Yes,

Been looking for a job for an eternity; perhaps longer and there is a slim chance I may be able to take a contract to work in Singapore for a year;

Thought; Currently holding a C permit; which I believe I can hold onto for upto 2 years without being here; should I return?

2nd Thought; No relocation on offer I would need to pay my (family) relocation; Have I gone completely barking mad?

What do you think?

A year is such a short time - if the opportunity came my way I would do it. If you did not maybe in future years you might wish you did it - it sounds like a great experience.
Good Luck whatever you decide

No, you're not barking mad. You'll know the feeling's right if you're not having nightmares about the opportunity. Go with your gut. And good luck.

You can freeze your C for 2 years and possibly 3 if from EU/EEA. You can also "delay" saying so for 6 months and continue paying health insurance.

Once having worked in Singy for a year it'll be easier to come back rather than staying here unemployed. I did this 4 years ago, went to Germany for 6 months from Bern, within 4 months had found a replacement job in Zurich and came back.

Sometimes the most effective route is not always the most direct.

So try it out for a few months and then make the decision about the family or just go all together for the emotional support. It's never easy on the family without you.

only thing would be to consider the ver large cost of relocating a whole family,

if you really plan to come back maybe dont move your whole house over,

but it you might stay longer it might be worth it.

tough call but an opportunity is better then nohting!

good luck

Not sure about what you mean by family. If you have kids, it might be a little unsettling for them to be uprooted just for a year.

If not, I'll say go for it if its just you and the wife. Its an amazing country to work in for a couple of years.

A great start for your research will be this forum for Singapore expats.

Sounds like an exciting opportunity. And amazing food in Singapore. And different countries to make short trips to.

Go for it!

It is impossible to decide if you are mad without knowing the details

If the job looks like a long term career opportunity you are interested in, move with the family.

If it is only a job to earn money and make some better experiences than being unemployed here... why do you not go alone first. One year is really short and maybe after a few months you know if you want to stay there or rather come back. Moving with everyone over there just to move back in so a short time would not be what you want to do.

If you think the job is a bad compromise that holds you back on finding something better here and you actually want to stay here... do not go.

If there are kids and they go to school, it makes things more complicated.

As land is scarce in Singapore, you may want to check out the rental market as part of your consideration. www.propertyguru.com.sg provides pictures of apartments' interior and you will have some idea of what you can get for your price range. Most private apartments come with swimming pool, gym and tennis courts (you should not have to pay extra for their usage as it is part of rental). And they come furnished.

Food is very cheap - 5 CHF gets you a bowl of wanton noodles plus drinks (soft drinks/fruit juices).