Household things from USA

[califmom]

As you can see I am still researching things....probably until the day we leave for S'pore  
I know none of my appliance will work thanks to the different voltage, very little of my furniture is worth shipping (two kids under 8, enough said). But what about things like bedsheets. Are S'pore beds the same sizes as US beds ?
Also how do people dry clothes? I read in the housing tips on this forum that very few apartments come with dryers. I can't imagine line drying in a flat, and also does the humidity not slow things down ?
Are cool cotton kids clothes easily available, or should I stock up before i come? I guess most schools have uniforms, so they need less clothes ?
Thanks
K

[How About?]

Hi there,

Perhaps you would like to measure up your bed, so we can confirm if you can continue to use your favourite bedsheets here in Singapore.  I once bought a queen-sized bed from a company called Pennsylvania House and it was 1 foot longer than standard queens.  I could not find any bedsheets here that would fit.

Although it is humid over here, the sun is strong.  When you take your wash out of the washing machine, on an average day, clothes can dry within an hour or two.  Most apartments have an 'open' wash area which you could dry your clothes on the line.  (Hint: when you look for an apartment over here, check out the wash area)

Cotton clothings are everywhere and they are very cheap compared to US prices.  BUT, if you have your favourite brands like GAP, Guess, Banana Republic, do stock up before you come.  GAP and BP are not retailed here.  Guess is, but costs more than what you can find back home.

Your kids may in fact need more clothes because they will perspire more.  It all depends on your children, actually.

Hope this helps.  Cheers

[brussels]

I am originally from the US, so i know what you're going thru!
If you have american size beds, bring sheets from the US. You have a much better selection and price. Some of the stores here DO have US sizes, but the good quality are expensive.
Bring enough clothes from the US to get you started....again, better selection and price in the US. You can get some decent cotton clothing here, but come prepared,and look for new items at your leisure here, once you're settled. I find the kids wear "regular" clothing less, since school uniforms are worn everyday. Bring extra swimsuits if you'll have access to a pool.
Will you be living in "expat housing"? Most apt.'s have clothes dryers, or you can negotiate it into your contract. Unusual NOT to have a dryer, unless you'll be living in an HBD flat. Actually, we dry alot of our cotton clothes(to avoid shrinkage) outdoors, and they dry quickly.
Hope this helps....good luck with the move, S'pore is a great place to live!

[califmom]

Oh thanks so much for the prompt replies. I guess we will be buying beds there, except for the kids rather new beds, mine is old and creaky. The kids each have a twin bed, which is 39 inches by 75 inches. The queens we sleep on and have in the guest room is 60 by 80.
Do you think it would be worth bringing all the sheets etc over ?
I guess I am getting overwhelmed by the thought that I am going to have to replace almost an entire household of furnishings and appliances. It seems like I will have to budget a hefty chunk just to get started. AND don't even get me started on the car issue, over here not having a car is like having your legs shackled. I spend about half my day driving my kids from school to activity and even friend's houses  
K

[brussels]

Just a bit of information regarding beds... we bought our son a new bed here and a good mattress (Sealy) was a fortune!! Cost more than the lovely hand-carved bed!! I was shocked. If the quality of the mattress isn't an issue...you should be fine. If you are buying beds here, than buy the sheets here too.
Yes, you do spend a small fortune getting a house set-up. Alot of expats sell household items used..(when they are moving) You can get some great buys. They usually post lists at the bigger food store notice *** and clubs/organizations.

[Thread Count]

My wife's family owns a high end linen store in the Midwest.  Sheets here are cheap!  We looked at each other in amazement when we we purchased our sheets here.  It was if we were stealing them, looking at each other with michevious grins.

We bought king size sheets(US size), 350 thread count, flat, fitted, and pillow cases for For about $95 US!

350 thread cnt sheets would easily have cost us $500 in the States.  We bought 6 sets for X-mas presents.  Sheets are cheap!

Beds run standard USizes for k, q, d, t etc.

Here is a little tip for those of you out there looking for GAP, Banana Rep, J. Crew etc.  There is a store in JB called The Fcatory Outlet Store F.O.S.

All GAP, BP, JC, CK, Old Navy Etc.  Cut tag and cheap!  Most of these items made for US export are produced in Malaysia.  

Negotiate with your landlord to have your place furnished.  It is a renter's market at the moment.  We ended up in a condo owned by locals who were relocted to KL.  So we didn't need furniture they left all of theirs for us.  Both agents and all landlords however offerd furniture at no extra charge.  Don't worry, we were even given catalogs to choose what we wanted.  

We were lucky, we moved from Ireland and the elec. is the same.  We've lived in 5 countries and I always pack my kitchen.  I'm a serious cook and have things I cannot part with.  If this is your first move, there is one simple rule to live by:

If it can be replaced, replace it.  If it costs more to ship than what it is worth, replace it.  

Saying that, if something gives you joy, and you won't feel like you are at home without it, ship it!

Good luck!

If the kids like PBJ, bring grape jelly, you can't buy it here.

 

[azriel]

What is it with grape jelly?  Why don't they like it here?   I searched all over for it and you can get Welch's grape jelly at Tanglin Market.

[This message has been edited by azriel (edited 27-07-2003).]

[CravingMex]

Since we are on what we can't locate....has anyone found refried pinto beans??

[cold storage]

you can get refried beans (pinto) at almost any cold storage.

[JD]

Just a thought Califmom, ovens here are much smaller than regular US ovens. Ovens here are more UK/European size. Many houses/aprtments don't even have an oven at all, just the stove top-so look out when househunting.
If you want to do any baking here then be aware that the huge baking trays that fill a US oven may not fit here. Aso be aware that baking sheets/muffin tins etc all seem to be quite expensive for good quality stuff. If you do baking a lot and use icing bags/novelty cake moulds/tins or other special items or ingredients then bring them with you too.
Good Luck for your move.

[califmom]

Thanks for all the replies, people. Our move will probably be in winter. Short of cutting and pasting the replies, is there someother way I can save these tips, to double check when I am actually doing hte packing/buying ?
Thanks,
K

[brussels]

Unfortunately, i do not know of any book published with all this info...this board seems to be the best source for up to date info.
Get out your pen and paper and start a running list of all the things you'll need before you move. You may want to start "collecting" stuff now. I have learned not to wait until the last few weeks before a move. Too much going on and I was rushed to get everything. Shop the sales and start now!

[Print Screen]

All you need to do is hit "Print Screen" on your keyboard when you have this page up.  Next, you open Word.  Finally, right click, select "Paste" and presto, you have your page saved!

[Be aware]

Just be aware that some of the apartments have European Washers and Dryers.  The washers are front loaders, so a cycle takes an awful long time, like over an hour or so, and the spin dry is not that greatest.  So if washing is put onto the line will take longer to dry than previously stated, even if it is in the sun.  Humidity is very high, so once it is nearly dry bring inside (portable clothes line), and put into a spare room if possible, and all will be dry in the morning.  Otherwise use your dryer, but again be aware they are not too large.  Can get Amercan appliances i believe, but check that the ampage is correct for the apartment wiring, as you could trip the meter all the time.

Good luck with your move.

[Califmom]

Thank you so much for all the input. Turns out we will be moving later and not earlier than expected. If it is around Feb next year, I may think of finishing the school year out and then joining my husband. Interestingly a lot of the educational sites recommend joining mid-year when the demand for spaces is less. Seems counter-intuitive, but that's what even the education resoources on this website say.
K