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Managing child-related expenses in Singapore

Last activity 31 July 2023 by beppi

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Cheryl

Hello everyone,

Embarking on an expat journey to Singapore with children presents unique challenges, particularly concerning the financial considerations related to raising kids. Whether you are planning to relocate to Singapore or have already begun your expat life, understanding these aspects will help you manage your budget and ensure the well-being of your children in their new environment.

To kick off the discussion, we have gathered a few questions. We encourage you to share your experiences and insights on the topic:

How do the costs of raising a child in Singapore differ from your home country? What is the most significant expense related to childhood in Singapore?

Are child-related services in Singapore affordable?

Is there any financial support available for expat families, or is it reserved only for local citizens?

What is the estimated cost of medical expenses and routine healthcare for your child?

Are there affordable options for child activities, such as sports clubs or music lessons?

What are your tips to manage your budget effectively in Singapore  (clothing and equipment rentals, swaps, parent groups, etc.)?

We look forward to hearing your responses and testimonials on this topic.
Thank you for your contributions.

Cheryl
The Expat.com Team

beppi

Having kids in Singapore is very expensive!

(This also explains the country's low birth rate!)

No subsidized services exist for foreign kids, so costs for them are even higher.

Child care (kindergarten) and schools (private, as public ones are largely closed to foreigners) cost several thousand dollars per month - PER CHILD. This is the highest, but not the only expense.

Also, in my personal opinion, too few places exist for kids to play freely and explore the world on their own. There are many (mostly commercial) options for guided learning and most parents push their kids through plenty of them, but creativity and character building suffers in such a stressful framework. This was one of the reasons we moved away when we had kids.

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