Englishmum

Thank you!

We've had two expat postings in Singapore (a total of more than 8 years combined) and in between my spouse worked in New York City - we still have a house in New Jersey which our son is living in - he and I became US citizens but my spouse gave up his green card! We left Singapore in June 2011 to go on our latest posting in central Switzerland.

I really, really miss all the fabulous local Singaporean cuisine! It is so hard to prepare my own Singaporean dishes here as I can't easily - if at all - get hold of the ingredients. Sadly I just can't replicate the atmosphere of a hawker centre or local coffee shop! I miss Murtabak at Zam Zam's and the Colbar off Portsdown Road.

Pupsiecola

Ahhh the Colbar. We discovered it after about a month of being there. The boys were feeling homesick and we talked about what might make them feel better. Sausage, chips and beans was the answer so I googled places and we ended up at the Colbar, the first of several trips. Not many people know about it. Nice to have some happy memories of our time in Sing.

Bocat

Not sure if this suggestion would send your eldest over the edge - but would he consider boarding?

Marlborough College Malaysia (just over the border in Johor) are offering the IB programme for Years 12 and 13. Boarding only though for this age group.

Englishmum

Just craving a Colbar curry with 'trimmings' and a portion of chips right now!

http://www.yelp.com.sg/biz/colbar-co...-bar-singapore

Pupsiecola

Thanks for posting that link! I remember it so well. It's been hard to look at photos of Sing. So many mixed emotions. But I enjoyed these snaps!

eejaybee88

Re schools, I think it'a all been said.

Re dogs, we live in a private condo & have adopted 2 medium-sized dogs. The restrictions in size only apply to those in HBD/government flats, so you just need to get permission from the landlord, though people here are not necessarily as broad-minded as in UK re having animals - make that part of your property search. An older condo would probably be best or a landed property/house. You need to buy a dog licence from AVA (www.ava.gov.sg), which can be done online. Dogs generally need to be kept on a leash at all times - only in the official dog runs can you let them off, a list of which already provided in earlier post.

Hope that helps!

bakedbean

eejaybee88. Welcome to the forum.

fantail19

Have you considered Marlborough College in Malaysia? My daughter is the same age as your son and has been very happy there. She is devastated to leave as we are moving to NZ, but I can recommend the school despite being very new. Otherwise, consider a switch from Cambridge to IB at UWSEA. It is also a very good school.
Local schools are very challenging academically, which has both good and bad sides. Socially this can be quite isolating as well.
We have a golden retriever and live in an apartment in Bukit Timah. No probs at all. Walks twice a day.
Look at Winstedt Academy for your other son incase that is a possibility.
All the best with your move!