Housing/Banking/Childcare/Health Insurance Questions

[onthemove]

Hello all - we are a family of 4 moving to Singapore from the UK. I will be working in the Raffles area, my husband will be initially looking after our 2 young sons (2 years and 8 months) while we all settle in.
We have the following questions, any help/advice would be really appreciated:

Housing - we are looking at the East coast, 3 bedrooms, approx looking to spend about S$2500 max p/month - Is this a good budget, any recommendations?

Banking - Looking to open an account and obtain a credit card asap on arrival - any recommendations on Banks, complications?

Nurseries - We will be looking for morning childcare for our 2 year old who just loves to hang out with other youngsters. Is there a source of information on this topic?

Health Insurance - My hiring Company will cover me but not my husband and 2 children for healthcare, any recommendations? Also dental and vision are not covered under my plan.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice
Best wishes

[odyssey_10]

hi, I hope that I can be of some help. Do contact me @ odyssey_10@hotmail.com

Have a nice day!

Cheers!

[Charlatan]

Housing - we are looking at the East coast, 3 bedrooms, approx looking to spend about S$2500 max p/month - Is this a good budget, any recommendations?

Any particular reason for the East Coast? The issue for many with the East Coast is that Public Transit is generally very poor out there (i.e. fewer connections to the city than other areas). You should also have a look at Upper Bukit Timah and even the areas around River Valley Road. You can find some older condos and flats for rent there at that price. There is nothing like being central.

Banking - Looking to open an account and obtain a credit card asap on arrival - any recommendations on Banks, complications?

This shouldn't be a problem though you will need your employment pass to open an account. I'd recommend DBS as there are more machines with them and their partner POSB.

Nurseries - We will be looking for morning childcare for our 2 year old who just loves to hang out with other youngsters. Is there a source of information on this topic?

I don't have the latest on this.

Health Insurance - My hiring Company will cover me but not my husband and 2 children for healthcare, any recommendations? Also dental and vision are not covered under my plan.

I just pay an additional fee to the company that my company uses for health insurance so that we are all covered.

Hope this helps.

[CYS]

Hi, regarding your rental budget, probably its sufficient. However, you may want to take note that private housing has a higher average eletricity bill of about $250 per month and you may require to pay maintenance fee. Therefore find out carefully, if not, your budget will have to adjust.

Definitely, you will have to ask what do need your credit card for? Different credit card offer different features & options. If you want convenience, then local bank will be a better choice.

For Health insurance, you will have to understand that there is some restrictions on foreigners. Perhaps higher premium! Well just kidding. Anyway, if you really need help on this, PM me.