Singapore Expats

This is my first post...

I have recently been offered an opportunity to work in Singapore for 12 months or more. I have been to Singapore a couple of times before and I am reasonably familiar with the region. However, I have partner and a young child (4 months) and she is apprehensive about moving as she does not know what to expect. We are seriously thinking about visiting to give ourselves a first hand introduction.

Are there any links to web sites that can begin to answer the numerous questions regarding the move and what to expect, in particular with a baby. I am yet to agree a contract and yet to discuss all the health, living cost issues, etc. The key question at the moment is what type of life can we expect on an average salary with one person working. My partner is worried she will not have her support network (family and friends) nearby and how she will fill her days?

Are there plenty of expat young mums networks in Singapore? Our child will be about 1 year old when we are due to arrive. Is Singapore a good place to live and work with a young family?

Any advice would be a start.

Kind Regards
A

My wife and I moved to Singapore in Feb 2006 from Australia. Our child
was due in May 2006, so we were also apprehensive.

Our child was born here in Singapore.

It was an excellent choice.

1. The mothers support groups are EVERYWHERE. There are so many of
them it's funny. Also check out http://www.motherandchild.com.sg
It's a drop in centre frequented by expat wives and my wife swears
by it. Your wife will meet many mothers like her.

2. Salary wise. We live on one salary. Rents have gone up
over the past year, but maybe your company might cover that.
Prepare to pay around 4-5K per month rent for a good 3 br
apartment, and you can pay a lot more...but most are overpriced.
Electricity is the biggest utility. It shocked me. S$550 per month.
It's the air-conditioners that do it.
We were used to AUD150 per quarter!

3. You don't say where you are relocating from, but there will also be
an association to join. Most have regular coffee mornings and events
to keep your wife busy.

4. Cars of course are a big luxury...

Bottom line is, you can live very well on one salary because the tax is
minimal. You'll need around $15K per mth salary

Hope that helps

We've lived here since September 2006 and have a 3 year old son. Singapore is an excellent place to live with children. It is very child friendly, safe, clean and the education is of a high standard. People are very polite and friendly. And its very easy to make friends as a lot of people are in the same boat having relocated themselves.
I can highly recommend it and look forward to being here hopefully long term.
Good luck making your decision.