Singapore Expats

Hi everyone

My husband and I are planning to move to Singapore from the UK with our 6 month old baby. My husband is currently applying for a PEP and we are coming to Singapore in August to have a reccy - meet recruitment agencies, contacts, look at accomodation and generally get a good feel for the city as a place for us to live .

In terms of places to live, I have been reading up and think that East Coast is a good place to live with a baby as it is close to beach and parks etc. Are there any other areas you suggest, maybe Holland Village? My husband will probably be working in the city and I want to get out and about to open spaces easily.

In terms of accommodation types, is it mainly condos or are there houses for rent? We require three bedrooms and if possible an outdoor area for about $3,500....

If anyone is willing, we would love the opportunity to meet some fellow expats whilst we are over. As I have a young baby, perhaps there is an opportunity to meet up with some fellow mums and bubs to expereience what you get up to during the days in Singapore!

Many thanks for any advice in advance.

We are very excited about a new life ahead of us!

SuSuP

anna chapman like to do reccy too.

sure there are houses for rental but S$3.5k for a condo, yes but not for a house!

durain wrote:anna chapman like to do reccy too.

sure there are houses for rental but S$3.5k for a condo, yes but not for a house!

...and not in the Holland area. East Coast - doable.

thanks...

How does East Coast compare to Holland? what would suit having small baby best?

SuSuP wrote:thanks...

How does East Coast compare to Holland? what would suit having small baby best?

Holland area is close to the downtown. Pretty busy with a lot of traffic but there are also very nice parks nearby namely the botanic gardens. No walking distance access to the coast though. East Coast is more suburban (not perfectly the right term here) with a long coastal park stretching for few good kilometers. Good for walking and playing with children including some various facilities. I've never lived over there but kids and budget oriented probably a better choice.

durain wrote:anna chapman like to do reccy too.

what? where?

anyway, the condo complexes are along Holland Road, rather than Holland village. There are landed houses past Ghim Moh and along Ulu Pandan road and more accessible to the commercial area near Bukit Timah (please consult google maps or any map software of your choice for reference. heck, you can use street view to get a look for yourself). judging from the rent of ordinary hdb's near the area, i'd imagine the cost of the houses would be astronomical. i'd like to be proven wrong though.

east coast, however, seems to have that "home-y" vibe to it and possibly more conducive to starting families. you mileage, of course, will vary.

SuSuP wrote:thanks...

How does East Coast compare to Holland? what would suit having small baby best?

anywhere in singapore would suit having small, medium or large baby. and before you ask, there's no "best for expats" place. expats are everywhere in singapore. it's not like in zimbabwe.

some condo in east coast are deep and away from public transport (but might have shuttle bus), so you need to check on that.

[quote="SuSuP"]Hi everyone

Besides East Coast and Holland V, you may consider Paya Lebar / Geylang area. I have been staying in this area for 7 yrs since I came to Singapore. You can simply wave for a cab at yr doorstep and it takes abt 15min to go to East Coast. And that's great for husband to work in the city as there's public transport connecting to Shenton Way (CBD). It only takes 15 mins by bus to reach the CBD, and to other city areas such as Raffles City, Orchard and Bugis etc.

Rent is comparatively lower in Paya Lebar/ Geylang area for 3 bdroom unit. Budget at $3500 is not a problem for getting an apartment unit there.

By the way when will you arrive Singapore? I have overseas friends staying in some apartments there and I can get them help to keep a lookout if you find the area suitable.

SuSuP wrote:thanks...

How does East Coast compare to Holland? what would suit having small baby best?

Consider the East Coast as Brighton, and Holland like Notting Hill/Chelsea. Not literally of course, but relative to each other.

The former arguably longer established and calmer. The latter right in the hubba.

It's a moot point though really as you have no hope of getting a 3-bed for $3.5k in Holland.

p.s. I'd also suggest Toa Payoh. That was where we spent out last in-country stint.

Three stops from Orchard, one stop from Cold Storage (Novena), plus as the first 'new town' it provides all the usual amenities within walking distance.

There are only two condos, Oleander and Trellis, but plenty of HDB.

You don't see that many western expats there (may Koreans though), but the location/transport is ideal, and you certainly get more bang for your buck than 'closer in'. I.e. Toa Payoh is district 12, whereas 'district 9/10/11' is a euphemism for general and central expat-ville

I saved this post in my 'favourites' folder with the intention of following up on it.......

So how did your reccy go?

My husband and I also have a 6 month old, and are hoping to move to Singapore. As yet we are not sure if it's worth actually coming out to Singapore to look for work .... My husband argues that most jobs are posted online these days and there is no point in a physical presence in Singapore. I'm not so sure.

Moreover, as I understand it the PEP is issued only once so we are reluctant to apply for it until we get a better feel for the current job climate.

I would appreciate any advice on jobhunting in Singapore. Did you find that having a PEP substantially increased your chances of gaining employment? Did you find it important to be physically present in Singapore? Can you recommend any recruitment agencies for an IT guy?

Any advice for anyone (not just the OP) would be appreciated.

Being able to attend an interview without cost to the employer (and possibly on short notice) will increase your chances for a job 10 times - in fact most HR types won't even contact you other than on a local phone number, and nobody will reimburse travel costs to a first interview.
Having a PEP will, in the current political climate, increase your chances 100 times.
In other words: Don't even try without the two!
(Only exceptions: You have personal connections or your foreign company sends you here.)