Wednesday 31 July 2013

What District do we stay in when we move?????

I suppose when we were told I was moving to Singapore everything was very exciting but now we are looking at where we are going to stay. Singapore unlike the area we stay in currently is broken into districts. These districts are housed within 5 regions (South West, North West, Central, North East and South East)Click the link to see exactly where these districts are. Remember Singapore is quite small, 25Km x 49Km so the districts are all very close to one another.

  Singapore Districts


We started by looking in District 10 as this is where the British High Commission is located (my office) however, it would seem we can get much more for our money by looking out with the expensive Districts of 9,10 & 11. Sheila really likes the idea of being on the East coast areas as there are great sea views and a bit of a breeze! We are continuing our search concentrating on the districts, we will then see what type of apartments are available to us.

Sunday 28 July 2013

We'll Miss You....

After speaking to a couple of friends they suggested putting this on to the blog and they can then leave a comment for us to read now and in the future. I'm sure I'll come by this post and edit it every now and then with all the things we are going to miss and when we are in Singapore we can detail the things that potential visitors to our home can bring with them!!



What do you think so far??

I've never done a blog before but my wife has (and she gets paid for advertising!) I have been shown how to check where my visitors are coming from etc. I would really like to know what you think so far. I know I have visited loads of blogs and not left comments with many. If there is anything in particular that you think should be featured I'm happy to oblige. My wife love to research so this is almost a mini project for her!


Cosmo Aberdeen - Asian Dinning at its best

We all went out last night for dinner. It was a nice opportunity to meet up with Sheila's two uncles and her aunty. It was the first time we had all met up since I announced we were relocating to Singapore. We decided to hit Cosmo. Alun and Sheila had been before but myself Richard and Margaret had not.

It was superb. Sheila decided to have some Singapore noodles and Singapore chicken in testament to our forthcoming move! Alun and Margaret suggested that they would come out to Singapore next April for their anniversary - they would be most welcome!






Friday 26 July 2013

We have assistance in Singapore!!

I'm just off the phone and have fired emails back and forward to my very good friend Ishak. Ishak and I met on one of my first trips to KL where I was presenting to 200 Oil & Gas people. We hit it off and ever since we meet up when I am in the region.

I passed on the exciting news that the move was now on so he is going to act as a liaison for us in Singapore, I really think this is going to help us loads.

So, I want to give 3 cheers to Ishak, Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray!

I think that's enough of that.

Petronas Towers Taken on my last trip to KL

What can Daisy Dog do in Singapore.....?

If like us, you have a little doggie and you are wondering what there is in Singapore then look no further! Sheila has been busy researching what and where there is for Daisy. Singapore appears to be very tolerant in regards to dogs. There are some issues with the larger breed but I'll post links about that later on. However, they love little dogs, fluffy dogs, girly dogs and in fact anything little and cuddly!!

Daisy in her Tutu on her 6th Birthday


The following links are just some of the place we have found :

Ginny Grooming & Daycare Service

Hotdog Spa, Grooming & Daycare Centre

Urban Pooch, Spa, Cafe, Grooming and Daycare

If you just want to find some dog friendly areas to have a walk click the following link :

Dog Friendly Places Singapore

Hot Hot Hot Singapore.......

I know Singapore can be hot, I have visited to have client meetings. The temperature range is between the mid twenties to mid thirties. However the humidity is high, between 60 and 70%!

Have a look for yourself :

Thursday 25 July 2013

How helpful are the Expat boards?

Howdy everyone, I'm sure like us you have scoured the web looking for as much information as possible about your potential move to Singapore.

The Blogs we have found are invaluable sources of practical information. The people that write these blogs are also willing to offer advice and suggestions when prompted.

However, in our experience the same cant be said for the "expat boards". It probably really unfair to tar everyone with the same brush as there have been a "few" helpful posts. In the main however the boards are perused by trolls out to pick up on your spelling, punctuation or anything else that takes their fancy. I have made a number of posts asking what I believe to be salient question only to be told to go google it or find the information myself! The replies vary from helpful (occasionally) to downright rude, aggressive or just plain unhelpful. 

My advice, stick to the bloggers, they are a way better class of respondent to any of your questions and queries!!

Cost of living comparison - Aberdeen - Singapore


We heard lots of horror stories about the cost of living in Singapore. We wondered if my salary and benefits would be enough for us to live in comfort out there.

One blog we read said that we need about $10,000 per month to live comfortably. I found the link below and compared my current location ( Aberdeen in the NE of Scotland ) The comparison website was really informative and helped loads.

Find your own comparison here


Getting Daisy to Singapore

Our little Westie is going to be sharing our experience of coming to Singapore. I understand that this is complex but as we are coming from the UK we have some benefits. I have trawled the web and emailed the ministry in Singapore. I will provide updates as and when we get them with the aim of assisting other travellers in a similar position!
Daisy the Westie - Woof!

And so it starts.......

I work for a government organisation based in the UK. I have recently been promoted and asked to head up our operation in Singapore. SO, with around 14 weeks left before I have to leave my house in Aberdeen and be in Singapore I thought this might be a way of sharing our experiences. 
There is only myself (Mark) my wife (Sheila) and our little Westie (Dasiy) going to be relocating.
Its exciting but there are loads of things that need to be arranged!!
Sheila & Mark McDermott