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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Anyone lived in Singapore?

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 14:53

We might be relocating to Singapore and I would really appreciate some feedback on life in Singapore compare to Dubai (accomodation, schools, expat life, cost of living etc...)

It looks like getting a place in the french school might be difficult...They have a long waiting list and there is only one french school...Not sure about the others schools (british or IB).

If any of you ladies could share your experience it would be a great help!

Log in to post new content in the forum.

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 09:24

Hi frenchy, sorry it's taken me a bit of time to reply - have been busy unpacking. I am the first to admit I am biased having lived in Singapore for so long, yet I think I can provide a fairly balanced view, though as Melosa says, I also do not know Dubai yet so cannot compare. I would grab the opportunity with both hands if you have the chance to live in Singapore. It is a wonderful, green, vibrant place. Gets many bad and unfair reports in the press but these are a hangover from the old days when people used to criticise the place for being 'squeaky clean'. Yes it is clean, but hey what's wrong with that. It has become a cosmopolitan city state with people from all over the world almost queueing up to get permanent residence there. The most expensive things as already stated are housing and cars, yet in cars you can still get a good deal if you look around and have help from a local friend or someone who knows the place. People are friendly, everyhing works, if you move there you can get everything set up incredibly quickly (internet, phone, power etc). Medical facilities are second to none. Travel in the region is fantastic, and cheap. I could go on and on...... Would be happy to answer specific questions if you have any. Good luck with your decision making!

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 March 2011 - 07:46

Thank you Fairycake! Looks like we have the option to stay here or move. We are not sure what to do, it looks like everyone who lived in Singapore really liked it. Not sure it makes sense financially though, with the price of rent, cars and the taxes... We will see! Thanks again to all of you.

4

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 20:26

I lived in Singapore for 4 years, been in Dubai for 3. Would go back to Singapore tomorrow!! It's a fabulous place to be an expat. Not cheap in some respects (cars, rents), but far cheaper in others (great food and travel). Was a brilliant place to bring up children and in my humble opinion, a much more enjoyable expat experience than Dubai. I like it here, but I LOVED Singapore. Hope it works out for you.

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 20:17

Thanks a lot Melosa for your reply:)

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 19:38

as always it depends on what you want - if you want to be close to orchard road, cbd, etc and in the heart of the city then you'd probably want to be in district 9, 10 or 11. rents are higher there. however, if you don't mind to be further out you can get something quite a bit cheaper. there are nice areas on the east coast, jurong, up the bke etc. i don't really think there are any 'areas to avoid' expat community is pretty big, but not as much of a melting pot as here.....there are a few clubs there catering to different nationalities. i homeschool my kids so i had as many local friends as expat. i don't know that i can compare the two cities as i don't know dubai that well.... but so far it reminds me a lot of los angeles - big freeways, big cars - and you don't walk anywhere. singapore is the opposite - you can walk (if you don't mind humidity) and there is awesome cheap public transportation - amazing metro, bus and taxi) singapore is very efficient in my opinion. dubai has amazing beaches - but it's quite beige. singapore is beautiful but for a proper beach you need to go to indonesia, thailand or malaysia (but all close by and easy to get to) rents are definitely more expensive in singapore....schools are expensive.....cars are extremely expensive........ don't really have a 'life' here yet so i cannot comment on your last question.......i'm sure tai tai can probably add a lot more to what i've told you...... hth

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 18:22

Bump:)

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 06:47

Melosa and Taitai, can I ask you a couple of question? What are the best areas to live? And areas to avoid? How is the expat community? I understand that you are both new to Dubai but can you tell me how life compare to Singapore? Is it better or worse? In what aspect? Thank you both!

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 22:02

oh my goodness! i just moved here three weeks ago too and am currently in the marina area as well <em>edited by melosa on 24/03/2011</em>

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 21:31

Hi melosa, I could not resist replying to you - we have just moved here (3 weeks ago) from Singapore where I lived for 24 years and yes, missing the place a lot! Very positive about Dubai but trying to find our way through all the paperwork and just a totally different way of life. Our shipping arrived only yesterday so trying hard to get our place looking a bit like home. Not working yet but I will be in about three weeks time - in the meantime if you fancy catching up for coffee, let me know - we live in the Marina area.

28

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 21:04

hello - we've just moved here after living ten years in singapore. i had both of my children there, really loved it and miss it! yes it is humid year round. if you have any other specific questions let me know and i can give you my email.

vero possumus37927

876

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 20:33

I like SIngapore but whenever we have been the humidity has bothered me a lot (frizz bomb hair all the time). Does it stay humid all year round? We have been during the summer and in December/Jan times and it always makes me irritable.

Sugarbeach23383

1566

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 19:27

All the best. Be prepared to hear every sentence being ended with an emphatic "LA"! You'll get used to it after a while, the Singlish, and you'll start picking up the LA habit too no doubt. ;)

138

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 19:22

Thanks! That web site is great, thx Gleekfamily! Anyone else?

gleekfamily24043

481

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 15:06

We looked into it before moving to Dubai and used this website for help: http://singapore.angloinfo.com Lots of help on the forums and helpful information about the schooling system. In the end my husband secured his job here so Singapore was out, but sounded like a great place to live. Good luck!

41

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 15:06

Love Singapore too, lived there for 4 years. Sorry can't help with schools as I was single when I was there. Accommodation was more expensive than Dubai, I had a 2 bedroom apartment (condo) in a central location at it was equivalent of AED120,000 in 2000 - 2004. Cost of living was ok, cheaper than here (I think - there was just me to clothe and feed in Singapore). Loads of great places to travel to in the region

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 14:57

Sorry can contribute. Just want to say Im jealous! I love Singapore!

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