: very affordable and really nice to deal with. If it's coming out of your pocket, try packing yourself - saved me a far chunk of dosh

[quote="kiwi too"]The rent your company is paying should get you a great place - we pay half that for a three bed condo.

Probably not worth buying furniture at this stage - "furnished" includes whiteware, beds, couches, TV - no small appliances or cooking stuff generally (things will differ obviously, worth checking out)...

Tax will depend on how much you earn - your company should give you this in writing. We were pleasantly surprised by the tax dro coming here - less than NZ, which isn't hard...

We have two little kids and have been here nearly six months, and we're loving it. It's a great place for a young family.

Best of luck with your move!



Oh, we used Allied Movers (we're from ChCh - but they have branches in other parts too) to get our stuff shippped out here: very affordable and really nice to deal with. If it's coming out of your pocket, try packing yourself - saved me a far chunk of dosh :wink:[/quote]

Hi Kiwi,

May I know which area you are staying in Singapore? We are moving there as a family of 3 end of August.

I live in Upper Bukit Timah. This is a very reasonably priced area. Also you may want to check out Jurong, Bukit Batok and Clementi. There are a few expats heading out this way now - it can take a while to commute into the central area is the only prob. It takes us about 40 mins on the bus. It would be faster if you had a car obviously...

Have a look at the apartments advertised on this website, and check district 21. I think they are very reasonable.

Good luck with your move!

k1w1 wrote:I live in Upper Bukit Timah. This is a very reasonably priced area. Also you may want to check out Jurong, Bukit Batok and Clementi. There are a few expats heading out this way now - it can take a while to commute into the central area is the only prob. It takes us about 40 mins on the bus. It would be faster if you had a car obviously...

Have a look at the apartments advertised on this website, and check district 21. I think they are very reasonable.

Good luck with your move!

Dear Kiwi,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. We are now looking at the property on Chun Tin Rd. I was told it was close to Upper Bukit Timah. I was very hesitating between East Coast Villa Marina and the brand new property in Bukit Timah. How do you like your life there? I don't think I would get a car shortly since I need to get used to left side drive and get the driver license first? Heard car was terribly expensive. Mind if I know you are considered expact family there?

Kind regards, Sunny

Anonymous wrote:

k1w1 wrote:I live in Upper Bukit Timah. This is a very reasonably priced area. Also you may want to check out Jurong, Bukit Batok and Clementi. There are a few expats heading out this way now - it can take a while to commute into the central area is the only prob. It takes us about 40 mins on the bus. It would be faster if you had a car obviously...

Have a look at the apartments advertised on this website, and check district 21. I think they are very reasonable.

Good luck with your move!

Dear Kiwi,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. We are now looking at the property on Chun Tin Rd. I was told it was close to Upper Bukit Timah. I was very hesitating between East Coast Villa Marina and the brand new property in Bukit Timah. How do you like your life there? I don't think I would get a car shortly since I need to get used to left side drive and get the driver license first? Heard car was terribly expensive. Mind if I know you are considered expact family there?

Kind regards, Sunny

I believe you will be better off on the east coast, why not chat with admin, they can give you some sound advice, I think it's better to be closer to the city

ksl

How far is it from East Coast to the city and from Bukit Timah? and Taxi Fare? From the map, I don't see big difference leh...

trial

Dear Samoan,
East Coast has many nice apartments within your budget. I rent out my 1,500 sq feet (3-bedrooom) flat to an expat family for S$1,200. However it has no condo facilities, no lift. You'll probably want somewhere with a pool etc still you can easily get a nice place (2-bderoom) for around S$2,200.

If you're going to work at the University or Science Park, then go for West Coast areas: Pasir Panjang, Dover Road. Also think about Holland Village which is somewhere between Central and West (a lovely little area with a mix of local shops/food and western deli's, pizzerias, local wet market and excellent supermarket) The tradesmen there are used to servicing expats so service is also good. Just near Holland V. is an area called Chip bee Gardens where terraced houses (with 2-3 bedrooms upstairs, living & kitchen downstairs) go for 1,800 monthly. Good area for kids.

Otherwise I personally like East Coast. There is a more laidback civilised feel there. A FOOD paradise! also nearer to airport if you travel often. well-served by aircon public bus system, less than 10 stops to city centre.

aloof wrote:Thou this sunny isle is very small, but the morning traffic can be quite hazadous too.

I think you should try Jakarta, Bangkok or Manila. Then you will LOVE the traffic in Singapore!!