What to bring over...?

[The Ref]

Actually the *most* important things are:
1. Do you have kids - this changes everything You didnt mention if you were married or single
2. Is the company paying for the container (both ways)
3. Is your company paying for your accomodation (and school fees if you have kids)
4. How certain are you that you want a house and garden? condos have pools and gyms and may have a tennis court, are cheaper and in more central areas. A house means further out, maybe needing a car which is very expensive. Houses dont have all the services beside them that condos so (hawker food, supermarkets, etc but will have a provision shop) but are handy if you have a pet and have the funds.
5. Why are you coming? If your company is paying for you to get international exposure you need to have a different life, partly because it is paid for. If you want experience and to earn some money why pay $2-5,000+++ extra per month for a garden and car. In 3 years that is well over $100K difference in your pocket.

The cost and distance to schools is why I put that at item 1, but as a single person/couple I would recommend not having a house but just a condo. Age may come into it, but unless you are over 60 and want to spend time alone inner city will be much better for your sanity.
If you have 2-3 kids and a dog, plus the company is paying school fees and accomodation then get a house near the school.

You mentioned your finances which makes me think this is not an expat package - ditch the house, garden and furniture. Find a small inner city furnished condo or 3 bed if family. Stay in a serviced appartment for the first month while you sort things out.

Some people come with just the clothes on their back, others with a full container but I dont see any real difference unless you are too proud.

Good luck

[sundaymorningstaple]

This! ^^^^

I landed with a briefcase, small suitcase and a Kirby-Morgan 9 Bandmask in a bag. Still here, but with a lot of baggage after 36 years here.

[Addadude]

This! ^^^^

I landed with a briefcase, small suitcase and a Kirby-Morgan 9 Bandmask in a bag. Still here, but with a lot of baggage after 36 years here.

I'm sure your beloved wife (and kids) with just love being referred to as "a lot of baggage"!

To the person asking these questions, The Ref nailed it. If it's just you, I would bring as little as possible, live as simply as possible - in terms of accommodation etc, and bank the ca$h saved. If you are coming with kids, get your calculations about education costs nailed to a tee. I also arrived here 25 years ago with whatever I could fit into a large suitcase.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And two Grandsons as well now!

[Addadude]

And two Grandsons as well now!

Congrats! So you have truly earned the nickname "Gramps"!

[sundaymorningstaple]

[nutnut]

And two Grandsons as well now!

Wow, congrats SMS! You must be chuffed to bits!

In regards to bringing things over, unless you know your living situation, outdoor items are probably useless, bbq's and outdoor seating are pointless in a condo, the "at pool" items provided in condo's will probably get used a lot more, unless you have a massive balcony, even then, BBQs are probably outlawed.

As for other items, I expect you will miss food items the most, but, many can be bought at a premium in certain shops.

As for electronics, unless you have something specific that you don't want to sell/leave/retain for future, I wouldn't bother with that either.

When I arrived in SG in 2010, we brought everything, but, then again, we had no intention to return to the UK, so, there was no where to keep them there.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks nutnut. Sure would be nice if you had to make a trip down here and we could have an Eagles gathering (before we all retire or other unpleasantries like going home or being poured into a ceramic urn)!