1st time visit for possible relocation

[julieciccone]

I am visiting Singapore for the first time later this month, possible relocation. Hiring a guide for tour of the city from expat standpoint to see residential areas, market/super, coffee/tea shop, park to run, where is the closest MRT station, etc. Should I hire for 1 day 8 hours, 2 days 8 hours?

Looking for insight on what I need to know if I were to move.

Thank you.

JCC

[sundaymorningstaple]

You will probably learn more on this board in 8 hours, using the search function, than you will in a week here with a tour guide. You need to learn from those already on the ground here for some time who do not have anything to gain by giving you pointers. A guide will probably be in cahoots with real estate agents who will steer you to the most profitable (for them) areas, to the exclusion of all else. Please, avail yourself of our excellent search engine and spend some time with some of the local references linked therein. Then, once you have narrowed your search down to a couple of possibilities, hit us up with any other questions and we'll try our darnedest to answer them.

As far as recommending a tour guide or how many days? I wouldn't bother.

Couple of random threads to start with.....

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic103156.html
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic101985.html
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic62035.html
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic36703.html
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic89846.html

This whole forum:
http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/forum13.html

http://property.singaporeexpats.com/

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/guides-f ... chools.htm

http://www.singaporeexpats.com/housing- ... gapore.htm

Various links in my Signature link below, including map links

moderator

[JR8]

My first thoughts mirror SMS above.

Who would this guide be? Are they licensed as a guide?

Above and beyond that what value will they add? Have they recently moved here as an expat and understand the process from an expat's perspective? Hmmm...

Better to put the horse in front of the cart, define your outline needs/wishes, and then tap the collective informed and impartial collective wisdom here.

Whether you end up hiring said guide or not, having considered these points will make finding a place to live much more focused and simple.

http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic101985.html
GUIDE: Where should I/we consider living? [Suggested v1.0]

There are markets/supers all over the country. Just about where ever you live you'll have some form of access to them. Same with coffee-shops etc.

You don't need a guide to locate a park or MRT on a map, what you need to do as a first step is define your housing needs, and hence what the best areas for you might be. Everything will follow naturally from there...

[zzm9980]

If you happen to use "Orientations Asia", which my company hired for me when I first re-lo'd, do NOT believe half of what they say about what you "need" to pay for property. They *are* in cahoots with the agent that they conveniently find you, and they will tell you the fee is required, etc. Do your own research here.

[JR8]

@ZZM

From that site...

'Timing and Content
Each program is customized to suit individual needs. Prior to the Area Orientation Program, a needs analysis is conducted. Based on the results, we develop an agenda to ensure that we utilize time effectively, cover all the necessary topics, and address all questions. The agenda may include, but is not limited to, the following:
Temporary and permanent accommodation
Education for school-aged dependents
Transportation, both public and private
Spouse/partner employment, regulations, availability, and networking opportunities
Healthcare and medical facilities
Furniture sources for leasing and buying
Recreation, including social clubs and associations and leisure activity
Food and personal products resources, availability, and prices

We also provide a resource kit that contains essential publications such as a host country/city map and a variety of informational leaflets, which are personalized to the interests of the family, such as:
Checklist of pre-move countdown activities and documents required
Customs requirements and import duties
Suggestions on what to bring, what to leave behind, and items that are difficult to find or not available in the host country'

The first para sounds like a sub-set of our previously linked questionaire.

The second, like the Pre-Move Countdown/Checklist, and the 'What To Bring' topic...

[zzm9980]

I wish I kept that "resource kit" to show some of the stuff they had in there. Loaded with useless junk and intentional omissions. They "had a guy" at HSBC to help me with accounts that was trying to convince as a foreigner I absolutely needed HSBC Premier ($100k balance or huge fees), an agent who wound up vanishing about 3 months after I got my flat, etc.

[JR8]

I can see it now. They sell you their 'services' at high-$, meanwhile they're just slotting you into high-$ leads (for themselves) on the other side.

Two $bites of the cherry.... hmmm, juicy!

[Dert42]

My company had a relocation agent show us around when we came for our visit.
She wasn't at all in league with anyone. She was very much on our side and even yelled at our housing agent for us.

She was very helpful and showed us around markets, and around different sections of town etc. We had the choice between 2 condos, and flat out asked her which one we should pick, and were we paying too much etc. She very firmly told us it was our decision. She definitely wasn't in anyone's pocket.

The company was Cartus. I have no idea if you as an individual can engage them though. They may only do contracts with companies for relocation assistance.

It's one thing to read about all the different topics you need to learn about. And this board is pretty good for that. I personally thing it's nice to have someone knowledgable and understanding show you.

[Girl_Next_Door]

I am visiting Singapore for the first time later this month, possible relocation. Hiring a guide for tour of the city from expat standpoint to see residential areas, market/super, coffee/tea shop, park to run, where is the closest MRT station, etc. Should I hire for 1 day 8 hours, 2 days 8 hours?

Looking for insight on what I need to know if I were to move.

Thank you.

JCC

You can try couchsurfing site. There is a forum and meet-ups there as well. You should be able to find some friendly Singaporeans who are happy to show you around a different non-touristy sight of Singapore.

[rajagainstthemachine]

My company had a relocation agent show us around when we came for our visit.
She wasn't at all in league with anyone. She was very much on our side and even yelled at our housing agent for us.

She was very helpful and showed us around markets, and around different sections of town etc. We had the choice between 2 condos, and flat out asked her which one we should pick, and were we paying too much etc. She very firmly told us it was our decision. She definitely wasn't in anyone's pocket.

The company was Cartus. I have no idea if you as an individual can engage them though. They may only do contracts with companies for relocation assistance.

It's one thing to read about all the different topics you need to learn about. And this board is pretty good for that. I personally thing it's nice to have someone knowledgable and understanding show you.

Cartus helped me with relocation as well. I had extremely polite and courteous staff. They were handling my shipping and logistics as I was given a certain amount of money to spend to bring things over from home.