About to relocate to Singapore - some questions...

[afcb]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but have just accepted a permanent position with a bank in Singapore. I will be moving from the UK, hopefully around August.

I did spend several months working in Singapore last year, so do have a reasonable idea of what to expect. However, I had a six month residency at the Fullerton so I was a little detached from reality .

This time round I will be moving for real, so wondered whether anyone could help with the following please.

1. I will be accommodated by the bank for the first month, but after that have to find an apartment. I have been checking this website and like the look of a place called Aspen Heights. Does anyone have any first hand experience of this place and, if so, is there anything I should be aware of !!?? I have a budget of approx. 6k per month for rental, so would appreciate any recommendations.

2. I will be shipping a fair few possessions, including some furniture, to Singapore. Given that most of the accommodation I have been looking at is in a high-rise, will there be a problem getting large beds, sofa's etc up to an apartment via the lift ?

3. How long does it take to apply for and open a local bank account ? Do I need a permanent address first ? Also, how about a local credit card ? Can I pay rent / deposit on an apartment using a UK credit card ?

4. Do most apartments come complete with broadband access and cable TV ? If so, is this usually included in the price ? For the TV, can you choose which channels to subscribe to (thinking about accessing UK football !).

5. Do all / most apartments insist on a minimum rental period ?

6. My girlfriend of one year is a Thai national, based in Thailand. She intends to stay there while I am in Singapore due to work commitments, but would like to visit me regularly for weekends etc. Will there likely be any issues with immigration if she makes regular trips, and is there anything I can do while there to make things easier (i.e provide a sponsorship letter etc) ?

Sorry for the question overload, but there just seems to be so much to think about.

Thanks for your help !

[jpatokal]

2. I will be shipping a fair few possessions, including some furniture, to Singapore. Given that most of the accommodation I have been looking at is in a high-rise, will there be a problem getting large beds, sofa's etc up to an apartment via the lift ?

Movers will schlep them up the stairwell if need be. Hopefully your company's paying for it though!

3. How long does it take to apply for and open a local bank account ? Do I need a permanent address first ? Also, how about a local credit card ? Can I pay rent / deposit on an apartment using a UK credit card ?

About 15 minutes. All you need is proof of local employment. Most landlords accept cash or check only.

4. Do most apartments come complete with broadband access and cable TV ? If so, is this usually included in the price ? For the TV, can you choose which channels to subscribe to (thinking about accessing UK football !).

Most apartments are hooked up, but you need to foot the bill.

5. Do all / most apartments insist on a minimum rental period ?

Yes. One year up.

6. My girlfriend of one year is a Thai national, based in Thailand. She intends to stay there while I am in Singapore due to work commitments, but would like to visit me regularly for weekends etc. Will there likely be any issues with immigration if she makes regular trips, and is there anything I can do while there to make things easier (i.e provide a sponsorship letter etc) ?

Regular trips of a few days won't be a problem, as long as it doesn't look like she's working in Singapore.