Possible relocation to Singapore

[haasport]

Need some help/advice.

I was approached by my company today on a possible relocation to Singapore.

My main concerns are:

1. Wife and 2 year old. Not so much him but her. She is a 2nd grade school teacher here in the US (just outside of Philadelphia). I am guessing she will be fulltime stay at home if this happens. Can anyone give me a wifes point of view?

2. Housing. I think a landed home will be my best bet for my son and dog. I found that the area around Holland Village looks like a great area. Can anyone give me some suggestions on locations and pricing? I would really like some sort of a back yard for the dog.

3. Pets. What is the largest dog anyone has seen over there? I talked to someone that had seen an Irish wolfhound. Anyone seen a Great Dane?

4. Overall quality of life. Give me the goods and the bads.

Thank-you everyone. I've been researching all afternoon and night as I need to give a decision by Friday or Monday if I'd like to venture down the expat path further.

Best.

[RULDS]

This is what I have observed since I have been here.

If your wife is a teacher, I am sure she would not have a problem getting a teaching job over here. From what I have heard, native english teachers get paid well. Have her start searching before you get here to make sure.

Housing...landed house? Unless your company is forking out the money, it might not be worth it. A 3 BR room condo would run you about 4,000 and a house would be much more probably be double that.

I saw a great dane last week in Bishan Park.

The quality is life is top notch....if you have the money.

[Wonderfull]

well, you would only be allow to keep big dog in lander house, and not in condos.

[sundaymorningstaple]

well, you would only be allow to keep big dog in lander house, and not in condos.

The only restrictions on big dogs are in HDB Flats normally. Be careful as you might just......

[nn27]

How are people travelling with large dogs on a flight? I have a great dane, and his crate is MASSIVE - not easily moveable either. If anyone has done it in the past, I would love to hear! I'd prefer not to crate him if possible. Thanks.

[aussiemeg]

All dogs need to be crated regardlss of size ..unless you want to send him as a horse! You need to get a load of documentation then drop him of at SATS on the changi side of the airport about 3 hours before the flight. My labradoodle travels fine.

Be careful where you are taking him to as you may not be allowed back into singapore with him if you take him to indonesia for example

[HunBunny80]

I have seen and played with a great dane here so big dogs are not a problem. Unfortunately this country is not dog friendly and dogs have to be kept on a leash at all times.
Most expats like Holland V but if you want a decent size house with good size garden for your dog and kid to play football, you are looking on the high side of $20K per month on rent at least I wouldd imagine.

[mamamiya]

Housing, maid help is not an issue in singapore. So is safety and comfort of living.

However if you are looking for quality family life, here the lifestyle is very city like and divorce rate is high. There is a riase of 40% over the year. However there are still strong family here.

Generally it is a modern city. Shopping is the national sport and if you love shopping, food, pubbing, travelling in South East Asia than it is an attractive city

But if you are looking for a place to have high quality of family life, children education (which is very expensive for expatriate as International School is costly and local school standard are not really that high) and beautiful environment with lots of green field for pets, Singapore are not that attractive compare to USA or Europe