Moving to Singa in 5 weeks!
Discussion
Yup, as the title. Good job opportunity means I'm relocating to Singapore in 5 weeks time!
Rather excited and looking forward to leaving this country behind, especially the minging weather.
Is there anything you chaps in Singapore can recommend I pack and bring with me? Obscure things maybe, something that isn't available or that I could totally forget about.
Thanks
Rich
Rather excited and looking forward to leaving this country behind, especially the minging weather.
Is there anything you chaps in Singapore can recommend I pack and bring with me? Obscure things maybe, something that isn't available or that I could totally forget about.
Thanks
Rich
Welcome Rich!
Congrats! I've been here over a year so far and can guess you'll like the warm weather. Strangely enough though I did go in search of snow this Christmas and New Year in Japan! More to do with the activity itself than craving the cold though! If you're into that kind of thing then bring your snow stuff and just a few warmer layers if you're planning to visit back home in the UK... better to not get caught out landing somewhere cold in shorts and t-shirt!
Other than that for Singapore and the region you will want as little clothing as possible... wearing a suit is unbearable so companies realise it's just plain wrong.
Being a pistonhead you'll probably wish you could access cars in the same way as the UK ... sadly that is the main downside for me. Prohibitively expensive for a run of the mill shopping car hence many people don't bother as the place is so small.
Let's end on a high note - Income tax is very low, weather is always warm/hot, eating local food is so cheap you won't want to cook, travel opportunities to visit rest of Asia is amazing, Taxi's are cheap!
If there's any other qeustions let me know.
J
Congrats! I've been here over a year so far and can guess you'll like the warm weather. Strangely enough though I did go in search of snow this Christmas and New Year in Japan! More to do with the activity itself than craving the cold though! If you're into that kind of thing then bring your snow stuff and just a few warmer layers if you're planning to visit back home in the UK... better to not get caught out landing somewhere cold in shorts and t-shirt!
Other than that for Singapore and the region you will want as little clothing as possible... wearing a suit is unbearable so companies realise it's just plain wrong.
Being a pistonhead you'll probably wish you could access cars in the same way as the UK ... sadly that is the main downside for me. Prohibitively expensive for a run of the mill shopping car hence many people don't bother as the place is so small.
Let's end on a high note - Income tax is very low, weather is always warm/hot, eating local food is so cheap you won't want to cook, travel opportunities to visit rest of Asia is amazing, Taxi's are cheap!
If there's any other qeustions let me know.
J
Hey there Rich and congrats!!
We have already swapped emails so you have the general gost of things i think!
Very little you will need to bring as its all prety much available here anyway, although you do have to hunt around sometimes (have even found proper wiltshire bacon, speckled hen on hand pump and melton mowbray pork pies receently!!!)
Tips - keep in the shade, even if it means a longer route, the sun is fierce here ... especially if you are of pasty celtic origins like me
Also drink lots of fluids, as you will be always dehydrated!! - you will realy appreciate the water during the day if you have a heavy night out on the tiles.If the lads at work take you out to the towers, don't tell the wife, just say that you have been to Harrys Bar
Cars are not necessarily that expensive, just have to think laterally and pick something that is fairly depreciation proof - older "exotics" hold their values well so you will be able to recoup purchase price and garage labour is a hell of a lot less than the UK too
Heffernj - whereabouts in Singa you lurk?
Just to echo the above really, most things you can find over here.. Marmite, Branston Pickle, Crumpets.
Might want to set up international roaming with your UK phone provider, just until your settled. Singtel prepaid is a pretty good option, although handsets are quite expensice. Maybe bring an unlocked phone with you.
If you being paid GBP then its easier to transfer to an SG account if your with the likes of HSBC or Citibank. If you want to access your UK account, you can do it here but let your bank know you will be using it abroad or it could be swallowed or barred which is frustating! If your being paid SG then i guess youll be good from the start.
A heatset for laptop so you can call UK on Skype? Although again you could just buy one out here.. im just rambling now.
I made the same move last October, and loving it.
Might want to set up international roaming with your UK phone provider, just until your settled. Singtel prepaid is a pretty good option, although handsets are quite expensice. Maybe bring an unlocked phone with you.
