Singapore Expats

Hello

My husband is planning to open an office in Singapore next year and we are interested in the above schools, being Australian. I still don't have my head around the districts and am aware AIS is a bit of a bus journey and I guess housing is cheaper around there as well. And Avondale is near Holland Rd, where we looked at a huge gated complex with apartments and terrace houses. I know there is an AIS bus that picks the children up from this complex and probably others but Avondale is closer. I am going for a tour of AIS in a couple of weeks to sell the idea to our 2 big boys.

We have been told by both schools that the eldest going into year 4 next year will have a place at either but the Number 2 son is not so likely to get a spot for year 2. We also have a 3 year old that will need to go to preschool and I was thinking a local preschool.

Thoughts on the schools most welcome and where to live. We would like the Tanglin Club and Dempsey Hill areas (have no idea of the districts). Are there other areas you think are better? I don't want an apartment. We would like to live somewhere with 4 bedrooms where the boys can run out and play, ride bikes in a secure complex/compound and somewhere for the 'help' to live - but that's another topic.

**Forgot to mention our limit for monthly rent is $15K.

Thanks in advance
Shagwah

Busing is done by an independent company, affiliated with the school.

You can live anywhere and arrange this. I live east coast, and the bus is door to door, and costs about $500 per term (4 terms per year).

15K per month will get you what you want. That's a high budget.

Thanks Sonar. Didn't realise the buses were separate from the school and additional to the school fees. Absolutely agree $15k is on the extravagant side.

Any feedback on which school is better: Avondale or AIS? Or why you chose AIS over any other school?

Hi again.

I chose AIS simply because it is the Australian school and I am Australian. I was pretty happy with the school initially, but as time goes on, I'm not so sure it suits my daughter. Don't get me wrong, its a great campus and they have a lot of extra-curricular activities and so forth. But I find it a bit pushy.

I have just realised that when I type Avondale as a word it does not come up in the post. Weird.

Just wanted to add that I have also been thinking of Avondale as well as AIS. Avondale is closer to the area we 'currently' like around the Sommerville Park area. We are from Sydney.

I depends on what you like, of course. I can tell you that I live in a complex of "cluster houses" in the east coast area.

These are tall thin houses, mine is 4 stories. If you are looking to have live in help and also some privacy, they are perfect. Mine has 2 bedrooms plus study and bathroom on the top floor, 2 bedrooms on the first floor, living area and kitchen on the ground floor, and bedroom, bathroom and living area on the "below ground" floor.

price would be 1/2 of your stated budget. Nice pool. complex is 10 years old, so not super-slick, if you know what I mean, but gives you a feel of spaciousness that you would rarely get in a condo.

you could try searching "cluster houses". (But you would be in the "suburbs" not in the hub of dining and shopping.)

http://condo.singaporeexpats.com/condo- ... m#Pictures

address for "D'Manor" cluster house complex, to give you some photos of what I am describing.

The area you live isn't so major as transport is easy, but the Tanglin/Holland area will help reduce the culture shock as there many expats around.
AGS is a small school with an excellent, caring community. Great for younger kids, but as the kids get older, year 4-5 they may need more social peers.
AIS is huge - most years averaging 200 kids per year. Kids could get lost or revel in this environment.
Sport and CCA, (music, languages and other activities is catered for at both, but AIS of course has more kids, so more music ensembles, sports team etc.
I know parents with siblings at both schools based on what is comfortable for them. You can't beat a school visit, so goodluck.

I've had my kids at AGS for three years. The small school community is what makes it unique. The teachers and the attention to individuals are outstanding however the sports facilities are lacking. Do a school tour. You'll either fall in love with the place or you won't. If you are looking for glamorous facilities then AIS is very impressive.

What is A.v.o.n.d.a.l.e.?

Do you mean Avondale Grammar School? What's with all the "full stops between the letters?

Okay, had a look-see in the backend panel. Would seem it was being spammed at one time so was replaced with a full stop. Have deleted that now but it could happen again.