Singapore Expats

We're a young British couple relocating from Dubai to Singapore in Feb-11.

My new offices are located on Tai Seng Street, is there a good neighbourhood nearby to live? We're interested in somewhere with easy access to restaurants, bars, shops, etc? We prefer a townhouse rather than apparment living, is it easy to come by?

My wife and I are planning to start a family, how does it work with regards to Pregnancy/Childbirth costs, are they likely to be covered by insurance, we can use the public hospitals, need to get isurance package to cover this?

Thanks for any info

hi there... I am too relocating from Dubai to Singapore in Feb 2011.. nice co-incidence..

I was wondering are you aware of shipping house hold stuff to SG from DXB? Are you using a freight forwarder? I am bit confused on this process.

Any info will be appreciated!!

Hello,

My husband and I (and our son, 2) are also moving to Singapore in the New Year, though I might be joining him in April after finishing university... his parents are expats in Dubai, so we're familiar with the area, but we have no idea really what to expect in Sing, other than what we have read online!

We're in London atm, and its going to be nice for us to have a nanny so we can also have a little social life too as we're both in our 20's but feel more like 50 recently!!!

Natalie x

rolylane wrote:We're a young British couple relocating from Dubai to Singapore in Feb-11.

My new offices are located on Tai Seng Street, is there a good neighbourhood nearby to live? We're interested in somewhere with easy access to restaurants, bars, shops, etc? We prefer a townhouse rather than apparment living, is it easy to come by?

My wife and I are planning to start a family, how does it work with regards to Pregnancy/Childbirth costs, are they likely to be covered by insurance, we can use the public hospitals, need to get isurance package to cover this?

Thanks for any info

Not sure what you consider "nearby". Singapore is extremely compact and the commute time on average should be less than Dubai. Because of the good and efficient public transport system you don't have to have a car and that helps with the stress of the commute (but that has its downsides too).

I'm not sure what your budget is for accommodation, but with apartments from S$3,000k+ you are probably looking for a lot more if you want a "townhouse". Singapore has built up, rather than out.

Read through the living in Singapore section with regards to pregnancy and childbirth. Medical care is pricey here - 1st world prices - and most of the insurance policies have a 12 month (or even 24 months) exclusion for pregnancy coverage and the max amounts can be low - saw one for $24k which is peanuts when a premie can cost in excess of $100k

But you'll enjoy the green

natalienashville wrote:Hello,

My husband and I (and our son, 2) are also moving to Singapore in the New Year, though I might be joining him in April after finishing university... his parents are expats in Dubai, so we're familiar with the area, but we have no idea really what to expect in Sing, other than what we have read online!

We're in London atm, and its going to be nice for us to have a nanny so we can also have a little social life too as we're both in our 20's but feel more like 50 recently!!!

Natalie x

Hi Natalie,

I think u will be able to get a maid in Singapore. Its very common to have a maid here. So i think u need not worry to much about that

rolylane wrote:We're a young British couple relocating from Dubai to Singapore in Feb-11.

My new offices are located on Tai Seng Street, is there a good neighbourhood nearby to live? We're interested in somewhere with easy access to restaurants, bars, shops, etc? We prefer a townhouse rather than apparment living, is it easy to come by?

My wife and I are planning to start a family, how does it work with regards to Pregnancy/Childbirth costs, are they likely to be covered by insurance, we can use the public hospitals, need to get isurance package to cover this?

Thanks for any info

Hi,

As u mentioned your office will be located at Tai Seng Street, its best to look at house at District 14.Semi- detached houses cost more than a condo/ apartment. Commuting in Singapore is not a problem, transportation is very reliable.

Happy moving!!

There are plenty of nice ocndos or houses to choose from in Singapore, townhouse building are generally older and rather rundown...eddie