Living in Kuala Lumpur - any advice?

[schmalex]

Hi Asia-Pac folks,

I'm currently negotiating the possibility of joining a company to run their apac business and will be based out of their KL office. I should hear in the next 3 - 4 weeks, so thought I'd do a little pre-emptory investigation.

Looking on Google maps, the office appears to be fairly close to the Damasara Heights district, which I've heard is good for families (I will be moving over with SWMBO & our 9 year old lad).

We've been through KL a couple of times whilst travelling on holiday & I've done some business there over the past couple of years, so we are reasonably familiar with downtown etc.

However, any advice on dull things like cost of living compared to the UK, decent English schools, do's & don'ts, decent cars to get (I think to import my S4 & my wife's Touareg would cost a small huge fortune!) etc, etc would be more than welcome.

XJS-J - If & when I get over there, I want to come for a sail & a few liveners!

Edited by schmalex on Wednesday 29th August 17:23

[crazy about cars]

Well, if you are living and commuting anywhere near the capital expect massive traffic jams lol. Cars are very expensive over in Malaysia unless you buy Proton. Used market is nowhere near as good as the UK.

The positive side is that the lifestyle is very vibrant (especially if you are single ). Great nightlife, great food etc.

edit: Just read the comment about your missus lol. There are some international schools in KL depending on the age of your child(ren) so it's not too bad if you have some £££ to spend. You are right about importing your car to Msia though...it will definitely cost £££. Parking is always a nightmare so if you are renting try to get a nice apartment with allocated parking space.

Cost of living is generally lower compared to UK unless you eat out every single day and like designer stuff Bargains to be had if you know where to look.

Edited by crazy about cars on Wednesday 29th August 17:25

Edited by crazy about cars on Wednesday 29th August 17:27

[schmalex]

She might not come out initially

[XJSJohn]

Hey Schmalex, Always looking for Crew Thinking of doing the Raja Muda Regatta next year, and perhaps leave the boat in Langkawi for the Langkawi Regatta later in the year (chartering for Kings Cup this year)

Few threads here that will get you started, some of teh general Singapore info will help for KL too, although we do drift off on tangents here quite often!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

www.mudah.my is Malaysia's equivalent of PH Classifieds, yes cars are more expensive than UK, but that is the case for all of SE Asia. However if you get creative (with teh car or the financing) you can still put yourself into some interesting choices.

Damansara is a good area a bit out of KLCC, and if work is there then i would suggest staying out that way too, although i do have an appartment in KLCC that we have been 50/50 on renting out - could do a short term deal until you decide what works for you

Berw is our man in Malaysia so sure he will be along with more local specific advice, but i seem to recal that his bin lids go to teh American School, and if its anything like SG, you will be parting with GBP10 - 15k a year.

[XJSJohn]

schmalex said:

She might not come out initially

http://www.singledudetravel.com/2011/05/the-single...

[anonymous-user]

We've done this on the threads John notes, but quickly.
1 Live near work or on the LRT, kids can get to school by bus and do not travel at peak, so let them travel, all the private schools do bussing.
2 Cars are not the problem people think you can get nice good classics and keep them running, do not even think about importing a car from the UK and do not get a modern (eletronic) german car, you can not get it maintained. As I've said I have aToyota Hilux 3 Liter 22K pound brand new, and a new Peradua Myvi Extreme 12 K new. both are good cars for a good price.
3 I think cost of living is low, Nick does not agree with me.
4 Schools from 5 K pound a year to 20K a year, avoid the bottom end, the middle ones are good but have a Chinese work ethic, I.e. Memory and slogging away for hours of home work (in my opioion), the top of the range one's are excellent, Budget 2K pound on top of the fees, E.g. My daughters school trip next month is 2 weeks in Mongolia nt cheap
4 Social life is what you make of it, avoid the wife gitting into the expat wives club P*ssing competions and you will be OK, your wife will not be able to work.
5 Medical treatment is good budget around 1k a year for insurance.
6 Apartment not house, keeping a house safe and clean is not easy, ( year old get an apartment with grills on his bedroom window, or fix them yourself, allow 1hundred pound for this.
7 If the company pay the rent get everything in, TV, electric Maid etc, if you get an allowance take it and look around you will get abetter deal than your company, and the HR people wont be making 'coffe money' om your deal.
8 Tax is 25% max.
9 Do not bring ypur wife out for the firat 2 months, settle in first, everyone who has ignored me on this point has failed to settle.
10 Traffic is awfull in that you can not budget time e.g. thursady night because friday was a bank holiday, I made the mistake to pick my daughter up at school took 2 hours to do the 300M back to the ring road, If I'd parked in the filling station on the ring road and walked to the school I would have been home in 10 minutes.
11 Most places are safe, snatch crimes happen but don't let it worry you, stay away from illegal pubs and gambeling and you will not get into trouble, it is very safe for the wife.