moving to Singapore

[tigerlily2010]

We are going to be relocated to Singapore from Hong Kong by next month. We had a great time in HK and I am a bit worried about this move and start all over again...

Can anyone suggest good areas to live? We have a 16 months very active boy and my husband will work in the harbourfron area.

Are there any pre-schools for 16 months old toddlers or should i look for playgroups such as Gymboree? Any raccomendations?

Is it possible to have a live out helper? Is using an agency the best way to recruit?

Thanks so much in advance for any sort of advise you can give me

[$Pripps]

This has probably been answered many times but since I am new to this forum and waiting for a ftp copy to go through here some info:

Good areas to live == depends where you/your husband works. check using google maps where the work place is, then ask about particular areas.

Pre-schools(child care) are from 3 months, finding a childcare is best done when you know where you live/work. There are plenty of them varying in price from ~300sgd to several k. per month.

Yes it is possible, we have a helper that comes once a week, we got her through an agency though whether that is the best way I don't know - it was just convenient at the time. Just look in the usual spots when you get here, newspapers, boards at supermarket etc.

The recommended way of moving here is to get a Service Apartment for the first month, then use this time to go and look at apartments/childcare.

Other than do a search among the sticky threads on this board for more info

welcome to Singapore.

[tigerlily2010]

Thanks, we need a full time helper but i would like her not to live with us.
Is it possible? In HK unfortunately this is illegal so i wonder if it is the same in Singapore?

[merichan]

If you want a full time help... forget it... it's even more illegal in Singapore that it is in HK to have a live-out ( where a lot of people do actually go around the rule... here people don't)


What you can get is a part-timer... which can quickly become as expensive as a full time live-in


Most people use an agency... we did when we arrived ( our previous maid in Hk would not come with us and given the working conditions here if she had to find another employer than us... couldn't blame her a second)

The trick is to find a good agency... as some agents are unscrupulous when it comes to falsifying maid's resume to make sure they be able to place them...

[Saint]

Thanks, we need a full time helper but i would like her not to live with us.
Is it possible? In HK unfortunately this is illegal so i wonder if it is the same in Singapore?

You can employ a non live in full time helper but he/she (being PC there!) would have to be a local/PR. With the going rate of S$10/hr the cost will quickly rack up.

[Saint]

if you want a full time help... forget it... it's even more illegal in Singapore that it is in HK ( where a lot of people do actually go around the rule... here people don't)

Errr, not illegal if full time help is a local/PR

[merichan]

if you want a full time help... forget it... it's even more illegal in Singapore that it is in HK ( where a lot of people do actually go around the rule... here people don't)

Errr, not illegal if full time help is a local/PR

Yep but find a local/PR working for 350-400 dollars a month is less likely that to win the jackpot in the lottery...

[Saint]

if you want a full time help... forget it... it's even more illegal in Singapore that it is in HK ( where a lot of people do actually go around the rule... here people don't)

Errr, not illegal if full time help is a local/PR

Yep but find a local/PR working for 350-400 dollars a month is less likely that to win the jackpot in the lottery...

Obviously they get paid the going rate as I mentioned in my previous posting.

[merichan]

Errr, not illegal if full time help is a local/PR

Yep but find a local/PR working for 350-400 dollars a month is less likely that to win the jackpot in the lottery...

Obviously they get paid the going rate as I mentioned in my previous posting.

Ok let me rephrase what I meant ( I'm feeling playful today)

Given that the OP says illegal in HK to have a live-out

I basically assume that anyway a full time local is not in salary range possible and/or what the OP is looking for...

As having a local full time and live out is technically possible in HK also but has the same consequences in term of salary

[Saint]

I basically assume that anyway a full time local is not in salary range possible and/or what the OP is looking for...

You might think that compared against a live in maid but take the situation that friends of mine. They have a kid and when she decided to go back to work part time they looked at getting a live in maid. Problem was they didn't have a spare bedroom and they were prepared to put the maid in the "cupboard". For them to move to a bigger place in the same area would have put an extra S$1k on their rental. In the end it was just as cheaper to get a live out full time local to come in 5 days a week.

[tigerlily2010]

thanks, you made it really clear ))
One more question please, would it be easy to bring our present helper to Singapore? She is indonesian...
Cheers

[mortlock2005]

Hi Tigerlilly. I believe it is possible for you to bring your current helper to Singapore, but I believe the government takes a bigger cut of her salary than HK. Also, when you leave Singapore, she would most likely need to find re-employment here, and I know that doesn't always work well for people.

As far as where to live that really depends on your budget as much as what you want to do. Many expats live around the Holland Village/Botanic Gardens areas, but the rents are very high. I now live on the East Coast and love it. You're right by the beach and it just seems a little quieter on this side of Singapore. There are good areas around Novena-Bishan too. I wouldn't want to live around Orchard as there are always massive construction works and it's really noisy. Also more dangerous with little kids and the busy traffic.

Given your husband will be working around Harbourfront, check out Riverplace condo on Havelock Drive. Very nice and convenient location. It's also close to UE Square (where there is a supermarket and a kindergym place).

I agree with the suggestion to do a Serviced Apartment and then decide what you want. We stayed in the Somerset Grand Cairnhill when we arrived and it was really good. Big apartments and very central location.

I have also employed a part-time cleaner who has been brilliant. Not sure if she would consider full-time, but she may be able to recommend someone. If you want to contact her, please PM me.

[merichan]

Technically possible quite a few person do it actually.

However not all helpers agree to do it.

Mine back in HK would have said yes if I had insisted, but wasn't really eager to do it.

Minimum legal requirements in Singapore are lower than in HK

-no legal minimum salary
-only one day off a month
-very hard to find work without an agency (which means the maids get in debt to find a new employer)


As a result, maids tend to be wary of following employers to Singapore as if they have to change employers, they might not be able to keep the same kind of salary.

[tigerlily2010]

thank you so much merichan and mortlock. In fact i'have asked my helper if she wanted to join but frankly replied "no thank you".

Mortlock, having a look a was thinking to the East Coast too. I will PM you. Thanks

[tigerlily2010]

well, apparently i haven't got enough post to PM ( ......mmmmmm.
sorry to bother you againg, but do you think East Coast is suitable for kids? Our budget is around 10K, could we get a place with facilities?

Also, are there child friendly clubs? I look at the british club but it doesn't seem to offer many things for kids....

Thank you again!