Dubai to Singapore?...that is the question!

[dubaihokies]

We are an American family living in Dubai currently. We are happy here except for the exceedingly high rate of inflation! So...we are starting to look around! We met a lovely expat couple this spring (in Thailand) who were living in Singapore and they sang its praises!

Some immediate questions:

1) We have a Filipina maid...how easy would it be to bring her along? Is it common for expats to have maids? Being from the US...it seemed crazy at first, but she is a real blessing.
2) We have guinea pigs...again...how easy is it to bring them?
3) Seems like housing is like Dubai in that there are well-defined expat neighborhoods or you can live amongst the locals (although in Dubai...that could be pretty expensive!)...would love to hear real thoughts on housing as we have 2 small daughters (4 and 6).
4) We may visit for the Christmas holiday...any thoughts on areas we should check out while we are there?

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer 1 or more of these questions! As you know, this is a big life decision and we are grateful for any help! (Any info you'd like on Dubai...I can try and help!)

[batgirl_cdn]

We moved from Dubai 7 months ago and love it here in Singapore. We are living in a condo and there a few Singaporean families here. The rest of the families are from all over the world. You can bring your helper over, just have to arrange a Foreign Domestic Worker pass for her. Singapore is clean, green, organised and friendly. It is very easy to mix here, and definitely more easy to make friends with locals.

[dubaihokies]

Thanks so much for your input. Do you have children in school there? Do you mind telling me the area in which you live? If not, that's okay. We are in the Arabian Ranches here and we do like the family atmosphere that we have...pretty unusual for Dubai. It is nice that it's easier to meet and mix with locals there...that's one thing that is unfortunate about Dubai.

[batgirl_cdn]

Hi, our little guy isn't school-aged yet, just heading to half-day daycare next week. We used to live in The Springs and we still have a few friends up in Arabian Ranches. Here in Singapore we are living in the River Valley area. We can walk to Orchard rd in 15-20 minutes, and Great World City and Tiong Bahru Plaza in 10 minutes or less. We love the area because we have access to all the services we need and have a lot of choice (e.g. can grocery shop at Fairprice as well as Cold Storage.Cold Storage has Spinney's-like prices, unfortunately.) We tend to walk a lot - really enjoy being able to do that after living in Dubai where you need a car all the time.

[charming]

What a small world, I left Arabian Ranches 6 months ago!

I think you'll like it here especially if you like you greenery free of sand

The school waitlists are like Dubai so sort that out first. We live quite a distance from the school, Emaar international, my 4yo and 14yo use the school bus service which is excellent ( would never use a bus in Dubai for reasons I don't need to explain to someone who has experienced the driving )

Our dogs are in quarantine for 30 days even though they spent 4 months back in the UK not sure how it works for guinea pigs contact the quarantine centre at Sembawang +65 6227 0670 they were very helpful.

We don't have a car at the moment and I love the freedom of being able to just walk places as batgirl said. Taxis are good and actually turn up when you book them. I am 5 minute walk from Novena MRT station and can walk to a post office!!!!!!!

[dubaihokies]

Thanks for all of your time and help! Wow...can't believe I heard back from two Dubai folks already! If you left here 6 months ago, then you weren't able to see the Ranches roundabout completed...it has been such a blessing to have the flyovers instead of that dangerous roundabout! No waiting...in or out. Whew.

Thanks for the tips and area mentions...they will be helpful in our research. Glad to hear the school buses are safe there! Sounds like most people don't drive...is that right? We were wondering about bringing over vehicles.

What a small world, I left Arabian Ranches 6 months ago!

I think you'll like it here especially if you like you greenery free of sand

The school waitlists are like Dubai so sort that out first. We live quite a distance from the school, Emaar international, my 4yo and 14yo use the school bus service which is excellent ( would never use a bus in Dubai for reasons I don't need to explain to someone who has experienced the driving )

Our dogs are in quarantine for 30 days even though they spent 4 months back in the UK not sure how it works for guinea pigs contact the quarantine centre at Sembawang +65 6227 0670 they were very helpful.

We don't have a car at the moment and I love the freedom of being able to just walk places as batgirl said. Taxis are good and actually turn up when you book them. I am 5 minute walk from Novena MRT station and can walk to a post office!!!!!!!

[charming]

Missed out on that opening, I really don't miss the sweaty palms and heart racing as I approached it The wondering if I'd make it home in one piece!

Check on how much tax you will get stung with bringing vehicles in!

At the moment we don't need a car because of location but once the dogs leave quarantine we will need one to get them about and give us more freedom to walk them.

And one more plus for here, the chicken tastes like chicken