Special school with mainstream education, living expenses

[ecureilx]

Ask, and ye shall receive....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Si ... reviations

+1 ....

and that needs to be a sticky

oh, even "O$P$" .... is there ..

[gravida]

Cindy, honestly, if one of your major reasons to move here is your son's schooling... Think twice, please. I do not know any expat (without PR) attending Pathlight. I doubt, seriously doubt your son will be able to get there.
As for Dover Court, you have to expect to get on the waitlist first, then go through admission process (it costs $$$, just for the assessment, where you will not be allowed to sit in, you will not be given any written report and only very brief verbal feedback, without guarantee that your child will be admitted there. And no refund if he does not get the place). It is great school, with all the allied health support (but, you pay for all the therapies ON TOP of their regular fees and they do charge at least as much as all the private therapies, even a bit higher...).

My thoughts - unless you really have a decent income, do not have to watch every cent before spending it - then it is an OK idea (given what you have written about your current place,t hat your son does not get appropriate support). Since you are wondering if you will be able to afford it, give it a second thought. Your son needs help without the rest of the family sacrificing everything for it, because he also needs happy family...

[cindycnl]

1) 3 bedroom, <$3k is doable. Depends on location. Will be good if you can provide the address of your husband's office. Does he mind long bus/subway journey?

2) Public transport used to be excellent. A few years back it was good, but crowded. Nowadays, the subway has some serious issue. But then again, there is always bus and taxi.

3) Car is expensive. A low range Toyota, fresh from the oven cost about $100k.

The office is located in the city centre, taking public transport shouldn't be a problem for him. The thought of getting a car is mostly for the kids. ^^

Hi Cindy:
I just posted as well, moving from CA to S in February and feeling the stress as are you - car and maid - hmm...I keep saying no to car and no to maid but wondering if living on the 30th floor with groceries and a 4 and 8 year old will be a nightmare! would love to hear more about what you find out. Our company will pay education expenses but we have to pitch in $500SGD a month for both kids, although youngest is on wait list for pre-school at SAIS....and my oldest has mild ADD and takes meds for it but I was upfront with the school and sent all the tests/evals etc and they took her. I would love to know if preschool is an option for the "public" preschools? Did you find that in your research?

What is an HDB? I don't understand all the abbreviations! I wish there was a site that listed them with definitions so I could easily decode many of these posts and what people are referring to! Guess I better do more research.

For us, it's more either car OR maid, if we'll have a car, I don't think we need a maid. If no car, I do think I really need somebody's help to take care of the kids. It sounds stressful if I have to bring both kids along wherever I go by public transport..
About local school/preschool admission, here are 2 useful links you can take a look at.
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/preschool/faq/
http://www.guidemesingapore.com/blog-po ... n-students

Ask, and ye shall receive....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Si ... reviations

The abbreviations..haha I have been googling them a lot ..

Just to head this one off at the pass...

Since you're from the US (like myself), be aware HDB is *nothing*at*all* like public housing in the US. You don't have to speed through red-lights if you find yourself near one (Which you will), worry about getting caught in cross-fires, drug dealers, crack heads, meth labs, gangbangers, etc.

As for the price disparity, that is correct. They're rather expensive to rent (compared to how much they would be to buy), but about 50% or less the cost to rent a comparable condo. For example, I live on the East Coast directly across from the beach (next to the underpass even) with a full unobstructed view of the beach/water. (In reality, a parking lot for freighters and smoke from Indonesian fires). My rent is only S$2600/month for a 2 bedroom ~760sq/ft unit. A comparable condo in the area (with the view) would probably start at $S6k-7k, and only really add a swimming pool and workout room.

Thanks for the details. HDB is good enough for us as long as the building is not too old, well maintained, & of course in good location.

Cindy, honestly, if one of your major reasons to move here is your son's schooling... Think twice, please. I do not know any expat (without PR) attending Pathlight. I doubt, seriously doubt your son will be able to get there.
As for Dover Court, you have to expect to get on the waitlist first, then go through admission process (it costs $$$, just for the assessment, where you will not be allowed to sit in, you will not be given any written report and only very brief verbal feedback, without guarantee that your child will be admitted there. And no refund if he does not get the place). It is great school, with all the allied health support (but, you pay for all the therapies ON TOP of their regular fees and they do charge at least as much as all the private therapies, even a bit higher...).

My thoughts - unless you really have a decent income, do not have to watch every cent before spending it - then it is an OK idea (given what you have written about your current place,t hat your son does not get appropriate support). Since you are wondering if you will be able to afford it, give it a second thought. Your son needs help without the rest of the family sacrificing everything for it, because he also needs happy family...

I agree with all your points Gravida. I did realize that the special education system there is not as good & easy as I expected,
maybe the quality is, but it's pretty limited, Some threads in other expat forum told me that the local schools that offering SE(special education) mainly support children from family with low income. Even the local family with income's a bit higher than average struggle to get a place for their child. For those private schools, International Schools offering SE with good reputation, we have to worry about the wait list & unexpected high fees.

Thanks for all the solution & advices guys, I truly appreciate. Happy New Year, wishing you all the very best!

[hpanchal4u]

You're posting in the wrong thread, aside from the fact that your post would be served if you just do some research first.

-Moderator