Hello forum!
I'm posting to you today to seek your help on a project. I actually posted under my handle YoungTraveller so long ago, I was actually young at the time - to any of the old timers that helped me out when I was new - hello and thanks!
I contribute to a guide to moving to Singapore and living here, and I wanted to reach out to real forum-goers to get input on the content of our next edition.
Out of respect to the forum rules about advertising I will NOT be positing links to the product here. This post is intended to crowd source inputs only!
[Mods - please let me know if I'm out of line anywhere and I will edit or delete my post!]
I've attached a list of topics that the guide currently covers. Is there anything missing, or something that you think a guide to moving to Singapore should particularly focus on?
Thanks in advance for your help!
The guide is broken in to four books to support the mental process of moving to a new place, and I've summarized the table of contents for each book so you can skim.
BOOK 1 is intended to give you information about what it's like to live in Singapore for people considering moving across.
1. Modern History
2. Political System and Gov Structure
3. Geography - Climate, Seasons, Pollution
4. Culture - Public Holidays, Festivals, Food Culture, Singlish, Cultural Customs
5. Cost of Living Estimates, Compensation Comparison Tools, Standard Non Monetary Compensation (required by law), Tax Overview
6. Guided Tours and Look See Trip Must Dos
BOOK 2 is about getting prepared for the shift.
1. Singapore Immigration Requirements, Health Checks, Immunizations
2. Visas, Permanent Residency, Citizenship application processes, requirements and benefits.
3. Planning Your Move (Selecting Packers and Planning - this is fairly standard tips for any relocation).
4. Clearing Singapore Customs (customs restrictions and importing controlled substances like alcohol)
5. Moving Pets
6. Initial Accommodation Options and Embassy Contacts
BOOK 3 is about the first three months of settling in.
1. Managing Culture Shock
2. Househunting tips - HDBs,
condos, private apartments; district guides; buying vs. renting processes, negotiating/leveraging agents, etc.
3. Setting up your banking and finances
4. Setting up communications (phone, mobile, land line), utilities, cable TV/internet, etc.
5. Where to get home appliances, groceries, etc.
6. How to get around in Singapore - cars, taxi costs and contact numbers, bus routes, train network, etc.
7. Hiring Help - key strategies, options, approximate costs, tips to manage, etc.
8. Schools: overview of options from Kindergarden to University, local vs. international comparison, IB vs. AP vs standard education system.
9. Healthcare options, local healthcare issues, key providers.
BOOK 4It's supposed to help people connect to the local community and enjoy their stay, after they've taken care of the fundamentals.
1. Foodie guide - restaurants for a variety of cuisines
2. Bar/club/pub guide
3. Community clubs and sporting groups
4. Expat communities (Internations, this forum, etc.! Smile
5. Short courses and that sort of stuff.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and for helping us improving the Insider!
I will also try to answer questions that people post as well, if the information is easy to convey in a post.
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