Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Report of what it's like to live there - 08/23/13
Personal Experiences from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
My second expat experience. I have lived in Karachi before this.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
My home base is Hyderabad in India. It's a 4.5 hours direct flight via Malaysian Airlines, no stops.
3. How long have you lived here?
I have been here since 2008 -- 5.5 years now!
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
I moved here with my spouse who was offered an assignment here and now I work here too.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Lots of choices, log onto iproperty to get the best options, that's what I did.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries can be bought from stores like Jusco, Aeon, Tesco, Cold Storage or from the weekend of night markets (Pasar is teh word for markets). They are not very expensive unless you go foro the "foreign" brands.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Books, clothes, gifts etc.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Malaysia is known for its affordable and decent food. Major fast food brands like KFC, McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks etc are all available with very popular local alternatives.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes can be a problem along with termites and these tiny little red insects that come and go as they please.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Mail, Pos Laju.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Affordable; hire part time or full time help via agencies to avoid illegal workers.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most of the condos have their own gym.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Mostly safe, but be careful about not using them in small shops and look at ATM stand-alone machines carefully.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Newspapers are RM1- RM2.5 depending on the edition, Astro has different packages for TV channels.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Not much as almost everyone understands English, but Malay is an easy language to learn and quite fun.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
The roads could be a problem. This city is very well equipped for the visually challenged, as for the rest, it could be a bit difficult but not much.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Public transport is safe and affordable, but like all cities with heavy tourist traffic, care needs to be taken when taking cabs.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
No such restriction but carjackings could be a problem.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Definitely available. Check out Maxis Home, Unifi or Streamyx.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get a one year contract. Maxis has the best.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, sometimes.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes, very nice ones.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Yes.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Only one word. Decent.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
There has been a recent increase in crime and that's scary, but like any cosmopolitan city, you need to carry your bags away from the road, be careful with your belongings, don't get into fights and if someone does try to snatch your bag, let it go.
Be careful while taking cabs at night.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Private hospitals are very good but very expensive; government healthcare is not so good.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Moderate most of the time, unless there's the deaded "haze."
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot, rain, hotter, rain, rain, hot...sunny, rain.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Lots of international schools fitting all price ranges. The teachers are very well trained professionals.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Most of the international schools are special need sensitive.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Lots. Kidzania is a fun place, Petrosains is another
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Massive.
2. Morale among expats:
Good.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Awesome!
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It's a fantastic city for any age group/ family type, as long as you make up your mind to wake up every morning and say to yourself "I wonder what this day is going to teach me", vs "Oh No! another day the trains might be late!"
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
The LGBT culture here is very open. Since it's an Islamic country, it does have its restrictions, but as long as couples aren't heavily indulging in PDA's, it's all ok.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
This is a multi racial society so be ready to hear some racial jokes! Most of the time they don't even realise they are being racial and it's taken in the right spirit most of the time.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
As someone who's only lived in India and Pakistan, my food choices were very ... let's just say tame.. Malaysia has truly opened up my gastronomic experiences. I can now truly say.. if it is Halal, I have eaten it!
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
What do you want to do? Eat? Shop? Mountain climb? Surf? Adventure sports? It's all here!
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Lots!! Discover them when you get here.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Malaysia is a truly amazing country! The people are lovely (most of them), the food is amazing and the weather is well... Let's just say I love it.
The most obvious advantages are the high standard of living vs. the low cost of living, but it's definitely more complex than that. Malaysia is uniquely positioned as the entrance to SE Asia and as a country it has very unique tourism spots. I live in KL and within 30 minutes - 2 hours drive from the city centre I have beaches, a rainforest, mini mountains, hidden retreats, mangroves and what not. The food is amazing, people are nice and the shopping is exquisite. Other than that, it's a paradise if you are someone who loves marine life. The diving is heavenly and I am still talking about peninsular Malaysia... go to East Malaysia and you are literally in heaven.. the world's top 5 diving spots are there.
And then if you had enough of Malaysia (though I can't imagine why!), hop on a bus or a train or a flight and go to Indonesia, Bangkok, Singapore, Vietname.. the list is endless!
Now why would you not want to live here?
11. Can you save money?
Yes.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
YES.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations and inhibitions.
3. But don't forget your:
Sense of adventure and fun.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
I found most of my information from Time Out KL, a local franchise of the international brand. They have a comprehensive website and app and Expatriate Lifestyle which has a publication called "Arrivals." I also subscribed to a few magazines for free, e.g, expatriate Lifestyle.
I am not much of a book reader, prefer to jump in, in this case.
