family with 4 kids moving to sing- where to stay at first?

[cloudies]

HI all, moving from Oz to Sing with our 4 kids, want to live somewhere nice for a few months to really get a feel for the right area to stay permanently. Work will help us find somewhere but would like to have some ideas up my sleeve. Any ideas on a nice area, nice condos etc? Not worried about distance to schools and work at this stage, just want to have a happy but busy start!
Also is it worth sending our outdoor setting over, seats 8; will there be room enough in most 4 bed places for a table that big? ( generalising I know but opinions most appreciated). Thanks

[blownalot]

Hi
Are you thinking of a Serviced Apartment for your immediate requirements? If so then I am currently in Singapore for a couple of weeks to sort out schools and accomodation and I have noticed that there are only a few 3 bed Serviced Apartments. I am viewing one of them at the weeked and I can let you know how big it actually is after that. How old are your kids? My 3 are all under 10 so a 3 bed should be big enough for us short term but I havent seen any 4 bed ones anywhere.
As for permanent living accomodation the condos are all a lot smaller than we thought they would be. We had planned to bring our dining table and chairs with us, it seats 6 (8 at a squeeze), but we think maybe its better to buy one here now.
Good luck

[SouthKiwi]

I have recently spent a week in Singapore doing same thing – getting feel for what is available. Over two visits, I have looked at probably 35 developments/show homes at new or prospective condo’s.

This is what I have observed. Most “family”

[blownalot]

Hi
Are you thinking of a Serviced Apartment for your immediate requirements? If so then I am currently in Singapore for a couple of weeks to sort out schools and accomodation and I have noticed that there are only a few 3 bed Serviced Apartments. I am viewing one of them at the weeked and I can let you know how big it actually is after that. How old are your kids? My 3 are all under 10 so a 3 bed should be big enough for us short term but I havent seen any 4 bed ones anywhere.
As for permanent living accomodation the condos are all a lot smaller than we thought they would be. We had planned to bring our dining table and chairs with us, it seats 6 (8 at a squeeze), but we think maybe its better to buy one here now.
Good luck

The 3 bed aprtment I saw today will be fine short term until we find somewhere to rent longer term, but it wasnt huge. The salewoman told me the floor space is 140sq m. There were 2 double beds and a twin bedroom. It was in the Somerset on Cairnhill Road.
Hope this helps

[skye]

You could also try the Somerset at Mount Elizabeth Link as well. Most serviced apts are 3 bedrooms or less but we stayed there when we first arrived in a 4 bedder. It was set up as 2 doubles, a twin and a large study. They should be able to move beds/put in extra beds in the study if it is within your price range and you need more bedrooms depending on the ages of your children.

[cloudies]

Fantastic, thankyou for all your helpful hints, its a minefield knowing where to start. Our kids are aged 7,5,3, and 1 so can all squeeze in together as long as its not for too long their mum may go stir crazy.

[Silly Gallah]

There is a condo on Cairnhill that does good deals by the month...but I am sorry I can't remember the name. The apartments are not serviced but they are a good size.

Re taking a table - it depends what you are looking for and your budget. The bigger your budget and/or the further out you are willing to go from the centre the more chance you will have of having room for it. Ours lived under our bed for a long time! And now that we have a (small and very shady) garden and put it outside it has gone mouldy.

When you are looking around do not discount looking at houses. From experience the real estate agents will push you towards a condo. Size wise houses tend to be much better value (room, garden and privacy...but I am not very good at sharing!) and with four children I am sure you will meet lots of people quickly so won't feel lonely. There are also many pockets of houses that have a very neighbourhood feel. Once you have had a few months in Singapore and settled on the school for your children my advice would be to look in an area with a number of children from the school, which makes it easy for hooking up after school.

[Leone and John]

in part your query read:

Not worried about distance to schools and work at this stage, just want to have a happy but busy start!

I realise that you are looking for somewhere just for the short term until you see where you would like to live......but do keep in mind that it is, and will be important to have quality time with your family. By that I mean the further away from work and schools you live, will mean less time with family. Settling into a new environment, country, way of life etc you and your family will need all the support you can give each other too. This is where time together will help.

If you are working on the West Coas, you will not want to live on the East coast........transport here in Sing is fantastic and the MRT at most times of the day run at 6 minute intervals, but it will still take time for you to get from work to home.

Living closer to your work will benefit everyone.

Living closer to the schools the children will attend will help your wife and the children.

Living close to an MRT will also be of great benefit to all.

Living in a condo with good facilities will be of benefit to you all ........ you can meet some great people and there is always the pool and or gym too. That is IF you have the time to enjoy it.

Living further out of the city area itself has benefits also ...... accommodation is cheaper for the better properties, not only that, the experience of living in the local community has many advantage's. Travelling into "the city" for a day of shopping etc can then be an adventure.

But it will all boil down to WHERE you will work and WHERE the children will go to school. You will be able to make friends anywhere you live ... just have patience!

good luck.

[thelostfish]

i guess it all boils down to budget and length of stay you want/need.

but i recommend trying out older apartments first which less facilities or even none so u pay less for a start till u get your ideal place.

[Leone and John]

I agree to find somewhere older/cheaper etc till you can locate an area that you may like to live....but considering that one must sign a two year lease and with four children, you really would not like to be holed up in a small place with no facilities for the whole two years!!

Perhaps better to pay the extra $$$ to stay in a Serviced Apartment for a few weeks and then look around. Better to spend the extra for that period of time than (eventually) waste the $$ over a two year period and be unhappy as well.

Really have to decide what the priorities are I think.

[thelostfish]

true true. but u can always negotiate for a shorter lease, maybe 6months to 1year. I think a few weeks in singapore aint going to settle you down. and you may rush into things. but its your call , and it might help if u have friends already here in singapore who can show you around.

[humpbackwhale]

i have a friend who came down from HK on Feb in short notice and guess what, all the Service Apartment were fully book, and prices is just ridiculous ($5000 per mth for studio).

So if you intend to get service apartment, call at least 2 months in advance for vacancy and price.

[Leone and John]

We were at Orchard Park Suites, a one bedroom, one bathroom, kitchen, lounge area Serviced Apartment for $5000.00pm, during February. That also included breakfast.

Close to Orchard Rd, Orchard MRT and all shopping etc.

I think a lot of them are 'pre-booked' by the larger companies that are bringing staff over to work.

Any chance of asking your HR dept to pre-book a place for you?

[humpbackwhale]

Hi cloudies, i think it will be a better idea to plan ahead and stay in a condo during the first few months because

1) there are condos with short term lease, some landlords willing to take a few month lease,
2) for $5000 per mth you can get a condo at a good location and at least 2 bedroom on a short lease
3) there are 6 of you and Service Apartment studio size is really small, its ok for a few weeks but for a few months it will strain everyone in the family

just some thoughts to share

[ExpatMotorSingapore]

Hi , the prices of all Serviced Apartments have gone up dramatically over the past 18mths. I can recommend 'The Wilby' - as it offers a good sized 3 br Serviced Apartment, for good value vs others in town with all the resort facilities. My family of 4 stayed quite comfortably there some time back (Though the rates were somewhat cheaper). Take a look at their website for further information. http://www.wilby.com.sg/home/home_index.cfm#.

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