sonrisa wrote:Help, we are moving to Singapore in July and I've got a million questions I hope you can help with.
1) We have an $8200 a month housing allowance. I thought that would be plenty(we looked at housing when we visited last year and it seemed everything we looked at was about $7000) but when I looked in the area of the Woodlands for a detached or semi house it seemed like most of them were much more than that. Will we find a place for 2 kids and a dog in the Woodlands that is well within our price point? I just didn't see anything.
2) What do we ship over and what do we leave behind? Employer will pay for a 20 cubic feet (I think thats the right size) box. Do people bring furniture with them or buy it there? Do we need anything other than warm weather clothes?? (sweaters, long pants, coats)
3) How is the Singapore American School?? I have 2 kids that are both advanced for their grade here in the States but I read a couple of reviews of SAS and some were very favorable and some seemed a little iffy. I want them to go somewhere that they will be very challenged academically. Thanks a bunch for your help. I will be back with a billion more questions, including ones about the snakes and bugs!!
Hi sonrisa ~
Welcome to the Board. Well, you do have a lot of questions, and I can probably help you with some. Since you are American or coming from America I can answer from that perspective.
Your budget is fine, not too high - not too low. If your kids end up at SAS, it's not enough for a house in the Woodlands, but you should still be able to get into a townhouse or Semi-D in the neighborhood immediately surrounding the school. I would not look farther afield in the North of Singapore if SAS is your choice of school, since they will be surrounded by playmates if you stick to the Woodlands (Woodlands in this context is not the broader, bigger definition used by Singaporeans and non-Americans, it is the neighborhood adjacent to the school built to house SAS families ~ Woodgrove, Pinewood, Beechwood, etc...).
I have friends scattered all over Singapore, but they have been here 10 or more years, when you first move here, I think it's better to move into an established expat community if at all possible, makes the transition much easier for your kids (and you). Not all will agree with me, that's just my take on it. Your kids can go to SAS and you can live in the Woodlands and still immerse yourself in as much Singapore culture as you wish. don't let anyone tell you differently.
A 20ft container is plenty for most families, 40ft is common as well. Ship everything the kids and you will need to make this feel like home and just bring a handful of wintery clothes for travel - think layers. I wouldn't bring anything that plugs in, I'd replace it when I got here. Beds are a different size here, so bringing your own mattresses and linens is advised. If you have big leather furniture ~ sofas, etc... I'd leave them behind. Mold loves leather. I would stock up on all summer clothes in May/June so you have plenty when you move here. There is no Target, Kohl's, etc.. and the Gap here costs a bomb. Clothes in Singapore tend to be extremely cheap or wildly expensive, same for shoes.
There are lots of great antiques and reproductions to buy here and in the region, so I think most people will tell you that they have collected some interesting pieces while living here. Our original employer moved us with nothing and we had to furnish our whole lives when we got here. A daunting task.
The American School... Maybe it's best you PM me. I have lots of experience there, may be too much at this point. I guess I would caution you from thinking it's all Americans, and shuns the International experience. This is a common, pervasive misconception. SAS takes advantage of it's geography and definitely provides kids with a rich international experience. The student body is extremely diverse; your children will have friends from all over the world. If I had to sum it up, I'd say for an American family, it's still your best bet. I do however, have huge issues with some aspects of the school which we can discuss less publicly if you wish. There are many gifted children at SAS, different divisions/teachers handle it better than others.
You know your dog will have to go through quarantine
I've done it a few times and it is a long month, but if you are moving into a new place and getting settled, then it's not too terrible to have your dog somewhere else while you figure it all out. You can visit them almost everyday. It's a heartbreak, but it's part of what we signed up for as pet owners. I would load up on toys, a bed etc... for your dog as well as good quality pet supplies are pricey here.
This site and others have search engines that allow you to look at real estate currently available. Many brokers mislead either with price or square footage, so take everything you see with a grain of salt. Internet browsing can help you get a general sense of things though.
Good luck with everything~ at least you have some lead time and you've been here on a look-see, that helps a lot and is a luxury in this day and age. Singapore is a wonderful place for families and kids. It's not all perfect and it's not the US (despite the huge influx of US franchises lately), but it's great in it's own right if you work at it.
MHB
you might be challenged to find your size here if not asian shaped 