If you being paid GBP then its easier to transfer to an SG account if your with the likes of HSBC or Citibank. If you want to access your UK account, you can do it here but let your bank know you will be using it abroad or it could be swallowed or barred which is frustating! If your being paid SG then i guess youll be good from the start.
A heatset for laptop so you can call UK on Skype? Although again you could just buy one out here.. im just rambling now.
I made the same move last October, and loving it.
actually valid point from $nake eye$, make sure that all your UK Credit Cards and bank accounts are aware that you will be based in Asia and will be using the cards here.
And don't forget to remind them every 3 months!
UK Exchange Rates are pony at the moment so if being paid in SGD you will want to get local CC's ASAP (thats enough TLA's for now)
Also check that you can have an overseas address on your UK account, some banks in Blighty are ok with this, some get arsey.
Ohh and don't forget to post your P85 form when you leave!
And don't forget to remind them every 3 months!
UK Exchange Rates are pony at the moment so if being paid in SGD you will want to get local CC's ASAP (thats enough TLA's for now)
Also check that you can have an overseas address on your UK account, some banks in Blighty are ok with this, some get arsey.
Ohh and don't forget to post your P85 form when you leave!
Thanks for the replies guys! I've been busy researching loads, so have a feel of what to expect.... well kinda!
Hi John
, my boss asked me to ship over tins of mushy peas and tinned salmon for him! Nice to know they have Speckled Hen too, I rather like that.
I was actually going to ask about skiing and what clothes, a colleague in Japan told me its nice up there in winter. (i'm off to Switzerland on Sat for a week)
I'll be paid in SGD and have forms to apply for a local CC. My current bank (HSBC) are already setup for my arrival in Singa.
I don't actually have a plan to get a car, I'd love to own one, but will see how things go in the first year. I will be wanting a motorbike however (Pasir Gudang is rather close I see
) so will be looking in to that soon.
Work provide me with a blackberry, with data which has already been ordered (and i've been told I can use it to ring home as well) but I've just had my iPhone unlocked by O2 (for free would you believe).
Skype account is already sorted and new laptop that I've ordered through work had a webcam and mic built in.
Few more questions around clothes, are things like short and t-shirts etc cheaper over there or shall I stock up before I head out?
Hi John
, my boss asked me to ship over tins of mushy peas and tinned salmon for him! Nice to know they have Speckled Hen too, I rather like that.I was actually going to ask about skiing and what clothes, a colleague in Japan told me its nice up there in winter. (i'm off to Switzerland on Sat for a week)
I'll be paid in SGD and have forms to apply for a local CC. My current bank (HSBC) are already setup for my arrival in Singa.
I don't actually have a plan to get a car, I'd love to own one, but will see how things go in the first year. I will be wanting a motorbike however (Pasir Gudang is rather close I see
) so will be looking in to that soon.Work provide me with a blackberry, with data which has already been ordered (and i've been told I can use it to ring home as well) but I've just had my iPhone unlocked by O2 (for free would you believe).
Skype account is already sorted and new laptop that I've ordered through work had a webcam and mic built in.
Few more questions around clothes, are things like short and t-shirts etc cheaper over there or shall I stock up before I head out?
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 21st January 09:36
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 21st January 09:39
I'll be watching this thread with interest, was in Singa a week ago, and am now job hunting out there - already got some mates there (phumy will tell you about the pretty one 
) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?
Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
Bing o said:
I'll be watching this thread with interest, was in Singa a week ago, and am now job hunting out there - already got some mates there (phumy will tell you about the pretty one ) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?
Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
Clicky ) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 21st January 14:24
Rich_AR said:
Bing o said:
I'll be watching this thread with interest, was in Singa a week ago, and am now job hunting out there - already got some mates there (phumy will tell you about the pretty one ) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?
Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
Clicky ) but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?Hopefully, all being well, we can add a few more faces to the Breworkz drinks
Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 21st January 14:24
What's your line of work, if you don't mind me asking?
Bing o said:
but does anyone have a link to a decent property website so I can get a feel for how much a 2 bed apartment with pool will cost me?
If you want, I'll PM you the details of the agent we use at work, she's brilliant. Actually listens to what you want and only shows you stuff within the budget she's been given. She's sorted out about 15 of us in the last couple of years and I've not heard a single complaint - her daughter is kinda cute too!I'm up for beers but does it have to be Brfewerks? I can't stnad that stuff!
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