advice on moving to Bangkok from Singapore

[darpy]

We have been in Singapore for about five years now and my head has been turned by Bangkok. I was wondering what others thought of the expat life in Bangkok compared to Singapore?

My main thoughts:

BKK is a hell of a lot cheaper for everything and the people are friendlier. We would be going on a package worth about sgd$200k so I see it as a very good life. Traffic is bad in both places, can someone with experience comment on the following:

Reliability of electricity, access to quality medical care, quality of schools for young children, general security and safety, can we bring a maid from Singapore to Thailand, cost of buying a car

Thanks

[maneo]

You might find some of the answers you're looking for in one of the Thailand forums:

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=212

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/

http://www.living-in-thailand.com/

There is also some general info in another recent discussion titled "Relocating, Moving to Thailand."

Regarding your specific questions:
Electricity has not been an issue for many years now.

The more expensive hospitals (e.g. BNH, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej, Bumrungrad, etc.) provide quality medical care -- they get quite a bit of "medical tourism."

Compared to the nanny state here, you do need to use common sense when in Thailand.
However, if you will be in Bangkok you generally should be safe.

You generally are not able to bring a foreign maid from Singapore to Thailand.
However, there may be some agencies that could arrange for a work permit.
Generally, maids are part time.
Most Thai maids don't want to work as live-in maids, but maids from Myanmar seem more amenable.

Buying a car should be much less expensive than SG -- there's no COE.
Even cheaper for cars assembled in Thailand (no import tax).
Getting a loan normally requires showing one's financial history.
You may need time to establish this.