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[tailorsggson]

I recently made the short-list for a position in Singapore and was wondering if anyone here had experience teaching/living over there. Just about everyone I've spoken to among my friends/colleagues (all with liberal/libertarian tendencies) invariable mix their praise with some crack about it being a "repressive" society - although the expat websites I've looked at make it seem like that "repression" is pretty hollow unless you flaunt your private affairs or make commentary on local politics a hobby.

More detailed information along those lines would be fine, but I'm also interested in information about:
- international schools (two kids, 3 and 5)
- work opportunities for spouse (certified high school English teacher in US)
- cost of living (relative to starting ass't prof. salaries)
- housing advice
- ease of adjustment coming from US

Thanks in advance.

[gobelin]

I haven't worked there, but have visited, and have American friends who work there who love it.  Yes, everything is very regimented - no chewing gum, fines if you forget to flush the loo, durians not allowed in various places ... but at the same time, everything works and everywhere is clean.  It's a very multicultural society with English ('Singlish') as the common language.  There are some nice places to hang out and eat or drink beer of an evening by the waterfront, and endless shopping.  I think it would be a very comfortable place to live, and if you got bored of the regimentation, you could easily escape for holidays to other parts of Asia.