Anyone Lived in Singapore?

I have an aunt and uncle who live there part time. They absolutely love it!!!!! My father goes there on business and also loves it. I think it is the cleanest place on earth. It is very strict, but also VERY safe. Good luck to you!

My brother and his family which includes a 4 and 2 yr old just moved there last week with his work. The are enjoying it so far and are looking forward to their stay. Currently they are in corporate housing but have been looking at housing and most of it seems to be high rise type apartments. The 4yr old is already in a school there which I think you have to apply for as soon as you know you are going and he is already talking about his "friends" in his class. In my brother's situation, they were able to ship 500lbs of things per person which mainly consisted of clothes, toys, etc since their housing will be furnished. Good Luck to you if you end up making the move to Singapore.

I have a friend from Singapore. Her family still lives there, but she's been in the states for years now. If you're interested, send me your e-mail address and I'll forward it to her. I'm sure she can tell you lots!

Dear A.:
I have friends who have lived in Singapore. My husband flies over there once in a while on business too. He says that it is like the world's biggest shopping mall! Everything is glassed in and very clean. It is literally block after block of shopping. Nobody cooks. They eat out at little restaurant stalls. It is very humid. Just stepping outside and walking for a few minutes will get you sopping wet with the heavy humidity. Everybody lives in apartments. Houses are only for the very wealthy. Public transit rules with a very efficient subway system. There is no littering or gum chewing allowed out on the streets. As a family we lived in Sweden for 3 years when our girls were 3 and 6. It was a good experience to see the big wide world! Travel is a good thing. Your kids are young enough to do this now. I would actually recommend it. It is a wonderful bonding experience. We had a great time socializing with all the Ex-Pats like ourselves too. We have made some life-long friends as a result. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do! C.

I echo everyone else's advice. Singapore may be "dull" from a traveler's standpoint because it's such a small country and you could easily see all in a few days, but I think living there will be a different experience. It's so easy to travel and visit area countries (weekend trips). Of all places in the area, Singapore is the most westernized, and almost everyone speaks English. (There's a huge amount of British influence) There's a huge Expat community that you're going to meet lots of Americans, Brits, Aussies,...so it's really not going to be too much of a culture shock compared to if you were living in other Asian countries. With the high density, think of it as the opportunity to easily walk around and explore, no driving needed. Public transportation is so easy and convenient! Have fun!!

I lived in Singapore, but only for a month. I lived in a serviced apartment (housekeeping, breakfast, etc) off Orchard Road - Orchard Parksuites and Regency House. I actually really enjoyed my time there. It is very safe (due to strict government laws), so I could walk around at night with no worries. There was GREAT shopping on Orchard Road - lots of malls. There were many expatriates living in the apartment where I was and I know the women there had an expatriates club that they all belonged to. English is the primary language there, so no issues at the grocery or anything. I also found most of the foods I liked at the grocery. Plenty of McDonalds, Pizza Huts and Burger Kings if you want them. The only "weird" law that I came across was the chewing gum thing. They don't let you chew gum unless you have a prescription. I also enjoyed the wide range of foods - Indian, Chinese, American, Italian. AND - most of the tv channels were American and we got most of the shows that I was already watching - maybe a season late though. There is a Little China area and a Little India area of town, which is fun to visit for shopping and food. Raffles Hotel is great fun to eat at the Long Bar and get a Singapore Sling to drink. They have a great underground transporation and bus system, so there is not a big need for a car. It seemed like the Holland area in Singapore had the largest expat population. Hope you try it! I really enjoyed my limited time there!

I haven't lived in Singapore, but I do want to encourage you to move there! I moved every 18 months growing up and we lived in some of the most amazing places (in and out of the U.S.). It was a great experience and one I hope we will be able to offer my kiddos. Most every place has expatriate groups so that gives you a little more normalcy/peace. When I was growing up you didn't have as much of that or the internet to stay connected to the states, family, friends, etc. Good luck!

Hi,

I have my sister and family there...if you want any details please email me and I can give you her email id.

Good luck!
R.

We have not lived in Singapore but in other Asian countries.
It is a whole other world out there which I think is more fun. You feel very connected only if you have a very open perspective. I know people who have been in other places including myself, who have come out with very good life experiences. Be open, know that it will take a little time to acclamate and it is very different culture. I think the open or closed perspective either will make you enjoy yourself to no end or you will not be able to handle it. But there will be lot of expats you will be able to connect to and it will be fun.

Hi A.,
I haven't lived in Singapore but I have a friend who does. If you're interested in talking to her, let me know. You can email me and I can give you her email. If you don't get any responses on Mamasource, let me know if I can help.

J.

i have a friend whose husband (tx instruments) took a job in malaysia.. They send pictures back to share. They live in a
place designed for the employees of that company, so they have a great american community.
THEY LOVE IT. she says it was the best move they ever made.
The children are being exposed to a completely differnt culture, nature, food, education, and life lessons.. She has 3 kids all under the age of 9.
They still have their home here, it is being rented out until they return.
Go, experience another culture. You probably won't get this chance again.

It is a chance NOT to be missed. I work for Texas Instruments too and we have moved to Denmark( no not singapore) but 5 years later, I can say that it is the best move we made. We are quite happy living here. I have been to singapore several times on business and I would love a chance to live there. It is only for a short period of time but I am sure that the experience will be priceless. Yes it is a small place but imagine all the exotic vacations you will have. Malaysia is 45 minutes away. We just came back from the area on a summer holiday and it was a blast. We visited singapore,Kuala lumpur (very modern and cheap) and Thailand(beautiful place and one hour away). Did I mention the beaches in malaysia are wonderful? In short, you go get a blast girl.

A.

Hi A.,

My husband and I lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for about a year and a half. It was a fantastic experience. In Singapore you will have all the modern conviences. There will be very modern hair salons and gyms. And once you join an expat association or an American Assoc. everyone will know the good places to go. There is gerat shopping malls and department stores like you are accustomed to having, as well as grocery stores with all the regular foods you are used to seeing on the shelves, although I also found there are lots of British brands.
The voltage is different, so you will have to replace all your small appliances (maybe the package will include a cost of living allowance for these things). As far as were to live -- does your husbands company offer a relocation agent? Ours did and it is very helpful, as they know the condos and areas that all the expats live in. If your children will be school age you will have to consider where the American School is located.
Transportation is no problem, plenty of public transport and it is easy to drive there, although they do drive on the other side of the road. We hired a driver while we lived in Asia, it was so great --- he would drop us off at the door and help me load and unload the stroller and groceries, etc.
Most people have a housekeeper of some sort, whether she is a maid/nanny live in or a come 1 time a week maid is up to what your family needs. They even have Chili's and California Pizza Kitchen there. Eating out is not a problem.
It was honestly very easy living! The difficult part is being so far from your family and friends. Plane tickets are quite expensive and it is about a 30 hour trip door to door, which is a challenge with little ones.
Singapore is fantastic and beautiful and everyone was always so friendly and helpful.

If you have any more specific questions I am happy to help try and answer them.

Goodluck with the decision.

F.