Unique Relocation Situation Help!

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:44 pm

Oh kind of a random question. We have some really great appliances, in particular my coffee maker. Since it will need a converter along with everything else should I leave this behind at my parents or take it and use the converter for everything?

Also, we have a services apartment off Orchard Rd. for the first month. After that we will be moving into our own apartment. We have a budget between 4-6k a month. Does anyone have some good suggestions. I want to be close to Orchard Rd. I will also be going to the American Club for my workouts so, proximity to that as well since I won't be driving.

poodlek · Post by **poodlek** » Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:59 pm

JoannaNYC wrote:Oh kind of a random question. We have some really great appliances, in particular my coffee maker. Since it will need a converter along with everything else should I leave this behind at my parents or take it and use the converter for everything?

Also, we have a services apartment off Orchard Rd. for the first month. After that we will be moving into our own apartment. We have a budget between 4-6k a month. Does anyone have some good suggestions. I want to be close to Orchard Rd. I will also be going to the American Club for my workouts so, proximity to that as well since I won't be driving.

These things have been discussed many times already on the board, so best idea is to browse for a while. There are many many many opinions on the housing issue. My own advice on the kitchen appliances is to leave them behind. I had a few that I got new for my wedding and brought them with me still in the packages with a step down voltage converter and each of them was burnt out within 6-8 uses. The coffee maker might be different, but if you really like it, I think you should store it.

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:01 am

Thanks! I will check out the posts on housing

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 6:53 am

poodlek wrote:
zzm9980 wrote:Try J.co if you haven't. So much better than that Tim Hortons crap
I've never heard of J.co, but although Tim's doesn't have the best coffee on the planet, there's just something about it. I'm pretty sure it's just a Canadian thing...like the kopitiams here, it's a place where old locals congregate. And it's like a beacon in the night when you're on a long distance road trip through Canada, where in most of the country there are no big highway rest stops to speak of. Getting Tim's is a treat when the alternative is gas station coffee. And the donuts! Zomg the donuts... and then there's the TV commercials
I'm a victim of clever marketing, I admit it

(Sorry to the OP. Maybe my nonsense will keep this post bumped to the top for more people to read her story, right?? )

I apologize to OP too.. But J.co! It's an indonesian donut chain that obviously copied off a normal western donut shop. Excellent donuts, at least compared to Dunkin Donuts and then that Krispy Kreme crap from the US

There is one in Bugis basement food court, and one in Raffles City food court. Probably others too, but those are the two I've been to.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 6:59 am

Anything you have that isn't specifically labelled as 110-240v/50-60hz you should throw out. The step down converters work for very short periods of time. I even bought a US cordless phone (cheapo for $20; they cost at least $70 here for the same) and it burnt out after about two months. And you can imagine a cordless phone draws a LOT less power than any appliance.

And honestly, for anything "nice", you're going to pay way more than you would in the US, if you can even find something comparably nice. (Such as a decent coffee maker).

Search the forum for specifics,but you can live rather far from Orchard and be convenient with public trans. Living off Orchard is kind of like living right off of 5th Avenue shopping or maybe Times Square. It'll get old with the crowds, and isn't the kind of place you as a local would just browse around to kick back.

Do you get that American club membership as part of the move? I suspect it's really pricey otherwise.

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 7:10 am

We will be members through the company.

I actually live in the heart of Midtown now so, I kind of what the hustle and bustle it's what I need to feel more at home. I hate quiet, makes me feel like I'm in the suburbs, ew!

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 9:29 am

Good News: I have secured the LTVP. Her company will be co. Sponsoring me and she is writing a letter saying she will support me and I won't seek employment while there. We ended up doing this will an immigration law firm in SG. They were very helpful and have really come through. Very excited.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:28 am

JoannaNYC wrote:We will be members through the company.

I actually live in the heart of Midtown now so, I kind of what the hustle and bustle it's what I need to feel more at home. I hate quiet, makes me feel like I'm in the suburbs, ew!

Well, there are lots of areas with hustle and bustle. Orchard Rd is a very "shopping center" vibe. If you prefer the "hang out" vibe, maybe consider Club St or River Valley. You'll see once you're here.

So ICA/MOM has approved the LTVP? I didn't know a company could sponsor it directly. I'm curious about this, do you know how they applied for it?

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:40 am

They and my partner have handled this through the immigration lawyer. We have been given the 'okay' to go ahead with this. I have very little to do with this because it's not my company, it's hers. The company will do whatever it takes to take her on and this was a requirement so, they really stepped up and made it happen for us.

Post by **nakatago** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:45 am

We want to know the details for the benefit of future posters. This won't be the only time this would be asked. We already had gay couples asking for advice, but they were both foreigners.

It'll be great if you could find out and tell us how the lawyers sorted it all out.

Mi Amigo · Post by **Mi Amigo** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:46 am

Congratulations Joanna!

If/when you are able to found out some more details on exactly how the LTVP was secured (e.g. what documentation was required, etc.), it would be good if you could post them here, as a future reference for anyone else who may be in a similar situation.

Edit: I typed this post at the same time that Nak was typing his, hence the duplication. But, what he said.... ^^^

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:54 am

By Friday I will have more information that I can post.

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:14 am

Interesting to say the least. I would definitely like to know how it was pulled off as this means a new twist in the ever changing goalposts of MOM and ICA. Please keep us updated as anecdotal evidence is all we can work with.

It would seem that the confirmation of you not looking for employment yourself and your partners confirmation of her support and her company's sponsorship may have been enough to swing the tide in your favour.

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:21 am

They did make it very clear I can't work or seek work. She also does have to claim all responsibility for me.

JoannaNYC · Post by **JoannaNYC** » Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:22 am

I feel like I'm being adopted!

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