Furniture - to bring or not to bring

[alanh70]

Can anyone tell me if it is worthwile bringing furniture with us to Singapore. We only expect to stay for about 5 years. Also, what are the pro's and cons of renting furnished accomodation - are the furnishings normally neat, clean etc - What are the costs of new furniture should we decide to completely refurnish in Singapore. We already have some furniture in store in South Africa ( free storage as I am with a moving company) so storing is not a cost problem.

Thanks for any info  

[CL]

We moved here two months ago and found out the furniture here is actually pretty cheap.  We like chinese rosewood furniture and there is no way we could pay that kind of price in US, UK, and Japan.  We managed to work on a furniture allowance with our landlord.  We purchased some furnitures that we will be taking with us and use the allowance to buy some furnitures and electrical appliance we only use during our stay.

[saazhead2]

It really depends on your situation regarding housing.  If your housing allowance includes the cost of furniture rather than it being a separate line item, then bring furniture.  I'd bring about 80% of what you eventually expect to have; thereby, leaving room to by some stuff unique to the area.

Renting furniture is not cheap if you have a good deal to rent.  I am renting a DR set, Washer, dryer, television and stand for about $240 (SGD) per month.  Pretty good, but I cannot imagine the cost to furnish an entire house.

[chicago]

I agree.  It depends on your situation.  If you bring 70-80% then you will have room to buy some neat stuff.  We brought most of our furniture and now our new house feels like our home not like someone elses. I have spoken with people who brought nothing and really regretted not having their own things especially if the assignment ends up being longer than expected.  

[jws]

Especially if you are with a moving company, bring it. 5 years is a long time without the furniture you love. by the time you go back to RSA, you will not remember the items any more. There is hundreds of furniture / antique stores here where you can buy great stuff at very reasonable prices, but again, 5 years is a long time without your favorite bed and dining set.

[dwtrapp]

Ok everyone,

Have a question--What if you do not work for a moving company. Would you still recommend someone shipping there furniture to SG from the US. (No Expat kickbacks, either) We were planning on selling everything and just sort of starting over out there, but we were going to start off by renting everything for the 1st 90 days.

[AliB]

My experience of actual furnished accomodation is that the furniture was pretty ordinary BUT some landlords will build a furniture allowance into the lease which will allow you to choose your own.  This will generally be on a rent/buy basis so the landlord isn't left with the headache of disposing of the furniture.  Whitegoods tend to come with most accomodation.

We have an allowance from my husband's employer which enabled us to furnish the whole house.  As I didn't want to bring my good antique furniture which would last 5 mins in this climate and the rest of the furniture was past its use by date, this has turned out to be a really good option for us.

So it depends on your personal circumstances.  Certainly bring a few favourite pieces (but not your valuable antiques) but if you have the option of a furniture allowance then take it is my advice!

[sally]

I have a couple of good antique furniture pieces, which I fear may be damaged in storage, what sort of damage would the Sinagpore climate do to these pieces?

[Ron]

Just arrived three weeks ago, I realized that most furnitures were cheaper here.  

However, some imported furnitures are significantly more expensive than in the US, especially the things with mechanical features.   If you want to have mechanics couch/bed, it's cheaper in the US.  Lazy Boy rocking chair in Spore cost around S$3,000.  Three seaters reclining leather sofa costs S$4,000-6,000, while we bought the similar one in the US for $1,600.  

If you want supreme US spring bed, it might cost you S$2,000-$3,000, unless you buy local assembled brand.  

Other furnitures are cheaper in Spore.  

The price of electrical appliances are almost similar to the price in the US.  However, please note that the voltage in Singapore is 220 volt.

[ee_assoc]

Singapore has rather humid weather condition. Thus, furniture which is prone to humidity is not advisable.

Besides, prices of furnitures and fittings are rather reasonable. If you like european furnitures, you can visit IKEA off Alexandra Road which carry a whole range of European items.

Or, if you are not fussy about resale furniture, you can visit any of the garage sale spot for a good bargain which can be found in the Garage Sale section of the Classified

[Liya]

ee_assoc mentioned the posibility of garage sale,where are they located? can you be more specific ? what are they "second hand shops for clothes and house needs?

[nicky]

Please note that Asian people are smaller than expats. In consequence also their beds...
We are Europeans and my husband is 1m90.
Most mattresses over here are only 1m80 long.
So if you are tall, do bring your own bed.
It'll save you from cold feeth hanging out off your bed!

If you're furniture isn't used to humidity, you might consider leaving it in a storage.
We brought very less, but friends off us brouhgt some things and it's not a nice view...

Making it your home, just bring your favorit accesories like mugs, plaids, cushions, table-clothes, photos (!) - we decorated the whole wall with cheap ikea frames, but it so feels like home! - toys (if you got children), ...

About children: most children's furniture and clothes are ugly (compaired with European things)
That was my only disappointment over here.

Good luck!

[AliB]

If your company offers you the opportunity of coming on a "furnished" basis (ie they will allow you to lease furniture here) then I would not bother bringing any of your furniture except perhaps a couple of special pieces.  Also some landlords will build furniture into a lease on a "hire-purchase" basis but there is generally not enough to furnish a whole house.  Furniture provided with accomodation is pretty tacky!

In answer to a question above, I would be extremely wary of bringing antiques.  This is an unforgiving climate for anything that is a bit frail.

[new member]

Hi Saazhead2,
Please give me the name of the furniture rental place. I have to rent a bed as we'll be moving in to our apt very soon and some of our shipment has not arrived yet. I will greatly appreciate your help.
Thanks.

[newguy]

Nikki,

Your statement implies that expats aren't people of Asian origin, further spreading an already stereo type.

Don't mean to be judgemental, I hope we can think beyond the stereotypes here.