What to bring when moving to Singapore from the US

[kmaemu]

Hi! this thread has been very helpful.

What about

- cosmetics/makeup and hair products?
i.e. do they have places like Bath and Body works there, and American brand cosmetics and things? (I'm guessing they'd be very expensive...)

[poodlek]

Hi! this thread has been very helpful.

What about

- cosmetics/makeup and hair products?
i.e. do they have places like Bath and Body works there, and American brand cosmetics and things? (I'm guessing they'd be very expensive...)

Not Bath and Body works that I've noticed but many similar places like Crabtree & Evelyn, Body Shop and other American brands. Yes they are expensive, but I wouldn't say they're so expensive that you'd want to ship over a bunch of stuff from the USA unless you're actually trying to fill up extra space in a container. This society is absolutely bonkers about aesthetics, you won't find it lacking any type of beauty product, unless you're looking for something that's race specific as certain races aren't well represented here. If for instance, you have a certain type of foundation you like that's not within the range of asian skin tones, you might want to stock up on that.

[boffenl]

I agree with Poodlek. If you have room in your container it's a different discussion. I did just get back from a 2 day meeting in the US. On my Wal-Mart run I picked up US brand shampoo, conditioner, creme foundation (number 1--I'm really light), feminine hygiene products and an entire suitcase full of food (speghettiO's, mac and cheese, licorice, fruit roll ups, candy bars, lollipops).

There are no Bath and Body Works shops here in Singapore (or in Asia I believe) I have found the prices at Body Shop and similar around 30-50% higher than in the US--but I found them expensive there too (hence my makeup from WalMart).

I'd suggest bringing a 6 month supply of your bath scents with you--deodorant too--so you'll have some time to try to find local substitutes.

[dburrows]

Went I transferred here, I just brought my personal stuff that including clothes, a few of my essentials and nothing more. If you are ever in need of furniture, there is always Ikea you can trust. I do not know how you are going to take it though with the recent post you probably read in one of the search engines. You can get pretty much everything you would need here. But they do not have those large marts or walmarts in the area.

[nakatago]

Went I transferred here, I just brought my personal stuff that including clothes, a few of my essentials and nothing more. If you are ever in need of furniture, there is always Ikea you can trust. I do not know how you are going to take it though with the recent post you probably read in one of the search engines. You can get pretty much everything you would need here. But they do not have those large marts or walmarts in the area.

What are you doing in Makati, then?

-Moderator

[sundaymorningstaple]

Went I transferred here, I just brought my personal stuff that including clothes, a few of my essentials and nothing more. If you are ever in need of furniture, there is always Ikea you can trust. I do not know how you are going to take it though with the recent post you probably read in one of the search engines. You can get pretty much everything you would need here. But they do not have those large marts or walmarts in the area.

What are you doing in Makati, then?

-Moderator

Hhhhmmmmm......

Let's see, he could be there on business? Or monkey business? He might be partying at Dimples or Grandprix or papillion or maybe having a hot meal at Cafe Mogambo!

Or he could be just a spammer testing the waters trying to find out if we have a automatic link limiter by post count.

I'm bettin' on the latter.

[nakatago]

Went I transferred here, I just brought my personal stuff that including clothes, a few of my essentials and nothing more. If you are ever in need of furniture, there is always Ikea you can trust. I do not know how you are going to take it though with the recent post you probably read in one of the search engines. You can get pretty much everything you would need here. But they do not have those large marts or walmarts in the area.

What are you doing in Makati, then?

-Moderator

Hhhhmmmmm......

Let's see, he could be there on business? Or monkey business? He might be partying at Dimples or Grandprix or papillion or maybe having a hot meal at Cafe Mogambo!

Or he could be just a spammer testing the waters trying to find out if we have a automatic link limiter by post count.

I'm bettin' on the latter.

Yes; I got Mjolnir ready just in case.

[zzm9980]

A good option for shoes:

www.endless.com

This is a shoe site like Zappos, that is owned by Amazon. Their prices are about US Outlet prices (DSW), and they will ship to Singapore for free if your order is over US $100. Excellent option, wish I could find something similar for clothing!

As someone who just moved here, what do I miss... If you like Espresso/Cappuccino, bring your own machine. Local western coffee is more than twice as much. Even Starbucks is S$6.60 for an iced grande latte. (About US$3).

Also, I love those disposable electric Oral-B toothbrushes. you could buy 6 packs at Costco for under US$20. They're almost that much *each* here.
And of course my battery just died

[movingtospore]

Vitamins, supplements etc - if you use any of this stuff it is 2x the price here.

Really, anything they think supposedly rich expats like is 2x the price. Just keep that in mind. Can't blame them I guess.

I am just waiting for Walmart to open up in Johor...perhaps that will knock SP prices back to earth.

If you have kids, bring clothes, and shoes. American brands like the GAP are priced much higher here - annoyingly so. European brands are even worse. And the no name Chinese brands either won't fit or just fall apart after you wash them.

That said, H&M is opening here next month and from the ads the prices are almost reasonable. Maybe that will bring some competition to this captive little market.

[movingtospore]

ohhh just saw you have a toddler. DIAPERS!!! Fill that container with them. Or switch to cloth and bring some sets of those too.

[zzm9980]

Vitamins, supplements etc - if you use any of this stuff it is 2x the price here.

Really, anything they think supposedly rich expats like is 2x the price. Just keep that in mind. Can't blame them I guess.

I am just waiting for Walmart to open up in Johor...perhaps that will knock SP prices back to earth.

If you have kids, bring clothes, and shoes. American brands like the GAP are priced much higher here - annoyingly so. European brands are even worse. And the no name Chinese brands either won't fit or just fall apart after you wash them.

That said, H&M is opening here next month and from the ads the prices are almost reasonable. Maybe that will bring some competition to this captive little market.

Are they really opening a Walmart in Johor?

I've found the sem-local (I think they're from HK) brands Bossini, G2000, and Giordano pretty decent. Maybe Gap quality, for about Gap in the US prices. I just bought jeans that were marked at $59, down to $29 for a Hari Rari sale. Equivalent quality to the Banana Republic/Gap jeans I usually wear. They do come in a standard length, but hemming is only $3.

Also, H&M opened this weekend.

[boffenl]

Holy crap--Wal-Mart in Johor? Either that is the best rumor I've heard all year or it's a damned good reason to stay in SG.

Anyone know for sure? I only found innuendo and suggestions from 2007 and 2009 when I Googled the question.

[movingtospore]

Nah, sorry I was just being sarcastic...can't imagine that would happen though I could see a Tesco or something opening up in Nusajaya. Who knows! You know, if you had told me a few years ago that I would have been yearning for a Wal-mart or Costco I would have said no WAY. Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone...mostly, I just get tired of being ripped off on a daily basis.

[boffenl]

I agree. Price inflation is one thing--but consumer gouging is another.

BTW, I believe there is a TESCO in Nusajaya. Lucky you. I've been there once or twice and it's nice.

[poodlek]

I'm on my way back to Sg in 36 hours, so I'm giving myself a quick refresher on what we all like but can't get over there… so far I've packed new clothes (Joe Fresh in Canada has been a revelation! WalMart eat your heart out), underwear, baby clothes, Coffee Crisps (at my husband's insistence), Sazon Goya con azafran, and Kraft Dinner. Two pounds of sbux coffee which I get free from my BFF. Still yet to go: some Vachon cakes? and some prenatal/nursing vitamins.

Any Canucks got ideas for Canada specific items?