Suggestion on things to buy in America when moving to SG

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon, 26 Apr 2010 2:23 am

Hi,

I am going to move from the United States to Singapore this coming July. My employer provides me a big sum of relocation fee, which I think based on the stuff I want to move to Singapore is a little bit too much, as I won't move most of my furniture here to Singapore.

I know some of the stuff sold in Singapore has huge margin relative to the States. I have two kids, one 7 years old, and the other is 1 year old.

What would be the list of things recommended to buy in the States and ship to Singapore, assuming my shipping fee is covered by my relocation allowances?

Thanks a lot.

KindClare · Post by **KindClare** » Mon, 26 Apr 2010 6:16 am

Great question. I'm looking forward to seeing the responses. We are Americans living currently int he UK, moving to Sg in June. We've been buying clothes as I've seen/heard that clothes are more expensive or don't really fit in Singapore.

Electronics, we are waiting to buy/replace there. (Sales Tax here is 17.5% which makes everything a bit more expensive). We just got our kids new bikes here. But as for furniture, bedding, dishes and cookware, etc, I have no idea and hope that some seasoned expats (or locals) can help!

noodlemama · Post by **noodlemama** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 8:56 am

HHHHmmmmmmmm – let me see. I have been here so long (19+ years). It is SSSSSSSoooo much better than in the early 90s.

Suggestions:

All bed and bath linens – everything down to the bath mats. Very expensive here. If you have a California king bed, no sheets here. Mattress pads – everything.

Shoes and clothing. If you are a skinny-minny, then you will be OK. Marks and Spensers have the underthings that fit all.

But shoes – I am a 41cm (9.5US) and I can’t find anything. Including golf shoes (have to buy men’s)

Electronics – if you think you will be here only for a short time AND some of your electronics will outlast your stay, then bring them. Otherwise since these types of products seem to have a new generation every two years, I would suggest selling prior to coming.

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 9:27 am

noodlemama wrote: Electronics – if you think you will be here only for a short time AND some of your electronics will outlast your stay, then bring them. Otherwise since these types of products seem to have a new generation every two years, I would suggest selling prior to coming.

Couple of things with regards to electronics - Singapore uses 220V where as US uses 110V electricity. You'll need a converter to "step" down the current. Also the TV and video (dvd?) systems are different. The US uses NTU (?) while Singapore uses PAL. Check that all your electronics are compatible.

scarbowl · Post by **scarbowl** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 4:21 pm

Okay, some may laugh but here are my suggestions since your shipping is "free."

If you like albacore tuna buy the large cans in the USA - it's harder to find and quite expensive here.

Family sized ice tea bags.

Good quality zip lock bags (have trouble finding larger sizes)

Good quality tupperware (can find here but rare)

Love (if you're a woman)

Job (either gender)

Gel-type (stick) underarm deodorant

durain · Post by **durain** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 8:16 pm

a while ago, someone mentioned you cant get george foreman grill in singapore.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 9:26 pm

Yeah, but you can, if you look hard enough, find a Breville one and quality wise, they are much better albeit more expensive. Also, as the Breville's generally come from Aus, they are already 220V while the George Foreman's are only 115V so won't really work here. You can order one from the UK or HK I believe and they will be 220V though.

And another thing, buy lots of baby clothes (if you have young sprogs that is) that you like so you aren't moaning like some others about the lack of baby clothes here (actually, there are plenty but not what the poster "wanted". Remember it IS an overseas posting.

Post by **nakatago** » Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:48 pm

scarbowl wrote:Gel-type (stick) underarm deodorant

rexona let you down?

road.not.taken · Post by **road.not.taken** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 5:33 am

Halloween candy from COSTCO

Tylenol PM & other favorite over-the-counter pharmaceuticals

Ditto for health & beauty aids. If you like unscented deodorant you'll have a problem here. Even make-up is a lot more expensive.

Video games are lot more here too.

5 lb bags of nuts from COSTCO, and the big bottle of vanilla extract too

Clothes, clothes and more clothes.

Shoes, shoes and more shoes.

Books are very expensive here.

Good bulky stuff like a new cooler (expensive here), collapsable lifetime tables

I threw a foosball table into my last shipment and large hostess supply items from pottery barn.

akemi185 · Post by **akemi185** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 7:41 am

Halloween costumes for the kids, candies as mentioned. Decorations for halloween / christmas
Blu-ray movies
anything apple related
and US brand clothes/shoes (NIKE, Coach, Hollister, Abercrombie, etc)

generally, electronics are cheaper here.

eleewhm · Post by **eleewhm** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 7:53 am

maybe i could add.. since i am a local here..

baby clothes are plentiful here.. if you dun mind the local stuffs shipped from taiwan... many cheap clothings at the local HDB/Housing Block markets.

a good area to shop is at the Yishun Chong Pang Market.. lots of shops.. and stores selling clothes... and its as cheap as 3 pcs for $10

Post by **nakatago** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 9:20 am

eleewhm wrote:maybe i could add.. since i am a local here..

baby clothes are plentiful here.. if you dun mind the local stuffs shipped from taiwan... many cheap clothings at the local HDB/Housing Block markets.

a good area to shop is at the Yishun Chong Pang Market.. lots of shops.. and stores selling clothes... and its as cheap as 3 pcs for $10

uh, as it's been pointed out in many threads before, the problem with shopping for baby clothes is the choice is only between really cheap and really expensive. Note that there's practically nothing in between.

JaanJ · Post by **JaanJ** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 9:36 am

Lots of these stuff:

Bath and Body Works
Aeropostale, Old Navy...
Triscuits
your favourite make-up and fragrance - its costly here.

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 9:53 am

Not sure what you consider electronics - espresso machines are stupidly expensive here compared to what you pay elsewhere

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:47 am

Thanks all, these are very insightful information.

Two questions:
1. are you allowed to use Grill at condo apartment? It is true that most of condo apartment has the Grill facility? Why do we need a grill?

2. would espresso machines work in Singapore because of the difference in voltage? I think it might be too troublesome to have a converter everywhere in home if I buy electronics back to Singapore.

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Suggestion on things to buy in America when moving to SG

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