Honestly blueslusher, "things are expensive" is really not the point.  "Certain things can not be purchased, period, no matter who you are, how special you are and how much money you have."  This poster also said she planned to move "very shortly"...well, then, it may help to have context that NOTHING happens quickly here.  NOTHING.  The average latte at Starbucks takes 3 times as long.  And arrives cold, possibly without coffee in it, and it was probably served by an 11 year old barrista.  Am I whining?  No, it's perspective though.

This OP wouldn't be the first person to move up here assuming they knew everything.  The CEOs of some of the major companies move up here and experience obscene culture shock.  They really, truly assumed that you could get a gardener and a maid.  Doesn't anyone know who they are?  They are the CEO of blah blah blah!  What do you mean no one will clean their houses for them!  They are offering DOUBLE what they offered in their exclusive Singapore home! 

^ true story, that.  CEO ended up written up by bylaw multiple times because his lawn got so out of control.  He's not the CEO because he's dumb and doesn't think anything through...he just made a very reasonable assumption that turned out to be completely false.