My husband will probably get a job transfer to Singapore. I grew up in Taipei and have lived in California for a decade. I’ve never been to Singapore and the few people I asked all were very impressed with what they’d seen there when they were “on vacation.”
I was wondering if any of Forumosans has worked and lived in Singapore and could give me some advice as to how to prepare myself and my children for the transition. I imagine I’ll still get culture shock even though there are lots of ethnic Chinese and most people speak English.
The heat: I know it’s warm all year round. Is it humid? Are you sweaty all the time (if not in an air-conditioned room)? Is the heat more or less bearable than that of Taipei?
The clothing: Will I have trouble finding larger sized clothing? Are people brand conscious? Are good clothes expensive?
Mass transportation: Is it convenient? Is it expensive? (I know buying and owning a car is extremely expensive there.)
Children: Does the society in general care about the protection, safety, and health issues of children?
Education: Do their students learn more advanced materials at school? Can foreigners attend public schools?
Stuff: What small household items or personal care products do you think I should bring from Taipei or the US that are expensive to buy or hard to find in Singapore?
What else should I be asking?
Thanks in advance for sharing what you know or have experienced!